A good-sounding microphone doesn’t have to be expensive. Manufacturer Maono wants to prove this with its new model. The dynamic Maono PD300X is a real all-rounder and can be connected via USB-C as well as XLR. It also scores points with its broad connectivity and 24-bit quality at 192 hertz. Our test clarifies whether the professional podcast microphone is convincing.
- Find out more: These are the best USB microphones currently on test
Technical data
| Product: | PD300X |
| Connection: | USB Type-C; XLR |
| Microphone diaphragm: | unknown (condenser) |
| Frequency response: | 40 Hz – 16,000 Hz |
| Sampling rate: | 192 kHz / 24 bit |
| Polar pattern: | Cardioid |
| SPL: | 130 dB |
| Dimensions: | 162 mm x 55 mm (height x diameter) |
| Weight: | 529 grams |
| Connections: | USB-C; 3.5 mm jack; XLR |
| Special features: | RGB lighting; Mute button; Multifunctional control button |
| Price: | € 109.99 * |
Maono PD300X test: Simple, elegant design
- High-quality design
- Excellent, robust workmanship
Inexpensive does not mean cheap, as the Maono PD300X makes unmistakably clear from the very first minute. For less than 100 euros, you get a very well-made, high-quality dynamic microphone with an absolutely powerful range of functions.
Weighing around 529 grams, the microphone comes in a small, rather inconspicuous black and yellow box, in which you will find a USB-C cable and a 5/8 to 3/8-inch thread adapter in addition to the mic itself.
If you don’t own a microphone boom or table stand, the manufacturer also offers a bundle with the BA37 microphone boom or a compact stand for around 20 euros more. Very practical.
Visually, the PD300X is somewhat reminiscent of the microphones from Shure and has a pleasantly simple appearance. It is 162 mm long and has a diameter of 55 mm. The black microphone sits in a spider in which it is held by a rubber ring. However, if you prefer, you can also use your own microphone spider, although removing it is a little fiddly.
The controls are located on the top in the form of a clickable rotary control and a mute button, both of which have several functions. The rotary control is also surrounded by a circle of LEDs that provide information about the current function – unfortunately, the LEDs are a little dark, so you have to look closely.
The spider merges into the robust holder, which can of course be adjusted to the desired angle. The Maono PD300X leaves an excellent impression in terms of workmanship. All components of the mic, which is made of metal, feel extremely robust and of high quality.
RGB lighting and connections
- RGB lighting indicates functions…
- … but could be a little brighter
- XLR, USB and jack connection
As already mentioned, the Maono PD300X has an LED light around the capacitive button, which has various functions. However, only if you connect the microphone via USB (in XLR mode it works completely analog).
You can choose between the different modes with a click. By default, you regulate the volume (gain), which is indicated by white LEDs. The second mode adjusts the headphone volume (blue LEDs) if you have connected headphones directly to the microphone. The third mode, on the other hand, regulates the monitor mixing. Here you can adjust how the microphone monitoring noise and PC sound should relate to each other in terms of volume.
Another LED appears when you press or hold the mute button. If you press it once, a red LED indicates that the microphone is muted. However, if you hold the button down for two seconds, you can activate a “custom” function that can be adjusted within the Maono Link software.
Here you can choose between the options Noise Gate, Mic Monitor, PC Monitor or Headphone, although in my opinion only the Noise Gate is really interesting.
The Maono PD300X is perfectly positioned in terms of connections, as you can not only use the microphone via XLR with an audio interface, but also directly via USB-C on a PC, notebook, Mac, Android smartphone or iPhone. A real all-rounder.
There is also a 3.5 mm jack connection for monitoring the microphone with headphones. Mic monitoring takes place without any delay.
Sound quality and practical test of the Maono PD300X
- Excellent, detailed sound
- 24 bit at 192 kHz
- but disappointing wind protection
The Maono PD300X naturally has a lot of competition in the price range up to 100 euros. But microphones that can be connected via both XLR and USB are usually much more expensive. A clear advantage.
Compared to excellent USB microphones such as the Endorfy Solum Voice (our test) or the Cherry Xtrfy Ngale X (our test) – which also has an XLR connection – the PD300X is better positioned in terms of specifications.
This is because recordings are possible at a maximum depth of 24 bits with a full 192 kHz sampling rate, which corresponds to CD-quality recordings. The dynamic cardioid microphone records with a sensitivity of -52 dBv via XLR or -10.5 dB via USB, while the frequency response of 40 Hz to 16,000 Hz should actually cover all frequencies very well.
Test recording Maono PD300X (USB):
Maono PD300X microphone reference recording XLR:
Cherry Xtrfy Ngale X Microphone Reference Recording USB:
Cherry Xtrfy Ngale X microphone reference recording XLR:
Shure MV7+ microphone reference recording XLR:
I really like the sound of the Maono PD300X and it delivers a clear, detailed and fairly neutral sound even in the standard settings. However, the mic is quite susceptible to ambient noise, so that typing on the keyboard or similar sounds are very audible. This is mainly due to the somewhat cheap and not really effective windscreen. Fortunately, you can counteract this.
If you connect the microphone via USB, you also have many other options within the Maono Link companion app. Not only can you adjust the gain and other settings or test the sound, but you can also choose between different sound settings.
In addition to four different equalizer profiles, you can choose between dedicated settings for podcasting, recording and gaming. You can also add a compressor and/or limiter and even create your own EQ presets. You can also add a noise gate (between -90 dB and 0 dB) to reduce unwanted background noise.
You can hear what the whole thing sounds like and what differences it makes in the following test recording:
So you can hear for yourself: In terms of sound, the PD300X cuts a very good figure both via USB and XLR and doesn’t really have to hide behind the Shure MV7+, which is almost three times as expensive. Only the wind protection is a small drawback. If possible, you should buy a replacement for a reasonable price.
Maono PD300X Review: Conclusion
Is the Maono PD300X the new price-performance king among microphones? Possibly. Because for the comparatively low price, you get an absolutely coherent overall package here. Above all, the microphone impresses with a very neutral and detailed sound that reaches up to a resolution of 192 kHZ/24 bit.
The microphone masters podcasts, voice over recordings or streaming equally reliably and is extremely versatile thanks to its dual connectivity via USB and XLR. If you like, you can also use it to make recordings directly from your smartphone.
The PD300X combines all of this with an elegant design and absolutely impeccable build quality. In my opinion, the only point of criticism here is the windscreen, which has hardly any noticeable effect on the sound and allows too much unwanted background noise to pass through unfiltered.
However, you can at least counteract this very well via USB in the tidy and well thought-out companion app. All in all, you get a real value-for-money cracker here, which is also very suitable for professional recordings.
- USB and XLR
- Very good workmanship
- Unbeatable price
- Disappointing wind protection
- Slight weaknesses with sharp S-sounds
Maono PD300X
Workmanship
Recording quality
Equipment
Price-performance ratio
95/100
Powerful and high-quality XLR and USB microphone with plug-and-play connectivity and versatile software at an absolutely unbeatable price. A clear recommendation to buy.
