HyperX QuadCast S Gaming Microphone Review

HyperX QuadCast S Overview

Just like its predecessor, the QuadCast S is a quite sturdy microphone, especially when attached to the included metal stand. The plastic body of the microphone itself has a matte black finish, as does the anti-vibration shock mount.

HyperX QuadCast S

Starting at the top of the QuadCast S, we once again find one of the original QuadCast’s most unique features, the mute sensor. Yes, this is a sensor, and not a button. That is because the center portion of the top of the QuadCast S is touch-sensitive, providing tap-to-mute functionality. We are glad to see that no functional changes were made here, as this was one of our most-used and handy features of the original microphone.

HyperX QuadCast S

Moving down a bit, we come to the 360-degree perforated grille, complete with a grey foam pop filter behind it. We really like the more subtle, neutral color scheme that HyperX went with on the QuadCast S, as it looks like a more professional device, and also allows for more customization, but more on that later. Behind the integrated pop filter are three, 14mm condensers, which is what was found on the original QuadCast, and are a vast improvement over any type of headset-based microphone.

HyperX QuadCast S

This grey portion of the microphone glows when the microphone is unmuted, and is dark when muted. This gives you a great visual indicator with regards to the status of the microphone, helping to alleviate those unwanted “hot mic” situations, or sometimes worse, those long periods of talking before realizing you were muted.

HyperX QuadCast S

Just below the microphone grille is where the anti-vibration shock mount is attached to the microphone body via a plastic attachment and grey elastic suspension cabling. This versatile anti-vibration shock mount is designed to work with both the factory-attached stand, as well as the included dual-threaded adapter for microphone arms.

HyperX QuadCast S

No longer will accidental table bumps add an unwanted thump to your recordings, as the shock mount does a good job cutting them out.

HyperX QuadCast S

On the backs side of the QuadCast S, in-between the upper portion of the shock mount attachment, we once again find a four-position dial that is used to determine the polar pattern of the internal condenser microphone. Four settings are available from left to right, and offer their own advantages for different recording situations. The left-most Stereo setting is utilized when the left and right audio channels need to be distinguishable from each other which can be good for a bit of spatial positioning. The next setting is Omnidirectional, which removes any spatial positioning, and provides an equal audio pickup no matter your relation to the microphone. The next pattern is Cardioid, and is probably the most common use for the QuadCast. This pattern picks up audio in front of the microphone very well, and ignores audio coming from the sides and rear of the microphone. The last setting is Bidirectional, which is great for a face-to-face conversation like an interview-style podcast. This pattern picks up audio in front of and behind the microphone, ignoring audio to the left and to the right.

HyperX QuadCast S

Further down the body of the microphone, on the rear of the QuadCast S is a 3.5mm headphone monitoring jack, as well as the USB Type-C port. The headphone jack allows you to monitor the microphone’s output live, while the USB port allows for connectivity between the QuadCast and a compatible device. Not that it makes a huge difference, especially when the cable is included, but we were happy to see the change to a Type-C port from the previous Mini-B port.

HyperX QuadCast S

At the bottom of the QuadCast S is a control dial that is used to adjust the gain of the microphone. Though there are five gain indicators shown on the microphone’s body, the dial actually moves quite a ways past these indicators in both directions, leaving you without a precise setting for consistency. We noted this in our review of the original QuadCast, and we wish HyperX would have either reduced the amount the dial can turn or labeled it with a wider, more accurate representation of the gain level.

HyperX QuadCast S

The QuadCast S’s desk stand is quite plain, but does a great job of keeping the microphone in place, thanks to its all-metal design and thick base plate. All one piece, the desk stand has an arm that reaches up from the back and allows the microphone body to go from standing straight up vertically to about 45 degrees back.

HyperX QuadCast S

This adjustment can be made quite easily, and the included tightening knob helps keep the microphone right where you want it.

HyperX QuadCast S