Review of Anker's first desktop USB condenser microphone 'PowerCast M300' that can be used simply by inserting it into a PC
Anker, known for its mobile batteries and other smartphone accessories, released the desktop condenser microphone ' PowerCast M300 ' on December 21, 2021. It is a high-quality condenser microphone that supports up to 96kHz/24bit, and can be easily connected to a PC or game console via USB, so I actually tried using the PowerCast M300.
Anker PowerCast M300 | Condenser microphone product information
The PowerCast M300 packaging looks like this.
The contents include an instruction manual, the PowerCast M300 unit, a stand, a USB Type-C to Type-A cable, and a USB Type-C to Type-C cable.
Fix the main arm to the stand with screws.
When the PowerCast M300 is attached to the stand, it looks like this. The size including the stand is 186mm high x 100mm in diameter.
By loosening the screw on the left side of the front, you can adjust the angle of the microphone within a 360-degree range. In addition, the base of the stand can be tilted up to plus or minus 15 degrees, and can be rotated left and right within a 360-degree range. The stand is quite stable, and if you tighten the screw tightly, it will not wobble while you are using it.
On the right side of the front, there is a mute button. Press the mute button briefly to switch mute on and off, and turn it left or right to adjust the volume as it is a dial. Press and hold the mute button to switch between microphone volume adjustment and headphone volume adjustment.
The microphone part looks like this.
The bottom of the microphone body has various specifications and certifications such as
The actual weight including the stand without the cable attached was 393 grams.
Connect the USB cable and connect to the PC.
When I connected the PowerCast M300 to a Windows PC, the LED inside the microphone lit up. The microphone does not require driver installation; simply connecting it to a PC will automatically recognize it as a sound device in Windows. If you connect earphones or headphones to the audio output port, you can monitor the sound while recording, and it will be recognized not only as a recording device but also as a playback device.
The PowerCast M300 is a condenser microphone, a unidirectional microphone that focuses on picking up sounds in the direction it is facing. In the movie below, you can see people actually talking to the PowerCast M300 and moving a smartphone that is making a sound around the microphone. Although the sound quality is a bit hard, it is clear enough to be used for voice chat, and it is easy to hear even if you are talking quietly. While the microphone picks up sounds in front of it, the sounds directly to the side and behind it are clearly smaller, so it is designed to reliably pick up the voice of the speaker in front of it. However, when actually using it, it is a good idea to prepare a pop guard or windscreen separately.
I tried using Anker's first USB condenser microphone 'PowerCast M300' - YouTube
You can use it just by connecting it to a PC via USB, so it is useful for remote meetings and voice chat in online games, and even beginners can use it. The microphone itself is smaller than a 500ml plastic bottle, so it doesn't take up much space on a desk.
The Anker PowerCast M300 can be purchased from Amazon.co.jp for 6,980 yen including tax. It is a low price among general condenser microphones, so it is recommended for beginners who are unsure about which microphone to choose.
Amazon | Anker PowerCast M300 (condenser microphone) [USB-C connection/headphone output/360 degree angle adjustment/unidirectional/compact size/streaming/conference microphone speaker/live commentary/distribution/PC/PS4/PS5] | Anker | PC microphones for sale
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