Q2U

The Samson Q2U Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone is a fantastic and versatile mic, especially for beginners or anyone building a home setup. I love that it offers both USB and XLR options, giving you flexibility whether you want simple plug-and-play or a more professional recording chain. The sound quality is clear, warm, and does a good job of minimizing background noise. This is a great option for podcasts, voiceovers, streaming, or basic music recording. It also feels solid and well-made. One thing to keep in mind, you do need to connect it to a computer, and you will need a recording app to use it properly. That’s not a downside for me, but it’s worth noting if you are expecting a standalone setup. Overall, it’s an excellent microphone with great value for the price. Highly recommended!

I set this up yesterday and started streaming with this. The mic quality is simply miles ahead from my old headset. No more breathing sounds, pops, and nice clear sound. I am pretty soft spoken, and this mic had no issues. For the price, I cannot be happier. Upsides: - Great sounding mic for the price. However, do not expect a $13,000 tube mic experience. It does the job, and quite well. - I love the dual XLR and USB - Setup is a snap Now for the downsides: - The headphones are junk. I am guessing they help with incentive, but if you need good monitoring, get a decent headset. - It does not come with a storage case, and the box it came in is not very good. I am storing this in some towels until I get a proper storage case. - You will need a pop filter. - The stand is not all that great. Gladly, I have an old mic stand that works just fine. You might be well served to invest in one. Mainly because this mic picks up every sound on your desk. In other words, you get what you pay for. My main concern was getting a decent mic. All the other stuff was gravy, but the gravy was not all that great. The truth is, when you are going to record, you will be spending some money in stands, headsets, filters, and other gear. The set will probably hold you over a while if you need to buy things in increments. I recommend this!

This mic works as advertised, good clear sound, easy setup. What more could you ask for?

TL;DR: Excellent sound quality, requires some additional peripherals and you may need to adjust your speaking habits. You may experience a hardware quirk. Research how you plan to use it before buying. ** Note 1/31/2021 ** Amazon deprecated the review commenting functionality and there were a lot useful comments/responses on this review: In short, there is a firmware update on the Samson website that corrects the issue I noted at the bottom of my review. An alternative solution to the firmware is using hardware (a usb HUB with physical switches). Note that their website 'samsontech' lacks an SSL certificate so its still not HTTPS--in 2021; as a result, Chrome users will get a not secure indication at the top of the page. It's also a very quick and dirty MFC app that updates the firmware--you'll see what I mean when/if you decide to use it. The microphone itself is of excellent value. When I compare the sound quality from my current recordings to past recordings with alternative microphones I've used, the Samson Q2U definitely sounds the most "professional" while being in the same price range as my two other microphones (the Blue Snowball and Antlion ModMic 5). By "professional", I describe this as my voice sounds very clear, natural and detailed (voice sounds fuller and doesn't seem like I'm speaking through a tin can), and there is virtually no background noise. My setup for the Samson Q2U is the microphone along with a 'NEEWER Adjustable Boom Arm' to hold the mic. The Q2U sports a 3.5mm audio port on the bottom. The port is a nice touch since I have two wide monitors and my desktop itself sits on the right side, while my main monitor (along with the Mic) is on the left side. It saves me the trouble of dealing with an additional long headphone cable on top of a long USB cable (for the mic). The Q2U is a dynamic microphone so it typically only picks up loud noises. Regardless, I still run it with low gain to further reduce background noise (such as mechanical keyboard pummeling and furious mouse clicking). This requires me to speak directly into the microphone in order to be picked up clearly--as a person who is naturally soft spoken and moves around a lot, I needed to project my voice more and be diligent at staying centered in front of the mic. In terms of sound quality, the Snowball and Q2U were the closest, however the Snowball, in contrast to the Q2U, is a condenser microphone and picked up a lot more background noise. Reducing the gain on the Snowball required me to move closer to it (the stand it comes with is short so I had to lean into it), and doing so also meant I had to get a pop filter. The Snowball is also heavier than the Q2U (and is top heavy because of its form factor). Placing it in front of my keyboard/mouse meant accidentally knocking it over at times. I could have use the Snowball along with a boom arm, but its form factor along with the pop filter made it a little bit too obtrusive for my taste. The Q2U also comes with a stand but is not top heavy so it is more stable. The Antlion ModMic is probably my favorite because it doesn't require a boom arm or a microphone stand that may get in your way. Unfortunately the sound quality of the modmic is marginally better than microphones you'd find on gaming headsets (I've used the Razer Carcharias and Steel Series Siberia V2). Headset microphones typically make your voice sound tinny and almost 'phone like'. My only gripe with the Samson Q2U is that there is a strange problem with the device (otherwise I'd get five stars): Upon booting up my computer, the microphone's power indicator flashes red and green rapidly and will continue doing so indefinitely. While it is flashing, the microphone is unusable--the microphone will output static. In order to address this, I have to unplug and reinsert the USB cable every time I power cycle my computer. This is a known issue with the microphone and appears to have been reported in other reviews and forum posts on the internet as well, but does not appear to have an official solution. Do note, however, that the issue seems to be present on other USB microphones as well. For reference my motherboard is an ASRock AB350 ITX motherboard.

