Nacon RIG M2 Streamstar review – A must-have for budding content creators

Nacon’s new RIG M2 Streamstar is a content material creation and gaming microphone that comes with an thrilling characteristic: you may join your Bluetooth headset or earphone on to its built-in audio gateway for low-latency audio monitoring. On prime of this, it additionally claims to have studio-quality audio output courtesy of a 24-bit depth and 192kHz sampling fee alongside a 16mm condenser for directional sound seize. All of this comes collectively in a tidy bundle, however some issues over construct high quality and value go away me just a little annoyed.

The RIG M2 Streamstar, also referred to as the M2 Professional HD, is among the many finest gaming microphones for its audio high quality alone, however it’s the standard of its stand and a contextually debatable MSRP that harm its enchantment. Whereas not excellent, that is nonetheless a fairly spectacular microphone and places Nacon amongst some larger model names in the case of audio high quality.

Specs

Design

At first look, the M2 Streamstar has a powerful, eye-catching look to it. It’s glossy however easy black design can slot in properly to any current setup, both utilizing its included stand or in the event you decide to make use of the 5 / 8-inch thread connection.

Whereas the stand is weighted to supply good stability for the M2 Streamstar, the construct high quality is affordable, with it being fully produced from a skinny plastic. Don’t get me mistaken, it’s not going to crumble in your palms in the event you decide it up, however the low-cost really feel is tough to disregard, and I worry that one drop or fumble off your desktop might lead to injury.

Every thing else concerning the design of the M2 Streamstar is improbable, although. The angled USB-C cable is a good inclusion and makes cable administration simpler. There may be additionally a magnetic plate on the again of the microphone with RIG printed onto it, however a clean one will be bought individually, and you may print no matter you want onto it to customise your mic.

The on-mic controls are merely laid out, and every one has a powerful haptic click on to point if you’re adjusting quantity. There may be additionally a lightweight round every one to indicate when the mic and headset are lively, muted, and if you’ve reached the max quantity for every one. Lastly, a 3.5mm jack is situated subsequent to the USB-C energy port, that means you may nonetheless select to make use of a wired headset for audio monitoring if you want.

Setup

As a plug-and-play machine, establishing the RIG M2 Streamstar is extremely easy. My preliminary issues had been with getting a Bluetooth headset to connect with it with out extra software program, however this too works like a dream.

You merely maintain the headphone dial in till it begins flashing, then maintain your Bluetooth machine near the microphone whereas it’s in pairing mode. The M2 Streamstar does the remainder and establishes a connection inside seconds.

It’s at this level that you simply may want to move into the Home windows or Mac sound settings simply to verify each the audio enter and output are set to the RIG M2 Professional HD, and make sure the microphone sampling fee is ready to 192kHz, however as soon as that is achieved, you’re set to start out utilizing the microphone.

Efficiency

The RIG M2 Streamstar has crystal clear audio output, however my main subject is with its audio detection at a distance. Once I’m inside 20cm of the microphone, the audio pickup from it’s fantastic, however as quickly as I transfer out of this vary, the M2 Streamstar will get very quiet, in a short time, even at full quantity. I might perceive if this was attributable to noise cancellation, however no such characteristic is marketed. With out accompanying software program, it could be arduous to regulate this simply anyway.

One more reason why some software program would have been helpful is to regulate the audio gate or regulate an equalizer to permit for minor or main changes. As an alternative, whereas the audio it picks up has improbable high quality, I really feel an inherent have to be very near the microphone always. That is extra of a problem for gaming functions than content material creation, however the absence of software program shackles the really excessive potential this microphone has going for it.

I’ve used the M2 Streamstar for gaming comms, work conferences, and a few voiceovers, and it’s all the time carried out effectively. In recordings, my voice is obvious, and there aren’t any low-level background noises seeping into the combo, reminiscent of respiratory or mouse clicks. Nevertheless, the dearth of noise cancelling implies that louder keyboards will be picked up and background chatter is more likely to register too.

Having used a number of the hottest microphones round, together with the Logitech Yeti GX and Razer Seiren V2 Professional, the M2 Streamstar has these overwhelmed by way of sound high quality palms down. There isn’t a awkward, low-level static sound each time I’m not talking into the microphone, and the place my common talking tone can generally lead to decrease readability, when taking part in again my audio, it’s completely clear, phrase for phrase, even after I decide up the tempo and begin talking fairly rapidly.

On the audio pass-through, the Bluetooth 5.4 connection is tremendous constant, and there aren’t any delays or glitches when sound is being handed from PC to microphone to headset. I discovered it actually helpful with the ability to monitor the audio enter and having all audio handed by way of to my headset with out the necessity for wires. This can be a characteristic that content material creators will love, and it’s one much less wire to fret about in your setup.

Whereas I perceive the necessity to additionally embody the three.5mm jack port, connecting to it’s awkward when mounted on a growth arm, even in the event you’re utilizing the mini extension adapter, as a result of many cables received’t stretch far sufficient whereas additionally being tidy.

Worth

The Nacon RIG M2 Streamstar prices $129.99, which might have been an excellent aggressive value only a few years in the past when many premium USB gaming mics picked $149.99 as an MSRP. Now, mics can be found with comparable specs for much less, particularly the NXZT Capsule Elite, and the M2 Streamstar turns into a tougher promote except you place a heavy worth on the Bluetooth audio connection characteristic.

Options

NZXT Capsule Elite

With the Capsule Elite’s $89.99 MSRP, you get the identical 24-bit depth and 192kHz sampling fee for excellent audio high quality. All you’re actually lacking is the power to attach Bluetooth earphones on to the mic, however it has devoted software program and a a lot better construct high quality, so generally could be a greater choice.

Verdict

There isn’t a doubt concerning the high quality of the RIG M2 Streamstar. Its voice readability is improbable, and the claims of studio high quality are greater than backed up all through my testing. I’ve some points with the construct high quality of the stand and the dearth of devoted software program, however I additionally recognize the hassle that has gone into designing a plug-and-play microphone and making it so easy to arrange at first.

The $129.99 value is considerably arduous to swallow, although, and if the M2 Streamstar had been launched just a few years in the past, it could be an easy suggestion. Nevertheless, it’s up towards some severe competitors, and its rivals have all been out for lengthy sufficient to see their costs develop into way more reasonably priced, even when their audio high quality doesn’t attain the identical heights.

Regardless of this, the RIG M2 Streamstar is a improbable content material creation and gaming microphone that may be a surefire improve from most different USB mics in the marketplace in audio high quality phrases. Nevertheless, all of it comes right down to how a lot the built-in Bluetooth audio setting is value earlier than different manufacturers tag alongside and embody it of their subsequent product.

For those who’re a content material creator on the lookout for improbable audio high quality, the M2 Streamstar is totally the mic for you, and its wi-fi audio pass-through is a very helpful addition. For avid gamers who simply desire a strategy to talk with teammates, it’s possible you’ll discover this mic affords diminished returns, and you’re higher off wanting elsewhere.