When you have a gaming setup complete with a powerful computer (desktop or laptop), a screen display with a high resolution and refresh rate, and a keyboard and mouse that will hopefully help with the issues of playing multiplayer video games, there is another important accessory that you need for a truly immersive gaming experience.
It is a microphone, a communication tool in the modern gaming world that is commonly used to talk to friends online, and clear communication can sometimes be the difference between victory and defeat for your team.
HyperX sent us their HyperX QuadCast 2 microphone for review, and we tried it out for a variety of purposes, from communication on platforms like Discord, to recording various types of videos.
Design and Specifications
HyperX QuadCast 2
Elements: 3x 14mm electret capsule condenser
Pattern: Cardioid, Stereo, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional
Sensitivity: -7.5dB
Connection: USB Type-C, 3.5mm audio
Weight: ~335 grams
Price: RM699
The HyperX QuadCast 2 microphone is a condenser microphone that comes with a fairly compact design and is quite suitable if you want to maintain a minimalist aesthetic arrangement in black or white.
In terms of design, it comes with a frame made of black and white aluminum metal. The black model comes with a red LED light, while the white model comes with a blue LED light. This LED color also has a function that we will explain in a moment.
In terms of connection, you can connect this microphone to your computer using the USB Type-C to Type-C cable that comes with this microphone with a Type-C to Type-A plug adapter. If you have previously owned a HyperX QuadCast microphone, the Micro-USB plug that was present on the previous model has been replaced with a USB Type-C plug on the latest model.
Just like the previous model, the QuadCast 2 microphone comes with a base that also acts as a shock absorber to ensure that the microphone position is stable, and does not pick up or produce noise.
If you want to use your own microphone base, you can also easily detach this microphone from the original base. You just need to twist the microphone head slightly and pull it out. In the meantime, you can still use the shock mount with your existing base, by simply opening the base of this microphone surface.
On the top of this microphone is an audio mute button to allow users to quickly mute their microphone. The LED lighting around this microphone will dim if the mute function is activated, and will return to normal when it is turned off.
As a versatile USB microphone, the HyperX QuadCast also comes with four different usage patterns, including Cardioid, for personal use or recording, Omnidirectional for recording or group conversations from various angles, Bi-directional for recording face-to-face conversations and Stereo for recording vocals, instrumentals and audio recordings that require deeper audio.
Another new feature can be seen in the audio volume adjustment button on the bottom of the microphone. This button comes with several functions, including adjusting the audio level of the microphone and also the earphones that can be connected via the 3.5mm audio plug built into this microphone.
This button can also be pressed briefly to change the input type, while if this button is pressed for a long time, it can modify the microphone pattern mode. Depending on the mode used, the lighting lights on the top will indicate which mode is used at that time. 1 light for Cardioid mode, two vertically opposite lights for Bidirectional mode, two horizontally opposite lights for Stereo mode and four lights are on for Omnidirectional mode.
You can also use HyperX Ngenuity software which allows you to modify the usage pattern and also the lighting pattern on this microphone.
Usage Experience
The HyperX QuadCast 2 microphone is very easy to use. Technically, you only need to plug this microphone into your computer via the USB cable provided, and you can continue to use it.
As mentioned, all the features that can be accessed on this microphone can already be accessed directly from the microphone, such as muting, changing the microphone's sound recording radius, amplifying the volume of the earphones connected to the microphone and changing the microphone recording pattern.
For regular users who use this microphone for Discord, TeamSpeak calls and so on, the existing recording quality of this microphone is quite good and no changes need to be made.
But let's say you want to start your own podcast series, or want to use this microphone for video interviews and so on, you can use various types of microphone setting modification software such as Voicemeeter Potato to modify the quality of audio recording through this microphone.
In the meantime, this microphone can also be connected to various types of computers and devices, including Windows PCs, MacOS, Sony PlayStation 5 consoles, Microsoft Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and portable PC consoles such as ASUS ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go.
Another very helpful feature, especially if you are a professional streamer who already has your own desk setup complete with a microphone holder, you can use your own holder to complete your streaming setup with this microphone.
Another feature that I really like about this microphone is related to the microphone recording pattern modes. As mentioned, the lights on the top will indicate the mode used. But more than that, it also indicates the location of the active element components, and this tells you what the optimal position is for the best recording.
The recording quality in Cardioid and Bidirectional modes is quite good in my opinion, but for Omnidirectional mode, which is used to record more than two voices sitting in different locations, this microphone may have a little trouble capturing voices if the participants are sitting far from the microphone position.
For the best recording quality, you will need to increase the microphone recording sensitivity level and make sure that all participants in the conversation are sitting around the microphone at the same distance.
Another criticism I have about the HyperX QuadCast 2 microphone may be related to the HyperX Ngenuity software, which in my opinion has too few functions to justify installing special software for it.
I also wish that the HyperX Ngenuity software came with a function to modify the microphone audio quality to give users more options regarding the audio quality of this microphone recording.
Sound Recording Quality
We tested the sound recording quality of the HyperX QuadCast 2 microphone, and this is a sample of the recording recorded directly to the computer.
Cardioid
Bidirectional
Omnidirectional
What's in the Box
Here's what you'll get when you buy the HyperX QuadCast 2 microphone:
1x HyperX QuadCast 2 microphone
1x USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable
1x USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter
User manual
Cover
The HyperX QuadCast 2 microphone is currently available in the local market for RM699. The price is a bit steep, but considering its ability to meet a wide range of uses, for me it's quite worth it if you want to upgrade your streaming setup to better quality accessories.
Pros:
Easy to set up and use
Good audio recording quality
Lots of recording functions
Can be used with third-party audio recording quality modification software
Good build quality
Cons:
The software doesn't offer enough modification functions
Not very suitable for group conversations around the microphone