Vidpro XM-55 Review
Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
- For Interviews, Film Shoots, Promo Vids
- Powered via AA Battery
- Mounts to Stand, Pole, Tripod, or Camera
- Supports XLR, 3.5mm & 1/4" Connectivity
- Enhanced Off-Axis Rejection
- 100 Hz to 16 kHz Frequency Response
- Shockmount, Stand Mount & Hand Grip
- Furry Windshield & Foam Windscreen
- Durable Aluminum-Alloy Construction
Introduction
In this article, we delve into a detailed analysis of 5,773 user reviews from various languages worldwide to examine the Vidpro XM-55. This analysis is performed by the RR artificial intelligence and updated daily with newly submitted reviews. The RR AI utilizes a complex algorithm to first scrutinize user reviews for credibility, filtering out unreliable ones. It then proceeds to dissect and evaluate the valuable insights within these reviews, providing users with ratings regarding the features of this product. Based on these assessments, users can make informed decisions about whether this product is suitable for them or not.
Ratings Based on Features
These results are a summary of user reviews of the Vidpro XM-55. For example, 65% of 550 users who have commented on the Sound quality of the Vidpro XM-55 have given positive feedback.
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 121 Reviews
Great For Beginners, Good for Amateurs
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by Matt C. on B&H Photo Video
I'm not a video guy, I'm an audio guy. I was in a bind and needed a shotgun mic quick for some SFX gathering and field recording work. This mic has excellent features and the price was fanstastic so I bought it. I admit I was also slightly enchanted by all the great accessories this kit offers. The short cables and 1/4 adapter are junk. The mic cable is fine, the clips, camera/tripod adapter and bushing, foam grip, and shockmount are good and I'm glad I have them! The foam windscreen is good, the furry windmuff doesn't really do its job (stick to the foam in my opinion).The mic has surprisingly good directional performance for its short length, although it is a little noisy and lacks sensitivity for the finer details. It IS however good for voice and dialogue - its main purpose. I will definitely be using this mic a lot more and although I was tempted to return it, I will be keeping it, I only wish I had double+ cash to by a better mic in the first place. I think this mic is a better deal than the XM-88 as well, based on specs and performance. The version of the XM-55 I got has a very effective HPF, and it runs on either a AA battery or Phantom, which is an essential feature in the field. It has a very lightweight feel and overall cheap build quality, but anyone who takes care of their gear won't have a problem. The handling noise is a very big issue with this mic - so be very careful about that and be sure you have plenty of strain relief on the mic cable, as even the cable slack swaying finds its way into the audio.Overall worth the price but not exactly wowing anybody. I think if you don't have a shotgun mic and are short on cash this is the best deal around. When you start to buy more expensive gear, keep this - it's always good to have something a little cheaper you don't mind taking risks with on location! ... More
Fantastic budget shotgun microphone
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by Seb on B&H Photo Video
I needed a secondary shotgun microphone and after buying quite a bit of new gear I wanted to find something that wasn't too pricey. I always check out performance reviews on youtube before buying any gear but this mic set had none. Although it did have some reviews on another site that gave it positive feedback there were no videos demonstrating its performance. For the price I figured i would risk it and just order it. I am very happy I did. The set is kind of hard to believe once you get it all out. There is a 20'+ cable, two XLR cables one XLR to XLR, the other is XLR to 3.5mm. There is a handle that can be screwed in so you can just old it and there is the shock mount with extra rubber bands. There is also a hot shoe adaptor as well as a foam screen and a dead cat! The case is nice as well and won't need a different one to protect it. All that for the price is awesome. I have not used the mic for an actual film shoot yet but I have tested it with all my gear and I am very happy with the performance. I plugged it into my H1 and my H4N Zoom units with both the 3.5mm (H1) and