Review: Rode HS-2 headset microphone

[@dmaudsley]

Hi. The locking screw thread that you mentioned at 3:41 causing an issue with the Sony camcorder can be removed. It’s used to secure the connector when plugging into Rodelink or Sennheiser wireless packs but if you’re plugging it into a standard 3.5mm jack then you can simply unscrew it to take it off, leaving a standard 3.5mm TRS connector.

[@Chris_Grossman]

Thank you for the comparison to lavalier mic. Rhode also now makes a headset clip for their lavalier, the LAVHS for $25. I think I will try that 1st to see if I like the sound with that placement. If I do then perhaps I will drop $300 on one of these, becasue they certainly appear more comfortable.

[@TubeShooterMag]

Cheers, I didn't know they'd done that but it sounds like a great option and much cheaper too.

[@dmaudsley]

TubeShooterMag The Lav Headset gets pretty mixed reviews. Main issues are comfort, lack of adjustment and, well, the fact it’s £20+ for something that looks like a bit of twisted fence wire. The HS2 is a better solution in all respects - but the Lav Headset is an option if your budget won’t stretch.

[@actthree34]

Good review and especially nice comparison. Even after KZbin finished with it, you could clearly hear the poor quality of the laptop audio.

[@TubeShooterMag]

Thanks. I don't know if my laptop has a particularly shhoddy mic input but I wouldn't be surprised if many of them are like that.

[@yanikkmuller]

Can this mic just be plugged into my pc as my earphones and it works?

[@Allottedaaron]

I use the headset microphones and it isn't easy to make a decent choice. At the top end, the Countryman microphones are amazing but eye wateringly expensive. At the low end there are models costing less than £20 but you get what you pay for and they soon pack up after producing horrible quality sound. I use a prosumer model from a company in China and they have produced one with similar specs to the Sennheiser ME2 lav mic. It isn't as good but for around £80 it gives reasonable quality for a price that isn't so bad. The microphones are really good for situations where you are moving around outside as they put the mic as close as possible to the mouth and don't suffer from rustling of clothes that a lavaliere sometimes can do when you move. I liked your tests. It is more expensive than any other microphone I have purchased but it is still significantly less than the Countryman. You have introduced me to another new product. Not sure I need it yet but when the one I have packs in I will definitely consider it.

[@TubeShooterMag]

Cheers Aaron. Agreed, rustling on lavs is a nuisance! The downside of any mic outside is you'll have to have the furry windjammer on it which takes away the "inconspicuous" element of the headset of course :-)

[@Allottedaaron]

Certainly with the model that I currently use, the foam ball does a reasonable job in Spring Summer and Autumn. It won't stand up to gale force winds but for many situations a bit of sound compression and a hard limiter set to chip off strong gusts of wind does a perfectly adequate job. For a more high spec version such as the rhode the furry windjammer might not be used as regularly as you might think. This style of microphone does seem to be all the rage now and the rhode might be the one that tips that price performance graph.

[@lataagarwal4918]

@@Allottedaaron What is the name of the £80 headset from China and where can one buy it from ?

[@littlejohn725]

Is this mic good enough to sing songs into a guitar amp while playing the guitar?

[@TubeShooterMag]

Hard to say, firstly because I am not in any way a musician but it also depends on what you consider "good enough", which will vary for everyone.

[@littlejohn725]

Would this mic be able to plug straight into a Roland Cube Street EX 50 watt amp and get a fairly good singing quality sound while playing my guitar?

[@TubeShooterMag]

Unfortunately I don't know anything about that device so can't answer but perhaps someone else might chip in.

[@lucianoluggren]

Hello. What microphone do you use for the video, apart from the hs2?

[@TubeShooterMag]

This video was made so long ago I don't remember, sorry. Possibly the Rode NT-USB.

[@brentgaulton]

I was considering moving to this with in ear monitors on my twitch stream instead of headphones and rode podcaster. Trying to minimalize but keep quality up. This possible? Run in through a Mobo or even pick up a mixer

[@TubeShooterMag]

I've not tried it as I don't do Twitch but I'd imagine so. This headset would plug into your computer's mic jack and your in-ear monitors into the headphone jack. If your computer has one of those awkward combined mic/headphone jacks then you'd need an adapter; I have a simply USB audio adapter which cost about £10 I think, it works very well, better than my laptop's onboard headphone/mic jacks.

[@brentgaulton]

@@TubeShooterMag should work in theory if I plug this into a Focusrite Scarlett with a 3.5mm to XLR plug I would assume? With clean audio

[@TubeShooterMag]

In theory. It's not a balanced mic so you won't get the benefit of the balanced connection into the Focusrite of course, and make sure the 3.5-XLR is wired correctly (only one signal pin live) else you'll end up with the Focsurite trying to debalance a non-balanced signal and it'll sound horrible (the two phases will cancel each other out).

[@brlauper]

what about using this mic for a fitness instructor? Is it sweat resistant?

[@TubeShooterMag]

That’s a question for Rode, I think, they’ll know

[@hemantofkanpur]

Does the headset mic cause any sound when you move your head around or when you walk ? I already have a headset mic but it makes odd sounds when I move my head or walk .

[@TubeShooterMag]

I don’t recall, it’s several years since I tested that mic

[@danielpcllin1808]

I need that mic but for my pc and also with an earphone to pick calls! Do you know a model? Thank youn

[@TubeShooterMag]

The mic is not specific to any type of computer. I don’t know of a model with an earpiece too though.

[@David_Austin]

Hello, would it be possible to pair the Rode VXLR+ with this microphone to use it on my Mic Preamp?

[@TubeShooterMag]

Their own website suggests it should: www.rode.com/accessories/vxlrplus

[@dmaudsley]

David Austin Yes.

[@brother_gaming7825]

Nice

[@narinderdogra9998]

Can use mobile phone please answer 😊

[@grassrunner7983]

Sounds terrible