HyperX Quadcast USB Condenser Gaming Microphone Review

Today, we’ll be taking a quick look at the HyperX Quadcast USB condenser gaming microphone. It’s designed for streamers and gamers alike and comes with an Anti-Vibration shock mount, and offers four selectable polar patterns, as well as featuring a Tap-to-Mute sensor with LED indicator. There’s also a gain control adjustment, a built-in internal pop filter, as well as a built-in headphone jack.

Over the past several months, I’ve been using my Rode Mic Pro (which is really only designed for cameras) for streaming. Yes, you know me … I’ll use whatever I already have in my studio, without even thinking too much about the quality. If it does the job fine … then it’s good enough for me. However, after listening to some feedback and also doing a little researching myself, I realize the Rode Mic Pro may not be up to scratch in terms of audio quality.

In the end, I decided to invest in a condenser microphone designed to do one job specifically … streaming. There are quite a few condenser microphones available on the market. The Blue Yeti is a very good renowned brand, while the Seiren X from Razer is quite popular with gamers.

We’ve reviewed a lot of HyperX products on our websites … so it goes without saying we just have to take a look at the HyperX Quadcast USB condenser microphone, which is designed for gaming and streaming.

Does a condenser microphone really make that much of a difference when recording audio during streaming or gaming? Let’s find out …

You can buy the HyperX Quadcast USB Condenser Gaming Microphone for around USD $139 from Amazon – https://amzn.to/2KhS1fk

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Overview

The HyperX QuadCast™ is the ideal all-inclusive standalone microphone for the aspiring streamer or podcaster looking for a condenser mic with quality sound. QuadCast comes with its own anti-vibration shock mount to help reduce the rumbles of daily life and a built-in pop filter to muffle pesky percussive sounds. Instantly know your mic status with the LED indicator, and simply tap-to-mute to avoid awkward broadcasting accidents. Select between the four polar patterns (stereo, omnidirectional, cardioid, bidirectional) and use the conveniently-located gain control dial to quickly adjust your mic input sensitivity. The included mount adapter fits both 3/8” and 5/8” thread sizes and is compatible with most stands.

Monitor your mic input with the built-in headphone jack, and QuadCast is certified by Discord and TeamSpeak™ so you can ensure that your microphone is broadcasting loud and clear for all your followers and listeners. Whether you’re plugging into a PC, PS4™, or Mac® you’ll be able to deliver quality sound to anyone tuning in.

Features

Anti-Vibration shock mount
Tap-to-Mute sensor with LED indicator
Four selectable polar patterns
Mount adapter included
Convenient gain control adjustment
Internal pop filter
Built-in headphone jack
Multi-device and chat program compatibility

Built-in anti-vibration shock mount

Isolate the mic and suppress the sound of unintentional rumbles and bumps with the elastic rope suspension.

Tap-to-mute sensor with LED status indicator

Use the convenient tap-to-mute functionality to prevent an audio accident along with the help of the LED mic status indicator. If the light is on, the mic is active, if the light is off, the mic is muted.

Four selectable polar patterns

Choose between four polar patterns (stereo, omnidirectional, cardioid, bidirectional) to optimize your broadcast setup and keep the focus on the sounds you want to be heard.

Mic mount adapter included

Versatile adapter fits 3/8 inch and 5/8 inch threaded setups, so it can be mounted onto most mic stands or boom arms¹.

Convenient gain control

Easily adjust your mic sensitivity by turning the dial at the bottom of the QuadCast.

Specifications

Microphone
Power consumption:	5V 125mA
Sample/bit rate:	48kHz/16-bit
Element:	Electret condenser microphone
Condenser type:	Three 14mm condensers
Polar patterns:	Stereo, Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Bidirectional
Frequency response:	20Hz–20kHz
Sensitivity:	-36dB (1V/Pa at 1kHz)
Cable length:	3m
Weight:	Microphone: 254g Shock mount and stand: 364g Total with USB cable: 710g
Headphone Output
Impedance:	32 Ω
Frequency response:	20Hz – 20kHz
Maximum power output:	7mW
THD:	≤ 0.05% (1kHz/0dBFS)
SNR:	≥ 90dB (1kHZ, RL=∞)

More information can be found on HyperX website.

Photo Gallery

A Closer Look

Audio Recording Quality

I never thought a condenser microphone can a make that much of a difference, in the quality of the audio recording. That’s not until I heard myself speak during the playback.

The audio recording from the Rode Mic (which is really only designed for cameras) was clear but a little bit tinny. When I switched over to the HyperX Quadcast condenser mic … the audio recording was a lot better. It was clear, but it also had depth.

In other words, after listening to myself on the HyperX Quadcast … I have to say, this is now my preferred choice, period. The audio quality is so much better. I can now see why vloggers, streamers and gamers would prefer to use a condenser such as this one.

Conclusion and Verdict

The HyperX Quadcast is arguably one of the best USB condenser microphone available on the market for gamers and streamers alike. It comes with Anti-Vibration shock mount and offers four selectable polar patterns. It also features a Tap-to-Mute sensor with LED indicator, gain control adjustment, a built-in internal pop filter, as well as a built-in headphone jack.

Quality of the audio recording is excellent producing sounds that’s clear and full of depth. What I like about the microphone is that you have the a choice of 4 selectable polar patterns – Stereo, Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Bidirectional … which is perfect for different scenarios.

The shock anti-vibration shock mount helps reduce interference and noises from accidental movements. I also like the built-in headphone jack, which means I can hear exactly what is being recorded.

All-in-all, I am very impressed with the HyperX Quadcast USB condenser microphone. I have nothing more to say except to give it our Editor’s Choice Award.

Pros:

Anti-Vibration shock mount
Tap-to-Mute sensor with LED indicator
Four selectable polar patterns – Stereo, Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Bidirectional
Mount adapter included
Convenient gain control adjustment
Internal pop filter
Built-in headphone jack
Compatible with PC/PS4/MAC

Cons:

Uses the older Mini-USB connecter (which is a little out-dated)