at a glance

Expert Evaluation

Pros

• Excellent sound quality for voices
• High sample rate and bit depth for recording
• Wide compatibility
• More versatile light control

Cons

• New multi-control not very intuitive
• Sizes are big

Our decision

HyperX’s QuadCast 2 microphone delivers high-quality audio as well as fun customization options. What more could you want?

Price When Examined

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Today’s Best Pricing

Today’s Best Prices: HyperX QuadCast 2

$149.99

$159.99

HyperX started out as Kingston’s gaming PC RAM brand and, like many other component manufacturers, has since expanded its product line to include all kinds of gaming hardware. They released it in 2018 QuadCast USB microphone.

It’s a popular choice among Twitch streamers for its iconic look, with vibration-reducing wire suspension and big bouncy covers that glow with a red diode. Not only is it stylish, it also provides high sound quality at a good price. You don’t need any vocal expertise to sound good.

Kingston has since sold HyperX to HP and they have continued to regularly offer streaming products. But I question the quality of some of these products, so I was a little concerned when HyperX released the QuadCast 2 this summer, a direct successor to the now-classic microphone. Will HyperX offer an equally good or better microphone? Let’s find out.

Further reading: Why I won’t spend a fortune on a gaming microphone

Mattias Inghe

HyperX QuadCast 2: High-quality audio

Fortunately, the QuadCast 2 is a high-quality product that offers a number of technical upgrades. It’s a condenser microphone with three 14mm elements that allows you to switch between four pickup techniques, omnidirectional, forward kidney, bidirectional forward and backward (or sideways!).

However, HyperX fine-tuned the technology, increasing the sensitivity of the microphone while reducing the noise level it produces. While the original QuadCast produced excellent sound, QuadCast 2 produces even clearer sound. I got my hands on an old QuadCast and tested audio recording in the same environment and the difference is really noticeable.

So what does this mean? So it sounds very nice. Voices have a warm, natural tone and there’s plenty of detail in the high frequencies.

Mattias Inghe

The sampling rate increased from 48 KHz to 96 KHz and the bit depth became 24 bits, an improvement over the previous 16 bits. Pushing it straight out doesn’t make much of a difference on a compressed live stream, but if you want to use the microphone to record the audio and replace it later, you’ll have more room to do so without losing quality.

HyperX QuadCast 2: Free suspension for less interference

The design of the QuadCast 2 is recognizable from the previous model. It’s a black cylinder with a red LED light behind the grille and a breath guard on the top half, and the entire top is a large and extra-sensitive touch button for mute control. The stand, with the microphone attached to elastic wires all around, is much the same style as before, but with slightly different mounting parts that are said to be easier to unhook when needed.

Mattias Inghe

The laces are now black instead of red, removing some of its iconic look, and the tips are completely flat. While the bottom of the QuadCast has a control knob for the microphone gain level, the QuadCast 2 has a small knob on the front instead. It controls the volume of the headphones, which was missing in the previous model. I don’t really like this little knob because it makes a loud noise when turned. It is not possible to secretly change the volume while recording.

The dial also features a click function that allows switching between controlling the headset and microphone with a quick press. Long press is used to switch between audio recording profiles. It’s bulkier than the button on the back of the QuadCast. However, you’ll now see a slight ring above the microphone indicating which direction it’s listening from; I appreciate it.

HyperX Quadcast 2: Minor practical improvements

Connection to the computer is via USB-C instead of the mini USB that the original QuadCast comes with. Five Watts of power is good enough, so it should work to connect anywhere. You also get a USB-C to USB-A adapter for a three-meter USB-C to USB-C cable.

Mattias Inghe

The microphone is easier to remove from the round table base. The stand mount also allows you to easily mount it on the microphone boom, an ideal setup for broadcasters.

The light can be dimmed (and therefore changed) and controlled via HyperX’s Ngenuity app for Windows. You also get digital volume control and a digital high pass filter. You can adjust this if there’s a lot of background noise, but I’d mostly avoid it.

You can plug it in and run it on Mac, PlayStation 4, or PlayStation 5. This is what HyperX lists as compatible devices, but by default it’s just a USB audio device, so it will work on a Chromebook or Steam Deck. , an Android mobile phone with USB audio support, and the Nintendo Switch. However, this is not the case with Xbox as they insist on not supporting standard USB microphones. This isn’t HyperX’s fault, it’s just Microsoft’s stubbornness.

Mattias Inghe

HyperX QuadCast 2: Conclusion

QuadCast 2 offers excellent sound quality, pleasant sound dampening capabilities, broad compatibility and versatile use. It’s a great device for streaming gameplay, recording podcasts, or sounding professional in a video meeting.

Of course, there is better equipment for music studios and broadcast studios. After all, XLR microphones are designed to fit into an analog mixing desk. But if you’re looking for a good microphone with nice features, the QuadCast 2 is definitely worth it.