the XLR (H4N) and the sound is solid. Not too tinny or basey. A nice flat recording perfect for dialogue. It is directional so you need to point it directly at the sound source obviously. It is mono so I bought an XLR splitter cable to run into both channels on the Zoom H4N. The mic runs on a single battery. It has an on and off switch with a light which is nice as other mics I have had do not have the light. It does not run on phantom power but the other larger mic of the same brand has both battery power and phantom power. Overall I am very happy with this purchase and have some projects lined up very soon in which I will be using this mic. I will update the review when those are posted. ... More
Great starter mic - gets the job done
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by BrettPT on B&H Photo Video
I am a film student and purchased the XM-55 shotgun mic to use for my short films and interview audio. The microphone itself is simple to use and I record audio with it in conjunction with my H4N Zoom Recorder.Having used other shotgun microphones in my career, I can assure you that this is not the best microphone on the market, but for $ it will exceed your expectations for a starter microphone. I found that in close range (such as interview audio) the microphone picks up directionally quite well. Even soft spoken interviewees were loud and clear after I cleaned up the audio a bit in post-production. However, at a further range, the microphone picked up a lot of background noise in public and the voice recording was a bit more muffled. Overall, if you are in a controlled environment for filming, at a moderately close range, you won't be disappointed.The accessories included are very helpful to start you off in any recording scenario (multiple mounts, two different wind muffs etc.) and the travel case simplifies transport when juggling lots of equipment. An overall great value for the money. ... More
A lot of gear for the money
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by Carsteb on B&H Photo Video
I was looking for a shotgun microphone for my old-school Canon HV40 camcorder to supplement a (cheap) external stereo microphone that I had been using so far to avoid recording the camcorder's drive mechanism. Since I have a digital recorder with XLR microphone inputs, I was looking for a microphone that could be used with these and would support phantom power from the recorder. I find the included accessories very plentiful and adequate and in quality given the low price of this set. The shock mount works fine and I can replace the rubber bands easily if the included ones ever snap. The dead cat works well enough, and there's a XLR-to-3.5mm cable which allows me to connect the microphone directly to the camera if I don't want to use the digital recorder. As it turns out, the recorder, a DR-40, does have an annoying design defect in which a noticeable clicking sound is being recorded when the XLR input is active. This has nothing to do with the microphone , though, since it is also present when no microphone is connected. I would say that this is a fine starter directional microphone for those looking to supplement their audio recording gear. ... More
Versatility
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by John W. on B&H Photo Video
First, why not 5 stars? It is not as good as as Senheisers or similar mics costing $300 plus. But below that and with a limited budget this kit (and that is really one thing that seperates it from the competition) is one outstanding deal. The mic is very basic on/off switch, 1.5vAA (huge selling point, hate oddball batteries and AA can be picked up anywhere or rechargeables are abundant)/phantom (not tried yet but nice option), one setting and black. A 20 ft xlr mic cable, xlr to mini adapter, short xlr jumper, mini to 1/4 and the list goes on. In a nutshell the accessories are worth the price of admission and the mic is thrown in for free. At $* this kit makes a bundle of sense for video professional who is looking for options. I have used it as nat sound on a DSLR and as a boom in an iterview setting, in both instances it sounded really good and I never really felt like I was using a cheap mic. Technology has changed and the microphone playing field has leveled also. While it is no Schoeps it is worth every penny of $* and as long as expectations are not over the moon it will not disappoint. ... More
Ads
Little tinny, but good mike
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by spenc on B&H Photo Video
