After the video launched Synco Sent me the following: We promise that customers can return goods without giving a reason in 30 days. If they test the mic and think it‘s a lot worse than 416, please contact our Facebook (facebook.com/syncomicrophones/) and offer the purchase information. They will get a full refund. BTW, SYNCO Mic-D2 is out of stock now. If your viewers would like to purchase one. they could buy it on bit.ly/2peU8th. Momanplay is our official dealer. SYNCO Mic-D2on Momanplay is only $219 USD until December 1st.

Mike, I can’t decide if this review cost me $249, or saved me $750. ; ) Either way, thank you very, very much! I’m extremely happy with my Synco Mic D2.

In my opinion the sound-difference is definitely there and audible. Every time you switch to the MKH 416, the highs were much crisper, than with the Synco Mic D2, but overall they are very close to each other (soundwise) while the price difference is huge. So well done Synco Mic D2 :-)

This reminds me of back in the '80s when people used to choose "GUESS" jeans over "LEVIS" because "the quality was superior." Leave it to an audiophile to NOT want to admit when a new kid on the block is just as cool as the "popular kid." Bottom line: If you would have used only the Synco and never said the name, no one would be able to tell it wasn't the 416. Great job, Mike and great job, Synco.

Last night on his live stream, Curtis Judd said he would give this Synco D2 to the first person who emailed him, for just the price of shipping. I was the lucky winner. No gigs lately but my kit is that much happier today! Thank you for your great reviews, Mike. I trust you. Cheers!

I already commented on this video once but I'd really like you to see this: Please do a video on how you pick a mic for a particular job, i.e. why don't you just use your favorite or best (CAD e100s?) for everything and what types of mics someone who's starting out should look for to build their mic locker.

The 416 has a slightly brighter and crisper high. But for $250US, I am putting the D2 on my research list. I NEVER considered a shotgun for voice-over and narration situations. This has completely opened my mind up to other possibilities.

MK416 has more presence. And the low end is less 'muddy' - which is the most important part (clarity). You can add presence in processing. And frankly, you're often better off adding presence later if you know what you're doing. But adding clarity to the low-end can be a bit more difficult. I prefer a flat response. I like this Synco mic a lot. I think I'll pick one up. Thanks for the review!!

Nice comparison Mike, thanks!

I ordered the Synco Mic D2 a couple months ago, and I absolutely love it - my audition videos have never sounded better!

The 416 is a tad brighter than the Synco. That being said, when you factor the cost, I would pick the synco over the 416.

416 is definitely a tad more crisp, but with some EQ plays I think it can be super close. Super low noise levels, 240$ is a pretty good price for such quality sound. I will definitely consider this for my streaming setup when I am able to afford it. Cause I do like mic being out of the frame and 416 is my dream mic

You got me with the dot, I was thinking "Why no comparison" then 2 seconds later you lay it on me. I'm sold.

Sounds good to me! Amazon has a 10% discount on this mic today - $224.

My Thoughts: The 416 has much more clarity in the 2-5k range, which will make all the difference when you add a music bed to your VO. Also, watch the video from 6:08 and you'll see the spectrogram reveals quite a bit of frequency variation between the two mics. Finally, the D-2 has (to me) an unpleasant, "tinny" (or metallic) sound that becomes more and more obvious as the video progresses. That being said, does it matter for most people? Probably not. Save $750 buck and get yourself the D-2. Then take that $750 and invest it in a Grace 101 mic pre ;)

I picked up a Synco D2 recently in a store-damaged outer box for $50 last week! Best value purchase ever... it even gives my TLM103 a severe run for its money! Mostly using it for cartoon voice acting, imitating commercial-style promo ad parodies. We couldn't be more pleased with it!

Just ordered the Synco. My first XLR shotgun mic. Thank you for this showcase test Mike!

Waiting for my new Synco D1 arriving... can't wait 👍

I had never heard of Synco either until I saw this. I could hear a difference in the two, the MKH-416 has smoother highs and a bit more presence in the lower frequencies, but the D-2 still sounds like a very impressive mic for the price and especially as the MKH-416 is expensive and can cost too much or be hard to justify for some people, it could be quite a good alternative. I have a 416 and wouldn't change it for anything else for talking head and voice overs, but if I didn't own one, and saw your review, I'd seriously consider the D-2.

I think your voice would sound amazing no matter what! You're so talented.

ever since I saw and heard mk416 in your videos I wanted one for myself. Realistically speaking, I can't afford sh*t, but Synco definitely moved this dream $750 closer to me 😌 Thank you for the review!

Wow that's impressive ! I tried listening with good headphones, and through studio monitors I could not hear a difference except with the foam cover.

Great video. I bought the D2 on your recommendation last year.... and love it!

