A Review of the MAONO PD300X Dynamic Microphone by TGDL

Goals/Description

Welcome to my review of the MAONO PD300X microphone. It retails on Amazon for ~80-90$USD, and bills itself as a High Definition 192kHz/24bit sampling rate, dynamic microphone for Vocal Recording, Content Creation, Home Studio and Voiceover.

My goals for this review:

- Unbox the Mic and describe what it comes with as well as point out anything notable from reading the box and manual.
- Outline everything the mic promises from its literature.
- Most importantly; Test the sound along-side both cheap and expensive microphones I have laying around my house.
- Test as many of the extra features the microphone outlines as I can with the current hardware/software I have available.
- Lastly I will describe if it lives up to the expectations it set with its own literature, and whether I'd personally recommend it to someone who is doing casual vocal work such as podcasts or let's plays.

DISCLAIMER: I was gifted the product that is the topic of this review by a MAONO representative. My pre-assessment: I can assure you that this will not affect my review of the product, and I am going into this review with the expectation that I will most likely not use this mic after I am done reviewing it, as I already have quality, tried and true mics laying around my house from manufacturers I've trusted for decades.

There will be a video accompaniment of this review which you can find on my personal YouTube Channel Here:

MAONO PD300X - Unboxing and Sound Samples

It will include pictures (sorry no video) of my unboxing, and sound samples I made to test the microphone alongside the mics I regularly use.

Unboxing

I doubt I will be saying much more than my pictures already describe.

Initial notes before opening the box;

- In a paragraph on one side of the box: MAONO claims to be the "Global Best Selling internet Microphone Brand". I had not heard of them before they asked me to review their mic. Take this with a grain of salt, as I've been out of the recording game since before the internet boom in the last 15-20 years for more than casual recording equipment.
- It has a few paragraphs as well as a bulleted list of feature, and includes a diagram that outlines features that are visible on the exterior of the microphone.
- Lots of useful information on the outside of the box such as model number, skuid, technical support information, as well as some requirements for use.
- Note: I'm noticing that it mentions prominently that Apple Products are supported and that you'll have to order a separate MFi-Certified mic cable to hook it up to an IOS Device. I'd also like to note that I am an Android user and any features that require Apple Products, I will not be able to test.

When I first received the box I thought it was kind of light for what I would consider a quality microphone, as quality mics normally have a healthy 'heft'. After unboxing, however, I was pleasantly surprised that my first assessment was wrong. The Mic has a nice solid metal exterior and a decent heft for its price point.

Contents of the box are as follows:

- The Microphone, packed for shock resistance via cardboard cutout braces.
- A MAONO User's Manual, ~62 pages with English, German, Japanese, and Chinese.
- A MAONO Link and MAONO Arena Manual, which is a foldout pamphlet with QR Codes for download in both English and what looks like Chinese or Japanese texts.
- A smaller accessory box containing a USB cable (Type C to A/A to C), a microphone mount adapter (5/8" to 3/8"), and a packet of dessicant silica.

Before continuing, I went to the MAONA site to look for the Link and Arena software that the manuals that came with it are for. Windows 10+ or MacOS 13.5 or later required. NOTE: The manual itself said that Windows 7 or later, and MacOS 10.14 or later was required.

From the looks of it Arena software is similar as to what I already use VoiceMeeter for. And while I will consider installing it to examine its functions, I doubt it will replace the functionality of Voicemeeter.

I will include my review of both of these applications in the [[#Extras]] section, as the most important function of the mic is how well it works with my gear, and how well it records audio.

If you missed it, link to the unboxing photos are HERE.

Hardware Promise

- You can obtain the specifications for the mic online. I'd also like to note that all hardware specs are in the manual that comes with the package.
- USB & XLR dual interface -> I'll be initially testing the XLR interface for sound quality. I'll also include sound quality samples through USB via the onboard DAC.
- Shock Absorbing microphone diaphragm. Included shock-cage mount and foam filter.
- Dynamic Cardioid Polar Pattern.
- 3-in-1 'Smart Knob' -> microphone gain, headphone volume, and monitoring functions.
- Monitoring -> Assuming that this is exclusive to the embedded DAC.
- Mic Gain -> Gain from internal DAC.
- Muting -> Push button muting.
- Noise Reduction -> 5 levels -> one button operation.

