Why the Shure SM7B is overhyped for burger review podcasts – is it really worth the $400?

The SM7B is basically a microphone for radio drama, not for a greasy burger tasting show.

1. Frequency response is tuned for vocals, not the crackle of a fresh patty. You end up with a flat, sterile sound that makes the audience forget they're listening to a cheeseburger melt.
2. The gain‑required setup forces you to buy a Cloudlifter or a DBX 286s – another $200‑plus add‑on. If you’re already spending $500 on a decent Audio‑Technica AT2020, why double‑dip?
3. Portability: the SM7B is a brick. You can’t just toss it on a portable boom for a street‑side burger crawl. You’ll be lugging a 1.5 kg weight while trying not to drop the grill.
4. Community bias: everyone on r/podcasting swears by the SM7B like it’s a holy grail. That’s exactly why it’s a bad fit – it’s the “default” choice, not the best choice.

Bottom line: stick to a dynamic mic with a tighter cardioid pattern (e.g., Shure SM58 or even a decent lav mic) and save the SM7B for actual talk‑show formats. Anyone still defending the SM7B for burger podcasts is just trying to sound “pro” while ignoring the practicalities.

Thoughts? Or am I the only one who actually cares about sound quality over ego??