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Tech Up! HyperX Quadcast 2 USB Microphone Review

221 23.11.2024

Originally released in 2019, the fan-favourite HyperX Quadcast microphone has finally received an upgrade that aims to further improve a winning formula. Enter the Quadcast 2, a versatile USB microphone that refines the smart and measured design of the original, while making some under-the-hood performance improvements to keep it current. HyperX seldom seems to put a foot wrong, but can the Quadcast 2 measure up to the brand's reputation?

Let's put that question to bed immediately: the HyperX Quadcast 2 is a mightily impressive USB microphone that delivers fantastic audio while remaining accessible to users who don't want to fuss over their setup. HyperX claims that their products are built by gamers, for gamers, and one need only lay eyes on the Quadcast 2 to see the truth in this.

Passionately crafted and beautifully constructed, the Quadcast 2 boasts a high-quality design that's ready to rock right out of the box. The build quality is exceptional at this relatively accessible price point, from the in-built shock mount and adjustment screws to the buttons, dials and press-to-mute sensor. It's not all for show, either — the audio quality is on par with a professional-grade microphone, even before any tweaking in HyperX's NGENUITY software.

The microphone itself is easy to set up and use. With its USB-C cable (USB-A if using the included adapter), it's a simple process of plugging in the Quadcast 2, and it's good to go. Of course, with this mostly universal input method, it needs to be compatible with a variety of devices, and it certainly is. Besides the obvious PC and Mac, it also works flawlessly with most current consoles, from the PS4 and PS5 to the Nintendo Switch.

The flexibility of the Quadcast 2 doesn't end there. As a microphone, it's remarkably versatile in its use cases. Whether gaming, streaming, recording a podcast or even using as a mic in virtual meetings, the Quadcast 2 delivers on its promise thanks to the crisp 24-bit / 96kHz recording.

Ease-of-use aside, the Quadcast 2 also caters to users who prefer to tweak things under the hood. HyperX's NGENUITY program allows fine-tuning of the audio and mic performance. As a software tool, it helps that it's really easy to use as well. Behind the software tweaks, the Quadcast 2 can also be removed from the included mic stand and attached to a longer microphone arm if needed, so it's no slouch in the customisation department despite its beginner-friendly setup.

For users who aren't fussed about getting involved with NGENUITY, there are some handy onboard options as well. HyperX's brilliant tap-to-mute sensor makes a return, allowing quick muting with a simple tap at the top of the microphone. There's even an LED light to show when the mic is muted or live, mitigating any anxiety that it might be hot at the wrong moment.

The gain dial has also been upgraded from the original Quadcast: now gain, playback volume and mic monitoring volume can all be adjusted from a single dial, with a simple button press to switch between the value you want to adjust. Also adjustable from the mic itself is the polar pattern: there are four to choose from that change the recordable sound direction, be it angled towards the user or more omnidirectional, depending on the use case.

Together, these functions and features make for a fantastic USB microphone that's beautifully simple to use, but with a welcome depth for those who want to tweak things further. It's sleek, it's versatile, and it feels markedly premium, with just the right amount of innovation over the original Quadcast model. It might not boast the customisable RGB light or the superior recording quality of the Quadcast 2 S — the current cream of the crop in the HyperX mic range — but it's a brilliant microphone for first-time users or those who want a streamlined audio recording setup.

The HyperX Quadcast 2 perfectly balances ease-of-use and depth of customisation, resulting in a USB microphone that's a breeze to setup and a joy to use. It's sturdy and premium-feeling both in terms of its build and recording quality, and the design choices feel like they've been made to be as intuitive as possible. In short, the Quadcast 2 makes professional-grade audio more accessible to first-time users, and does so brilliantly.