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RIG M2 Streamstar: One-minute assessment
The RIG M2 Streamstar is a baffling product. Regardless of being billed as a premium microphone for streamers and extra normal gaming, it’s about so simple as they arrive with plug-and-play performance and no included software program.
You simply want to fit the included cable right into a free USB port, choose it as your most popular recording machine within the likes of OBS or Audacity, and also you’re able to go in a matter of seconds.
This, on high of its impressively compact measurement, might make it an honest choose in the event you’re searching for a transportable microphone you can simply use with a gaming laptop computer to maintain up along with your streams when on the transfer.
Sadly, its precise characteristic set is extremely restricted with only a fundamental acquire dial, mute performance, and sidetone to mess around with. On high of a typical 3.5mm headphone jack it does provide the choice of Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity for that facet tone monitoring, with Qualcomm aptX HD codec compatibility for 24-bit hi-res audio.
That is fairly revolutionary, and the world’s first in a wired microphone based on Nacon, however finally doesn’t look like probably the most helpful factor to have. It really works very nicely and is extraordinarily responsive total with no noticeable delay, however I can’t think about that almost all streamers wouldn’t have already got an honest pair of wired gaming earbuds, or related, readily available for microphone monitoring.
With a singular angular look, the design of the microphone is kind of putting and refreshingly refined for a gaming product and this helps set it aside. Sadly, although, the supplies used really feel disappointingly low-cost for the value.
It’s plasticky within the arms, with flimsy dials that even wobble barely whereas being turned. That is exhausting to abdomen whenever you’re coping with a $129.99 product and when numerous different choices all the way in which from the cheaper Blue Yeti and HyperX DuoCast to dearer SteelSeries Alias are significantly extra premium and higher constructed.
As for the efficiency, it’s respectable however nothing to put in writing house about. The microphone affords a 24-bit decision with pattern charges of as much as 192kHz, so is correct studio high quality, however can sound relatively muffled and is difficult to place correctly with out a increase arm.
The shortage of software program additionally means nothing in the way in which of any substantial noise cancellation, so keep away from this mannequin until you have already got a quiet recording house or software program answer in place.
RIG M2 Streamstar: Worth and availability
- Priced at $129.99
- Obtainable through Amazon
- Worth is questionable
The RIG M2 Streamstar prices $129.99 and is out there through Amazon within the US. This worth places it in the direction of the extra premium finish of the market, however, past its 24-bit audio and 192kHz pattern fee, it actually doesn’t have a lot to indicate for it. The HyperX DuoCast is only one instance of a less expensive competitor that advantages from a strong set of included software program, nice audio efficiency, and a extra premium design.
As for dearer choices, the JBL Quantum Stream Studio and SteelSeries Alias provide considerably extra options. Thnd play compatibility, plus extra sturdy optioe JBL Quantum Stream Studio has quite a lot of pickup patterns to select from, making it a greater match for a lot of setups, and, once more, some nice software program. As for the SteelSeries Alias, you get a relatively luxurious design, equally good plug and play software program.
The pattern fee of the RIG M2 Streamstar is significantly increased than the competitors although (with most fashions capping out at 48 or 96kHz), so would possibly make that prime value a little bit simpler to abdomen if that’s necessary to you. There’s additionally the distinctive Bluetooth facet tone performance which, relying in your peripherals and setup, might show helpful and maybe definitely worth the worth of admission.
RIG M2 Streamstar: Specs
Worth | $129.99 |
Polar sample | Cardioid |
Pattern fee | 48/96/192kHz |
Bit fee | 24-bit |
Frequency vary | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
Connectivity | USB Sort-C, 3.5mm, Bluetooth 5.4 |
RIG M2 Streamstar: Design and options
- Distinctive look, however feels low-cost
- Very fundamental set of options
- No included software program
The RIG M2 Streamstar has fairly a beautiful design. The capsule has an angular form, with a definite mix of clean rectangles and trapezoids. It appears virtually futuristic and could be very compact besides, coming in at roughly 6.5in / 165mm tall when utilizing its included stand.
The entrance of the microphone is dominated by a big metallic grille, which sits simply above two dials. The highest dial controls your headphone settings when a suitable pair is related through the three.5mm jack or Bluetooth. Twisting the dial will increase or decreases the general headphone quantity, whereas urgent it as soon as mutes the headset. Holding the button permits Bluetooth paring mode, indicated by a flashing ring mild across the base of the button.
The opposite dial controls the microphone acquire, although it’s a little bit tough to regulate. It’s exhausting to inform your present stage until you’re utilizing the facet tone. Usually, I might merely boot up a microphone’s software program to alter my present settings to the exact stage that I needed – however as there isn’t any of that right here you simply must do it by ear.
