The high-end market of streamers’ mics generally consists of two types: mics that try to emulate analog studio mics, and mics that go all-in to offer gaming appeal. HyperX QuadCast and HyperX QuadCast S fall in the latter category. Below, we will see the differences between HyperX QuadCast S vs QuadCast to determine whether the more expensive model is worth the money or not.
Our discussion below will tell you everything about:
- How HyperX QuadCast S vs QuadCast differ in terms of design
- The features of HyperX QuadCast and HyperX QuadCast S
- Why the software of HyperX QuadCast S is very useful for gaming and streaming
- The sound quality of HyperX QuadCast and HyperX QuadCast S
- Which one between HyperX QuadCast and HyperX QuadCast S that you should get
HyperX QuadCast S vs QuadCast: Design
Having a dedicated mic like HyperX QuadCast is not really a life-changing experience compared to using a headset’s swing-arm mic. But it is still a decent and noticeable upgrade. In addition to making your voice more audible and defined, having a dedicated mic also enables you to stream, create multimedia content, or do podcasts with ease. Not to mention that it also enables you to upgrade your headphones, as you no longer need a built-in mic on the system. Read also: Samson C01U Pro vs AT2020.
HyperX QuadCast is specifically made for gamers, in case this is not obvious from the look alone. The mic is designed to provide excellent close-range vocal recording and background noise reduction. It uses an electret condenser with large diaphragms, which enable more accurate and more detailed sound capture.
HyperX QuadCast looks sporty and stylish by combining a matte black body with a red backlight. It comes with an integrated shock mount and desktop stand. There are on-board controls for adjusting the gain and selecting the polar pattern. On the top, there is a touch-sensitive mute button.
HyperX QuadCast S is slightly more expensive, but there is no radical change from the original model. It comes with subtle yet beneficial differences. In terms of design, HyperX QuadCast S comes with an RGB backlight, and the shock mount is now gray instead of red – perhaps in an effort to avoid making the mic too colorful after the addition of RGB. Nevertheless, gamers will find HyperX QuadCast S more attractive, especially if they already have RGB gaming gear.
| HyperX QuadCast S | HyperX QuadCast | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 9.84 x 5.08 x 4.06 inches | 5.05 x 4 x 9.8 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 1.32 pounds | 1.6 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | click here | click here |
HyperX QuadCast S vs QuadCast: Features
Even with HyperX QuadCast, you already get a bunch of cool features. It has an internal pop filter to minimize wind noise and sharp plosives, and we already mentioned above that it comes with an integrated shock mount, which is really useful for minimizing mechanical vibration and noise that may come from bumping your desk and using your keyboard.
Under the mic, you can find the USB port and the headphone output for monitoring. You adjust the mic’s gain by rotating the bottom part of the body, which is simple and easy to do. The mute button works really well with a simple touch, without causing any tapping noise. The box includes an adapter that will allow you to put HyperX QuadCast on a boom stand.
Inside the mic, there are three diaphragms that work together to create four different polar patterns: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo. By switching the polar pattern using the knob on the back, you can change how the mic captures sound.
The bidirectional mode is nice for interviews and talks between two people, as it will capture sound from two directions. The omnidirectional is handy when you need to capture everything from all around the microphone. The stereo mode is somewhat similar to the bidirectional mode, and can be useful for creating a sense of depth when recording music.
The cardioid mode is what you will use the most for streaming and podcasting. It captures sound from the front side while rejecting noise from the other angles.
HyperX QuadCast S comes with pretty much the same features, with just few exceptions. It has replaced the USB Type-A port on the original model with a USB Type-C port. This is a nice improvement because USB Type-C cables are now much more common, and USB Type-C has a higher data transmission rate. Then, the RGB backlight is customizable via the software.
HyperX QuadCast S vs QuadCast: Software
HyperX QuadCast does not come with any dedicated software. This is not a big problem, as the mic is entirely plug-and-play. You can adjust the settings right on the mic.
HyperX QuadCast S, however, comes with the NGenuity software, which provides potentially useful capabilities. This software will allow you to customize the mic’s two backlight zones on the top and bottom. You can change their colors and behavior patterns. The process is simple and straightforward.
More importantly, HyperX QuadCast S with the NGenuity software will make it possible to monitor your own voice using a single headset. The original model only allows monitoring via the headphone output, which can be inconvenient to use when you are already wearing a headset that is connected to your computer.
NGenuity will allow you to hear your own voice on the computer, together with any game or music that you are playing, so that you can hear your relative volume. This is very useful when playing a multiplayer game or streaming, as it will help you to avoid screaming or shouting.
HyperX QuadCast S vs QuadCast: Performance
In terms of sound quality, HyperX QuadCast and HyperX QuadCast S are similar. Some people may question why the more expensive model does not introduce any improvement in sound quality. The answer is simple – HyperX QuadCast is already really good in this aspect, and there is nothing that really needs improving.
Both mics here have a frequency response range of 20 Hz – 20 kHz, which is on par with the best microphones out there. Both mics also have a sampling rate of 48kHz/16-bit, which is great for their intended purpose.
The sound character of HyperX QuadCast and HyperX QuadCast S is perfect for clarity of speech. It tends to boost low mids, suppress mids, and give prominence to highs. It sounds professional, very clear and very easy to hear.
These mics have fairly high sensitivity, even when working in the cardioid mode. They like to pick up sound from your keyboard and mouse. It can be a good thing if you want to create a more authentic recording of your gaming session. Otherwise, if you prefer to minimize such noise, you can run the output through a noise suppressor.
HyperX QuadCast and HyperX QuadCast S come really close to being great low-cost studio microphones. The 48kHz/16-bit sampling rate is the limiting factor here. It is good enough for streaming and making online content, since digital audio on such platforms is typically compressed to that quality level. However, for music production, you want an XLR mic or a USB mic with a higher sampling rate and bitrate for the best audio quality.
HyperX QuadCast S vs QuadCast
Conclusion
If you already have HyperX QuadCast and you are happy with it, there is no need to upgrade. However, for new users, HyperX QuadCast S is definitely much more recommended. The most important addition is the NGenuity software, which will allow you to monitor your own voice on the computer when gaming or streaming. HyperX QuadCast S also offers a cool RGB backlight and a better USB Type-C port.