A good streamer needs a great microphone like the HyperX Quadcast S. Using it has been an improvement that is much needed, especially since I mainly do voice recording. Sporting RGB lights, an anti-vibration shock mount, and a tap-to-mute sensor, this is one of the best USB microphones I’ve ever used.
If you’re content creator like me, one of the most important thing is your equipment. Whenever I start recording a video the first thing I do is check the levels of gain and volume. Once a check is done, I fumble with the mute button and wonde if it is muted or not. That’s no longer an issue with the HyperX Quadcast S, check it out in this review!
HyperX Quadcast S
Manufacturer: HyperX
MSRP: $159.99 USD
For a lot of this review, there will be a comparison directly to the Blue Yeti USB condenser microphone, one that I’ve been using for years.
Firstly, the design and form size, the Quadcast S is smaller and considerably lighter. You can mount the Quadcast S to another microphone arm if you so choose or leave it on the included stand.
Hardware inside includes the pop filter and two tone RGB lights to compliment your setup on the desk. These come in two colors, black and white, both including RGB lights which are customizable via software.
On the back of the microphone are your options for audio pattern modes which it shares with the Blue Yeti. Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Stereo, and Bidirectional all come packed in, and are easy to adjust. Below is the gain control which just simply turns, and on top of the microphone is my favorite part.
The top of the microphone is the tap-to-mute sensor which makes this my favorite microphone to use, ever. You don’t have to worry about pressing a button or making sure it’s muted any longer.
The built in RGB lights also turn off when you’re muted to give an indication of a hot mic or muted mic. It’s a cut above other microphones, especially the Blue Yeti, which I have heard, and experienced, is the worst muting experience possible.
As far as audio quality while recording, no one I talked to on Discord could tell the difference between the two microphones as I swapped back and forth between them.
Even just audio recording for voice over and video commentary, this is beyond expectations. I appreciated the style and the ease that the Quadcast S gives, especially the connection to your PC via USB.
Another hardware change that I liked over its competitor is the implementation of USB-C as opposed to mini-USB.
Now I don’t have to worry about carrying the right cords with me when I travel (looking at you, Apple). The cable provided is also braided instead of just the plastic-y rubber coating, so that’s a positive.
Nothing immediately negative comes to mind when I think about the Quadcast S overall, except for maybe the anti-vibration shock mount and stand which feels a little cheaper material wise. It’s not as solid feeling as the Blue Yeti, which is a bulkier build.
The overflowing net positive feeling I got from the HyperX Quadcast S is palpable. It’s a well built microphone that can, at times, feel like hard plastic as opposed to the build of something sturdier. Controls are top tier and I want them on almost anything I use, like the tap-to-mute sensor, which is almost too good to be true.
Compared to it’s competitors, its a few bucks more but you also get a handful of features that not only work, but a microphone that in it’s form factor can save space on your desk.
When I met with HyperX at TwitchCon 2022, one of the biggest things they told me about was about making items for the desk and knowing how to maximize space on it. I enjoyed everything about the HyperX Quadcast S microphone and would recommend it to anyone that does a lot of chatting and a lot of content creation.
The HyperX Quadcast S was reviewed with a retail unit provided by HyperX. You can find additional information about Niche Gamer’s review/ethics policy here. HyperX Quadcast S is available at Amazon, HyperX directly, and other retailers.
