HyperX Quadcast S USB microphone (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
Whether you’re recording a podcast, still taking on zoom meetings for work or school, or just wanna chat with friends while you game, quality sound is one of the most vital factors when it comes to communication. While I have higher quality, professional microphones available to me for my job, I’ve typically just stuck to a headset microphone when it comes to gaming mostly just out of convenience. Lately though, I’ve been getting sick of the lower quality that typically comes with a headset mic (and since I’ve been becoming a more frequent contributor on the Tempcast, so has AlanJohn), so when the latest mic from HyperX came across the reviews inbox, I was beyond excited to give it a look. I’m definitely a fan of HyperX’s peripherals; basically every peripheral in my setup is from the brand, whether from reviewing the items or buying them myself. Enter the HyperX Quadcast S; an update to the company's initial Quadcast model, now equipped with customizable RGB lighting for maximum gamer cred. Let’s begin, as always, with our spec sheet!
Tech Specs
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/jPa 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=∞)
While this isn’t a review of the HyperX Quadcast’s original model, something I want to point out right away is that those familiar with the standard Quadcast will notice a lot of similarities; indeed, the specs between both models are almost entirely identical, with only the RGB, a change in the on-mic connection port from micro USB to USB-C, and some very small weight differences being the only things that are new here. That means that if you already have the HyperX Quadcast, the only benefit you’d gain from the Quadcast S is customizable RGBs. If that’s important to you, then this is the perfect upgrade. But if you’re happy with your standard Quadcast and the solid red lighting it gives off, then “upgrading” to the S would be a bit unnecessary. Though at a mere $20 in price difference between the two models, I do like that the option is now available to those who are buying this mic for the first time. It just doesn’t necessitate an upgrade by any means. So with that said, if you’re interested in seeing what’s new here or learning about this mic for the first time, read on!
Let’s start with what’s different here, the aforementioned customizable RGB lighting. The Quadcast S features customizable lighting through the HyperX NGENUITY software. Avid readers of GBAtemp reviews should recognize NGENUITY, so I won’t get into too much detail here. For those not in the know, however, in the simplest terms it’s the software through which the majority of customization for these HyperX products is controlled. With the Quadcast S, that customization comes primarily in the form of RGB controls; as usual there’s a variety of pre-set RGB effects that you can customize and swap between in the app, including one that sets it at a solid color and, effectively, turns your Quadcast S into a standard HyperX Quadcast. In total there’s five of these customizable patterns, though honestly? I think the “wave” color cycle effect that comes standard on the mic looks the best by a wide margin, and beyond testing what the others looked like it’s the one I’ve decided to stick with for my mic. Beyond the light controls, you can see which polar pattern you have selected at any given time, and you can also adjust your mic or monitor volume on the app, which is actually the only way to do so if you’re monitoring sound on the mic itself or want to adjust the input volume as the mic only has a gain control knob on board. A general problem I’ve typically had with this software is that it’s just super limiting as far as customization goes. And while that’s not necessarily an issue on a microphone, I still feel it here to an extent. Still, for what little you’d want to be able to change on this mic, it gets the job done.
Now, beyond my issues with the NGENUITY app, I actually think the RGB lighting is a great add-on to the mic. The original Quadcast featured, simply, a red light that illuminated the built-in pop filter when it was turned on. The Quadcast S updates this, changing the filter’s color from red to more gray or clear, and illuminates with those customizable RGBs. The colors all compliment the simple dark finish of the rest of the mic well, and even still act as an indicator light by turning off when the mic is muted. I also find that the mic blends in very well with my HyperX keyboard and mouse thanks to these RGBs as well, allowing my setup to look nice and uniform, even if it can look like an advertisement for HyperX from time-to-time.
Regarding sound quality, this is where the Quadcast S truly shines in my mind. The Quadcast S has four polar pattern settings for your audio recording; stereo, primarily for music recording, omnidirectional for when you need to capture the sound of everything or everyone in your recording environment, cardioid for when you only want to record the sound directly in front of the mic, and bidirectional which will record on either side of the mic to pick up one-on-one conversations with nothing but you, your conversational partner, and the mic between you two. Each polar pattern records at a 48kHz sample, 16-bit rate, which offers crisp and clear audio especially with the built in pop filter. I did notice in my testing that each polar pattern definitely had a bias towards the front of the mic no matter which pattern it was set to, but the difference was still noticeable when changing patterns. For an example of what the mic sounds like in use, I’ve linked an episode of the Tempcast below.
Tempcast Audio Example
Speaking more generally about the mic, functionally aside from those four polar patterns we’ve got a tap to mute feature on the top of the mic, some very basic on-board gain controls, and a nice, sturdy metal base that keeps the mic anchored to the table without issue. There’s also a built-in anti-shock mount that can be used to attach the mic to mic arm for off-desk use, and an internal pop filter to keep sound crisp and clear from the get go. From a design standpoint I’m definitely a fan. Everything has an almost minimalist simplicity to it, with the gray of the anti-shock mount and internal pop filter mixing beautifully with the all black finish. Comparing it to the standard Quadcast, I definitely prefer this to the red accents on that piece of hardware. I do have issue with the lack of on-board volume and monitor control, though, because of the limitations of the NGENUITY software; consumers using this mic on a mac or PS4, as the box advertises compatibility with, will not only be limited to the default RGB options, but more important will be unable to adjust the mic volume. Sure it might not be the biggest deal in the world, most professional mics don’t let you adjust the input volume on board either. But for a USB mic that locks the volume control behind software that’s unavailable on two thirds of the advertised compatible platforms? That doesn’t sit right with me at all.
At a price point of $159.99, this is definitely one of the pricier side of things when it comes to HyperX’s microphones; and even then it’s pretty pricey even comparing it to other condenser microphones. But that price, I believe, is evident in the sound quality and versatility of this mic. As I said in the beginning, if you already own a HyperX Quadcast mic? There’s not much of an upgrade to be had here. But if you’re in the market to get a new USB microphone, or are looking to buy your first one? You can’t go wrong with the Quadcast S.
Verdict
- Solid sound quality
- Great looking RGBs
- USB-C connection for mic cable
- Over reliance on HyperX NGENUITY software for RGBs and volume control
- Little to no upgrade from previous model
- Pricey
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