Thanks for a great A-B test. I bought the Synco D2 yesterday for y mobile setup as a result and it arrived today. Very happy with it indeed. Much appreciated.

Great video. I got it for $200. It's arriving on Monday. Can't wait to use it, especially after your review:)

I have one over 2 years working every week. Best solution for my voice :) Thanks

Hey Mike, I love the channel and you’re the reason I bought a TLM103. Oddly enough I didn’t realize that I’ve been listening to you for years on the No Sleep Podcast! Thanks for creating these videos!

Outstanding comparison! I ordered one during the Amazon Black Friday sale for $199.

Honestly can never get enough of your videos. Something about how passionate you are about audio is so much fun to listen to. Hope you keep making videos.

Listening through an SSL2+ and a pair of Yamaha studio monitors there's QUITE a difference is sound. That said for 250 they sound absolutely amazing. That THAT said, in my opinion and to my ear NOTHING beats the 416. It has both quality and character. Precision highs and rich mids. I'm still saving up for the 416, but that Synco sounds great.

So glad to see another Booth Junkie video so quickly!!!

Sold! Just ordered one. I use a TLM103 for my VO work, but for KZfaq videos in front of the computer it picks up too much ambiance. Was googling tests for the 416 and this came up. Yes I can hear the difference pretty clearly with good headphones going through a good DAC, but from my monitor speakers with my eyes closed it's almost unnoticeable. For paid VO work the difference would matter a lot. But for youtube videos? Not in the least.

after watching this review atleast 6 times and finding it on sale at a price that made it necessary to purchase this afternoon ($169.00) looking to get into vo , thank you for this review

I had the Synco for a while. Tooted its horn. But something felt just a bit muddy. Was ok, not bad. At last I upgraded to the 416 and couldn’t be happier. Solid pre-post output.

I was hoping you’d get “up nice and close and really eat the microphone” to compare the richness of both. However, that being being said another top shelf awesome video with Mike on mic action. Thank you sir!

I do think the 416 sounds a bit more crisp, but it’s super subtle. Kind of insane that synco could get this close on that budget

More HF in the 416, seems obvious to me. I'd be interested to hear the Synco with a high shelf boost to see if it takes it nicely. Both sound good though - I might buy a synco

I definitely noticed the switches. The D2 sounded veiled or muffled to me. The clarity/presence of the 416 was noticeable. That's a quality that can be a blessing and a curse at times, but I prefer it. Sure, the D2 is much cheaper than a brand new 416, but I imagine the actual components and build quality are significantly lower, despite the fancy-looking packaging. Plus, a factory reconditioned or respectfully used 416 can be found *significantly* cheaper than a new one with identical quality. It's well worth the price and the wait, if you need to save for it.

But 416 sounds basier and a little cleaner, doesn't it? At least on my K712 pro's. And I'm still not sure which one was with the gray dot but that one was basier and cleaner. But not $750 different, that's for sure!

My take is that due to their different cardioid patterns the two mics sound quite different once screens were in place. The D2 almost sounds like volume level dropped (but still excellent). Without screens the difference is very small and should be easy to compensate in post if desired.

WOW!!! I had no idea that you were switching mics!!! I'm convinced and will be getting one! Unbelievable!

Thanks for the demo, however, it would've been cool to hear the Synco pop filter on the Sennheiser as well. The fact that I can hear such an audible difference with its use over a KZfaq recording is quite telling.

I'm just waiting for Mike to come back with a "Gotchya" follow-up, telling us that in fact he played another trick and that the dot was really the other way round, and all the commenters who rallied behind the 416 were really talking up the Synco! 😁

I don’t know how you have these set up. But I have owned both microphones. I started off with the D2. Finally saved up enough to get the 416. My jaw dropped at the quality difference between a 416 and the D2 there was no comparison in my opinion.

Just got one. Yes, your vid affected my wallet. Got it a week ago and couldn't be happier. I produce corporate sales and leadership training videos and host a daily zoom call in a very nice but completed untreated office/ studio. My neighbors love their lawnmowers a d leaf blowers so I've been using various dynamics because of the noise rejection. For years i've been using a Sennheiser e935 which is really fantastic. But I move around a lot, very animated when I speak so the dynamic keeps me tethered to the front of the mic restricts my natural movement. I've tried other condensers and they sound amazing but I was picking up birds and all kinds of sounds from outside I didn't even hear with my ears, but there they were in my recordings. So with some hesitancy I picked up the Synco, concerned that it, being a condenser would be too sensitive and I've got to say, this thing is incredible. It picks me up with incredible sound quality, perfect intelligibility, full dynamic range and all the rejection I was getting from a dynamic. I Love this mic. It's sensitive enough that I can now be as animated as I want to be when I'm recording or in front of an audience or camera and it gets everything with a beautiful low end, full mids and crisp top end. For years, I wanted an RE20 - not any more. This is my personal end game mic. Thanks Mike!

