The Logitech Blue Sona is a deal with for the eyes and ears, aiming to shake up the streaming and podcast worlds as the brand new go-to high-end XLR microphone that appears simply pretty much as good because it sounds. The Shure SM7B is clearly a giant affect on its design, however don’t make the error of considering the Sona is a knock-off – it’s an improve in virtually each approach.
It ought to come as no shock that that is the best gaming microphone for high-end customers when it prices $349.99 USD / £299.99 GBP, however would you consider that that is truly a discount? Not solely does this undercut the Shure SM7B’s $399 USD price ticket, it doesn’t require an costly audio interface or mic boosters just like the Cloudlifter to run. Sure, you may actually use this with a finances preamp, and it’ll nonetheless sound clean.
Logitech Blue Sona design
Numerous phrases come to thoughts when peeking on the Blue Sona for the primary time: daring, trendy, fashionable. It’s all right down to its strikingly completely different look, ditching the cylindrical physique we’re used to seeing in favour of a up to date cuboid as a substitute. It’s clear that Logitech desires this microphone to face out when within the body of the best webcam.
It’s additionally uncommon to see microphones come in several colourways, however you may have the selection of a modern black physique or off-white one. Each include a black and a crimson windscreen within the field for various color combos, and you’ll swap between them simply sufficient due to their magnetic connectors. Logitech says extra colors are on the way in which, however we are able to solely choose what’s in entrance of us in the intervening time.
I don’t know what materials the pop filters are fabricated from, however one of the best half is that they’re not mud magnets. I’m a cat dad and all the time felt as if my Shure SM7B’s cowl wanted its personal cowl, however the foam surrounding the Sona’s capsule barely catches a little bit of fluff. When it does, it’s simple to scrub, retaining that skilled look.
You’ll want a growth arm or tripod, because the Logitech Blue Sona doesn’t include its personal stand, however the mounting system is versatile all the identical. The XLR enter is conveniently positioned, not conflicting with the screw. The threaded ring allows you to connect the machine to a growth arm with out spinning the whole microphone round in circles, and the pivot knob locks it in place, so you may place it anyplace you select on its 360-degree tilt.
It really works with a variety of phantom energy necessities at both 24V or 48V, due to its ClearAmp expertise, giving it an extra 25dB to play with. As talked about earlier, this makes the Sona a far cheaper funding than one thing just like the Shure SM7B, as it really works with a wider vary of preamps and retains your desk clear of pointless equipment.
Logitech Blue Sona efficiency
The Logitech Blue Sona sounds buttery clean, with a transparent, impartial EQ out of the field – which suggests it doesn’t favour any explicit frequency. It may possibly make vocals sound somewhat chilly in case you’re used to USB microphones that always add a little bit of bass into the combination, but it surely’s simpler so as to add heat from most interfaces than it’s to take it away.
Supercardiod pick-up patterns are recognized for his or her lack of sensitivity, prioritising your voice and leaving background noises the place they belong. Logitech doubles down on this tech with a dual-diaphragm method, pointing one diaphragm at you to seize your sultry tones and the opposite in the other way to filter out any undesirable sounds. That is what makes it an excellent gaming and streaming microphone, as nobody likes listening to the clatter of your keyboard. It may possibly’t work miracles, so that you’ll should be aware of the place you place it, however I’m somewhat impressed at its means to dampen sound.
The Sona is about as plug-and-play because it will get for an XLR microphone. When you hook it as much as an interface, you simply want to regulate the acquire on the preamp. The Sona hides two switches beneath the magnetic Logi-branded plate that every have an on the spot impact on the sound of your microphone. One is a ‘Bass Minimize’ perform, which is a high-pass filter that works in tandem with the interior shock mount to minimise deeper feels like by accident knocking your desk. It may possibly make you quieter, so that you would possibly need to compensate by including extra acquire, but it surely has an on the spot impact. The opposite known as Presence, which is a characteristic that helps prioritise your voice in noisier rooms, amplifying vocals above all else.
Whereas Logitech combats compatibility issues with its ClearAmp characteristic boosting the acquire, you’ll have to do some fine-tuning whenever you first set it up. With such a big headroom, it’s simple to your audio to clip in case you set it too excessive. The excellent news is that when you’ve adjusted it to the way you prefer it, you don’t want to the touch it once more.
Logitech Blue Sona verdict
On this case, calling the Logitech Blue Sona a Shure SM7B killer isn’t only a gimmicky advertising and marketing trick. I actually see no purpose to advocate its closest rival when the Sona is cheaper, extra suitable, extra versatile, and debatably extra enticing.
It’s a tricky promote in case you already personal a Shure SM7B and possibly not value switching since you have already got all the pieces you want. Nevertheless, these of you eager to improve from a USB microphone to XLR or leap from entry/mid-range to high-end ought to have the Blue Sona in your radar.
$349.99 USD / £299.99 GBP isn’t an all-in-one worth, as you’ll have to finances for equipment like a growth arm and an XLR cable that aren’t included. That stated, you gained’t discover this type of worth elsewhere. Logitech has considered each facet of the Blue Sona and crafted a camera-ready microphone that’s simply as a lot substance as it’s type.
Execs:
- Versatile mounting system
- Premium sound that minimises background noise
- Constructed-in amplifier makes this a discount
Cons:
- Wants phantom energy
- No XLR cable included
Try our information on the best microphone for streaming and gaming for options to the Logitech Blue Sona, together with low cost champions and fancy flagships.
Logitech Blue Sona evaluation
The Logitech Blue Sona is a classy premium XLR microphone that takes one of the best of the Shure SM7B and make it even higher.
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