Verdict
The HyperX SoloCast is an admirable little performer, primarily once you consider its low price-point. You received’t discover many bells or whistles, however respectable vocal efficiency in the correct conditions makes this a sound choice for brand spanking new or budget-sensitive streamers and creators.
Execs
- Low price
- Tiny type issue
- USB plug and play connection
- Included stand
Cons
- Delicate to vibrations and knocks
- Pickup sample isn’t properly centered
- Struggles with plosives and peaking
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Easy USB ConnectionA single (included) USB-C cable is all it’s worthwhile to get happening PC, Mac and even PS4 and PS5. -
Contact Delicate Mute ButtonSimply faucet the massive, capacitive button on high of the SoloCast to mute your output with an onboard LED indicator too. -
Tiny DimensionSimply 13cm lengthy and beneath 6cm vast, this is among the smallest streaming microphones round.
Introduction
The smallest microphone within the HyperX vary with an equally small price ticket to match, the HyperX SoloCast might be a tempting proposition for anybody seeking to begin their journey in streaming or content material creation on a finances.
The HyperX vary of gaming gear is a broad one, dabbling in the whole lot from displays to mousepads so it’s no shock to see the HP-owned model seeking to leap into your streaming setup too. The SoloCast is HyperX’s entry-level choice in a 5 mic lineup, lower than a fifth of the value of the appropriately named premium choice, the ProCast.
The streaming microphone market is a crowded place to arrange stall nonetheless. Players are sometimes model loyal and HyperX is but to really make its mark. A £49.99/$59.99 worth level is eye-catching, however it would take greater than that for the SoloCast to take centre stage.
Design
- Tiny, even with the stand
- Largely plastic construct
- Single USB-C connection
In comparison with the remainder of the line-up, HyperX has performed it protected with the design of the SoloCast. It’s about so simple as microphones get; a stubby black tablet with a USB-C connector on the again and an indicator LED on the entrance. The jazzy RGB lighting that makes the remainder of the vary stand out is notably absent right here. It is a no-frills choice the place restraint within the identify of price saving is the order of the day.
The expectedly plastic shell feels skinny, however a metallic body that wraps down from the all metallic grille brings a weight and solidity that retains the HyperX SoloCast from feeling toy-like. The matte texture on the plastic is a intelligent selection, as from throughout the desk you’d be forgiven for considering it was all powder-coated metallic – it additionally fortunately stops the HyperX SoloCast from changing into a fingerprint magnet.
The microphone itself weighs simply 258g, so will show no match for even the most affordable of microphone arms. The SoloCast is suitable with most third-party stands because of a nifty built-in mount connector that features each the usual 3/8-inch and 5/8-inch threads with out the necessity for an extra adapter. It’s an ideal answer and one I’d prefer to see develop into the norm throughout the trade.
If the finances received’t stretch to a mic arm but, the HyperX SoloCast comes with a desktop stand within the field. Once more it’s virtually totally matte black plastic, although this time feels cheaper and flimsier than the microphone itself. I’m hesitant to complain an excessive amount of nonetheless, as a result of I’d somewhat see a chea- feeling stand than no included stand in any respect.
It’s a primitive answer because the SoloCast merely wedges into it somewhat than by way of any sort of shock mount, nevertheless it holds the mic regular in any place. There’s round 45 levels of tilt backwards and forwards, and two rotation factors every method at 45 and 90 diploma steps; they mix for a pleasant quantity of flexibility in relation to discovering a place that works round displays and different desktop litter.
Efficiency
- Clear however considerably harsh vocals
- Vulnerable to roominess and reverb
- Picks up plenty of background noise
With such a finances worth level, expectations must be tempered in relation to the sort of seize high quality you’ll be capable of get out of the HyperX SoloCast. At its greatest, I discovered it delivered decently clear vocals that sounded higher than you’d anticipate for a £50/$60 mic. At its worst, the SoloCast’s shortcomings actually started to stack up.
It doesn’t take a lot to get going with the HyperX SoloCast: simply plug it in and also you’re away. It’s technically suitable with the HyperX Ngenuity app, however this solely unlocks firmware updates and the flexibility to mute the mic, so it’s actually not well worth the obtain. It does declare to permit administration of achieve ranges, however that is merely a reskin of the default Home windows sound system quantity so that you’re not benefiting from something new.