As others have mentioned I also hear a bit more highs from the 416 but I actually think I prefer the sound of the Synco. Anyway, the difference is negligible. Synco makes some good stuff. When I need a shotgun mic this will be definitely be on my shortlist.

Thanks for doing this video, it's a huge help. I've been looking for weeks (months?...) for a mic to get started on VO and was starting to go crazy. A lot of popular mic reviews I either just haven't liked the sound, or couldn't afford it. Was just about to finally pull the trigger on getting the AT4033's, and this video popped up. Apparently I forgot I watched it like a month ago, not sure how I didn't jump on this the first time. Out of all the reviewers I've watched, you've got to be the closest to myself in terms of deeper voices, and I really liked how the D2 sounded. So I'm going to order one of these along with the AT and see what happens. Also fun fact! I was listening to your Narration demo on your website, and the article you read mentions the town I grew up in (Phoenixville)! Not really here nor there, but was just kind of cool hearing... sorry for this dissertation-sized "comment."

FYI for anyone watching this now, the prices on these have come down from where they were when the video was made. I just bought one on Amazon for $170, making it an even more insane deal.

Damn, very nice. Though I will say the 416 is a tiny bit clearer, likely due to the presence boost. Is it $750 clearer? Up to you I suppose. For $250 that's still a great sound.

It sounds great for $250, but the 416 does sound better. They seem to have a similar *feel*, but the 416 has more detail in the bass and more presence. Though with a slight boost to the higher frequencies in post to the D-2, I'd say it's not a 4x difference anymore, like the price would suggest (listening on ATH-M50x connected to a Behringer UMC-202HD, btw an amazing interface for the price)

*I already have a Senn 416, but this would make a great back-up mic !!!*

I am starting to like your videos more and more. Thanks for all your work and the kindness that comes through.

Oh Mike thank you so much for showing this mic. I’ve been using the sm7b for a year and love it for voice over and always pined for the mk416 and wanted a mic for film use and vo for youtube vids and this D2, damn I’m ordering it this weekend.

Yes, I noticed. The "puh" sounds are not present when using the Sennheiser but when using the Synco the "puh" sounds are present. But the noise floor and the timbre of your voice was otherwise, to my ears, identical. Thank you for the review! Huge thumbs up and like!

Thanks for the review Mike! Just bought using your genius link. Getting a similar mic for 1/4 of the price is a no brainer! Excited to see how it sounds for my purposes!

For a channel dedicated to microphones and audio recording booths the camera and lightning quality are stellar

Thanks for this video! I purchased the Synco based on this video :) testing out a shotgun mic in my studio without having to spend $1000 on a mic that I know will deliver :)

I don't own the 416 but I do own the MKE600, I will definitely buy the D2. Great video Mike and great job Synco!

Great job comparing these mic's! Thanks for bringing the Synco D2 to our attention. As recorders we get into the various applications and sound quality of equipment. What I know is the average client can't tell the differences we focus on. If the project is done well and they get the needed response "you're their person!" That being said, my opinion is the 416 is clearly cleaner. You can hear the bass roll off is smoother and a bit more presence in the mid highs. The D2 sounds great for the price point, but the low end is more present and the mid highs aren't as present comparatively. The pop filter helps over the windscreen. I'll definitely pick up the D2 for now. I'll let my projects determine when and if I need to upgrade. I'm an advocate of letting projects pay for equipment and upgrades. Thanks again!

I’m definitely getting a Synco for promo/trailer . Thanks for this!

nice job Synco!

I got the synco D2 too. Great mic

I just watched an ad with your voice in it!! It was about the Whisper Room portable isolation room

Mike, BIG THANK YOU, after this video I purchased the Synco Mic and it sounds awsome! Now me friend recorded a meditation using it and it sounds absolutely awsome. Thank you for this great video, it helped us very much. Best Wishes

I just got the mic a few days ago. It’s so good!

Synco vs Deity?

For me the synco sounds more dull and bassier, they sound almost exact the same but i still like the mkh 416 better cause it sounds more clear in my ears. Great video love it man! what an intro too !!!!!!!!!!!

Pretty amazing. One thing I noticed was a pretty big sonic difference...in the Sennheiser's favor...of how crisp it still was, while the Synco sounded a bit muddier. Even with the windscreen option. Very cool though. I'll let the budget-minded know about it!

Excellent comparison my friend, good job I'll consider your analysis. Greetings from Lima, Peru

Nice review... But I would really like to see how it compares with side rejection of the 416...

