HYPERX QUADCAST

OTHER MICROPHONES WE’VE TESTED

Hyperx’s Quadcast ( go.pcworld.com/hqc) has a distinctive look, but unfortunately its appearance is the primary thing going for it.

While the Quadcast’s flashy red coloring, tall rounded shape, and included shock mount show well onscreen, it doesn’t produce audio that sounds good. Hyperx uses an electret condenser capsule, which is cheap and small—the opposite of what you want inside a

$140 microphone. Its signal is capped at 16-bit/48khz, too, which doesn’t do the Quadcast any favors given how light and flimsy it is. Its output sounds hollow and tinny, with a lack of warm, full lower tones. Hyperx had a great idea with the built-in shock mount and the inclusion of physical controls on the mic, but the audio performance just isn’t up to snuff, especially at this price

RATING PRICE $139 from go.pcworld.com/hqc PROS • Unique, flashy design. • Built-in shock mount. • Easy-to-access controls. CONS • Subpar audio quality. • Overpriced for its audio performance.