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HyperX QuadCast 2

HyperX QuadCast 2

By HyperX · USB Microphones · Desk & Streaming Setup · More from HyperX

  • USB microphone with 24-bit, 96kHz recording
  • Four selectable polar patterns
  • Multifunction knob for gain, playback and monitoring volume
  • Tap-to-mute sensor with mic status LED
  • 3.5mm headphone output

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Problems, parts and running costs

Summary

A plug-and-play USB condenser microphone for streamers who want tactile on-mic controls, with four polar patterns, 24-bit/96 kHz recording and a tap-to-mute top. Check the lighting and the knob before you buy: the grille glows red only, and the multifunction knob is less intuitive than a plain volume dial.

Strengths

  • Audio is warm and clear out of the box, with good rejection of background noise on cardioid.
  • Tap-to-mute on top and the red status ring make the live or muted state obvious at a glance.
  • Plug-and-play on PC, Mac, PS5, Switch and Steam Deck, with no configuration needed.
  • 24-bit/96 kHz recording gives more headroom for editing than the original QuadCast’s 48 kHz/16-bit.
  • The shock mount detaches on spring-loaded pins and accepts standard 3/8 in and 5/8 in arms.
  • A 2-year warranty sits above the category average.

Weaknesses

  • The grille lights red only; full-color RGB is reserved for the QuadCast 2 S.
  • The multifunction knob is less convenient as a plain volume control than the original’s dedicated dial.
  • Gain steps jump in coarse increments, which owners notice when setting levels.
  • The internal foam does little for plosives, so you need an add-on pop filter or angled technique.
  • NGENUITY offers only a high-pass filter and gain, so EQ and noise reduction need third-party software.
  • One owner reported a sharp hissing noise on first plug-in, and no defect rate exists.

Verified specifications

ModelHyperX QuadCast 2 USB microphone (Black 872V1AA, Frost AN1D9AA).
Elementthree 14 mm electret condenser capsules.
Recording resolution24-bit / 96 kHz.
Frequency response20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Sensitivity−7.5 dB (1 V/Pa at 1 kHz).
Polar patternscardioid, omnidirectional, bi-directional and stereo, four selectable.
Mutetap-to-mute capacitive sensor on top; the light goes off when muted.
Multifunction knobadjusts microphone gain, playback volume, monitoring volume and polar pattern.
Headphone output3.5 mm, zero-latency monitoring, 32 Ω impedance.
ConnectionUSB-C, with a 3 m USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A adapter in the box.
Shock mountpre-attached and detachable, with 3/8 in and 5/8 in threads for universal mounts.
CompatibilityPC, Mac, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck.
Bodyfull aluminum.
Weightmicrophone 11.8 oz (335 g); total with cable 28.8 oz (819 g).
Dimensions11.6 × 15.6 × 26.8 cm (W × D × H).
Warranty2 years.
Full research notes and sources

Which model this is

This page covers the HyperX QuadCast 2 USB condenser microphone, sold in Black (product number 872V1AA) and Frost (AN1D9AA). The US listing is ASIN B0D9MCK4R8.

Don’t confuse it with the QuadCast 2 S, which adds 32-bit/192 kHz recording and full-color aRGB at $199.99, or the original QuadCast and QuadCast S, which record at 48 kHz/16-bit with −36 dB sensitivity.

Controls and the multifunction knob

The new knob handles microphone gain, playback volume, monitoring volume and polar-pattern switching without leaving a game. PCWorld’s reviewer, who also tested the original QuadCast, still calls it less convenient as a plain volume control and not so intuitive, and an owner review complains the gain steps make bigger jumps than necessary. The tap-to-mute sensor and the ring of light on top do the job that matters most: they make the live or muted state visible at a glance.

Sound, patterns and the measurement gap

TechRadar used the mic for several weeks and reported warm, clear cardioid audio with good background-noise rejection out of the box; PCWorld’s side-by-side listen against an old QuadCast found the newer mic even clearer. Cardioid is the pattern reviewers recommend, because the other three cut out background noise noticeably worse, so multi-person podcasting needs one mic per person. Nobody has published instrumented measurements for this exact model: RTINGS has no QuadCast 2 page, so treat the praise as expert listening, not lab data.

Lighting and software

The grille lights red only, and the ring’s quarters show which pattern is active: the front quarter for cardioid, the full ring for omnidirectional, the side quarters for stereo, and front plus back for bi-directional. The mic works fully without software, but HyperX NGENUITY adds only a high-pass filter and gain. The QuadCast 2 runs on NGENUITY Legacy, not the new 2025 app that lists the QuadCast 2 S, and owners report detection and firmware-update friction across the line.

Pop filter and upkeep

Plan on a pop filter or speaking across the top of the mic angled 30–45 degrees: the internal foam does not act as a built-in pop filter. There is no published cleaning procedure and no replacement parts, so the shock mount pins, stand and cable are not documented as user-serviceable. The 2-year warranty covers the mic.

Is it worth it?

At $120 or less it is strong value: on-mic controls, 24-bit/96 kHz recording, a shock mount and a 2-year warranty for a first real desk mic. At $121–140 it is fair-to-good if you value the knob and the aluminum build. From $141–160, the original review price zone, weigh the QuadCast 2 S with its full RGB and 32-bit/192 kHz at $199.99, or a rival with deeper review coverage. Above that, only buy it if you need this exact model or color.

Sources

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Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

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