We will compare HyperX SoloCast vs Razer Seiren Mini below to determine the best budget USB microphone for you. HyperX SoloCast and Razer Seiren Mini are available at very similar price points, and both mics have consistently managed to get into people’s lists of the best USB microphones online. Still, they come with different features, and this may affect your buying decision.
Continue reading if you want to learn further about HyperX SoloCast vs Razer Seiren Mini:
- Whether HyperX SoloCast and Razer Seiren Mini are portable or not
- The available connections on HyperX SoloCast and Razer Seiren Mini
- The features that set HyperX SoloCast and Razer Seiren Mini apart
- The sound quality of HyperX SoloCast vs Razer Seiren Mini
- Whether you should get HyperX SoloCast or Razer Seiren Mini to get the best value
HyperX SoloCast vs Razer Seiren Mini: Design
HyperX SoloCast is heavily focused on delivering high quality voice recording for streamers and podcasters on a limited budget. It is essentially a stripped-down version of HyperX QuadCast, without most of the additional features. Fortunately, all the design decisions in choosing which features to eliminate were made wisely, as HyperX SoloCast comes out with a basic but very solid core.
Instead of an RGB light system, HyperX SoloCast only has a single LED light that functions as a status indicator. It does not have a switchable polar pattern or an adjustable input gain, but it has a tap sensor for easy mute and unmute.
HyperX SoloCast is extremely portable. It is really light at 9.2 oz, and the black pill-like shape is about half the size of HyperX QuadCast. You will find it very easy to bring along, and it also won’t require much space on your desk.
Razer Seiren Mini is also a very simple USB microphone. It is designed for a content creator who wants to record their voice in a decent quality without spending too much money. Razer Seiren Mini is available in several color variants: black, white, and pink – which look cute and stylish.
Razer Seiren Mini also weighs 9.2 oz. Just like what the name says, Razer Seiren Mini is really compact. The size is a tiny bit smaller than HyperX SoloCast, but the difference is not really significant. Nevertheless, you won’t find any issue fitting this microphone in your backpack and on your desk.
HyperX SoloCast | HyperX SoloCast | |
---|---|---|
Product Dimensions | 6.85 x 3.82 x 3.07 inches | 3.55 x 3.55 x 6.35 inches |
Shipping Weight | 9.2 ounces | 2.35 pounds |
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HyperX SoloCast vs Razer Seiren Mini: Features
HyperX SoloCast does not have an adjustable input gain, which is quite unfortunate because the microphone is really loud by default. But we can’t complain, because this is not a real problem. You can easily adjust the mic gain on your computer, using either the operating system’s driver or your preferred recording software.
More importantly, HyperX SoloCast has a tap sensor to mute or unmute the mic. This is arguably more important to have. Instead of fumbling between software windows, you can quickly tap the sensor when there is an unexpected noise to prevent the mic from capturing it.
HyperX SoloCast has a cardioid polar pattern. It focuses the sound capture from the front, while rejecting signals coming from the sides and rear. It can resist environmental noise quite well.
Razer Seiren Mini, on the other hand, is really stripped down. It does not have any on-board control at all. While the lack of an input gain dial is forgivable, missing a mute button is quite an annoyance. You won’t be able to quickly mute the mic when needed, unless you use a recording software and set a hot key on your keyboard to act as a mute button.
At least, Razer Seiren Mini comes with an integrated shock mount – something that its competitor here doesn’t have. It can be useful if you have a habit of bumping your knees to your desk, as it will reduce the noise that the mic captures.
Razer Seiren Mini has a supercardioid polar pattern, which means the pick-up angle is narrower. This is beneficial for avoiding noises that come from the sides. But you need to ensure that the mic is precisely aimed at you, and that there won’t be any noise coming from the rear, as the supercardioid polar pattern is slightly more prone to capturing noise that comes from the rear. Read also: HyperX Solocast VS Razer Seiren X here.
HyperX SoloCast vs Razer Seiren Mini: Connectivity
HyperX SoloCast is quite more flexible. It can be easily detached from the desktop stand if you want to mount it on a boom arm. At the bottom of the mic, there is a hole that is compatible with 3/8-inch and 5/8-inch threads.
HyperX SoloCast uses a standard USB Type-C cable to connect to your computer, which is good. If you somehow break the cable, you can easily replace it. All of these features make HyperX SoloCast a very solid USB microphone available for around fifty bucks.
Things are different with Razer Seiren Mini. It is not as flexible. Yes, it can detach from the desktop stand, too – but it is only compatible with 5/8-inch threads, so it is kind of limiting your setup.
Furthermore, Razer Seiren Mini uses a proprietary Micro USB cable. It can work with your computer just fine. But, if you damage or lose the cable, you won’t be able to replace it easily. Most third-party Micro USB cables won’t fit.
HyperX SoloCast vs Razer Seiren Mini: Performance
In terms of sound quality, HyperX SoloCast is a little bit better than Razer Seiren Mini, though the difference is not very obvious. HyperX SoloCast is really impressive in this regard because the cheap price tag does not affect the sound quality at all. It is really comparable to its more expensive sibling, HyperX QuadCast.
HyperX SoloCast captures sound in a 16-bit resolution with a 48kHz sampling rate. The sound is surprisingly very clean and detailed. It is also fairly balanced; there is enough bass so that people with a low voice will find the mic sounding articulate, yet the mid-range still has plenty of presence and the treble is quite crisp.
Razer Seiren Mini also records your voice with a 16-bit resolution and 48kHz sampling rate. However, it tends to be quieter than HyperX SoloCast. As a result, Razer Seiren Mini is not very good for people with a quiet voice. It also doesn’t pick up as much detail, though the difference is not much.
Conclusion
You can’t really go wrong with either mic, but HyperX SoloCast is generally more recommended. It has a slightly better sound quality. It captures more detail, and HyperX SoloCast tends to be louder, which is a good thing for people with a quiet voice. In the more practical section, HyperX SoloCast has a mute button, which is really convenient for quickly disabling the mic when needed.