HyperX QuadCast vs. Blue Yeti: Which mic is right for you?

Premium USB mic

HyperX QuadCast

Beastly value

Blue Yeti

The QuadCast is HyperX's first standalone USB microphone and information technology's a superb unit for those who are new to streaming or podcasting. The microphone itself has everything you need and fifty-fifty comes rocking RGB lighting, which y'all, unfortunately, can't disable.

$140 at Amazon

Pros

Solid blueprint
Headphone output
Good sound quality
Four polar patterns
Built-in stupor mount

Cons

Can't turn lighting off

For the cost, the Blue Yeti is a great USB microphone, offering fantabulous sound quality and support for a variety of recording setups. Yous may find it difficult to fit the Yeti into your standard shock mount, however, due to the odd bulky dimensions of the Yeti.

$99 at Amazon

Pros

Headphone output
Good sound quality
Four polar patterns

Cons

Odd dimensions for shock mounts
No shock mount included

All the necessary jargon data that you'd ordinarily parse to see which microphone is better on paper is nearly identical, which makes the cost and bachelor features the deciding factors. The latter area lands in the favor of the QuadCast, thank you to the pre-installed shock mount to foreclose the microphone from picking upward knocks or vibrations. This is as important as a pop filter, which is also is pre-installed within the outer chassis.

HyperX, existence primarily focused on PC gaming hardware, even added some RGB lighting, making the microphone glow red when information technology'south not muted and recording sound. Where it counts, the Yeti holds up on its ain and performs simply as well equally the QuadCast for actual recordings, in one case you've played around with system sound settings to reduce white noise and amplify your ain voice.

Fighting confronting shocks and pops

Having both of these features, which the Blue Yeti omits, means yous're prepare to go with everything y'all demand for recording audio as shortly as y'all've unboxed it. The shock mount is used to aid mitigate whatsoever vibrations that are passed through the stand or mount to the microphone, while the pop filter shields against the "popping" sound from your voice.

The Blue Yeti may require you to purchase an aftermarket shock mountain and pop filter should you require them at a afterward date, and even then you'll demand to make sure the mount tin fit the Yeti since it'southward thicker than most microphones at this price. You're looking at around $20 for a Yeti-compatible shock mountain and $13 for a pop filter embrace. These bring the full to $133, but shy of the QuadCast toll.

Sound-wise, both microphones selection upwardly audio very well, considering the price. While the $40 is a lot to ask for those on tighter budgets, especially when the two microphones are similar in specs, the QuadCast is well worth it for the peace of listen that you lot're getting all the basics included. Want to salvage a little? Go with the Yeti.

Battle of the specs

For performance, where the numbers are important for sound quality and actual recording, both microphones are real close. If you lot're on a tighter budget and don't particularly listen using a shock mount (or have one that fits the Yeti) the Blue Yeti is an excellent buy. If your budget tin stretch to the HyperX QuadCast, it's well worth considering because of everything that's included.

	HyperX QuadCast	Blue Yeti
Frequency response	20Hz to 20kHz	20Hz to 20kHz
Power	5V 125mA	5V 150mA
Condensers	3x 14mm	3x 14mm
Polar patterns	Stereo Omnidirectional Cardioid Bidirectional	Stereo Omnidirectional Cardioid Bidirectional
Ports	Micro-USB 3.5mm jack	Micro-USB 3.5mm jack
Sensitivity	1V/Pa at 1kHz	4.5mV/Pa 1kHz

The above table may expect a piddling confusing, but all you lot actually need to know from it is the Yeti and QuadCast are like microphones. Both have three 14mm condensers for picking up sound, support four polar patterns (how sound is recorded from unlike directions), have identical ports and frequency response. Regardless of which one you choose, you'll be pleased with the recording.

Polar patterns are important when selecting a microphone equally this depicts where microphone will record sound within its immediate sphere. Since both the Yeti and QuadCast allow y'all to switch between different patterns, yous'll be able to cull how you want the microphone to pick up the audio, whether you desire information technology to record from all its environs or just focus solely on your vocalization at the forepart.

Everything you need

Going with the QuadCast from HyperX allows you to get a stream or podcast upward and running without having to purchase boosted equipment. All yous'd need is a decent pair of headphones and you have a quality audio setup.

Premium USB mic

HyperX QuadCast

A superb microphone for streamers

HyperX'due south start standalone microphone is a fantastic solution for anyone looking to pick up a new mic for streaming, podcasting or communicating with friends and guildmates. The included stupor mount allows you to ready the microphone and become started without needing annihilation else for the ideal configuration.

For those on tighter budgets

Blue Yeti is here for those who don't mind in getting slightly less. You volition save coin, but accept to pick up an aftermarket pop filter and shock mount should you crave them at a later appointment. The microphone is as good as the QuadCast on paper, though it'southward a little on the thick side.

Beastly value

Blue Yeti

Tried and tested sound operation

The Blue Yeti is a microphone that has been effectually for many years and has been role of numerous streamer setups for good reason. It's a very capable microphone that offers some killer recording features and matches the QuadCast on performance. It does fall curt slightly on no shock mount being included, but you're saving $40.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Acquire more.

These are the best Netgear routers available now

Buyer's guide

These are the all-time Netgear routers available at present

Beloved Netgear and desire to better your home internet? We've rounded upward the best routers available now, whether you're looking to game, set up a mesh network, or but enjoy lag-free cyberspace in your dwelling.