As pro audio engineer, (amateur videographer) I recommend the Electro Voice (EV) RE 2000 it's in your price range ($600. US) and it has 2 advantages. It's a high end studio quality condenser and it has it's own phantom power supply--rare and convenient. This allows me to use it on a speaker while simultaneously using the stereo mic in my XL1s to capture the background ambient sound of the audience...ideal combo for a lecture.(posted 7922 days ago)