I want a mic that has good noise rejection, sounds "smooth" compared to tinny computer mics and basically performs like a Heil PR-40 without the price

This would not be very good for putting in between two drums (how I used to mic my rack toms with one mic) as the off axis noise rejection is so good

Does the 8500 have the noise rejection of a PR-40

The PR-40 has great noise rejection, at ~40 dB.

At 20% the price of a Shure 58, it is a steal!o

They Have very similar characteristics to my SM 58’s though maybe just a bit hotter

I have to admit Sennheiser e 840 is slightly better but the difference it NOT that much

I have to admit Sennheiser e 840 is slightly better but the difference it NOT that much

I have to admit Sennheiser e 840 is slightly better but the difference it NOT that much

At 20% the price of a Shure 58, it is a steal!o