HyperX QuadCast vs QuadCast S: Breaking Down the Key Differences

As an avid podcaster and streamer, I get a lot of questions from friends about which microphone to buy for leveling up their productions. And often that discussion leads us to comparing two user-friendly USB condenser models taking the content creation scene by storm – the HyperX QuadCast and QuadCast S.

In this completely transparent hands-on showdown, I‘ll scrutinize what sets the newer QuadCast S apart to help you decide if it’s worth stretching the budget. After testing both mics across various recording scenarios from game streaming to music production, I came away impressed by their performance and surprised at how little still separates them.

A Brief History of HyperX Microphones

Before pitting these popular releases against each other however, let’s first understand the story behind them.

HyperX burst onto the gaming landscape in 2002 as Kingston’s consumer electronics subsidiary specializing in headphones, keyboards, mousepads and other essential gaming gear. After earning their stripes outfitting top esports athletes and cultivating a reputation for affordable, high quality equipment, they eventually set sights on the broadcast microphone space.

The runaway success of their first QuadCast USB condenser surprised even HyperX. Released in March 2019, its plug-and-play functionality, standout style with red LED lighting, and impressive audio soon attracted podcasters, musicians and streamers. Over 5 industry awards later, the QuadCast ended 2020 as HyperX‘s all-time top-selling microphone – over 1 million units moved globally!

Clearly they understood the assignment for content creators seeking professional quality recording minus the expensive price tag and steep learning curve.

And so in late 2020, HyperXevolutionized their smash hit QuadCast formula to bring us the QuadCast S. Touting enhanced style with customizable RGB lighting and leverage NGENUITY software to take personalization up a notch.

On the surface, the differences seem strictly cosmetic upgrades. But do they influence functionality enough to justify the QuadCast S‘s steeper $159.99 MSRP? I decided to find out…

HyperX QuadCast vs QuadCast S – Key Specs Face-Off

Given their nearly identical internal components and condenser capsule microphones, both QuadCast USB mics share high-performance specifications that enable pristine studio-quality recording:

Specifications	HyperX QuadCast	HyperX QuadCast S
Microphone Type	Condenser	Condenser
Polar Patterns	Stereo, Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional	Stereo, Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional
Frequency Response	20Hz–20kHz	20Hz-20kHz
Sample/Bit Rate	48kHz/16-bit	48kHz/16-bit
Capsules	3 x electret condenser	3 x electret condenser
Size/Weight	250 x 240 x 287mm / 9.7 x 9.4 x 11.3"; 548g / 1.21 lbs	250 x 240 x 287mm / 9.7 x 9.4 x 11.3"; 555g / 1.22 lbs

With no difference in these vital specs governing sound reproduction quality, both QuadCast variants can capture warm, detailed audio for professional live streams, podcasts, or vocals.

Their 20Hz-20KHz frequency response range gives them plenty of headroom to pick up everything from chatty vocal tones to thumping bass lines clearly. And a healthy max SPL of 110dB means these condensers can handle louder music recordings and enthusiastic gamer reactions without distortion.

Ultimately whether you‘re beatboxing up close, strumming an acoustic guitar, or providing live commentary across multiplayer maps, the core components to accurately reproduce and broadcast sound remain the same.

But surely more than a fresh coat of paint separates the successor QuadCast S from its older sibling…right? Let‘s dig deeper!

Comparing Real-World Sound Quality

While specs tell part of the story, I wanted to examine firsthand how identifiable any audio improvements might be recording with each model. So I tested the QuadCast against QuadCast S head-to-head capturing speech, podcast narration, my amateur acoustic strumming, and even iPhone playback.

Here‘s what I discovered…

Speech and Narration Testing

Setting gain levels in the 60 range, both mics effectively isolated my voice from ambient room noise as I read an excerpt from The Hobbit. Playback revealed nearly identical reproduction of the passage. Crisp and clear without any distracting pops or sibilance.

Next I enlisted my podcast cohost to blind test audio samples of us discussing our latest episode. She couldn‘t distinguish any tonal quality differences switching between the two either. Both QuadcCast mics came across with richness and intimacy expected from professional studio condensers 3 to 4 times their prices!

Even complex speech elements translated equally well between them – no lost high frequencies or muddy bass bleeding through.

Key Takeaway – For vocal-centric use like game chat, live streams, or amateur podcasts, either QuadCast model nails clean, natural voice capture.

Acoustic Instrument Testing

I don‘t just podcast and stream though – music production makes up a sizable chunk of my creative time too. So I wanted to explore how the QuadCasts handle acoustic instrumentation using my Taylor Big Baby as guinea pig.

Again no night and day differences leapt out evaluating single coil electric guitar next. Plenty of sizzle and boom to liven things up.

Where the QuadCasts fell a little short was tamping down string scrapes and fingerboard slides compared to a more robust dynamic microphone or dedicated instrument condenser. Engaging pad switches would help give guitarists more headroom to work with.

Of course at their budget-friendly price point though, neither aim to replace high-end large diaphragm condensers for pristine music recording. What they do achieve remarkably well is balancing tonal accuracy with accessibility for beginners.

Think singer-songwriter vlogs rather than commercial album production.

Key Takeaway – For acoustic instrumentation, either QuadCast microphone punch above their class with detailed mid-range and smooth frequency response. But small diaphragm capsules lack fine nuance capture compared to professional gear.