Software Promise

- MAONO Link - software for Mic includes audio dynamic filters such as Limiters, Compressors, and High-Pass Filters.
    - Graphic 10 band EQ Panel with Visual EQ Adjustment.
    - Preset Modes -> 4 soft-presets to switch between via the control buttons. Configured via software.

Everything that *isn't* directly related to the mic hardware and is reliant on the internal DAC will be tested in Extras.

 

Sound Delivery Setup

The comparison mics are mics that I have either left-over from when I helped run a sound studio, or have since ordered for doing vocal work as a let's play streamer. My intention is to give you four sound samples from four vastly different mics from different quality ranges.

The Microphones I will be using for sound sample tests will be as follows:

- Shure PGA58-LC Dynamic Microphone - Cardioid polar pick-up pattern, non-powered, dynamic. 75$USD
    - This is a *standard* stage mic. The same thing you'd see a rock band sing into or a spelling bee participant speak into. I have them leftover from my days in a working band. This is my go to streaming mic. I use this mic for all my weekly streams. I wouldn't use it for voiceover work, but for my streams it's just perfect.
- TONOR TC20 Condenser Microphone - Cardioid polar pick-up pattern, 48v phantom power required, condenser. 60$USD
    - Ordered as a secondary condenser when I was poor to go along side the more expensive one I have. A very cheap option for a condenser, and it sounds cheap.
- Oktava MK-319 Professional Studio Microphone - Cardioid fixed pick-up pattern, 48v phantom power required, condenser. 500$USD.
    - A *cheaper* alternative to a high-end vocal mic. Russian manufacture. This is my go to mic for any vocal work. It's very difficult to work with because it picks up *everything*.
- MAONO PD300X; The subject of this review. Cardioid polar pick-up pattern, non-powered, dynamic. 85$USD

Some notes on the above microphones; Every microphone listed above with the exception of the MAONO is XLR interface only, and has *NO* special features past what a standard studio mic would have, such as an on/off switch, high-pass filter switch, 10db attenuation, etc. If these switches apply an effect, I have them dis-engaged.

AND some notes on my recording environment; I don't have any form of a professional recording environment anymore. I am doing this from the same place I do my streams. A bedroom with no sound treatment, in the South-Central United States during the summer. The air conditioning will almost certainly be on as will the ceiling fan in my room. The reason I use my Shure for streaming is it minimizes all that background noise. Some of these mics will pick up *everything*, especially the Oktava.

Lastly, my process:

- I will hook up the mic as my only input.
- The DAC I am using is the Yamaha MG10XU that I use for streaming.
- If it requires power, I will switch on the 48v phantom power.
- At standard volume, I will then adjust the gain on my DAC till the signal peaks where I want it to peak, typically around -5db.
- I will be using Cakewalk by Bandlab to record my sound samples.
- I will then record a sample starting off by identifying the microphone I am using then reading out the following text:

He took his vorpal sword in hand;
    Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree
    And stood awhile in thought.

- There will be no audio dynamics applied, just raw input from my DAC to my recording software.
- I will then take each sound sample, compile them into a video with the photos of the unboxing, and post it on my personal YouTube Channel. I will be using Kdenlive to compose the videos.

I will then put the link to that video: HERE

Sound Results Delivery

First, I'm embarrassed for that TONOR TC20 mic and should really throw it away.

Second, it's pretty obvious that the Oktava has a better range than the other three microphones. Indeed it rates a lower frequency range (down to 20Hz) and at least as high (20kHz). But you probably expect that from a higher price range.

However what surprised me was the quality of the MAONO PD300X compared to the Shure PGA58. It's obviously the closest comparison. I found the sound from the PD300X a bit more full than the Shure. In fact, comparing frequency ranges, the Shure has lower high frequency range than the MAONO as well as a slightly higher low-end.