In a super setting, I managed to get sound out of the HyperX SoloCast that I used to be truly fairly proud of. Mounted on a mic arm and instantly in entrance of some acoustic foam my voice was sharp and clear, albeit a bit of flat and missing in punchy depth. Getting nearer to the capsule grille did fill out the sound extra, however launched distortion and peaking even with out main modifications in quantity. There’s no pop-filter built-in, included and even obtainable as a standalone accent, so there’s no defence in opposition to plosives and this turned an issue even at a traditional distance away.
When cradled within the included stand the SoloCast was nonetheless able to a great baseline sound, however this was usually spoiled by intruders. The microphone sits significantly low to the desk which launched noticeable roominess and reverb as sound bounced off my desk and monitor and again into the mic. Knocks and bumps are additionally a significant problem, because the SoloCast wedges tight in opposition to the stand with no safety from a shock-mount, that means each little vibration will get despatched straight to the capsule – not good.
The cardioid polar sample ought to assist battle off-mic noise, however I discovered it nonetheless picked up undesirable sounds from all angles. Condenser microphones are at all times extra prone to this, however the HyperX SoloCast struggled to give attention to my voice in a far more costly condenser choices just like the Rode X XCM-50 did. Keyboard and mouse clicking wished to be a co-host of my stream, and even strumming my fingers gently on my mouse mat turned a shock visitor.
It’s vital to place these points into perspective although. I’ll maintain saying it: it is a £50 gaming microphone, and for that sort of cash it’s greater than succesful. I’m actively wanting (and listening) for issues that aren’t nearly as good as they may very well be and evaluating it with choices 3 times the value, however at a base degree the SoloCast might be superb for newcomers. It is a appreciable improve from a headset or built-in laptop computer microphone, simply don’t anticipate studio high quality sound.
Options
- Contact delicate mute button
- No onboard controls
- No real-time monitoring
Unsurprisingly, the characteristic set of the HyperX SoloCast is sparse. Whenever you’re in search of methods to avoid wasting, luxurious options like RGB lighting, onboard EQ controls or real-time monitoring are unlikely to make the reduce.
There may be one premium quality-of-life contact on the SoloCast although: a capacitive mute button on the highest of the mic. It’s large enough to search out with out wanting, however set again far sufficient from the sides to keep away from unintended touches, and in testing I discovered it was responsive with out producing double or mistaps. It additionally manages to keep away from the pitfall plenty of onboard mute buttons fall into and never ship a jolt of sound out when activating, which was a welcome shock given how prone the SoloCast is to different bumps.
The purple LED indicator gentle on the entrance of the microphone is lit when your mic is on and turns off totally when muted. I’d have appreciated to have seen a color change right here somewhat than on or off, significantly given a purple gentle is normally related to muted audio, so it feels a bit of backwards. It’s higher than no indicator in any respect although, and I obtained used to it fairly shortly.
Newest offers
Do you have to purchase it?
Price range is a significant component:
It’s exhausting to argue with a £50 worth level and the SoloCast is a step up from headset or laptop computer mic audio.
You’re in search of studio high quality audio
Microphones are a case of getting what you pay for thus it’s price saving a bit of extra for those who’re chasing high-quality sound.
Last Ideas
How good the HyperX SoloCast is might be purely outlined by which color tinted glasses you have a look at it by means of. Objectively as a microphone, it’s able to delivering clear and crisp vocals for streaming however solely in managed, optimum environments. In additional real looking eventualities it suffers from a lot of drawbacks and distractions that spoil the general expertise.
Nevertheless, once you keep in mind the £49/$59.99 beginning worth, which may usually be discovered even cheaper in gross sales, the HyperX SoloCast begins to look higher and higher. No, it’s not going to wow anybody and people weaknesses nonetheless exist regardless of how a lot you’ve paid. However in budget-limited circumstances for brand spanking new creators, or as an improve from a headset mic, it’s an choice price exploring.
How we take a look at
Throughout every microphone assessment, we conduct a sequence of recording checks that embrace sampling audio throughout supreme settings, with background noise utilized and in an outside setting (the place potential), to provide the greatest concept of how every system performs in real-world use.
Efficiency examined in a wide range of circumstances
Examined all obtainable options
FAQs
Sure, the SoloCast makes use of a single USB-A to USB-C cable.
Purpose to maintain your mouth 6-8 inches from the microphone.
The included stand options no shock safety so is susceptible to bumps. A common shock mount might assist.