I can definitely hear a difference. baby, it's just because my current headset is particularly responsive in a range that microphone is.

Awesome review and you tricked me for sure up front. Long time fan of the 416 for VO, acoustic guitar, cello. It works great in a live sound setting as well. Everyone should have a pair. But now I think I'll get ma a Synco!

WOW!!!! I wasn't expecting that!!!! I've used and loved the 416 for years and find this Synco extraordinarily close in sound! Like you, I can't tell a difference!!!! If you have any problem with exterior sounds leaking into your booth, a shotgun mike like this is terrific in reducing that background noise! I'd buy this Synco D2 in a heartbeat!!!

I can tell when you're on the Synco. Weird, plosive-like air noises. good sounding mic tho. I have one. Need to stay off-axis.

ye the D2 loses lots of crispness and highs with their foam, wish you had used the 416 foam on that D2, without the foam, they sound very close, with foam, the D2 suffers a bit bad design on that foam, too dense, try D2 with 416 foam :-)

Buying now! Much love from Brazil. I work with dubbing and it will fit perfectly.

I love the reviews as usual. I find myself holding my breathe when you're checking the sound floor like I'm in front of the mics....lol

I would love to see you take a look at their other mics if they have them

i can hear the difference, though its very small. The 416 is a bit cleaner up top and there's a bit more presents. but is that a 750 dollar difference? NOPE i was considering the diety S-mic, but not anymore

Hey Mike, love it when you compare mics. Booth Junkie is great when making financially sound decisions for our VO business. While we're on the subject, have you tested the Audio-Technica AT875R? Would love to see a comparison of the AT875R, RODE NTG5 and any other shotguns you'd care to throw in the mix. Thanks for all the great videos! Keep the content coming!

I can't wait to try Synco for my VO and narration and voice acting. I'm a deep voice VO Actor/ Artist. So ya I think it'll be perfect for me

How on earth don't you hear a difference lol......but the overall character is absolutely on point.....just a little eq and the actually sound the same! GREAT......

Bless you for this mic review!!! You just saved me hundreds.

I can hear a small difference in clarity and high notes but that's it, Synco has done a fantastic job.

Thanks Mike, just found my travel mic!

already had the 416 but needed a second mic and bought the Synco Mic D2 based on this and other reviews. Definitely an excellent mic thus far.

Wondefull Synco Mic D2... And affordable price! Thank you for review Booth Junkie :) I even can use this for my Hot Wheels reviews

I kinda like the synco more. It sounds natural and the m16 feels kinda tinny. Of course based on this video, my opinion might change when I use it in real life or something like that.

Thank you for that review. Just what I needed! You made my day here 👍🏻

with a boost in the high you can match these mics in post

Ok, I said I was getting the deity S-Mic, nope I'm getting this one!!!

I love the tone... and the price.

The Sennheiser is definitely brighter.

The "DOT" is clearly the MKH416, has noticably more presence, the difference is very easily recognizable. But if you didn't point it out, I'd probably not notice and the listeners too.

Mike, I definitely hear a difference. It's not night and day, but the 416 is cleaner and a touch brighter than the Synco, which is a bit muddier in comparison. Is it a $750 difference? In my opinion--NO! Well done, Synco! I'm also a photographer, and I'd compare you to what Godox has been doing in that world with speedlights and strobes-- quality products at a much cheaper price!

You have negatively affected my wallet Mike!!!!!

Great comparison, thorough & complete without any bias. I absolutely love my current mic but certainly am considering the Synco d2 as a backup, I need a backup just in case? Thanks Mike for keeping us up with the latest gear out there

The Synco sounds great and has a mostly flat response. However there is a boost in the 500Hz range that makes it sound a tad bit tinny if not EQ'd. Great mic for the price!

TOTALLY worth getting the Synco and saving all that extra money in the price gap. That being said, I do hear a slight difference the further into the video I get. I don't know if it's a mental thing now that I can see the switching, but even when I wasn't looking I thought I heard the switch and I tabbed back over and backed up the video to check and it switched when I thought it did. The Sennheiser is just a pinch more crisp in the high end. At least to my ear, in the headphones that I'm currently using. Take that with a grain of salt, since I didn't notice the switching at the start before you were illustrating it. So it may either be just in my head (even though I noticed it when not looking), or it may be that my headphones exaggerate the difference because of their frequency response. Either way, I doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference without A/B testing like this. I'd bet you could use the Synco slightly out of shot (so all you see is the windscreen) in a video and say it was the Sennheiser, and nobody would question it. The switch at 11:05 was where I noticed it the most when I wasn't looking at the video. Just for reference.

My wallet wasn't happy with you at first after this, but now it (as well as myself) is very happy with you.