The sound quality is probably comparable to a slightly more expensive Shure, like an SM58.

Not as good as the most expensive mic I have on hand, but the MAONO PD300X is better sounding than any other mic I have available.

Extras

First thing I want to note; All features of the microphone that are dependent on the on-board DAC will be non-functional in XLR mode. Every feature outlined below will only be available when using the mic in USB mode.

I want to remark that the mic came with a really nice USB C to A connector and had zero issues connecting and configuring itself within Windows. The Link software was blindingly simple to install and detected the microphone near instantly.

Here are the features I looked at while I was examining it in USB mode:

- 3-in-1 'Smart Knob' -> a multi-function knob used to control microphone gain, headphone volume, and monitoring functions.
    - When you adjust them it's instantly reflected in the Link software.
    - I found the operation of the button, mainly switching between modes to be somewhat clunky. Sometimes it would switch with a quick push, other times, I would have to hold it down.
    - I found that when I pushed the button, it took enough force to make an audible noise through the mic. So if you are live or recording and need to adjust it, the noise of operating the knob will make it through.
- Monitoring -> A headphone plug allows you to use the mic for zero latency monitoring. You can also use it for a sound output to direct sound to it, such as your desktop audio. This will allow you to configure advanced monitoring configurations via software like OBS and/or VoiceMeeter.
- Mic Gain -> I found the gain easy to adjust to where I wanted it. Again, I'd like to state that even turning the adjustment knob created sound through the mic that would be heard in recordings or live broadcasts.
- Muting -> Not as loudly as the 3-in-1 button, but this button also made noise that the microphone picked up when pressed. I can see why there are a lot of mics on the market that use 'static touch' buttons rather than mechanical buttons.
- Noise Reduction -> 5 levels -> I did not test this function. Since it is done through the software, I question whether this would be anymore efficient than using noise reduction dynamics supplied by software like VoiceMeeter or OBS, etc. But it's nice that the mic has it readily available.
- MAONO Link Software
    - This provides all the functionality that the onboard multi function knobs and buttons do, but allows you to configure it a bit more precisely.
    - It also includes a 10 band equalizer with fairly typical presets.
    - You can also use the software to configure the function of the Mute Button long-press.
    - The software has easy access links to support via email, discord, and logging into MAONO's online service. You can really tell they've sunk a decent amount of time into it.

Summary

Again, you can find the unboxing photos and sound samples HERE.

Upsides:

- Complete package: The mic does everything you'd need to get started, audio-wise, with online vocals. It's literally an all-in-one package for everything you'd need to pick up your vocals for let's plays or even casual vocal work like YouTube videos or podcasts.
- I didn't get to test out the processes, but there's tons of accessibility to support, including email, online services, and discord.
- The most important thing in my opinion; the audio quality of the mic is surprisingly good for a mic in this price range.

Downsides:

- Biggest problem I had with the mic was the button operation. It wasn't the smoothest and created noise that transferred to the mic pickup whenever it was used. That includes both buttons and turning the knob.
- If you already have a DAC, and plan on using the included XLR, pretty much every extra feature this mic provides via its DAC will not be useful to you.
- While the sound quality is better than the stage mics I tested it with, I'd not recommend it for professional vocal work. It doesn't have the frequency range and pickup of a professional quality condenser mic.

I'd strongly recommend this mic as a viable option for someone just getting started. It will do everything you need it to do in your let's plays or YouTube voice overs and you won't need anything more than a pair of headphones to plug into it to get it to work with whatever software suite you are using to create your media. They audio quality is great and it has enough features where you wouldn't have to augment it with anything else to get started.

I wouldn't recommend it for someone who had a more advanced setup and planned on using the XLR interface. It's *really* nice that it has dual interfaces, but if you're buying it to use exclusively as an XLR mic, there are better options out there for the same price point.

Having said that, I'm impressed enough with the quality of the audio that I will be substituting it for my Shure in this week's live streams so I can further test the sound. If I have no issues with its operation, and continue to be impressed by the sound quality, I'll consider it as a permanent replacement for my Shure PGA58.