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 do not make the error of considering the Sona is a knock-off – it is an improve in virtually each approach.
It ought to come as no shock that that is the perfect gaming microphone for high-end customers when it prices $349.99 USD / £299.99 GBP, however would you consider that that is truly a cut price? Not solely does this undercut the Shure SM7B’s $399 USD price ticket, it would not 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 will nonetheless sound clean.
Logitech Blue Sona design
A number of phrases come to thoughts when peeking on the Blue Sona for the primary time: daring, fashionable, fashionable. It is all right down to its strikingly totally different look, ditching the cylindrical physique we’re used to seeing in favor of a recent cuboid as an alternative. It is clear that Logitech needs this microphone to face out when within the body of the perfect webcam.
It is also uncommon to see microphones come in numerous colors, however you’ve the selection of a glossy black physique or off-white one. Each include a black and a crimson windscreen within the field for various colour combos, and you’ll swap between them simply sufficient because of their magnetic connectors. Logitech says extra colours are on the way in which, however we are able to solely choose what’s in entrance of us in the meanwhile.
I do not know what materials the pop filters are product of, however the perfect half is that they don’t seem to be mud magnets. I am a cat dad and at all times 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 is simple to wash, retaining that skilled look.
You may want a growth arm or tripod, because the Logitech Blue Sona would not 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 enables you to connect the system to a growth arm with out spinning your entire 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, because of 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 implies it would not favor any specific frequency. It could actually make vocals sound a bit of chilly in the event you’re used to USB microphones that always add a little bit of bass into the combo, 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 identified for his or her lack of sensitivity, prioritizing your voice and leaving background noises the place they belong. Logitech doubles down on this tech with a dual-diaphragm strategy, pointing one diaphragm at you to seize your sultry tones and the opposite in the wrong way to filter out any undesirable sounds. That is what makes it an outstanding gaming and streaming microphone, as nobody likes listening to the clatter of your keyboard. It could actually’t work miracles, so you will have to be conscious of the place you place it, however I am slightly 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 instantaneous impact on the sound of your microphone. One is a ‘Bass Lower’ perform, which is a high-pass filter that works in tandem with the inner shock mount to reduce deeper appears like by accident knocking your desk. It could actually make you quieter, so that you would possibly wish to compensate by including extra acquire, but it surely has an instantaneous impact. The opposite is named Presence, which is a function that helps prioritize your voice in noisier rooms, amplifying vocals above everybody else.
Whereas Logitech combats compatibility issues with its ClearAmp function boosting the acquire, you will must do some fine-tuning if you first set it up. With such a big headroom, it is simple to your audio to clip in the event you set it too excessive. The excellent news is that when you have adjusted it to the way you prefer it, you needn’t contact it once more.
Logitech Blue Sona verdict
On this case, calling the Logitech Blue Sona a Shure SM7B killer is not only a gimmicky advertising and marketing trick. I really see no cause to advocate its closest rival when the Sona is cheaper, extra suitable, extra versatile, and debatably extra enticing.
It is a powerful promote in the event you already personal a Shure SM7B and possibly not price switching since you have already got every thing you want. Nevertheless, these of you eager to improve from a USB microphone to XLR or bounce from entry/mid-range to high-end ought to have the Blue Sona in your radar.
$349.99 USD / £299.99 GBP is not an all-in-one value, as you will must finances for equipment like a growth arm and an XLR cable that are not included. That stated, you will not discover this type of worth elsewhere. Logitech has thought of each facet of the Blue Sona and crafted a camera-ready microphone that is simply as a lot substance as it’s type.
Execs:
- Versatile mounting system
- Premium sound that minimizes background noise
- Constructed-in amplifier makes this a cut price
Cons:
- Wants phantom energy
- No XLR cable included
Take a look at our information on the perfect 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 the perfect of the Shure SM7B and makes it even higher.
