Hard to compare.
If you're speaking of other moderately priced condenser mics, for the most part, you're talking larger capsule condenser mics...
And there's already quite a difference in sound quality between ANY shotgun mic and a larger capsule condenser mic.
However, I have an opinion on both...
I've got a couple of MXL mics ( can't remember the model number...but they're relatively tall and black...look kinda like small-ish Neumanns).
I also have one of those APEX tube mics everyone was buying last year...
And, I have a Neumann TLM 103...
For narration, "acting" spots, and general buttery sound...I would choose ANY large cap condenser mic over my 416...or another shotgun mic.
The problem with alot of the lower cost condenser mics is that they tend to be kinda "bright" and a little too harsh on the high end.
Flip-side for me...the 103 tends to be a little muddy for my taste...I have to apply a little filter to mine to get rid of some of the boom...but that's beside the point.
The tight pattern shotgun mics are great for up-front sounds with little additional compression needed, and I love my 416...but I think the Rode NTG-2 is a nice mic for the price, and it sounds fine on my voice...with the high-pass filter engaged, it gives it a little more bite, and gets closer to the sound of my 416, but without quite as "hot" of an output level...no biggie, I just jack up the pre-amp a bit more.
So, as far as similar-priced large-cap condenser mics...it's really hard to make a comparison...
Just pick the mics that sound best, fit your budget best, and have the specs that match your voice.
Read as many reviews as you can...but ultimately, what sounds good on my voice, might sound like dog-crap on someone else, and vice-versa.
