Mar 28

BM 800 vs Audio Technica AT2020: Which Condenser Mic is Better? — Landon Media Inc.

Home Studio · Aug 29, 2016 · Written By Landon Bailey

BM 800 Condenser Mic vs Audio Technica AT2020: Which One is Better?

🎙️ A $5 Mic vs a $139 Industry Standard

What if a mic you picked up on eBay for $5 could hold its own against one of the most popular condenser microphones on the market? That's exactly what Landon set out to find out in this video — one of his most-watched ever with nearly 500K views.

The BM 800 is a generic Chinese condenser mic that turns up on eBay and Amazon under various brand names, often selling for under $10. The Audio Technica AT2020 is a genuine industry workhorse — a cardioid condenser that's been a home studio staple for years at around $139.

The test: three real-world recording scenarios — acoustic guitar and singing, speaking voice, and electric guitar cab miking — using two different BM 800 variants (black/gold and blue/gold) against the AT2020.

        🔑 The Key Question
        At nearly 30x the price difference, does the AT2020 actually sound 30x better? Or is the BM 800 a genuine bargain that home studio musicians are sleeping on? Landon tests it properly — same source, same session, no EQ — and lets you hear the difference for yourself.
      

        📊 The Numbers
        493,000+ views · 3,900+ likes · 916 comments — this video struck a nerve. The comments are full of home studio musicians sharing their own experiences with both mics.
      

🎤 Meet the Contenders

~$5–$20 USD

BM 800 Condenser Mic

A generic Chinese condenser sold under various names on eBay, Amazon, and AliExpress. Landon tests two variants — a black/gold version and a blue/gold version — which interestingly sound noticeably different from each other despite being nominally the same mic. Requires phantom power or a battery module. Often bundled with a shock mount and pop filter.

~$99–$139 USD

Audio Technica AT2020

One of the most popular entry-level condenser mics ever made. Cardioid polar pattern, 20Hz–20kHz frequency response, and a clean, consistent sound that's made it a home studio staple for over a decade. Requires 48V phantom power. Known for its smooth high-end, solid build quality, and consistent performance across different sources.

🔬 Spec Comparison

Spec	BM 800	Audio Technica AT2020
Type	Condenser	Condenser
Polar Pattern	Cardioid	Cardioid
Frequency Response	20Hz–16kHz (approx.)	20Hz–20kHz
Phantom Power	48V (or battery module)	48V required
Output	XLR	XLR
Build Quality	Variable — inconsistent between units	Solid, consistent build
Price	$5–$20	~$99–$139
Made In	China (unbranded)	Japan / Taiwan

🎧 How Each Test Went

🎸 Acoustic Guitar + Vocals

The most revealing test. The AT2020 is warmer and more consistent. The BM 800 blue/gold variant holds up surprisingly well — noticeably better than the black/gold. Both BM 800s have a harder, slightly thinner top end compared to the AT2020's smoother, fuller response.

🗣️ Speaking Voice

All three mics capture speech clearly. The AT2020 edges ahead in warmth and naturalness, but the gap is smaller than expected for the price difference. If you're recording podcasts or voice-overs on a tight budget, the BM 800 is a viable option with some post-processing.

⚡ Electric Guitar (Cab)

The most dramatic difference. The AT2020 wins clearly here — warmer, smoother, and significantly less harsh. The BM 800 sounds thinner and more brittle on an amp cab. If guitar recording is your primary use case, the AT2020 is the better tool by a wider margin.