Sennheiser Profile USB Microphone review

A large number of manufacturers have targeted 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 incontrovertible fact that we spend far 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 at all times been reliable, however till lately the corporate had targeted on XLR microphones requiring an audio interface or mixer, or among the finest Stream Decks.

The Sennheiser Profile USB microphone is an accessible and reasonably priced possibility for customers who wish to plug straight right into a PC and go. I’ll cowl the ins and outs of this gaming microphone after nearly a month of testing. It’s been my day by day mic whereas plugged into my iMac, mini gaming PC, and even my iPhone.

This easy 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 players (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 cheaper than the Elgato Wave:3. You don’t get any added mixing software program – you simply plug it in and begin speaking – and for many, that method can be ideally suited.

Specs

Sennheiser Profile USB specs:

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 at this time), and there have been numerous iterations and choices for shoppers since.

As a plug-and-play possibility and one in all Sennheiser’s newest streamer-specific mics, it isn’t laden with options – however that isn’t a foul factor. When it comes to software program, you don’t get any. This seems like a deliberate determination by Sennheiser to maintain the operation easy, and I can use different software program to filter my voice if I wish to.

The Sennheiser Profile USB additionally lacks a variety of audio pickup patterns. Many streaming microphones at this time supply as much as 4 polar patterns (which decide up audio in numerous methods). Stereo data audio on the left and proper, omni data 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 proscribed to cardioid, which is a disgrace because it reduces its versatility, but when all you wish 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 to be able to change to interview mode in seconds, whereas the HyperX Quadcast S and Blue Yeti each have 4 polar patterns.

Design

You possibly can 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. Take into account 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 at all times need or want the growth arm in place, and I begrudge paying individually for a steel base when it may 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 at all times take pleasure in about Sennheiser merchandise is their satisfying construct high quality, and the Profile USB isn’t any totally different.

The microphone is constructed from steel, 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 robotically by my iMac.

On the entrance of the mic, there are 4 bodily dials; a mute button with an LED ring, a achieve management with an LED ring to focus on any audio clipping, a mixture management to steadiness microphone and gadget ranges, and a quantity management for headphones. On the again of the combination, there’s a 3.5 mm headphone output and the USB-C cable enter. Some mics at this value 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 probably the most technical method, nevertheless it allowed for straightforward 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, nevertheless it was noticeably quieter than each of the others, which have been first used below the identical circumstances. Even after I tried studying over and talking extra carefully to the mic – which wouldn’t be snug to do for lengthy intervals – the audio degree was beneath what I’d anticipated. Turning up the achieve 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 most likely clear up this, it’s a bit stunning.

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.

When it comes to 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 massive clicky buttons on each the Joby Wavy Pod and Blue Yeti. Meaning there’s no likelihood of it being heard on the recording if it is advisable to shortly flip off the audio to cough or sneeze.

The place to purchase

The Sennheiser Profile USB Microphone and Streaming Set is in the stores from most main retailers:

Must you purchase?

• Sure: You wish to plug it in and begin recording simply
• Sure: You don’t care about mixing software program or apps
• No: It lacks totally different polar patterns in comparison with others

If the Sennheiser Profile USB isn’t for you:

Attempt the Joby Wavo Pod, which cheaper, however nonetheless good audio high quality.

For extra methods of recording your voice and speaking together with your fellow gamers, learn our listing of the perfect gaming headsets.