A large number of manufacturers have centered their efforts on making streaming microphones within the final 5 years. Thanks partly to the growth of podcasting, content material creation, and on-line gaming, and the easy indisputable fact that we spend way more time on digital conferences post-pandemic, there are extra choices to select from than ever.
Whether or not you’re a critical audiophile or a critical technophobe, the standard of Sennheiser merchandise has all the time been all the time reliable, however till not too long ago the corporate had centered on XLR microphones requiring an audio interface or mixer.
I’ve been fortunate sufficient to check out the Sennheiser Profile USB microphonea extra accessible and inexpensive possibility for customers who need to plug straight right into a PC and go. On this Sennheiser Profile USB microphone evaluate, I’ll cowl the ins and outs of this streaming microphone after virtually a month of testing. It’s been my every day mic whereas plugged into my iMac, mini gaming PC, and even my iPhone.
This straightforward mic is designed to enhance the standard of your voice on Zoom calls, recording audio for voiceovers, and podcasting and streaming. Whereas it isn’t designed particularly for avid gamers (for that look to Logitech, HyperX, and Elgato), and also you don’t get parts like RGB lighting, the Profile USB continues to be well-suited to streaming whereas gaming.
At simply over $100 (109) for the desktop model, it’s equally priced to the beloved Blue Yeti USB microphone and barely inexpensive than the Elgato Wave:3. You don’t get any added mixing software program – you actually just do plug it in and begin speaking – and for many, that method will probably be completely ideally suited.
Professionals
- Sturdy and durable construct
- Arrange takes minutes
- Good bodily controls
Cons
- Solely has cardioid audio sample
- No desk stand in streaming bundle
Specs
These are the Sennheiser Profile USB specs:
| High quality | 20 to twenty,000 Hz frequency 44.1, 48 kHz pattern charges |
| Appropriate units | Home windows 10.0 or increased, Android 9.0 or increased, iPadOS 14 or increased (appropriate with USB-C enabled Apple units), MacOS 10.15 or increased |
| Audio patterns | Cardioid |
| Connection | USB-C |
| Dimension | 50 x 50 x 152 mm |
| Weight | 350 g |
Options
Sennheiser is a model synonymous with high quality audio merchandise, and it has a wealthy historical past of constructing microphones. The corporate’s first shotgun microphone was produced in 1952, its MD 421 dynamic microphone in 1960 (which continues to be on sale right now), and there have been numerous iterations and choices for customers since.
As a plug-and-play possibility and one among Sennheiser’s newest streamer-specific mics, it isn’t laden with options – however that isn’t a nasty factor. By way of software program, you don’t get any. This looks like a deliberate resolution by Sennheiser to maintain the operation easy, and I can use different software program to filter my voice if I need to.
The Sennheiser Profile USB additionally lacks a variety of audio pickup patterns. Many streaming microphones right now provide as much as 4 polar patterns (which choose up audio in several methods). Stereo information audio on the left and proper, omni information in all instructions (nice for conferences), bidirectional is useful for interviews, and cardioid patterns seize sounds in entrance of the microphone.
The Sennheiser USB profile mic is restricted to cardioid, which is a disgrace because it reduces its versatility, but when all you need to do is report your personal voice it doesn’t matter anyway. The mic is right for podcasting alone, Zoom calls, recording audio for socials like YouTube movies, and recreation streaming. It’ll report your vocals clearly and simply.
Wanting on the competitors, the Elgato Wave:3 is a cardioid microphone, the Joby Wavo pod presents each cardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns so as to swap to interview mode in seconds, whereas the HyperX Quadcast S and Blue Yeti each have 4 polar patterns.
Design
You’ll be able to both purchase the Sennheiser Profile USB microphone with a growth arm (that is known as the Streaming Set) or by itself with a screw-on desk stand. Think about what you propose to make use of the mic for, because the streaming set prices $199 (£170) in opposition to the $129 (£109) tabletop model.