I purchased this in late June 2021 and this review is being written in late May 2023. This microphone was recommended to me by a number of different reviewers, and I am very happy with my purchase. I highly recommend checking out the review of it by Podcastage on YouTube for a nice look into how it sounds with various testing methods. Some things to know: this is a dynamic microphone, so the source of sound needs to be close to it, and the polar pattern and sensitivity of it is such that you only really get clear, crisp audio speaking directly into the front/top of the microphone. It comes with a short tripod stand, but I find it awkward on my desk due to my USB drawing tablet. If not for that it would fit okay, but might still be a bit too low. However, the clamp on the stand (secured with a Phillips head screw) is quite loose on mine. It's a bit of a hassle to get it to stay put outside of its maximum range of motion, and is prone to drooping forwards or backwards depending on how it's positioned (i.e. wherever most of the downwards force is distributed relative to where the clamp is). Inserting the microphone into the stand is simple. USB and XLR connectivity make it extremely convenient for most people while also offering an opportunity to improve the quality alongside of your hardware. Some people cite issues with the device being recognized or detected on their PC. I have not experienced this, but I've heard it from two people that I know personally to some extent, so that's a fair warning. I'm not sure if that's an issue with the product, an incompatibility with the setup, or some other such thing, but I think it's a relevant issue to be concerned about. Honestly, outside of the flimsy stand, I don't really have any issues with this product. In fact, I think it's a superb purchase for anybody looking for a quality microphone so long as they understand what they're getting into with dynamic vs. condenser microphones and all of that jazz. I've had no issues with it that I can remember in the time since I've bought it, and I use it very regularly. I've even dropped it a few times and it still works perfectly fine with no cosmetic damage either. I will say though, if you're willing to go past ~$120.00 or so, your options open up a lot and I think you can get a better product dollar-for-dollar. At its price point though, I think this is an excellent product.

WOW! This mic is amazing. Literally plug and play, runs off laptop power (no external power required), and the audio quality is FANTASTIC compared to other offerings out there. I also own a $100 Blue Yeti mic and the sound quality is comparabale/the yeti is actually a little bit more annoying to use compared to this mic. Absolutely blown away by the quality for price (paid $70 for this one) -- you can set up filters on your end like compressor, noise suppression, EQ3 etc. to get the best bang for your buck, but this is seriously so high quality and such a good deal for the price. Not sure how it performs for singing but I am extremely satisfied for podcasting/gaming commentary/overall quality. Recently purchased a $26 Bluetooth lav mic set which had absolutely meh sound quality -- spending $44 more on this one was so worth it. The sound quality difference is just so insane. Not as portable as a lav but anywhere you can take your laptop you can take this mic and have wonderful quality audio wherever you need. Highly recommend, especially if you are considering shelling out more for the Yeti. Pick this one instead.

I'm a radio pro, having worked in the medium since the 1980s. In my home studio I use mainly Schoeps CMC6 mics and capture to a Sound Devices 833 (which I use to record or to throw via USB to digital). I'm saying this not to brag about gear but to make a point about comparisons. No USB mic can compare to the performance of a professional mic, especially when you consider that an original recording becomes the base layer to subsequent processing and editing. You want that as pristine as possible. But when clients ask about the cheapest best USB mic they can add to their home gear, I consistently find the Samson Q2U is the best performer overall. It's SPL isn't great so you wouldn't be using it for instruments or singing, but for speech I find my clients get the best results. One reason is the form factor. Mics are like instruments and few people know how to properly set up and speak into a side address microphone. It's cringy when podcasters revel in bass proximity effect, sounding like 1970s rock radio DJs. Even cringier when a podcaster gets a side-address mic and sets it up on a desk 2 feet away from their mouths. Might as well save the money and just use the built-in mic in the laptop. The hand-held form factor generally allows for a better sounding cardioid pick-up in cheaper mics. Many under-$200 side-address mics have lousy off axis rejection. Also, while the Samson doesn't have the clarity of the Schoeps, it still provides very good off-axis rejection and a respectable signal-to-noise ratio that, to my ear, sounds good enough for most pro podcast work. But above all, hand-held mics are the easiest in the world to help novices work with. They are made to speak directly into. I forgo the breath pop filter and have them put on a furry windscreen. It's not perfect. There's an occasional plosive that gets through. But it's ten times easier than having to finagle with goosenecks and pop-filters every time they want to use it.

