HyperX Quadcast 2 review: great audio with zero hassle
The HyperX Quadcast 2 is an excellent pick for content creators who want a USB microphone. Just plug it into your PC and out of the box it will deliver great audio, with no tweaking of audio settings required.
Part of that ease of use comes from the HyperX app not offering lots of audio settings that you need to fiddle with. This won't be a dealbreaker for less demanding users considering the high-quality performance this mic delivers, but if you prefer having plenty of customization options you may want to look elsewhere.
Design-wise there’s not much to fault, with the mic coming equipped with useful tools like an in-built shock mount, a USB adapter so it can connect to your PC via USB or USB-C port, and useful RGB lighting which shows you which audio pattern is selected,. and if the mic is live or not.
The RGB lighting being only in red is a disappointment – if you want more variety in your lighting effects the upgraded HyperX Quadcast 2 S comes with full-color RGB options at an added cost.
Speaking of cost, at $149.99 / £124.99 the Quadcast 2 isn’t the priciest option out there, but it isn’t the cheapest either. You certainly get what you pay for, but while complete newcomers to content creation might appreciate this mic’s ease of use, its price positions it as more of a step-up option for those looking to make their first setup upgrade to one of the best microphones for streaming.
HyperX Quadcast 2: Price and availability
The HyperX Quadcast 2 is available in the US and UK for $149.99 / £124.99. The full-RGB HyperX Quadcast 2 S costs $199.99 / £169.99 – it comes with 32-bit / 192kHz audio compared to the base Quadcast 2’s 24-bit / 96kHz audio.
This means you get solid, high-quality audio out of either mic, though the HyperX Quadcast 2 S is worth upgrading to if you want the solid sound and visual boost it offers.
HyperX Quadcast 2: Specs
HyperX Quadcast 2: Features and Design
- Simple audio features
- Red RGB only
- Different audio recording patterns
The HyperX Quadcast 2 offers four recording options – basically the standard set you’ll find on other mics: cardioid, stereo, omnidirectional, or bidirectional. You can flick between them using the HyperX Ngenuity app, or by holding down the mic’s volume knob for two to three seconds. The top of the mic will glow with different patterns to tell you which mode you're in: the front quarter for cardioid, the full ring for omnidirectional, the side quarters for stereo, and the front and back quarters for bidirectional.
Beyond the polar pattern the app also lets you turn the high-pass filter on or off and adjust the gain (mic volume), and that’s it. Given that the HyperX QuadCast 2 does a pretty good job out of the box, this lack of in-app audio manipulation isn’t a big loss. However, those who prefer having more control over their sound will want to turn to third-party audio apps, or grab a different mic like a Blue Yeti and its Logitech G Hub app.
Design-wise there’s plenty to like, even if here too the HyperX Quadcast 2 is relatively simple.
It comes with an in-built shock mount to reduce vibrational noise, and the in-box mic stand puts it at a good height for recording but it easily connects to a mic arm if you have one (HyperX’s own arm or a third-party alternative). The USB-C cable comes with an adapter so you can plug the mic into your PC’s USB-C port or a Type-A port – which is handy if you have plenty of PC attachments and are running low on port options.
There’s also a little bit of foam-like material inside the black honeycomb pattern of the mic's frame, but it doesn’t provide much in the way of an in-built pop filter to your harsh plosive ‘b’ and ‘p’ sounds. You can outfit the microphone with an add-on like the official HyperX shield (or a third-party alternative) but there’s also a free and low-tech workaround. For a solo recording simply angle the microphone at a 45-30 degree angle and position it so that you’re talking slightly over the top of it. In the cardioid setting it’ll still pick you up fine, but it won’t capture those annoying pops.
My favorite feature is the light. Not because I'm some RGB obsessed gamer, but because of its utility. Using the app you can set the mic to different presets to make it pulse or have the mic light up as you talk, but my go-to is the ‘Solid’ option at about 25% brightness.
It’s a super-handy and obvious indicator as to whether or not the mic is hot – as the light is off when it’s muted and on when it’s not. It greatly minimizes the risk of embarrassing mishaps in a work meeting or your livestream chat because you thought you the microphone wasn’t recording when it was. To mute it simply tap the top of the mic, and tap it again to unmute.
My only gripe is that the base model is stuck with red for the lighting color. For full light controls across the RGB spectrum you’ll need the HyperX Quadcast 2 S.
HyperX Quadcast 2: Performance
- Great sound out the box
- Good background noise cancellation
- Cardioid is the only option worth using
As a plug-and-play microphone for recording vocals, you won’t be disappointed by the Quadcast 2’s performance. Recordings are warm, and the cardioid mode boasts crystal-clear clarity; whether you’re hopping on a Discord call, taping a voiceover, or relying on the mic for your next gaming stream, you’ll sound great – and you won’t be disrupted by background noise.
What makes this performance especially awesome is the HyperX Quadcast 2 sounds this good out of the box. There are no fiddly audio settings that you have to spend time customizing, or add-ons you need to buy in order to get to a good baseline – you literally just plug the microphone into your PC and off you go.
I’ve been using this mic to record all of my at-home content for the TechRadar TikTok channel, and for participating in my regular Discord D&D sessions with friends, and it’s fantastic. The background noise cancellation is well-tuned – cutting out the distractions but not my voice – and my VO comes through really clear, even as I move around a little while gesticulating.
On settings other than cardioid, however, the mic is noticeably worse at cutting out background noise, so if you’re podcasting with multiple users you'll need to get every person their own microphone.
Should you buy the HyperX Quadcast 2?
Buy it if…
You need something simple
The Hyper X Quadcast 2 just works, straight out of the box, and it sounds pretty darn good too. If you’re looking for a simple audio upgrade this is a mic to consider.
You need an all-rounder
This microphone is great for podcasting, streaming, shorts, and even as a gaming mic on PC or on a PS5. Plus, you can unhook it from the shock mount to make it a more portable and handheld microphone option for IRL content creation.
You want great audio
This mic delivers crystal-clear and great-sounding audio with zero hassle.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re on a tight budget
The Quadcast 2 isn’t the cheapest microphone out there, which means it isn't the perfect starter microphone for a newbie content creator. That said, if you can afford to splash out on it, the ease of use and audio quality count in its favor.
You want full RGB control
If you go for the base model you're stuck with red for the lighting color. For full control of the microphone’s lighting effects you’ll want to upgrade to the Hyper X Quadcast 2 S.
You need a non-USB mic
While this microphone has an adapter for flipping between USB and USB-C, you’ll need different hardware if you’re after a non-USB mic like an XLR.
Also consider
Rode PodMic USB microphone
This Rode mic is a little pricier but has a few advantages, such as an XLR connection option as well as USB.
For more information read our full Rode PodMic USB microphone review. View Deal
SteelSeries Alias
Another mic that's inspired by the world of gaming the Alias has its own striking aesthetic and offers similarly solid audio out of the box.
For more information read our full SteelSeries Alias review.
How I tested the HyperX Quadcast 2
To test the HyperX Quadcast 2 I used it as my go-to mic for several weeks. I’ve used it for Discord calls, producing content, and in-game chat. I also performed some test recordings in Audacity and listened back to those.
During my time testing the microphone I also downloaded the HyperX Ngenuity app to explore the light and audio settings it offers.
First reviewed November 2024
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