In today’s review, I’m looking at the Antlion Audio ModMic Wireless. This handy little device can turn any regular headphones into a headset. The ModMic Wireless features dual microphone modes, a mute function and a full 16bit 48kHz audio signal. It’s priced at US$139.

Why might you need one of these? Well, frankly, it’s because most all-in-one headsets have either poor microphone quality, poor audio quality or both. For audiophiles and music lovers, it means you can enjoy great audio quality and know that your voice sounds clear and articulate at the same time.

With so many people working from home now, having a good-quality microphone is essential. Furthermore, there are many audiophiles who are also avid gamers. Do you see where I’m going with this?

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

ModMic Wireless

Package & Accessories

Inside the box, you get a nice zipper carrying case that holds the microphone and all of the accessories. Here’s what you get in the box:

• One ModMic Wireless microphone
• One ModMic Wireless USB Receiver
• USB-A extension cable for USB Receiver
• USB-A to USB-Micro charging cable
• Two base clasps & two extra adhesives
• One foam pop filter
• Hardshell carrying case
• Instruction manual
• Alcohol cleaning pad

Design

The ModMic Wireless is essentially a detachable boom microphone. It consists of the control unit, the boom and the microphone itself. The control unit has a button surrounded by 3 LEDs. You use the button to turn the power on and off, pairing it with the dongle and muting the microphone.

The microphone can be attached to any regular headphones using the included magnetic base clasps and 3M adhesive pads. Once the base clasp is attached, the microphone can be easily attached or removed at will. In addition, you can simply tilt the microphone up out of the way when you’re not using it, just like a regular gaming headset.

A blue LED indicates the pairing status. An orange LED flashes when charging the battery and glows a solid colour when fully charged. Finally, a red LED indicates when the microphone is muted.

There are 2 microphone modes: Omni-directional and uni-directional. The Omni-directional mode provides a cleaner, wider frequency response. The uni-directional mic mode blocks out unwanted background noise.

Pairing the ModMic Wireless is easy and is done by simply holding down the button on the mic until the blue LED starts flashing and then repeating the process on the dongle. Done.

Sound Quality

For my testing, I chose to attach the ModMic Wireless to my trusty Superlux HD668B. The HD668B is a classic, affordable headphone that I still use often for editing videos and music creation. So, I figured it would be super handy to have the option to record my voice with it as well.

And because the mic comes with 2 base clasps, I can always add it to any other headphones in the future.

One thing that you need to keep in mind here is that the ModMic Wireless is . . . well, it’s wireless. So don’t go expecting this mic to sound better than a quality wired one: like a ModMic 5, or desktop USB cardioid mic, for example.

Having said that, the ModMic Wireless outperforms most wired gaming headsets when it comes to microphone quality. Unlike common Bluetooth microphones, the ModMic Wireless doesn’t sound compressed or full of artefacts. It’s a sensitive mic too, so your voice level comes through nice and high.

There is no gain adjustment so you’ll need to take some care with the mic’s position relative to your mouth; you may also need to adjust the input levels on your recording software or computer to avoid any potential clipping.

Once I had everything set up, the mic sounded excellent. It’s clear, full-bodied and has a natural tone. I wouldn’t use it for professional voice recording but it’s more than capable enough for recording YouTube videos, zoom calls, gaming and podcasts.

Verdict

The Antlion Audio ModMic Wireless is a fantastic way to turn your great-sounding headphones into a great-sounding headset. It’s a near-perfect solution for audiophiles who want to do some online gaming or speak clearly with co-workers or family members.

But perhaps the thing I love the most about the ModMic Wireless though is the desk real estate it allows me to claim back. Now there’s no more need for a desk-mounted mic or an obtrusive mic boom arm hanging in front of my face. I’m a believer!

Specifications

Head Unit

• Charging Port: Micro USB to USB Type-A
• Quick Mute
• LED Status Indicators (Power, Charging, and Mute)
• Clasps: Plated Neodymium N45 strength magnets

Wireless Receiver

• USB 2.0 Full Speed Type-A with included USB Extension Cable
• LED Status Indicators (Power, Charging, and Mute)

MICROPHONE CAPSULE SPECS

• Range: 10+ Meters (32+ ft.)
• Bit Depth: 16 bit
• Sample Rate: 48kHz
• Codec: aptX Low Latency
• Latency: ~34ms
• Response Range (Omni): 50Hz to 20khz
• Response Range (Uni): 100Hz to 10khz