For the longest time I had a $300 touch screen laptop by Acer; in 2016 I got a mac 13" air laptop which worked a lot better however has been a bit slow for playing games so I resorted to getting a desktop computer. When deciding whether to get the fifine mic or this one it became apparent that this mic sounded a lot better because I have a friend who uses the fifine which is great for its price however isn't so great overall. The problems I have had is of the following; 1) sometimes when I boot up my computer (I have the mic on) the computer thinks it receives input though it doesn't sound anything; I have to unplug and re-plug the mic from the USB port or mini-USB port. 2) (this is on mac) the mic volume control doesn't work and instead brings up or down the actual volume of the computer, I haven't tested this one windows though it should be fine. really only those two problems, I suggest that you get the mic since it is indeed worth its price and sounds great for me, I always have a fan going underneath me so background noise isn't a problem though this doesn't matter too much since mostly software choice for the mic and application matters the most; in terms of the stand the metal screw on looks durable and the plastic legs with a soft plastic peg end looks like a decent sound absorber, I suggest you get the warranty in case it does break because some other reviews say it broke.

It has good quality for such a low price for a mic I love it

Wszystko zgodne z opisem. Świetna jakość za przystępną cenę

Muy buen micrófono, se siente bien construido, robusto. Lo uso por USB pero es muy bueno que tenga la opción de usarlo por XLR en un futuro, o en alguna ocasión en particular. Lo uso sólo para voz, sobre todo en discord y zoom, y capta muy claro el sonido, también de vez en cuando en alguna grabación de audio o de vídeo y es excelente la calidad. Mete un poco de ruido pero nada grave, además se puede suprimir por software, yo lo hago con Reaper. Lo único que no he logrado usarlo por medio del OTG del móvil, lo reconoce como un DAC para conectarle unos audífonos al Jack del micrófono, pero no lo reconoce como micrófono, así que sí lo quieres para usarlo con Android, primero investiga bien. Por lo demás, excelente.

This guy is almost unconditionally one of the best beginner podcasting microphones out there, its cost effective (when it's correctly priced), has usb for absolute beginners and XLR for nerds and more advanced users who choose to hook it up with their audio interfaces and get excellent results, bear in mind however, the xlr sound is better than usb because of obvious reasons of better preamps in some of the dedicated audio interfaces, however this does not in anyway hamper its usb usability, its really really good. Its worth mentioning here that this microphone still outshines sound wise, its newer counterpart the Q9U which is an absolutely terrible sounding microphone without the mid boost being engaged, its primarily attracting only those who clearly want to buy a microphone for a certain look, otherwise the Q2U is an all rounder genius that holds its ground really firmly and even gives its immediate competition like the ATR-2100x fom Audio Technica a run for its money. Also this comes along with its accessories, the desktop stand is not a very good one but it does the job if you absolutely don't have the resources to spend more on anything else, however any of those cheap spring boom arms can handle this microphone just fine, do remember that this microphone is really bad in the plosives department, so u will need a foam windscreen with it, which is also included in the package and is a huge help. Overall this is a great microphone and can cater to all needs of a beginner or even an advanced user if they are looking for good sound specifically and not the looks, personally I don't see any problem in the looks department too but people find the broadcast looking microphones a bit more attractive, however they compromise with the sound big time. Happy Recording!

I first came across these from the Podcastage YouTube channel (sorry man I didn't use your affiliate link if it exists). Work as advertised and realised my voice wasn't as terrible sounding as coming out from a cheap set of XTUGA. To be fair, the XTUGA is a tenth of the q2u. Now I enjoy using it more on discord, VRchat and the occasional voice line mimicries and singing attempts. (Boom arm in video sold separately from IKEA)