The original 55
Years later 75
Limited Edition LE
The microphone.

The microphone that needs no name.

Setting the standard of performance.

An unmistakable stage icon for 75 years.

Chad Brownlee
Artist

An award-winning singer, songwriter, philanthropist and former NHL draft pick, country music artist Brownlee is by definition a renaissance man, who lives by the credence that "opportunity lies along the path created by the choices you make".

Jason Mraz
Artist

Singer/songwriter Jason Mraz hails from Mechanicsville, VA, where he grew up as a fan of the Dave Matthews Band and local roots musicians the Agents of Good Roots. But it was Mraz's interest and participation in musical theater that was his first introduction to music.

Photo by: Steve Jennings

Leann Rimes
Artist

From the moment the world heard LeAnn’s debut single "Blue", everyone knew they were hearing the start of an amazing career. With over 37 million albums sold, 2 Grammy Awards, 3 ACM awards and 12 Billboard Awards, they were absolutely right. As an artist, she’s matured into a songwriter of considerable depth and as a vocalist; she’s grown into her gift in an even more impressive way.

Photo by: Sara Hertel

John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Politician

Democratic Candidate and future President of the United States of America John Fitzgerald Kennedy giving a speech during the election campaign. Boston, 1960

Photo by: Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def
Artist

Regarded as one of hip-hop’s most introspective and insightful artists, Mos Def has shaped a career that transcends music genres and artistic medium. With the release of Universal Magnetic, Mos became an underground favorite in the hip-hop world, leading to his legendary collaboration with Talib Kweli. Shown using red custom-made Super 55 microphone.

One Republic
Artist

Featuring the anthemic songwriting of Ryan Tedder, OneRepublic rose to prominence in 2007, when "Apologize" began its reign as the most popular digital download in American history.

Photo by: Brody Harper

Young The Giant
Artist

Young the Giant write the sort of soaring, melodic rock 'n' roll that’s bound for greatness. From the jolting percussion and anthemic chorus of "My Body" to the lovesick fervor of "Cough Syrup" to the uptempo, sun-stained pop of "I Got," the California five-piece's stunning debut features an arresting collection of songs that announce the presence of a vital new band.

Photo by: Paul Natkin

You
Artist

You can be the next to hold one of these iconic microphones in your hands. Visit your local dealer and ask for the Shure Model 55.

Chad BrownleeArtist

Jason MrazArtist

Leann RimesArtist

John Fitzgerald KennedyPolitician

Yasiin Bey aka Mos DefArtist

One RepublicArtist

Young The GiantArtist

YouArtist

Photographed with more celebrities than any other microphone.

In 1939 Shure Incorporated introduced the patented 55 Unidyne® microphone, designed using the Uniphase acoustical system. The 55 Unidyne was the first microphone to provide directional characteristics using a single dynamic element.
Sleek in design with a futuristic look, the 55 Unidyne came to symbolize the word "microphone".

While the microphones have been improved over the years to keep them technologically up-to-date, they still retain the exceptional design and appearance of the 1930s original.

Say goodbye to feedback

Shure introduced the Model 55 series, featuring a cardioid polar pattern via the Uniphase acoustical system.
Cardioid microphones have the most sensitivity at the front and are least sensitive at the back, isolating the diaphragm from off-axis, undesired ambient sound.

3 models were available:
55A, low impedance (50 ohms)
55B, medium impedance (250 ohms)
55C, high impedance (15,000 ohms)

Goodbye Feedback

The cardioid polar pattern of Shure model 55 Unidyne helped control and minimize feedback, a significant improvement over other microphones being used in public address and live performance.

Broadcast Cardioid Microphone

The 555 series featured a built-in vibration isolation mount to reduce unwanted noise.
This model was available in the following versions: 555A, 555B and 555C.

New Exclusive Shure Uniphase Principle

The development of the exclusive Shure Uniphase principle made possible for the first time true cardioid unidirectivity in a single microphone element.

Voice Unidyne microphones for communications

Models 55AV, 55BV and 55CV featured an increased high frequency response for vocal clarity in paging and two-way radio systems.

Supercardioid Broadcast Microphone

The 556 offered a supercardioid polar pattern, with a narrower front field of signal pickup for greater rejection of unwanted ambient sound when compared to cardioids.

The microphones 556A, 556B and 556C include a shock mount in lower portion of mic.