The shortage of software program additionally signifies that easy actions like enabling the facet tone or altering the pattern fee are convoluted and require you to fiddle round in your system settings. The included Fast Begin Information is stuffed with screenshots of an older model of the Home windows sound settings tab, which makes it unhelpful for these on Home windows 11. Simplicity is an effective factor and I usually love plug-and-play performance, however there comes some extent the place not having fast entry to necessary settings is simply annoying.
Urgent the acquire dial shortly mutes the microphone, which is normal at this worth however however a useful characteristic to have. Each dials are constructed from plastic and really feel very low-cost, even wobbling barely once they’re being adjusted. The motion of rotating the dial additionally results in a whole lot of audible suggestions, which goes to be an issue in the event you’re used to utilizing a mannequin the place you’ll be able to shortly regulate your settings on stream.
The included stand is fundamental and underwhelming, successfully a two-part lump of plastic with a rubberized underside that does not really feel significantly sturdy and is held collectively by low-cost screws. The microphone is suitable with most increase arms through a typical 5/8 thread although, which is nice and offers you extra choices to work with.
One little element I do recognize is the truth that the microphone has a small plastic panel on its rear that’s held in place by magnets and may be eliminated simply. That is meant to be a spot the place you’ll be able to show your individual branding, which is a cute and novel concept.
RIG M2 Streamstar: Efficiency
- Simple to get arrange
- Sounds good when correctly positioned
- Liable to background noise
The setup course of could be very simple, however I shortly discovered that the RIG M2 Streamstar tends to sound fairly muffled until you’re cautious about positioning. I am used to testing a lot of totally different cardioid mics, however my typical spot simply didn’t appear to work this time round. As an alternative, the microphone wanted to be proper beneath mouth in an effort to choose up speech reliably so it’s undoubtedly value investing in a increase arm in the event you don’t have already got one.
All the things that I did handle to report as soon as I discovered that place sounded good, at the least. The high-fidelity recordings I produced in Audacity have been very detailed and captured my voice nicely – at the least when there wasn’t any background noise. On that be aware, the RIG M2 Streamstar picks up background noise simply, with every little thing from the press of my mouse to passing automobiles coming throughout in life-like element.
This wouldn’t be a difficulty in a studio setting, however in the event you’re a streamer or content material creator you’re going to want a separate software program answer for noise cancellation within the likes of OBS. This isn’t the tip of the world, however virtually each gaming mannequin from main manufacturers at this worth comes with its personal noise-cancellation options out of the field.
The facet tone options carry out nicely when the microphone is related to both a wired or wi-fi audio machine. There’s no noticeable latency at throughout Bluetooth, which could be very spectacular. I examined the microphone with a number of totally different pairs of wi-fi headphones (each gaming and extra normal shopper fashions) and each mannequin paired simply. As related headphones can be utilized as audio output units, this might double as a technique to allow Bluetooth 5.4 audio in your PC if it doesn’t help it.
Ought to I purchase the RIG M2 Streamstar?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally take into account…
After another choices? These two fashions give the RIG M2 Streamstar a run for its cash.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | RIG M2 Streamstar | HyperX DuoCast | JBL Quantum Stream Studio |
Worth | $129.99 | $99 / £65 | $149.99 / £129.99 / AU$199.95 |
Polar sample | Cardioid | Cardioid, omnidirectional | Cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, stereo |
Pattern fee | 48/96/192kHz | 96kHz | 44.1 kHz / 48 kHz / 96 kHz / 192 kHz |
Bit fee | 24-bit | 16 / 24 bit | 16 / 24-bit |
Frequency vary | 20 Hz – 20 kHz | 20Hz – 20kHz | 50Hz – 16kHz |
Connectivity | USB Sort-C, 3.5mm, Bluetooth 5.4 | USB Sort-C, 3.5mm | USB Sort-C, 3.5mm |
How I examined the RIG M2 Streamstar
- Examined for per week
- In comparison with different gaming microphones
- Utilized in quite a lot of situations and use instances
I examined the RIG M2 Streamstar for per week, placing it by way of its paces in a lot of situations utilizing my house PC with an RTX 3060, I5-11400F, and 32GB of RAM. This time included a lot of work conferences and gaming periods with associates, along with testing its compatibility with in style streaming software program OBS. I additionally evaluated its audio high quality with a lot of recording assessments, most notably recording a number of samples in Audacity in quite a lot of totally different situations.
All through my time with the microphone I in contrast my expertise with my hands-on testing of numerous different fashions ranging all the way in which from dependable funds choices such because the Blue Snowball to extra premium options just like the Blue Yeti and Steelseries Alias and SteelSeries Alias Professional.
First reviewed March 2025.
