PickFav

Free · 60-second blind test · nothing uploaded

Four mics, $499 to $3,750. Can you tell them apart — blind?

Four respected studio microphones, one voice, the same line. Level-matched and stripped of their labels — can your ears actually hear which is which, and whether the price difference is even there?

Most people can't reliably pick the expensive mic once the volume and the name are out of the way. Take the test, rank what you hear, then see the reveal — including what each one costs.

The four mics

Every one is a legitimate professional microphone — this isn't budget vs. junk:

Approximate US street prices, mid-2026. The spread runs about 7.5× from the cheapest to the priciest.

Why blind, and why level-matched

Three things quietly decide casual mic comparisons before your ears get a say: you can see which one is playing, the louder take always sounds richer, and the price and brand tell you what you're "supposed" to prefer. PickFav removes all three — it level-matches every mic to the same loudness, hides the names behind shuffled labels, and only reveals the prices at the end. What's left is your honest preference. (More on why level-matching matters and how blind testing works.)

What most people find

That price is a weak predictor of what they'll choose. Sometimes the flagship wins; often it doesn't — and either way, the point isn't "cheaper is better." It's that the price tag shouldn't get a vote your ears didn't cast. Test blind, then let the reveal surprise you.

Take the blind test →

FAQ

Is the expensive mic actually better?

Not necessarily. "Better" depends on the voice, the source, the room, and your taste. A pricier mic isn't automatically right for you — which is exactly why a blind, level-matched test is worth doing before you trust the price tag.

Does my audio get uploaded?

No. The test uses four bundled demo recordings and runs entirely in your browser via the Web Audio API. Nothing is uploaded.

Are these the real prices?

Yes — approximate current US street prices (mid-2026): about $499 to $3,750 across the four mics. Prices move with sales and stock, so treat them as ballpark.

Is it free?

Yes, free and no account required. The whole test takes about a minute.