Help with mic markings

[Guitarfreak]

I just bought duplicates of two of the mics that I own, and upon inspection I am a bit worried. The markings are clearly different on them. I bought an SM57 and Audix i5.

The new 57 has a lighter grille cap but it's still dented in so it's not a sign of a fake. The pins on the old one are labeled 1, 2, and 3 with an A above. The new one is labeled 1, 2, and 3 with an F above. The logo is also whiter.

The i5 logo is a bit whiter as well. The new i5's serial numbering is smaller and the pin cap is an ugly green with the name 'switchcraft' on it. The aluminum grille mesh (the silver one) seems like it was made with a different metal and seems a bit of a tighter weave.

Am I being anal over small details or do I have reason to be worried? I don't think that these are fakes, I know companies change these things occasionally, but still. The only thing that seems like it would be a fake is the pin cap on the i5, because it's ugly and green and obviously seems like it came from a different supplier. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank You
-Jake

[venuestudio]

Not sure about the possibility of them being fakes but the first thing that comes to mind is how do they sound?? Color of the logo matters less to me than the color of the sound.

[Guitarfreak]

That is very true. I am unable to hear them until I get my interface back from the repair shop (the 12th?) I just wasn't expecting them to look different and/or have different components and details. It throws me off a bit, I was expecting a carbon copy.

[newkid]

Originally Posted by Guitarfreak

I just bought duplicates of two of the mics that I own, and upon inspection I am a bit worried. The markings are clearly different on them. I bought an SM57 and Audix i5.

The new 57 has a lighter grille cap but it's still dented in so it's not a sign of a fake. The pins on the old one are labeled 1, 2, and 3 with an A above. The new one is labeled 1, 2, and 3 with an F above. The logo is also whiter.

The i5 logo is a bit whiter as well. The new i5's serial numbering is smaller and the pin cap is an ugly green with the name 'switchcraft' on it. The aluminum grille mesh (the silver one) seems like it was made with a different metal and seems a bit of a tighter weave.

Am I being anal over small details or do I have reason to be worried? I don't think that these are fakes, I know companies change these things occasionally, but still. The only thing that seems like it would be a fake is the pin cap on the i5, because it's ugly and green and obviously seems like it came from a different supplier. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank You
-Jake

there are counterfeits out there

I would check with the manufacturers
they will tell you
and if they are fake they want to shut down that operation asap

on the other hand they buy them from the cheapest factory in china so they may have minor differences. or may be a new upgrade with the same model nr.

you should ask the manufacturers.

i found 37000 hits for counterfeit shure
here is one

How to Spot a Fake Shure Microphone
... Every studio has at least one Shure microphone, ... However, with their popularity, counterfeit Shure mics have become ......

How to Spot a Fake Shure Microphone