Maono PD200X Review

MAONO PD200X review featured

Today, I’m reviewing the MAONO PD200X USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone. The PD200X comes with customizable RGB lighting and MAONO Link app support. The price is between $68 to $89 depending on where you buy.

Disclaimer: This sample was provided by MAONO for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own based on my experience with the product.

Maono PD200X Review
Verdict
Great audio quality and overall value make this one hard to pass up.
How would you rate this product?0 Votes
Pros
Great audio quality
All-metal build
Good bundled software
USB and XLR connectors
Overall value
Cons
No number index on mic gain dial
No included stand/boom arm
4.7
Our Score

Maono PD200X

What’s in the Box
  • Dynamic Microphone
  • Shock Mount
  • 2.5m USB-C to USB-A/C Cable
  • 5/8” to 3/8” Adapter
  • User’s Manual
  • 18 Months Free Warranty

It’s worth noting that there is no stand, boom arm or XLR cable included in the box. So if you need any of those things you’ll need to purchase them separately.

PD200X design

Design & Features

My initial impressions were positive right out of the box. The Maono PD200X boasts a robust yet lightweight all-metal construction. Its dual microphone gain and headphone volume dial is a standout feature, glowing green in gain mode and blue when adjusting the headphone output level. Switching between the two modes is as simple as pressing the dial.

Located just above the gain dial is a mute button, although it functions solely when connected via USB and not XLR. The gain dial lights up red when the mute function is activated. On the microphone’s bottom, you’ll find another button that allows you to cycle through the 9 RGB modes or disable the RGB lighting with a long press.

In addition to the RGB button, the microphone is equipped with USB-C and XLR sockets, providing flexibility in connection options. However, please note that the buttons and Maono Link software are only accessible when using the USB connection. Lastly, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom, allowing real-time audio monitoring. While the headphone line out can be slightly noisy, it remains a useful feature to have.

The transducer itself is a built-in dynamic mic capsule with an impressive ultra-wide frequency response of 40Hz-16KHz. Its cardioid polar pattern effectively rejects unwanted background noise, ensuring clearer recordings.

Maono Link Software

The Maono Link app adds a bunch of functionality to the PD200X. With it, you can control the mic gain, headphone volume, tone, mute and RGB light. In the advanced tab, there are several other options including EQ modes, a limiter and a compressor. The app is super easy to set up and use and it adds a lot of value to the bundle.

XLR and USB inputs plus headphone jack and RGB controls

Audio Quality

The audio quality of the PD200X, considering its price, is truly excellent. In fact, you might mistake it for a much more expensive microphone. It delivers a natural and rich tone, with impressive clarity and detail.

Managing plosives is a breeze, requiring only basic positioning adjustments. The sensitivity levels are satisfactory and can be further fine-tuned using the Maono Link software (USB) or an audio interface (XLR).

While the PD200X does a commendable job of rejecting background noise, it may still capture sounds like noisy mechanical keyboards. However, with proper sensitivity optimization and precise positioning, background noise shouldn’t pose a significant issue.

Comparison

ESI cosMik uCast design
cosMik uCast

The cosMik uCast (see review) is a USB condenser microphone. Physically, it’s a lot bigger and heavier than the PD200X, making it more finicky with shock fitment. The uCast is USB only so there’s no option to connect with XLR.

When it comes to audio quality, the uCast has more clarity and sensitivity but is very problematic when it comes to plosives. It’s really strange that it does not come with an included foam cover; I use it with a foam cover and a pop filter and it’s still susceptible to plosives and clipping.

The Maono-Link software is a lot easier to set up and use than ESI’s DirectWIRE technology, although DirectWIRE is more versatile for things like voice effects.

MAONO PD200X microphone

Verdict

In summary, the Maono PD200X USB/XLR microphone combines solid build quality, versatile connectivity, and intuitive controls. Its audio quality exceeds expectations for its price, delivering a natural and rich tone with excellent detail.

Plosives are easily managed, and while background noise rejection isn’t perfect, it works well enough for most scenarios. With USB and XLR options, along with the Maono Link software and headphone monitoring, the PD200X offers flexibility and customization. Overall, it provides exceptional value for content creators, podcasters, and anyone seeking high-quality recordings. Recommended.

Recommended award


Specifications
Element TypeDynamic microphone
Polar PatternCardioid
ConnectivityXLR & USB-C
Bit Depth/Sample Rate:24-bit/48kHz
Frequency Response40Hz-16kHz
Adjustable Gain Range0 to +42dB
SensitivityXLR:-52dBV
USB:-10.5dBFS/Pa(Max)
Max.SPL>130dB SPL
 Compatible DevicesDesktop/Laptop/Computer/Mixer/Audio Interface/PS4/PS5/MAC OS/WINDOWS
Recommended Uses For ProductPodcasting, Recording, Streaming, Gaming, Video Conference

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