Final Thoughts
Going into this review, we knew that the audio properties of the QuadCast S were identical to the initial QuadCast – a trio of 14mm condensers surrounded by an integrated pop filter. This is paired up with a four-position dial for polar pattern selection, making the QuadCast S another very versatile product, capable of providing microphone duties in a ton of situations, from streaming and podcasting, to round-table discussion recordings. Add to that the ability to use the standard base for a desk top installation, or the dual-threaded microphone arm adapter, and the use cases for this microphone expand into areas that other solutions don’t. In both installation methods, you still get to take advantage of the anti-vibration shock mount, which can be lost with some other microphone designs, so we applaud HyperX for sticking with that design choice.
Where the real differences are found are the support of the QuadCast S in HyperX’s NGENUITY software. And while the options aren’t robust by any means, they do allow you to adjust a few audio levels that were lacking on the original microphone. In addition, you can adjust the lighting settings of the two RGB LEDs, though for some this may be more of a gimmick than anything, but it is an improvement over the red-only lighting of the previous version. We also find the more muted grey accents of the pop filter and shock mount elastic to be more universal, and the updated USB connectivity helps push the Type-C connector into adoption.
As with the original, the HyperX QuadCast S is designed to provide a step up to the next level in audio quality, and we think it is more than capable of doing so. With a ton of great features built in, the $159.99 price point is a $20 increase over the original QuadCast. We think this is a fair price increase to gain access to the audio level adjustments and lighting controls. And while this is HyperX’s recommended price, availability is currently dictating a higher price for those units that are available. As a refresh of the original, we think the HyperX QuadCast S is a great microphone, when you can find it for the suggested pricing, and earns a 9 out of 10.
Pros:
- Updated RGB LED Lighting
- Solid Build Quality
- Proven Audio Performance
- Four Polar Patterns (Stereo, Omnidirectional, Cardioid, Bidirectional)
- Built-in Anti-Shock Mount
- Tap-to-Mute Sensor
- Microphone Arm Adapter Included
- USB Type-C Connectivity
Cons:
- Gain Dial Not Accurately Marked
- Current Pricing and Availability Issues (As of January 2021, due to overall demand from COVID-19)