$10 Mini Microphone actually good? (vs XM8500, iPhone Audio, K669D & more) | Stash or Smash EP2

[@epambos]

I am a long time follower of Audio Hotline and this is the only mic review I totally disagree with... Too many people in the comments say that the microphone sounds actually pretty decent. It really trumps the sound of the 1500$ iPhone and it excells in the purr test, plus a wonderful proximity effect! Even the cats denied to mess it up. This mic should not have been destroyed, based both on the quality of sound and build quality! Bring it back to life... Long live the mini mic! 😪 Cats rule!

[@AudioHotline]

The smash comes off harsh but… Based off of performance alone, I wouldn’t have smashed it in a standard review, but I also wouldn’t recommend it. That’s the challenging thing with the stash or smash series, it’s only one or the other. There is no “it’s fine” in this series. My argument isn’t necessarily that it is really BAD, my argument is that there is a mic that is WAY better for not much more (XM8500) and the mini mic is just so goofy 🤣 so I gave it a 3/10 = “not worth buying”. If the Behringer or other cheap mics didn’t exist, this mic would probably score much higher. The comparison is SOOO telling to me (others also mentioned this). Listen to the comparison closely and you’ll hear why I say “save up for the xm8500 and don’t spend the $10 on this.” The mic doesn’t sound “bad” by itself but it also doesn’t sound good. It’s very dull, not flat, it lacks a lot of frequencies while the xm8500 actually has an intelligible high and low end. No one has actually said “this mic sounds good” they are mostly surprised that it works and isn’t a tin can sounding mess. Which is understandable. The phone recording was more of an example of distance and how it can be better to get a mic closer to you, but if you’re filming yourself with your phone, you don’t really have that option. I think the takeaway from that is not how the mini mic is good, but how phones really should up their audio game. Bottom line, as an audio focused channel it’s just not a mic I can recommend due to the permanent cable, the need for adapters (for TRS, USB-C, or lightning), the general goofiness of it and the lifeless sound. Saving $10 for something better is the best option IMO, but like I said in the video, if you like it and think it’s fun GO FOR IT! I WILL SAY Blue was not intimidated by the mini mic at all haha which was nice. Some of the big condenser mics the cats can be a little hesitant towards.

[@epambos]

@@AudioHotline ❤️

[@BadChizzle]

I’ve seen many odd mic choices for videos lately. Bark really went for it with his Dollar General plastic fantastic mic. 😳

[@hellomeatrobots]

You should have done something really weird like recording the guitar from inside the guitar.

[@rickonmic]

If you use a Rode VXLR + or pro, you can use it with an interface and have direct monitoring, as well as some pretty good gain control.

[@AudioHotline]

Those are really nice to have around!

[@honeywine3330]

I don't think it sounds bad... I am impressed tbh. I mean it is not going to challange my sm 58 but i think its a decent option for travelling

[@AudioHotline]

A couple quick notes: I forgot to give this mic a BBSAR rating (Bark and Bronson's Standardized Audio Rating). I would say it's a BBSAR 3/10 which means it's "Not Worth Buying." It's not absolutely terrible overall; it's just goofy, and you can get a solid mic for not much more money. If you want it because it is funny, go for it! For how cheap it is, I will admit I expected worse. However, once I heard it compared to the XM8500, I realized just how much the Mini Mic lacked. Also, this isn't a mic you will be able to pull out of your closet in 8 years and use... Like I can with my XM8500 that's that old. The main reason for that is the cable on this thing is NOT going to last very long. This is just a novelty item that you can have a little fun if that's your thing. ADDITIONALLY, IF YOU INSIST ON HOLDING A TINY MIC IN YOUR VIDEO, USE THE MINI MIC OVER A LAV MIC. At least this mic is actually designed for that use case. Thanks for watching!

[@fnswrestling]

I thought it sounded surprisingly decent right off the rip (as Bark would say). Then the comparisons happened and it got totally exposed. Fun review and smash - I’m a cat person too.

[@AudioHotline]

Comparisons can really put stuff into perspective! I felt the same way!

[@GeneralBiggs]

You and your cats 😂😂😂. I hope you have a separate channel for the cats showing the world how cool and awkward you can get with these babies 😂😂😂.

