Electro-Voice RE27 N/D Review

In an era where podcast setups and home studios have become increasingly common, the search for professional-grade audio equipment has expanded beyond the realm of recording studios and broadcast facilities. Among the sea of microphones available on the market, the Electro-Voice RE27 N/D stands as a beacon of reliability and quality that has earned its reputation as an industry standard. 

Design and Build Quality

The Electro-Voice RE27 N/D is immediately recognizable by its distinctive design—a substantial cylindrical body with a brushed nickel finish that exudes professional quality. Weighing in at 1 pound 10 ounces (737g), the microphone has a reassuring heft that speaks to its robust construction. This is not a microphone that feels like it will fall apart after a few years of use; rather, it’s built to withstand decades of professional application.

The RE27’s all-metal construction provides excellent protection for the internal components and offers superior RF shielding, an increasingly important feature in today’s wireless-saturated environments. The chassis is designed to minimize handling noise, though this microphone is primarily intended for mounted use in broadcast and studio settings rather than handheld applications.

The integrated pop filter and shock mounting effectively reduce plosives and mechanical vibrations, reflecting thoughtful engineering that addresses common issues in vocal recording. For professionals who demand reliability, the RE27’s build quality alone makes it worth consideration.

Technical Specifications

The RE27 N/D is a variable-D dynamic microphone, a design that helps minimize proximity effect—the bass boost that occurs when speaking close to the microphone. This makes it particularly well-suited for broadcast applications where consistent tonality is essential regardless of distance or movement.

The “N/D” in the microphone’s name refers to Electro-Voice’s neodymium magnet structure, which provides increased sensitivity and output level compared to traditional dynamic microphones. With a sensitivity of 8.5 mV/Pascal, the RE27 offers output levels that rival many condenser microphones while maintaining the ruggedness and reliability of a dynamic design.

Key specifications include:

• Frequency response: 45 Hz to 20 kHz
• Polar pattern: Cardioid
• Sensitivity: 8.5 mV/Pascal
• Impedance: 150 ohms
• Maximum SPL: >140 dB

The microphone features three switchable filters:

• A high-pass filter at 200 Hz
• A high-frequency boost at 4 kHz
• A low-frequency rolloff below 100 Hz

These filters provide versatility that allows the microphone to be optimized for different voices and recording environments—a feature that helps explain why the RE27 has found applications beyond broadcast into music recording, particularly for instruments like kick drums, guitar amplifiers, and brass.

Sound Quality

The RE27’s sonic signature is characterized by clarity, detail, and a rich midrange that flatters the human voice. Where some microphones might sound thin or brittle, the RE27 delivers a full-bodied sound that requires minimal processing to sound broadcast-ready.

Vocal reproduction is where this microphone truly shines. Male voices benefit from the RE27’s ability to capture low-end detail without muddiness, while female voices retain their natural warmth and presence. The microphone’s extended high-frequency response (compared to many other dynamic microphones) ensures that sibilance is captured accurately but not exaggerated.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the RE27’s sound is its consistency. The variable-D design means that slight movements of the speaker don’t result in dramatic tonal shifts, maintaining a professional sound even with less experienced speakers who might not maintain perfect microphone technique.

When compared to its siblings in the Electro-Voice lineup, the RE27 offers a more detailed high-end than the popular RE20, making it slightly better suited for voices that need additional presence. It shares much of its DNA with the RE20, which has been a broadcast standard for decades, but the RE27’s neodymium magnet and slightly different voicing give it distinctive advantages for certain applications.

Performance in Different Applications

Broadcasting and Podcasting

In broadcast settings, the RE27 excels due to its ability to reject room noise and its forgiving nature with regard to placement. Radio DJs and podcast hosts appreciate the way the microphone handles both close and distant speech without dramatic changes in tonality. The built-in shock mount helps isolate the microphone from desk thumps and other structure-borne noises common in broadcast environments.

