Audix i-5

381 Customer ratings

4.8 / 5

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227 Reviews

Audix i-5
£82
Including VAT; Excluding £10 shipping
In stock
In stock

This product is in stock and can be shipped immediately.

Standard Delivery Times
Delivery approx. between Wednesday, 3.04. and Thursday, 4.04.
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A
A Great All-Rounder!
Anonymous 22.02.2016
I have been a fan of Shure SM57s all my musical life (33 years). However, around two years ago, a soundman at church (who often does sound for my band) put me on to the Audix i-5; I worked with him one night and heard it for myself on snare. A few weeks later, I acquired a second hand example; now here's the surprise....

I bought my first Audix i-5 for use on snare and guitar cabinet, mainly as an alternative to my SM57s; but then one night, at a rehearsal, I set it up to sing through. My band does a fair bit of rock and I use my pharyngeal range almost exclusively. Using that system requires one to "compress" his voice, which I find pulls back the volume a little; but by using a "close-capsule" microphone (like the SM57) the singer can engage closer to the diaphragm; when I discovered this, I stopped using SM58s. When using the Audix as a vocal microphone, the "popping" problem, caused by proximity, can be avoided simply by high-passing the vocal somewhere in the 80 Hz region, maybe 100 Hz. Now, in this band, I use this microphone all of the time. I have occasionally switched to a '57 because the results are similar, but I find the Audix is more forgiving if I move off-axis.

So what about the comparison between the Audix and the Shure?

Many people have written about which they prefer and I think it's a pointless discussion. Both mics are great mics in the studio or for live. I think the Shure is the benchmark; and if we think of it that way, then the Audix has a gentle scoop when one A-Bs the two mics. Personally I like both mics and I wouldn't want to be without either type. After owning my first i-5 for a couple of months, I bought a brand-new one from Thomann, with some vouchers I needed to spend.

This weekend I recorded a vocalist and we did a text-book microphone shootout to find out which mic he should use for his lead vocal. We eventually plumped for a Rode condenser but the Audix wasn't far behind and it would have turned in a great result if it were the only mic available. That's quite amazing, since it's not considered a vocal mic for the studio by many people.

If you need an all-rounder, that's built to last a lifetime and you want an extra flavour on top of a '57, buy yourself an Audix i-5, you will not regret it; and rock vocalists might be in for an extra surprise. This would be a great starter mic for anyone into home recording because it will do everything.

Likely uses: guitar cab, bass cab and snare

Surprise uses: vocals, toms, acoustic guitar (close up)

I like: everything about this microphone

I do not like: there is nothing I do not like about it
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SP
Audix i5
Sten Paul 26.01.2022
One of the best snare microphone out there - out of the box sound. You will get absolutely the best quality for the price! Would recommend to anyone for live and also studio situations!
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TH
Very good instrument mic
Thib H 20.10.2020
Audix i-5 is a very good instrument mic, comparable to the maybe more famous sm57 from sure. But this one is heavier, and feels more robust. I use it for snare drum recording (one on the top, one on the bottom), and i'm happy with the result!
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JB
SM57 is now only my secondary mic for guitar
Juozapas B. 29.05.2020
Blew my mind. Way better sounding than in most comparisons I've seen online. Much deeper bass, much wider sound. I've always used it with my SM57 and together they form a monstrous sound, canceling each others fizz. Though the mic clip they sent with it can't hold the mic without tilting over... Other than that it looks bullet proof. Works amazing both on guitar and bass cabs. Also tried it on kick and it worked awesome for a demo. Output is a bit higher in level than an SM57, but not considerably. Smaller than SM57 so it can fit into tight spaces. I now use it as my main heavy guitar mic and use the SM57 as a way to cancel out fizz and to reinforce the low mids and mids. I'd chose it over an SM57 if I couldn't use both. Works well in a mix despite what some reviews said.
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sarcobe 03.12.2019
I am using this mic for recording guitar cabs and acoustic guitar (in combination with a condenser). I also have experience with using Shure SM57 mics, which is I guess the main competitor for this Audix.

Pros:
Build quality is great! Sounds a bit more natural compared to the SM57 when recording guitar cabs, maybe because the mid-range is less pronounced. This may or may not work in your mix, but personally I was pleasantly surprised!

Cons:
None
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M
Better than the 57.
MMayer 17.04.2023
I'm a touring and recording musician and I needed something more durable than a 57; I'm not always under the best touring conditions, so roadworthy is the quality I'm looking for when buying mics. This one seems more indestructible than the SM57 and can take a higher SPL. It also sounds better, as I find its scooped profile much move convenient, taking off some of the harsh upper mid edge. Totally recommended.
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A
The new SM57
AurelSanca 24.03.2020
Mainly using this microphone on top snares, guitars amp or sometimes small percussions. This microphone is kind of the SM57 with a more modern sound !
Lots of musicians do prefer the sound of this Audix i5 now and I admit that I love that more modern sound for some applications.

The cons is : I think it's way more robust than a SM57.
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J
Great overall mic
Johnny-HB 12.01.2023
Way better sounding that most brands in this interval of price. Great sounding for drums and guitars. Sturdy and well built. Recommend.
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Kk
sm58 alternative? (oh yes)
Kreso k 12.04.2018
I use this mic mostly on snare, but i heard that is good on brass instruments also.
Audix i5 is heavy mic, built like tank. For the first time i was sceptic to try it on snare and put my trusty sm 58 to the bag. But after some minutes i was happy to bought this mic. Sound was little brighter than 58 but looks that snare benefits from that and you don't need to raise high end on eq so much. One thing that i don't like (so much) is mic holder.
Now i must buy one more i5 ftom Thomann because guys on guitars like them too. Thanks Thomann
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CL
Excellent for electric guitars and snare drums
Carlos Lteitao 09.03.2019
I've been using for recording in studios and the results are awesome. This brand is not well know in Europe and I did a big research before buy them. I'm very happy and already received some complements from studio owners and musicians friends.
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Audix i-5