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Is that this entry-level streaming mic price a purchase, or must you save up for one thing higher? Up to date: Aug 13, 2024 3:02 pm WePC is reader-supported. Whenever you purchase by hyperlinks on our website, we could earn an affiliate fee. Costs topic to alter. Study extra Desk of Contents Desk of Contents The Elgato Wave Neo is the microphone aspect of the Elgato Neo vary, which compromises 5 totally different merchandise designed as an inexpensive entry-point answer for streamers and different on-line productiveness customers. This mic is marketed as a plug-and-play, no-frills gadget, with good audio high quality contemplating the price range asking value. Let’s see whether or not or not it measures as much as this declare! Specs Sensitivity : -23 dBFS (min achieve) | 7 dBFS (max achieve) Pattern fee : 24 Bit/48 kHz, 24 Bit/96 kHz Frequency response : 20 Hz – 20 kHz Mounting threads: 1/4″, 5/8″, 3/8″ Dimensions: 92 x 92 x 282 mm / 3.6 x 3.6 x 11.1 in (with riser) Weight: 520 g / 18.4 oz (with riser) Max SPL : 120 dB Dynamic vary: 94 dB Connection: USB-C (digital), 3.5 mm stereo jack (headphones) Present extra What We Suppose The Elgato Wave Neo is a good entry-level streaming mic with good-quality audio for the worth, post-processing performance, and a pleasant clear aesthetic. Though there are a good few areas the place the cheapness of this microphone is obvious, specifically the shortage of adjustability of the stand and its lower than stellar construct high quality, the virtually full lack of controls on the mic itself, and the shortness of the cable, in the end that is all forgivable contemplating the worth level. That being stated, if you will discover an affordable sufficient Elgato Wave 3 for beneath its typical asking value, you would possibly contemplate choosing that as an alternative. Professionals Good high quality audio for the worth Easy to make use of Good clear aesthetic Cons Stand isn’t correctly adjustable Capacitive mute button straightforward to press accidentally Pricing The Elgato Wave Neo has an MSRP of $89.99 on the time of writing. That is solely 60% of what the Elgato Wave 3 prices at its official MSRP of $149.99, which is kind of a distinction; that being stated, you may typically discover the Wave 3 at a decreased value and it does include superior construct high quality, bodily controls, and barely higher audio high quality, so that you would possibly need to contemplate this as properly when you’re not so bothered about having a uniform white Elgato Neo aesthetic in your setup. Design The Wave Neo is available in the identical all-white, minimalist aesthetic as the remainder of the Elgato Neo vary, and when you’re pondering of shopping for a number of merchandise on this line then they do look fairly good altogether. That being stated, that is the one shade choice, so when you’re after one thing in black or one thing else then you definately’re out of luck. The mic has a foam pop-filter included that attaches to the highest of the mic however is detachable in case it is advisable to clear it. The entrance of the microphone encompasses a single capacitive button that mutes/unmutes the mic and turns a reddish/orange shade when muted. The Wave Neo comes with a stand with a round base that may be assembled within the full-height setup or shorter so it primarily has two peak settings, however these can’t be switched between mid-use as they require you to take the stand aside. There’s a rubber cable administration becoming on the again of the stand column that can be utilized to tidy away two wires. The wires in query are the included USB-C (which plugs into the again of the mic) to USB-A (which plugs into your pc) cable, which is totally removable, and in addition any 3.5mm headphone cable you would possibly need to jack into the port within the again (not included with the mic). As an alternative of utilizing the stand, you may at all times take away the thread adapter from the highest part after which screw the mic onto a special stand or microphone arm with the traditional thread mount when you like. The 1.5m cable is a bit on the quick aspect for versatile use, although it’s not less than removable and you could possibly at all times substitute it with an extended one if wanted. The construct high quality is respectable for an inexpensive mic, however the metallic stand is a bit susceptible to rattling and the fittings can really feel a bit on the free aspect. The pop filter particularly feels a bit brittle round its connection level, definitely when in comparison with the sturdy Lewitt-designed cardioid condenser capsule that you just get on the Wave 3. Audio Efficiency & Software program The uncooked audio high quality on the Elgato Wave Neo is nice, regardless of the cheaper asking value. The closest comparability can be the Wave 3, which is just marginally higher to our ears. In technical phrases, the Wave Neo really has a broader frequency response than the Wave 3, however the responsiveness is decrease by comparability. Each can document and output in multi-channel audio. Just like the Wave 3 and the remainder of Elgato’s audio line, the Wave Neo makes use of the ‘Wave Hyperlink’ software program to manage enter and output settings for the mic. This software program is intuitive and offers an excellent diploma of management, together with the flexibility so as to add voice results and numerous different post-processing, all of which is on par with the dearer mic. A lot of the variations that mark this mic out as price range are in its bodily design. Whereas the Wave 3 has a bodily, multi-function knob and button to alter achieve, headphone quantity, and use as a multi-channel mixer, the Wave Neo has all these controls inside the onboard software program. Each include capacitive switches for muting the mic simply with out creating any handing noise in your stream or recording, nonetheless whereas the Wave 3 has this on the highest of the mic, the Wave Neo has it on the entrance, and it’s a little bit of an ungainly place if you wish to transfer the mic at any level given it’s very straightforward to by accident mute/unmute your self.
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