With the GXT 255+ ONYX, Trust releases a new professional microphone that should be suitable for a variety of professional applications. According to the data sheet, it is priced above the already available GXT 252+ Emita Plus and should theoretically be superior to the GXT 241 Velica (our review). Our test clarifies what the combination of microphone and arm, including LED lighting, has up its sleeve.
Technical data
| Model: | Trust GXT 255+ ONYX |
| Microphone type: | Capacitor |
| Sampling rate: | 24bit; 96kHz |
| Frequency: | 30 Hz – 18000 Hz |
| Characteristic: | Cardioid (cardioid characteristic) |
| Connectors: | USB-C on the microphone; USB-A for connection to the PC; 3.5mm jack |
| Color: | Black |
| Weight: | 400g (microphone); 1,400g (microphone including arm) |
| Length of microphone arm: | 98 cm |
| RGB lighting: | 6 colors |
| Price: | € 159.99 * |
Scope of delivery
The Trust GXT 255+ ONYX comes in a huge box, which already indicates that there is a really long microphone boom inside. Opening the box, the manufacturer presents all the components, neatly divided in a lush foam bed.
As you might expect, the folded arm stretches across the entire width of the box. Underneath (from left to right) are the obligatory instructions and warranty information, a very short USB-A to USB-C cable for connecting the microphone to the arm, the elastic mount for attaching it to the table, and the Onyx microphone itself. The microphone arm is held in place by a Velcro strap. If you remove this protection, the arm already automatically folds out a little – a little caution is required here.
Design and workmanship
Upon first inspection, it is immediately noticeable that the build quality is not quite at top level. There are several rubber bumps on the table mount and the microphone arm, which are apparently left over from the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the microphone arm is covered with a fine layer of dust. This is already the first drop of bitterness, because you should actually expect more from a peripheral that costs around 200 Euros. At least these flaws can be removed quickly and easily with a cloth. Fortunately, the components of our test model did not show any scratches.
Otherwise, Trust relies on a matte-black, rather plain design (called “neat look” on its own website) for the GXT 255+ ONYX. The microphone boom has a total of three elastic mounts, which can be used to adjust the position to one’s preferences. Despite the sheer size of a maximum of 98 centimeters, the construction is surprisingly light – after all, the arm is made of aluminum and weighs just under 1.4 kg together with the microphone.
The microphone itself is also rather plain and equipped with a pop protection ex-works. The USB-C port is on the back, which connects it directly to the microphone arm. Below that, the manufacturer places a 3.5 mm jack input for connecting headphones, as well as a rocker switch that can be used to fine-tune the volume of the headphones directly on the microphone. Below the pop shield is the “GAIN” knob, which can be used to quickly and easily adjust the recording sensitivity. Pressing the knob also instantly mutes the microphone.
An LED ring above the gain control indicates when the microphone is ready (green) or muted (red). Alternatively, the RGB illumination can be changed using a button on the bottom of the microphone. A total of six colors are available, and if you hold the button down for 4 seconds, the illumination can also be completely deactivated.
Commissioning and practical test
Fortunately, the commissioning of the Trust GXT 255+ ONYX, even without prior knowledge or study of the manual, is very fast and straightforward. The table mount has a very large screw, which allows it to be attached to thick tabletops or surfaces.
After that, the microphone arm is inserted into the holder using the pin on the bottom and securely positioned using the locking screw. After that, the microphone only has to be screwed to the upper end of the arm and connected to the microphone arm using the USB-A to USB-C cable. There are two USB-A ports available for this. Now it’s just a matter of optimally aligning the arm using the three locking screws and connecting the construction to the PC, notebook or other audio sources via USB-A.
Thanks to Plug & Play connectivity, the Trust GXT 255+ ONYX is instantly recognized, set up and ready to use within seconds. In Windows 10, the microphone is activated by default with a level of 60 percent as well as a frequency of 24,000 Hz, both values can of course still be adjusted in the sound settings.
Recording quality
At maximum, the cardioid microphone comes with a sampling rate of 24bit and 96kHz, which on paper should ensure excellent recording quality. Thanks to its design, the diaphragm microphone should be able to effectively reduce background noise such as typing on a keyboard, mouse clicks or similar.
Your own voice is transmitted most clearly when the microphone is aimed directly at your mouth and is located around 30-40 centimeters in front of your face. In the practical test, the Trust GXT 255+ ONYX delivers a really good recording quality, which, to our surprise, can’t stand out from partly much cheaper representatives.
Noise and background noise are actually filtered out very well. The user’s own voice is reproduced dynamically and clearly, but S-sounds are relatively sharp – a phenomenon that we could already observe in the Trust GXT 241. Nevertheless, we are almost completely satisfied with the sound quality of the Onyx – the recording quality does not quite reach the marginally more expensive Blue Microphones Yeticaster (our review), though.
We’ll show you how the Trust GXT 255+ ONYX actually sounds in the following video. It was recorded in MP3 quality with 156 kBit/s and without making any additional adjustments to the sound.
Conclusion
If you want to venture into the world of streaming or podcasting, the Trust GXT 255+ ONYX microphone provides you with a coherent all-round carefree package. The long and flexible microphone boom allows for individual positioning of the microphone and is surprisingly light despite its maximum length of about one meter. It is also easy and convenient to set up, even without prior knowledge. The microphone itself delivers a good sound at an excellent maximum volume and filters background noise satisfactorily.
However, points are deducted for the not quite clean workmanship, while the recording quality cannot quite keep up with similar (and sometimes even much cheaper) microphones. Considering that a Blue Microphones Yeticaster, for example, is only slightly more expensive, but offers a much better recording quality, higher-quality workmanship and far more options, we have a hard time giving the Trust Onyx a clear buy recommendation – at least at the manufacturer’s RRP.
All in all, Trust delivers a really good all-inclusive package with the GXT 255+ ONYX microphone, where beginners and advanced users get a lot for their money.
Trust GXT 255+ ONYX
Workmanship
Recording quality
Features
Value for money
85/100
Good semi-professional microphone with convincing sound and practical, long microphone boom but shortcomings in workmanship.
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