To match the Live Streamer AX 310 audio mixer and deck, AverMedia is also launching a new microphone: The Live Streamer MIC 330, made entirely of metal, uses the unusual XLR connector and is aimed at content creators. Whether the mic can convince sonically, clarifies our test.
Technical data
| Model: | AverMedia Live Streamer MIC 330 |
| Microphone type: | Dynamic |
| Sampling rate: | 24bit; 96kHz |
| Frequency: | 50 Hz – 18,000 Hz |
| Characteristic: | Cardioid (cardioid characteristic) |
| Connectors: | XLR (3-pin) |
| Sensitivity: | -52 dB ± 3 dB at 1KHz (1V/Pa) |
| Size (diameter x length): | 55 mm x 167 mm |
| Weight: | 530.6 g (without cable) |
| Color: | Black |
| Scope of delivery: | Live Streamer MIC 330; XLR cable; Replaceable color ring; Adapter 5/8″ to 3/8″ thread; Quick start guide |
| Price: | € 98.04 * |
Scope of delivery
Inside the black and red box of the AverMedia Live Streamer MIC 330, the microphone itself is nestled in a thick foam sleeve. Above it, the manufacturer positions the XLR cable for connecting to an amplifier or the home streaming deck. It comes to a length of around three meters and appears to be of high-quality workmanship.
Otherwise, only a replaceable color ring and an adapter to switch between 5/8″ and 3/8″ threads find room in the packaging alongside the quick-start instructions. Too bad: a stand or a possible holder is unfortunately not offered and must – if not available – necessarily be purchased in addition, since the MIC 330 can otherwise not be held in position.
Design and workmanship
There is nothing to complain about in terms of build quality. Thus, the AverMedia Live Streamer MIC 330 is made entirely of matte black metal and looks like it was cast from one piece. The microphone is correspondingly heavy: around 530 grams.
The microphone has a tubular design and measures 167 mm in length and 56 mm in diameter. There is a fixed metal grille on the front that protects the microphone underneath and also has an integrated pop filter.
Around the grille is an eye-catching red ring, though this can be replaced with the silver counterpart included if desired. It is also noticeable that the MIC 330 only has a single button. The mute button is quite large and is unfortunately placed at the bottom of the microphone. It is difficult to reach, especially when using a holder (which is absolutely necessary), and it is so stiff that the microphone has to be held in the hand to activate it. In addition, the mute function triggers a short noise in practice.
On the back of the MIC 330 is the three-pin XLR connector – the only way to get the microphone to work. AverMedia consistently omits USB connectivity here. Without a corresponding amplifier or said Live Streamer AX 310 deck, the microphone thus refuses to do its job. An RGB illumination, additional functions or other gimmicks are searched for in vain.
Practical test and audio quality
For our test, we connected the MIC 330 to said deck, whereupon the microphone was immediately ready for use and preset in Windows 10’s sound settings. Unfortunately, there is no indication about the successful connection, neither acoustically nor in any other form.
According to the manufacturer, the dynamic Live Streamer MIC 330 has a frequency response of 50 Hz to 18 kHz and thus does not reproduce the sound quite as broadly as, for example, the Trust GXT 255+ ONYX that we recently tested. Both have the cardioid characteristic in common, which is supposed to effectively filter out background noise – which works really well in practice.
However, sounds that do not enter the microphone directly from the front are also reduced in the process. It is therefore only suitable for use by one person, group recordings are hardly possible in any case. Due to the XLR connection, the microphone does not have an integrated sound memory, so the audio quality mainly depends on the amplifier used.
In the case of the AverMedia Live Streamer AX 310, signals are processed exclusively in 24 bit at a sampling rate of either 48 or 96 kHz, and the setting options are not particularly varied either. Regarding the acoustics, the manufacturer promises recordings in excellent quality and even speaks of a sound on radio level.
However, as is often the case, advertising promises and reality are far apart. In fact, the audio quality of the Live Streamer MIC 330 can be described as consistently good. The user’s own voice is reproduced voluminously and in detail, and the neutral mix is particularly pleasing. The integrated pop filter, on the other hand, is hardly usable. The microphone is particularly weak in plosive sounds and sharp S tones, which other, cheaper microphones manage much better even without pop protection.
Another problem: According to the manufacturer, the optimal distance to the mouth is around 10 centimeters, which is already very little. And even when you almost threaten to eat the MIC 330 (distance of about 5 cm), the maximum volume reaches a mediocre level at best. The maximum gain of 30 dB can be increased by another 10 dB on the software side, but even that is far too little. As a result, you move the microphone even closer to your mouth, which further exacerbates the problems with plosives.
Ultimately, even the best audio quality is of little use if the comfort suffers due to the technical conditions. Unfortunately, this is exactly the case with the AverMedia Live Streamer MIC 330. In the following video, you can get an idea of the sound or the volume of the microphone yourself.
Conclusion
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Of the full-bodied promises of the AverMedia Live Streamer MIC 330, unfortunately only the fewest come true in practice. On the plus side, the microphone has an excellent build quality, a chic design and a really good sound. However, it is doubtful whether the sound is really on radio level.
On the other hand, there are several points of criticism. On the one hand, the integrated pop protection is almost ineffective and is overtaxed by plosives and s-sounds. In addition, the volume is much too low to position the microphone at a comfortable distance in front of the mouth. The choice of the XLR connector also has its advantages and disadvantages, because the microphone simply cannot be used without an amplifier. The fact that there is no stand in the scope of delivery also weighs heavily in the end – so you are forced to hold the microphone, which weighs over 500 grams, in your hand for a recording without spending any more money.
Finally, there is the fact that there are other and even significantly better microphones, such as a Blue Microphones Yeti for almost the same price. Unfortunately, we can’t find any reasons to buy the AverMedia counterpart.
AverMedia Live Streamer MIC 330
Workmanship
Recording quality
Features
Value for money
80/100
Excellently manufactured microphone with good sound. However, pop protection and functionality are only average.
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