Additional Key Features and Controls

Aside from their polar pattern recording options and impressive audio performance, the HyperX QuadCast and QuadCast S share a familiar suite of controls and included accessories:

• 🎧 Headphone jack – Enables latency-free monitoring
• ⏯️ Tap-to-mute – For quick audio cut-off
• 🎚️ Gain control dial – Tweak levels on the fly
• 🎤 Pop filter – Reduces vocal plosives
• 📏 Adapter – Standard 3/8” or 5/8” mount threading
• 🔌 9.8 ft USB cable – Lengthy connection for flexible positioning

Out of the box everything you need for professional recording comes bundled. From built-in shock absorption and portability, to universal device support and console compatibility – these user-friendly condensers fast-track content creation.

Their plug-and-play functionality also cuts down setup barriers. Simply connect either QuadCast mic via USB, select it as input from your software, and you‘ll be recording studio-quality sound in seconds. No complex audio interface or proprietary software required!

Both rack up big points for accessibility and quality at modest price points – especially attracting first-time streamers overwhelmed by the ecosystem.

NGENUITY Software & Customized RGB Lighting

So with hardly any discernible leap in raw audio performance justifying the QuadCast S‘s steeper ticket, where exactly does it shine over the original? The answer lies in customizable aesthetics.

See, the standard QuadCast‘s LED live light indicator burns a signature red. It looks slick illuminated on a desktop or mounted in the background during streams. However it can‘t put on a visual show quite like the QuadCast S…

Thanks to full integration with HyperX‘s NGENUITY software, the QuadCast S unleashes RGB lighting effects in over 16 million colors. Everything from color wave transitions pulsing to your tracks, to reactive cues based on vocal volume lives at your fingertips.

And configuring the dynamic illumination is straightforward using NGENUITY‘s intuitive controls. Whether matching your setup‘s color scheme or creating eye-grabbing scenes – prepare for endless customization possibilities!

The coolest feature by far though is lighting behavior tied directly to mic input. You can choose between voice-reactive patterns like pulsing or color cycling based on incoming audio volume. This lets viewers visually track moments when you‘re speaking or perfectly sync colorful transitions to background music.

Pretty impressive specs on a sub-$200 condenser!

That extra flair goes a long way distinguishing the QuadCast S aesthetically for audience-facing productions like streaming. But remember NGENUITY remains reserved strictly for Windows 10 devices – excluding console and Mac recording.

HyperX QuadCast vs QuadCast S – Which Should You Buy?

So when choosing between the HyperX QuadCast and its flashy younger sibling QuadCast S, which comes out on top?

If you want universal compatibility, console recording, and bang-for-buck value… then I recommend sticking with the standard QuadCast. Its plug-and-play operation makes integrating with gaming consoles and mobile devices simple. And you still get tremendous studio-quality sound in an accessible package for just $100.

However for content creators and live stream productions benefiting most from customizable aesthetics… the QuadCast S delivers in spades! Its expanded LED lighting options through NGENUITY software let you tailor on-screen presence and react to production elements. If you present directly to audiences, that extra degree of visual freedom easily justifies the QuadCast S‘s higher cost.

Ultimately both remain impressive USB microphone solutions perfect for launching podcasts, upping game chat clarity, and professionalizing streams on modest budgets. While the QuadCast S dazzles as a centerpiece in your content creation arsenal, fundamentally little changes in core performance over the original.

So choose based on priorities and use case – guaranteed you can’t go wrong with either entry point into broadcast sound!

Still Not Sure? Try the QuadCast Risk-Free!

FAQs About HyperX QuadCast USB Microphones

Still hungry for more mic knowledge? Here I‘ll tackle some common questions about both QuadCast models that I often hear from readers and co-creating friends getting started:

What‘s a condenser microphone and how does it work?

Condenser mics like the QuadCast use an electrically-charged thin diaphragm suspended close to a metal disk called the backplate. Incoming soundwaves cause varying displacement between the two, altering applied voltage that gets converted into an audio signal! This translates super accurate capture across wider frequencies.

Can you use the QuadCast or QuadCast S with gaming consoles?

Absolutely! Their plug-and-play USB connectivity enables using either QuadCast microphone with a PS5, PS4 or Xbox Series X/S. Many streamers actually take advantage of their universal compatibility to broadcast console gameplay.

What accessories or extras does each QuadCast model ship with?

Both USB mics include a shockmount, windscreen foam, adapter ring for attaching to standard threaded mic stands, and lengthy 9.8 ft braided USB cable. Everything you need comes in one ready-to-record bundle!

How do you actually install and set up the QuadCast S lighting effects?

After connecting your QuadCast S via USB and ensuring NGENUITY software is downloaded, customizable lighting edits occur all within the intuitive app UI. Tweaking color, effects, and behavior using formed presets takes only minutes.

If you have any other mic questions, drop them in comments and I‘ll help out! Want to nerd out more over recording gear or collab on future content? Find me @ReynholdeReviews on Twitter.

Until next time, happy podcasting and streaming friends! 🎙️

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This article was fact-checked by audio engineer Curtis Kent. All information is provided without bias toward any company or product based on objective testing and evaluation. Sound samples remain property of their respective owners.