The switchable filters prove especially useful in broadcasting applications. The high-pass filter effectively reduces rumble from air conditioning systems and other low-frequency environmental noise, while the presence boost can add clarity to voices that might otherwise sound muddy or indistinct.

Music Recording

While primarily known as a broadcast microphone, the RE27 has found a dedicated following among music producers and engineers. Its high SPL handling makes it an excellent choice for recording loud sources like guitar amplifiers and brass instruments. The detail in the high frequencies also makes it useful for capturing the attack of percussion instruments.

For vocal recording in music contexts, the RE27 works particularly well for rock, blues, and other genres where a robust midrange is desirable. While it may not have the airy top end of a premium condenser microphone, its resistance to proximity effect and ability to handle high volumes make it a versatile tool in the recording studio.

Field Recording

Though not its primary application, the RE27’s durability and resistance to environmental factors make it viable for certain field recording situations where condenser microphones might struggle. Its relative insensitivity to humidity changes and temperature fluctuations ensures reliable performance in challenging environments.

Comparison with Competitors

RE27 vs. Shure SM7B

The Shure SM7B is perhaps the RE27’s most direct competitor, with both microphones being dynamic cardioid designs favored in broadcast applications. The SM7B typically sells for a lower price point and has gained popularity among podcasters and streamers. However, the RE27 offers higher output (reducing the need for substantial preamp gain), extended high-frequency response, and more flexible filter options. The choice between the two often comes down to specific voice characteristics and personal preference.

RE27 vs. Condenser Microphones

When compared to studio condenser microphones like the Neumann U87 or AKG C414, the RE27 offers different advantages. While it may not match the ultimate detail and sensitivity of these premium condensers, it provides superior rejection of room noise, requires no phantom power, and stands up to physical abuse that would damage more delicate condenser designs. For many broadcast applications, these trade-offs are well worth the slightly reduced high-frequency detail.

Value and Investment Consideration

With a retail price typically ranging from $500-600, the RE27 represents a significant investment for individuals setting up a home studio. However, for professionals in broadcasting or production, the price is justified by several factors:

1. Exceptional durability and longevity (many RE27s remain in service after decades of use)
2. Consistent performance that requires minimal maintenance
3. Versatility across multiple applications
4. Professional-grade sound quality that stands up to commercial standards

When considered as a long-term investment rather than a disposable piece of equipment, the RE27’s value proposition becomes clearer. This is a microphone that can serve as the cornerstone of a professional audio setup for many years, potentially outlasting multiple generations of less robust equipment.

Potential Drawbacks

Despite its numerous strengths, the RE27 isn’t without limitations:

• Weight and size: The substantial build makes it impractical for certain mounting situations where a lighter microphone would be preferable.
• Price point: The cost places it beyond reach for many beginners or hobbyists.
• Gain requirements: While more sensitive than many dynamics, it still requires more gain than condenser microphones, potentially highlighting noise in lower-quality preamps.
• Not ideal for all voice types: Some very thin voices might benefit more from microphones with different frequency response characteristics.

Conclusion

The Electro-Voice RE27 N/D has earned its reputation through decades of reliable performance in professional environments. Its combination of robust construction, consistent sound quality, and versatile application makes it a standout choice for broadcasting, podcasting, and certain music recording scenarios.

What’s most impressive about the RE27 is how it has maintained its relevance in an industry constantly chasing the next innovation. While microphone technology has evolved dramatically since the RE27’s introduction, its fundamental design advantages continue to make it a reference point against which newer models are measured.

For professionals who demand broadcast-quality audio without the fragility or environmental sensitivity of condenser microphones, the RE27 remains one of the finest tools available. It represents an investment in quality that pays dividends through years of consistent performance, making it less expensive in the long run than cycling through multiple lower-quality alternatives.

Whether you’re outfitting a professional broadcast facility, creating a podcast studio, or expanding your microphone collection for music production, the Electro-Voice RE27 N/D deserves serious consideration. In a market filled with options that promise professional results, the RE27 is among the select few that consistently deliver on that promise.