Alongside the Lifte Elite Wireless gaming mouse (our review) and the Function Elite MiniTKL keyboard, the NZXT Capsule Elite USB microphone is the manufacturer’s third new addition to the Elite line-up, which aims to combine high-quality technology with a fair price. For around 100 euros, you get a visually appealing mic with modern features. But is it enough to compete with the best USB microphones? We’ll find out in our test.
Technical data
Product: | Capsule Elite |
Connection: | USB Type-C |
Microphone diaphragm: | 25 mm (condenser) |
Frequency response: | 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz |
Sampling rate: | 192 kHz / 24 bit |
Polar pattern: | Cardioid |
SPL: | 120 dB |
dimensions | 241 mm x 97 mm x 97 mm |
Weight: | 295 grams (microphone only); 560 grams (microphone + stand) |
Connections: | USB-C; 3.5 mm jack |
Special features: | RGB lighting; multifunction button, metal stand |
Price: | € 121.84 * |
NZXT Capsule Elite review: Attractive look with RGB
- Elegant retro look
- High-quality workmanship, but rotary controls too smooth-running
- appealing RGB lighting
Compared to the more affordable Capsule Mini (our test) and its larger sibling, the new NZXT Capsule Elite has changed significantly in terms of appearance. The round construction of its quasi-predecessors has now given way to a rectangular design that is vaguely reminiscent of the Endorfy Solum Voice (our review).
The microphone is largely made of aluminum and some plastic and weighs almost 300 grams without the included metal stand, which is evidence of an absolutely robust and high-quality construction, even if the majority of the microphone itself is made of plastic.
The approximately ten centimeter long arm on the back is striking, with which the Capsule Elite can be mounted on a microphone arm or stand via a 3/8 inch thread. Conveniently, the manufacturer includes a matching metal stand in the scope of delivery.
This is square and has four rubber pads on the underside, which ensures a secure hold. The micro and base are also quickly connected via the integrated screw.
The Capsule Elite’s controls are straightforward. At the front, you will find a clickable multifunctional button with an excellent grid, which is responsible for setting the gain or muting the microphone, among other things.
There is another rotary control on the right-hand side that you can use to adjust the monitoring volume of connected headphones. Although this is very easy to grip, it unfortunately lacks any kind of rasterization and is far too smooth for my taste.
Commissioning, positioning and practical test
- Plug and play
- Individually adjustable stand
- Practical RGB lighting
As a classic USB microphone, the NZXT Capsule Elite connects to a PC, notebook or even the PlayStation 5 via UCB-C. An additional audio interface or other accessories are not required.
If you wish, you can also connect headphones to the rear to listen to the microphone recordings directly. A 3.5 mm jack connection is available for this purpose.
The microphone can not only be mounted on the included stand, but also on a boom arm if desired. If you use the stand, the Capsule can be moved relatively freely: it can be tilted forwards and backwards as well as turned to the left or right horizontally. There are therefore virtually no limits to the positioning.
The RGB lighting of the microphone extends to a functional strip on the front and an RGB zone on the back:
At the front, the LED strip shows, for example, the set gain value (purple), a mute function (red), the idle status (white) and the volume of the connected headphones (green). These colors cannot be changed in the software, but the brightness can be adjusted.
At the back, you will find the lighting in the top area of the circular openings. A total of ten lighting effects are available here, ranging from solid colors to flashing disco effects or waves. The lighting can be deactivated by setting the brightness to 0 percent in the software. It is also possible to adjust the speed of the effects.
App connection: NZXT Cam
The use of the clear companion app NZXT Cam is not mandatory for the NZXT Capsule Elite. However, we would still recommend installing the software, as the setting options for the microphone are huge.
There are a total of three tabs to choose from. The first is responsible for adjusting the lighting and setting the volume – although the latter can also be adjusted on the microphone itself.
The “Voice Equalizer” section is much more exciting. Here you can use a simple 3-band EQ to influence the sound of the microphone or you can activate the advanced voice EQ. You can then, for example, adjust frequencies, switch on a high pass and low pass filter and fine-tune the bass, mid-range and treble separately.
Conveniently, you can use the integrated recording tool to immediately hear what effect the settings have on your voice. In these professional settings, for example, background noise can be filtered out very well and the presentation of your own voice can be changed.
And then there are the “Advanced Settings”, in which professional options such as noise suppression, noise gate, compressor, limiter and much more can be activated. These tools are a strong competitor to a professional audio interface and are ideal for fine-tuning the quality of your own recording.
As the Capsule Elite also has integrated pop protection, you will also need to play around with the software if you want to improve the handling of plosives and sharp S-sounds. There are also options for this in the form of a de-esser (softens S sounds) and de-popper (softens P sounds).
All in all, NZXT provides you with an absolutely professional feature set that has it all. If you like, you can of course also work with the sound set as standard and don’t have to make any changes in the app. And now we’ll find out what it sounds like.
Sound quality of the NZXT Capsule Elite
- 192 kHz in 24 bit
- detailed, neutral sound
- susceptible to sharp S-sounds
The NZXT Capsule Elite makes the biggest gains in terms of sound specifications. It records at a maximum of 192 kHz with 24 bits, which should theoretically also make professional recordings possible without any problems. At the same time, the frequency band of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz is noticeably wider than that of many of its competitors. So that reads extremely positively, but what does it look like in practice?
In terms of sound, the NZXT Capsule Elite impresses with an excellent, detailed and fairly neutral sound. It picks up the voice pleasantly clearly and without background noise, and the cardioid characteristic also filters out background noise very well when you speak into the microphone from the front.
However, the microphone’s weak point is quickly identified: the Capsule Elite reveals a noticeable tendency towards sharpness with sharp S-sounds, which can quickly make recordings sound tiring. However, this can be managed very well by switching on the de-esser. On the other hand, it has plosive sounds pretty well under control.
NZXT Capsule Elite microphone test recording:
Microphone test recording Endorfy Solum Voice:
Microphone test recording Maono PD300X (USB):
As you can hear very clearly from the test recording above, the Capsule Elite really has a lot to offer in terms of sound. Compared to our price-performance tip in the form of the Endorfy Solum Voice, the NZXT counterpart sounds a little more bass-heavy, but not quite as full.
Personally, I like the sound of the Endorfy a little better, but this is certainly a matter of taste and also depends on your own voice and preferences. Of course, you can change a lot here with the help of the companion app. Here is an example:
I think the difference is quite audible. Of course, if you take your time and get to grips with the material, you can achieve even better results.
NZXT Capsule Elite Review: Conclusion
With the NZXT Capsule Elite, the manufacturer delivers a convincing USB microphone that not only impresses with its elegant retro design, but also with its practical stand and appealing RGB lighting.
In terms of sound, the Capsule Elite is also very well positioned, especially as the NZXT Cam software provides you with professional setting options to fine-tune the sound.
Nevertheless, in my opinion, the microphone can’t beat the competition in this price range. Because an Endorfy Solum Voice also delivers an excellent sound for less money.
For just 10 euros more, you also get a much more versatile microphone with excellent software and even better workmanship with the Maono PD300X. In conclusion, the NZXT Capsule Elite is an absolutely convincing USB microphone at a fair price. Especially if the price should drop a little, it will become even more attractive.
- Elegant look
- Practical stand
- Very good sound
- Versatile software
- Problems with S-sounds
- Right rotary wheel too smooth
NZXT Capsule Elite
Workmanship
Recording quality
Features
Value For Money
90/100
Good-sounding USB microphone with an elegant design and appealing workmanship, which benefits above all from its powerful software, but does reveal problems with sharp S-sounds.