Cass, we've been using EV n/d257B mics for the past five or six years, and they're really good bang for the buck. Nice response, and good in tight spots where feedback could be a problem for some mics. Physically, the collar around the base of the head of the mic has split on both of them which, if you're heavy handed in connecting the XLR cable, will push the innards forward a bit - not a huge problem if your mic is sitting in its stand all night and not being swung around in rockstar fashion. I don't somehow see you doing that, anyway.