[@AudioHotline]

I really should do a separate channel with them 🤣

[@dannylightning-audio-reviews]

This is ridiculous, I'm not listening on the world's greatest headphones right now but on the set headphones it actually sounds pretty darn good. I'm going to have to get one of these to review lol

[@AudioHotline]

It’s kind of one of those classic mid range mics that don’t sound too bad… until you put it next to something else. Then you realize how much it lacks… it was a fun mic to review though! Definitely do it!

[@dannylightning-audio-reviews]

@@AudioHotline you know.. it sounds better than those newer mics lol

[@milesian1]

This thing is actually better for Smule (phone karaoke app) than my iPhone’s cord mic. Mostly because it can be held close for better sound, or further away for harmony parts. I keep one in my EDC bag.

[@PawFromTheBroons]

It's a RE20 for Playmobil!

[@FlowerChyld143]

OMG that's the Sole reason I'm researching microphones- so I can record my cat's purr before..I don't have her anymore. ❤

[@JayzBeerz]

Awesome thank you.

[@jeskid]

Any idea how to use this with a dslr? I have bought a few different types, and they only seem to work through my phone with an adapter.

[@AudioHotline]

@@jeskid yes, you need a female trrs to male trs adapter. Something like this: amzn.to/40jot9x

[@jeskid]

​@AudioHotline was rewatching just as I got this. My hero! I tried to convert using a different adaptor and glad this will do the trick. Have a pro shoot they want to tiny mic with. Thx!

[@AudioHotline]

@jeskid no problem! Good luck with your shoot!

[@ellisgl]

I bought 20 of them back 7 years ago for 99 cents a pop.

[@enriquekahn9405]

Looks like a fun toy or novelty.

[@rendermanpro]

Mic $10, F. trrs adapter is $14..... Sound is very good.

[@AudioHotline]

Right?!? the cheapest one I could find with good reviews was $10, I linked that one also. Regardless, the adapter is going to be about the same price as the mic 😂

[@JoseOnTheAir]

It's just for the sake of being kitschy. If $10 burns a whole in your wallet, sure. But the XM8500 is literally RIGHT THERE!

[@livehardrocktruth742]

Looks like you're about to smoke and get high with that joint. Puff😅.

[@onlymyopiniontech]

$1.51 if you don't mind it showing up on a slow boat. 😃👍

[@meistudiony]

This is so ridiculous. Its really funny that it doesn't sound like TOTAL crap. I thinks i need to design a 3d print mic clip that you can use with a normal stand for this. Get my etsy game on. lol (hey theres someone bedazzling them... what was that about a fool and money?) im gonna order a bunch of these and mic my drum set. (or not). I dunno, I think it sounded better than the neewer. Thats gotta count for something, no?

[@AudioHotline]

You could make bank doing that!!! The bedazzle is worth $21 extra!! 🤣 I think you should mic up a kit with these, that would be a fun watch! From a sound stand point I did expect worse. I guess my whole argument is that for $10-$15ish extra you could get an actually decent mic that does sound better… and that doesn’t make people look ridiculous 😂 I kind of wish I had my neewers for this video to compare them… never thought I would say that sentence!

[@meistudiony]

@@AudioHotline lol i mean. You can probably pick up a neewer for the same price as one of these

[@AudioHotline]

@@meistudiony that's true! also, could you tell I used the 6k G2 in the smash section? It was the main angle actually. I feel like I got the footage to match with the sony cameras pretty well. It's interesting how each camera system/sensor interprets colors differently. The 6k G2 made the purple AH image on my computer monitor look more blue, while the sony cams made it look more pink (than in real life). I actually prefer the way the 6k G2 footage grades more than the sony cameras.

[@PawFromTheBroons]

To be fair, it's not as ridiculous as the trend of holding LAVs on KZbin. At least, this one has a certain self awareness to it, and doesn't sound half as bad, for a joke. Surprisingly.

[@AudioHotline]

@@PawFromTheBroons I do mention the lav holding trend in this. So dumb.

[@LawrenceArnell]

Adorable. 😂

[@frequencywatchers]

These Are Not Real Tests, Do Some Noise tests, ALLWAYS THE SAME SOUND So We Know On What We Looking At, Make AGraph On The Screen With The Soundwaves And Stuff.

[@AudioHotline]

Really??? This is the review you are going to say this on??? you wants sound graphs for the “mini mic”? 🤣

[@FlowerChyld143]

Wow...iPhone audio Sucks