HyperX SoloCast 2: $60 USB mic with a hinged built-in stand

HyperX has released the SoloCast 2, the second generation of its entry-level USB microphone, at $60 in black. A hands-on review found that the recording specifications barely changed from the first model, while the body, stand and controls were redesigned.

A cylinder that doubles as a stand

The new mic is a matte-black plastic cylinder 152.4mm long and 53mm across, with a metal honeycomb grille on its upper half. Under the grille sit a foam pop filter and an internal shock mount that suspends the 14mm electret condenser capsule. A hinge at the back lets the mic tilt back by 40 degrees so it points at a seated user, and the base is weighted, with the whole unit at about 365.7g and a non-slip rubber underside.

The only control is a large, flat touch area on top that mutes the mic. A USB-C port is on the back near the hinge, and the bottom has a mount compatible with both 3/8-inch and 5/8-inch threads, so the folded mic can go on a boom arm. A status light at the base glows red while recording, which the reviewer found confusing because many gaming mics use red to show mute. The only accessory is a 2m USB-C to USB-A cable.

Sound and software

The SoloCast 2 uses a cardioid pattern and records at 24-bit/96 kHz; the original SoloCast reached the same resolution through a 2022 firmware update. The reviewer described vocals as full and rounded with decent depth, though less clean than the Logitech Yeti Orb. They also reported that the internal shock mount and pop filter are weak, so desk movement and plosives came through easily, that background noise such as PC fans was audible, and that the stand is too low to use the proximity effect comfortably. Moving the mic to a boom arm reduced the desk noise.

Gain is set only in HyperX's Ngenuity Beta software, which also offers high-pass and low-pass filters, AI noise reduction and a 10-band equalizer with user presets. During testing the settings saved neither to the mic nor to the software, so the processing only worked while the app was open; HyperX had not given a timeline for a fix. The reviewer compared the price with the Yeti Orb, also around $60, and said the SoloCast 2's mute button is the more practical feature for casual chat.