TechZone Stellar X2 Mic - Pros & Cons

The video above gives you a chance to listen to the TechZone Stellar X2 microphone. I recorded the whole video on this mic. I believe there's no better way to review a mic than to use it in the same way as most people looking at a mic like this would.

I would say that if you're interested in a microphone of this type, you're likely to be one of the following.

  • A video content creator looking to upgrade from a USB microphone.

  • A podcaster.

  • A voiceover artist.

  • A singer.

I doubt you'll be using the Stellar X2 in a studio to mic up drums or similar. There are better choices for this.

So take a listen to the video. See what you think.

TechZone's Mission

TechZone claims to be taking a cheap but sturdy microphone shell and then using a simple microphone design and boosting and tweaking the quality by upgrading the components that matter. High tolerance where it counts. Quality WIMA capacitors where they will make a difference. You get the idea.

They also claim that these mics are hand made and that the capsule used is a custom K67 style 34mm variant. Essentially, the same part used to make the Neumann U67 mic and a capsule that sounds virtually identical to the Neumann U87.

Is It Any Good?

In summary, they are building a £200-300 mic that will compete with a £2000-3000 mic. Does it? Simple answer, yes! It's noisier by a good 5-6dB, but the two are difficult to tell apart in a typical listening scenario.

Check out this video from Booth Junkie. He's fortunate enough to own the infamous Neumann U87, so he's able to give you a direct comparison between the two. Even listening on my trusty Sennheiser HD650 headphones, I found it virtually impossible to hear any difference.

Excellent performance is all very well, but it can't be all good news. There's no such thing as a free lunch. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of this mic in a nice simple list. I love lists.

Comparison with Other Mics

I recently recorded a blind test using five microphones I own including the Stellar X2. Below is the sample audio from the Stellar X2. You can also download the original WAV file here to take a proper listen. The video with the full comparison can be found here.

Stellar X2 Pros

  • Outstanding quality and performance for the money. It competes with microphones three times the price or more.

  • Excellent 180-degree rejection making this great for podcast and rooms that are not so well acoustically treated.

  • Simple to set up.

  • Nice carry case provided.

  • Small and unwieldy.

  • Good output level. You definitely won't need any booster with this mic.

  • Flat frequency response makes it smooth to listen to. Low listener fatigue.

Stellar X2 Cons

  • Expensive in the UK compared to US prices.

  • Foam wind protector feels cheap.

  • Shock mount is the horrible cheap variant provided with forty dollar mics. It's poorly machined and doesn't do much.

  • No low-cut filter, attenuation or switchable polar patterns. If you’re not happy with what you’ve got, you’re stuck.

  • It's on the noisy side.

  • TechZone uses a cheap case from a low-end XLR or USB mic. If you're out to impress a client, this is not going to do it.

Conclusion

So once again, we have a microphone which sounds incredible, let down by accessories. The shock mount is essential for some people. Please don't sell a mic for £280 and provide a useless shock mount! Just don't provide one at all. That would be less insulting.

Other than that, the Stellar X2 feels like a must-have mic for many. It's not as good as a U87, but it's bloody close. If you're in the US, this is a bargain. I'm in the UK, and I feel cheated having to pay almost double for this microphone, but that aside, it's still a great sounding mic for £300. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

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