I’ve the 3-point growth arm, and I’ve been impressed by its sturdiness, versatility of positioning, and cable information to maintain my desk free. I nonetheless really feel that this equipment ought to include a base, although. I don’t all the time need or want the growth arm in place, and I begrudge paying individually for a metallic base when it might have come within the field.
Within the slimline field, the microphone comes packaged in a drawstring pouch, together with the folded growth arm, and 3-meter USB-C Cable, and a security information. One factor I all the time get pleasure from about Sennheiser merchandise is their satisfying construct high quality, and the Profile USB is not any completely different.
The microphone is constructed from metallic, and it feels cool and premium within the hand, in comparison with the marginally plastic Joby Wavo Pod I’ve used beforehand. I managed to get the growth arm screwed onto my standing desk in seconds, and the mic is able to go in about three minutes because it was picked up mechanically by my iMac.
On the entrance of the mic, there are 4 bodily dials; a mute button with an LED ring, a acquire management with an LED ring to focus on any audio clipping, a mixture management to steadiness microphone and machine ranges, and a quantity management for headphones. On the again of the combo, there’s a 3.5 mm headphone output and the USB-C cable enter. Some mics at this worth solely have a quantity and mute button on the entrance, so immediately it’s good to have all of those inside attain, particularly because the Profile USB doesn’t include any mixing software program.
Efficiency
I examined the Sennheiser Profile USB Microphone in a number of methods. Firstly, I recorded Voice Memos on my iMac – not essentially the most technical method, but it surely allowed for simple comparability between the audio high quality of the USB profile to the Joby Wavo Pod, which is available in at round $40 (£40) much less, and the Audio Technica AT2040USB at $149 (£129).
The replica was clear and undistorted, but it surely was noticeably quieter than each of the others, which had been first used beneath the identical situations. Even once I tried studying over and talking extra intently to the mic – which wouldn’t be snug to do for lengthy durations – the audio degree was under what I’d anticipated. Turning up the acquire dial on the Profile USB launched a really small degree of background noise from the air con unit in my backyard workplace, and whereas an audio cleanup would in all probability clear up this, it’s slightly shocking.
Total, the hum from the air con fan was a lot much less noticeable than with the Joby mic, though my voice high quality was barely much less wealthy than the Audio Technica AT2040USB, which made me really feel as if I used to be in a padded podcasting sales space.
By way of utilizing the mic, there’s little to elucidate or complain about. The Sennheiser’s mute button is sort of small, however I actually like that it’s a soft-touch rubber affair in comparison with the large clicky buttons on each the Joby Wavy Pod and Blue Yeti. Which means there’s no likelihood of it being heard on the recording if you might want to rapidly flip off the audio to cough or sneeze.
The place to purchase
The Sennheiser Profile USB Microphone and Streaming Set is available for purchase from main retailers like Amazon and Finest Purchase.
Must you purchase?
- Sure: You need to plug it in and begin recording simply
- Sure: You don’t care about mixing software program or apps
- No: It lacks completely different polar patterns in comparison with others
If the Sennheiser Profile USB isn’t for you:
Joby Wavo Pod: cheaper, however good audio high quality
The Joby Wavo Pod is a enjoyable capsule mic aimed toward content material creators. It’s priced round $99.95 (£89.95), however usually cheaper, and additionally has an omnidirectional polar sample which is ideal for interviews.
For extra options and completely different ranges and worth factors, take a look at our finest streaming microphones information. Discover out extra about how we take a look at gaming gear and {hardware} just like the Sennheiser USB Profile mic.
Sennheiser Profile USB Microphone evaluate
The Sennheiser Profile USB Microphone is straightforward to make use of, and offers a pure, heat sound, even when it’s quieter than others. For those who’re a newbie streamer trying to elevate your vocals out of your PC or telephone’s built-in mic, I’d say the Sennheiser USB Profile was a winner – each for construct and audio high quality.