Polar Response

Supercardioid polar patterns feature a narrower front field of signal pickup for greater rejection of unwanted ambient sound.

More flexible with adjustable impedance

Adding a three-position impedance switch (low-medium-high) allowed the microphone to work with a variety of input impedances.
The 1947 models were available as 55 (Cardioid) and 556 (Supercardioid).

The iconic "Elvis Mic"

The small Unidynes were available in two model configurations: 55S (Cardioid) and 556S (Supercardioid) – the "S" stands for "small".

The 55S is often referred to as the "Elvis Mic" due to its frequent use by Elvis Presley, and is the microphone depicted with Elvis on the commemorative Elvis stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service in 1993.

Making it bigger by making it smaller

The small Unidynes were about two-thirds the size of the original 1939 Model.

The Microphone That Needs No Name

In the early 1950s, this advertisement did not feature the name or model number of the microphone, underscoring the fact that the 55 Unidyne was recognized everywhere.

On and off with the flick of a switch

The 55SW allowed the user on stage to take control of the mic by adding an on/off switch in the mounting unit. The "W" designation meant "sWitch".

Industrial Design and Quality

The highly regarded design was subjected to Shure military-grade quality testing and performed extremely well, helping to solidify its world-wide reputation.

55 turns gold

1967 models featured a new and distinct finish - a glamorous look in any stage with the 55S Gold and 55SW Gold.

Professional Entertainer Microphone

Model PE55 took the needs of on-the-go entertainers into consideration - with no impedance switch, factory-set to high-impedance and a carrying case.

55SH

The PE55SH added a modern 3-pin XLR connector, replacing the previous 4-pin Amphenol connector.

The 55SH provided an internal high/low impedance choice on the XLR connector.

The connector

By 1978, the 3-pin XLR connector hat replaced the 4-pin MC4F Amphenol connector in all Models.

Classic appearance, modern performance

The current 55SH Series II model features an updated Unidyne microphone element to meet modern performance standards. It is offered with low impedance only.

55 turns 70

The Super 55 features a precision-crafted supercardioid microphone cartridge, providing improved frequency response tailored for detailed clarity in vocals and speech.

A true classic remastered.

As a part of the "Classic Line" of Shure Microphones, the Super 55 Deluxe Vocal Microphone features a supercardioid cartridge for superior acoustic performance.

Super 55-BCR

The Super 55-BCR is a limited edition in striking red/black colors. Only 3000 pieces of this microphone were available worldwide.

Time for Something new:

Creative advertisement from the campaign promoting the Super 55-BCR.

IEEE Milestone Award

The only microphone ever to win the IEEE Milestone Award:

In January 2014, 75 years after its invention, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) honored the Model 55 with a Milestone Award.

Being honored with this award puts Shure in the same company as famed inventors including Guglielmo Marconi, Nikola Tesla, Michael Faraday and Ben Franklin, and alongside landmark events such as the invention of the first computer and the Apollo Space program.

The most recognized microphone in the world

The microphone that needs no name.

In celebrating the 75th anniversary of Model 55, Shure is proud to announce a new limited edition Unidyne model - 5575LE. Only 5575 pieces of this microphone will be available worldwide.

Shure 5575LE

Featuring Unidyne III cardioid cartridge technology for superior sound performance and the classic large grille outer shell, the 5575LE is of extraordinary vintage, aesthetic and performance value for collectors and performers alike.

 

The competition is over!

Thank you for all your anniversary wishes!

 

...And the winners are...

Esty N.,
Christian J.,
Thomas K.,
Rich H.,
Andy C.,
Jorge A. H.,
Todd K.,
Jeremy H.,
Caleb R.,
Jeremy H.
Eugene D. (Russia),
Josh D. (UK),
Chris A. (UK),
Milan K. (Slovakia),
Arnold J. B. (Germany),
Jack N. (UK),
Evgeny M. (Russia),
Matija R. (Serbia),
Vasco R. (Spain),
Stijn V. (Belgium)
Davyd N. (Australia),
王春华 (China),
孙立元 (China),
龚先生 (China),
李泽朋 (China),
小笠原 様 (Japan),
西條 様 (Japan),
田中 様 (Japan),
山田 様 (Japan),
Soo S. L. (Singapore)

 

Congratulations

And have fun with your prizes!