I like that this is a complete kit with all the cords you would need for lots of different situations. I use this as an external boom mounted on a mike stand pointing at my subject(s) (interview situation). I have not yet used it mounted to the camera. This is the lowest cost XLR boom mike I could find. A single AA battery provides phantom power and lasts a long time.The sound is a little tinny. A little EQ fixes that. But, I was happy with the sound quality. It has relatively low noise.Others have said that the XLR too tight and can damage trying to pull out the cord. I didn't have issues with that, though I can see if you are rough with it, it could do that. Just be real gentle pulling the XLR out.I use this mike feeding into a Berringer 302 USB interface/mixer, then feed the mixer (via attenuated cable) into the camera injecting a 19khz tone in one channel to defeat AGC.Is it as good as the Rode Videomic? Probably not. But the Rode doesn't have balanced audio either. ... More
Good mic and lots of extras
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by VideoGeek on B&H Photo Video
I had written a review but had been too quick to post it. I purchased two and have used them both to record two outdoor concerts. One was mounted on a stationary camera and the other was attached to the camera I used to get various shots of the crowd and performer. The sound from both recordings was better than I expected and the performer was pleased with the outcome. I would have given it 5 stars but the XLR jack on one broke while trying to remove the XLR cable. I was much more gentle with the second one. Be careful and gently remove the cable as it is a snug fit. I contacted VidPro via email on a Saturday and got a response on Monday. I shipped the mic back and a replacement is being shipped out today (7/25/2013). Customer service was excellent. ... More
Buyer Beware
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by Captain D on B&H Photo Video
For the money, this kit offers a lot of bang. Unfortunately so does the microphone in the normal switch setting. It produces distortion sounding like wind noise if you slightly move the mic or cable. I was also hearing a radio station with the gain turned up which leads me to believe that the mic cable doesn't have the best shielding. It also distorts easily. The only way I could use it was with the bass roll off switch, then the audio was too thin. You could possibly use it as a backup mic for voice only but that's about it. Now I have to spend 3x the money to get the Rode NTG-2 and dead kitten. ... More
Solid starter mic
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by Josh on B&H Photo Video
I bought this kit as a basic mic for any DSLR recording I have to do, and so far it has worked well. The output is fairly clean, but the levels are a little low when running off +48V Phantom to my Tascam DR60d. It's a solid, easy-to-use mic for anyone just looking to grab some decent audio in well, contained environments. And the fact that it comes with many necessary accessories makes it a good value.
What an amazing Mic
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by Divadancer on B&H Photo Video
I only received this product a week ago, but have already used it both indoor and out and wow, what a great mic! First off, it has so much 'in the box', that no matter what your camera or situation this mic with all of it's accessories will fulfil every one of your needs. Sound is crystal clear, it is easy to mount and there is no more to buy (except a boom pole). I use a Canon XF100 and it seamlessly integrates to the camera. Turn it to tele mode, and I was recording sounds hundreds of feet away that I couldn't even hear with my bare ear! I can safely say that I can take this mic to any situation, no matter the conditions and know I won't be let down - This surprised me for the low low low LOW price of it!! ... More
Awesomeness!
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by Elite Out on B&H Photo Video
This is the ulitmate package. This mic produces really good and clear sound from at least 15' away. It sounded like they were talking directly into the mic. It is well constructed and very high quality for the money....also comes with a short and long XLR cord for boom mic. Comes with the adabter for on camera, or to make it handheld, sit on a table, and boom mic...also extra rubber bands, battery, foam cover, and wind cat. Awesome product for the money.
Pretty good equipment
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by Mo Mo on B&H Photo Video
I just used this equipment this past weekend and haven't had a chance to edit it and listen to the quality of the sound. I used it connected to a boom and an audio recorder for a short film. My boom operator was able to hear everything the mic was picking up (which is a good thing) so we knew when to hold for a loud bus and shoot. I don't know if the credit can be given to the mic or the earphones, but it definitely worked for what I needed and on a budget. The kit comes with a long cord that was perfect for using my boom amd a short cord for if I were conducting interviews, and it all comes in a nice carrying case. What else could I ask for. If I can edit this post after I begin editing my audio, I will. ... More
Great Mic & Best Kit for the Price
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by Mike on B&H Photo Video
I picked up this kit mainly because I was doing some V/O for a client and needed a shotgun to grab on-site sound bytes. However, after coming across this mic kit, I found it was what I needed and more. The audio quality is great, comes with all sorts of mounts and adapters for all uses, and the whole kit is very light! I used it with an external recorder, but it is nice that it has adapters for DSLR shooting which is something I also do. Another great feature is that it comes with a decent shock mount - very cool. While there are definitely better shotgun mics at the higher price point, this kit is a great pickup for anyone who is a low-budget shooter and needs a mic that will get the job done. ... More
Great, Cheap Condensor Mic
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by Charles G on B&H Photo Video
This mic is a perfect starter for people who want to shoot better quality videos on their DLSR. I have recommended this mic to friends who are interested in videography, and see it as a really nice entry point into more professional sound. As this mic is definitely on the cheap side, you should still be aware that the accessories are not all that great. I recommend getting your own XLR to mini cable, plus any others that you might want to use - do not use the ones that come in the pacakge for projects. They're fine in a pinch for something personal, but if you want decent sound you really need to get your own cables. The 5-star rating is for the value of the kit, not necessarily the overall quality; but then, you're not looking at this mic for premier quality anyways. ... More
Great for Weddings and Narration
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by zottsspotts on B&H Photo Video
Saw this mic kit and thought that would be a great deal. I was not wrong. This mic works great. I use an external recorder for whenever I'm filming, mainly in weddings and the sound quality is really nice and clean, while on desktop narration it was just as good. Tested in windy conditions but even with the dead cat on, didn't help much. I did notice at low recording levels for my sound recorder, the sound got somewhat distorted and muted sounding. Otherwise great mic, especially for someone on a budget.
Top performer for low $$$
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by John W. on B&H Photo Video
The only thing that knocked this great mic down a notch was its durability. A screw on wireless plug pulled the XLR insert apart. Easy soldering fix but the glue socket is still a little loose. Aside from that small build quality issue the mic sounds amazing, as good as a senheiser, not as good as a $ Schepps but for $ a pretty sodid value. Another build quild quality issue the battery light. Mic was left on one time and light stopped working. If it didn't sound so good the build quality issues would be troublesome. Plus tons of extras and a very long XLR cable. You will not be disappointed with this mic's sound. ... More
Greater the Price !
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by Dangermonkey on B&H Photo Video
We use the microphone both directly on our Pentax DSLR and also since there is such a wealth of cables and mounts as a closer in remote type mic when we do an interview, allowing us to put the camera on a tripod but also put the mic on a lot of other mounting options.We also love that it has a fitted case for all the many cables and mounts so everything is organized and protected.While there are better pics out there you can't beat the price for the quality and I don't hesitate to use this setup in a lot of areas I would be scared to take a more expensive rig either from a damage or getting stolen perspective, ... More
Great microphone kit for the money
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by AJ Smith on B&H Photo Video
This is a good, all purpose microphone. The sound quality is above average and its build quality is good. The kit contains several accessories that are helpful for virtually any application. The included case is probably a bit small for everything that is included. You have to re-pack everything exactly the way it came out in order to close the case. The included windshields work well. If you are a professional I would expect you to keep this as a backup, however, for the enthusiast, it is a great microphone. I use this with my Panasonic AG-AC90 camcorder and it far outperforms the built in microphone. ... More
Excellent value
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by Theodore on B&H Photo Video
I've only used this a couple of times so far but it performs well. Good directional pickup with substantial rolloff outside of the main pickup cone. The sound quality even from 10 feet away is very good...solid presence. We normally have lavs on actors but for a small shoot with little movement, I'd feel comfortable with just this mic for pickup. The only reason it isn't a 5 star from me is that the case is so jammed with things (all nice to have and a great addition to the kit) that it's practically impossible to get it all repacked. There's plenty of foam padding but a little more space would a really good mic a lot less frustrating at the end of the day. ... More
don't buy this
Vidpro XM-55 Shotgun Microphone with Location Recording Bundle
Reviewed by Fonk on B&H Photo Video
Don't buy this. I used it to shoot a keynote lecture event and it recorded a constant, annoying hiss throughout. Tried it again at home to troubleshoot. I tried once pointing at an old wall clock (the ones that go tic-toc) from 5' distance and it records the same exact hiss, both in normal mode as well as with the hi-pass filter. It ruins every take. Very disappointing.
