Blue Yeti vs HyperX QuadCast: Which Is Better?

Investing in a professional microphone is imperative when joining a podcasting or streaming platform as a content creator. You wouldn’t want to lose streamers because of poor sound quality. One strategy entails buying a multipurpose microphone that you can use for all your content creation projects. Alternatively, you can buy specialized microphones, which are often customized for different niches. For instance, gamers on twitch can buy gaming microphones to guarantee high-quality sound. However, the primary challenge is finding the right microphone as there are many alternatives on the market.

This article compares the Blue Yeti vs. HyperX QuadCast regarding their designs, audio quality, price, and functionality. Keep reading to learn their differences and know which one is better.

Blue Yeti vs. HyperX QuadCast: Side-by-Side Comparison

Features	Blue Yeti	HyperX QuadCast
Weight	19.4oz	8.96oz
Depth	4.9 inches	5.1 inches
Width	4.7 inches	4 inches
Frequency Response	20Hz to 20kHz	20Hz to 20kHz
Power	5V, 150mA	5V, 125mA
Polar Patterns	Bidirectional, stereo, omnidirectional, and cardioid	Stereo, cardioid, omnidirectional, and bidirectional
Sample Rate	48kHz / 16-Bit	46kHz / 16-Bit
Microphone Amp impedance	16ohms	32ohms
Price	$129.99	$139.99
Initial release	2010	2019

Blue Yeti vs. HyperX QuadCast: What’s the Difference?

The Blue Yeti and HyperX QuadCast are both premium microphones but with different features. Let’s discuss some of their differences.

Exterior Design

The first thing buyers often look at when reviewing Blue Yeti vs. HyperX QuadCast microphones is their aesthetic appeal and exterior design. Both the Blue Yeti and HyperX QuadCast have similar external features. For instance, these microphones have a USB port, fain dial, jack port, and polar pattern knobs.

The difference between these microphones is how they are designed to interact with the surroundings.

The Blue Yeti is heavier than the HyperX QuadCast, making it more stable. It also has a stand, which adds to its stability. Additionally, this microphone has a sleek design, making you feel like you are in a studio, even if you are recording at home. You can also acquire it in different colors, but the black edition is the sleekest of them all.

In contrast, the HyperX QuadCast is light, weighing 8.96oz compared to Blue Yeti’s 19.4oz. It also has a height of 5.1 inches compared to the Blue Yeti’s 4.9 inches.

The HyperX QuadCast can be attached directly to a boom mount, making the mic suitable for an overhead microphone setup. The HyperX QuadCast also has a mute button at the top of the microphone. This makes it easy to mute the recording without accessing the laptop. Moreover, the mute button has a sensor, meaning you don’t have to press hard to stop the recording, which may destabilize the mic.

Another notable difference between the two microphones is that the HyperX QuadCast has RGB lighting. It allows the user to change the microphone’s color using three primary colors, which include red, green, and blue. You only have to install the HyperX NGENUITY software, and you can turn the RGB lighting on and off.

You should also account for the accessories included with each microphone. The Blue Yeti package includes a microphone, USB cable, and desk base. In contrast, the HyperX QuadCast box contains the microphone, manuals, USB cables, and a mount adapter. The HyperX QuadCast microphone also has a pop filter and shock mount as secondary accessories.

Go for the HyperX QuadCast if you are a podcast host. The microphone’s unique design will make you stand out, especially when hosting guests in your show. The HyperX QuadCast also has a mountable feature, allowing you to adjust the mic’s position when recording.

Functionality

The most significant similarity between the Blue Yeti and the Hyper X QuadCast is their plug-and-play USB feature. It means that you don’t need an audio interface to use the microphones.

Another similarity between the microphones is that they are bus-powered, meaning they can take power from the USB connection without needing an external power source. For example, a laptop can power both microphones when connected using a USB cable.

Both mics have 3.5mm audio ports, allowing users to plug in external headphones when recording. However, the Blue Yeti comes with a headphone amp, while the Hyper X Quantcast doesn’t. The headphone amp increases the Blue Yeti’s frequency response when recording.

The primary difference between both microphones is the USB cables required. The Blue Yeti uses a USB 2.0 output, while the HyperX QuadCast uses a type C USB output. Additionally, the Blue Yeti microphone is incompatible with some devices. For example, you cannot connect the Blue Yeti to the latest Macbooks as they use a type C USB output.

Overall, it is not straightforward which microphone has the best output as they have similar features. However, the HyperX QuadCast slightly edges the Blue Yeti as the former’s USB-C output makes it compatible with recently-released devices.

Software

The Blue Yeti and HyperX QuadCast microphones have desktop software that allows you to customize their control settings. You can also change the microphones’ gain and polar patterns using the programs.

For the Blue Yeti, you must download the Blue Sherpa Software to control the microphone’s settings and headphone volumes. You can also mute the mic using the software and change the gain settings.

With the HyperX QuadCast, you must install the HyperX NGenuity software, which has several control features. First, you can use it to adjust your microphone and headphone volume. You can also use the software to change the mic’s control settings. Second, you can use the HyperX NGenuity software to control the RGB lighting.

One fantastic feature of this software is that you can customize other HyperX products. For example, suppose you have HyperX headsets, gaming keyboards, and a mouse; you can customize their lighting to match your microphone’s lighting.

Ultimately, the HyperX NGenuity software gives you more options than the Blue Sherpa Software.

Polar Patterns

Polar patterns are the signals microphones pick from different directions. Consider a mic’s polar patterns as you want one that you can use in different places. The Blue Yeti and HyperX QuadCast microphones have four polar patterns: stereo, cardioid, bidirectional, and omnidirectional. With these four polar patterns, you can use both microphones for various uses.

For example, the cardioid polar pattern makes both microphones ideal for live streams and performances. This polar pattern makes the microphones sensitive at the front, making it easy for the mics to filter unwanted noise in the background.

The omnidirectional polarity makes it easy to use these mics to record sound from different sound sources. This polar pattern also allows the microphones to capture sound from any angle.

However, the main difference between the Blue Yeti and the HyperX QuadCast is their impedance. Microphone impedance is the amount of resistance a microphone has to AC signals. The general rule is that the lower the microphone impedance, the more audio you receive.

The Blue Yeti has a 16-ohms impedance, while the HyperX QuadCast has a 32-ohms impedance.

Ultimately, the Blue Yeti gives you better sound audio than the HyperX QuadCast when recording.

Audio Quality Performance

You must compare the microphones’ audio quality performance before choosing your preferred option. Both microphones have a sample rate of 48kHz and a depth of 16-bit. They also have a frequency response rate of 20Hz to 20kHz.

As such, both mics will accurately capture the speaker’s words when streaming or podcasting. The mics also have natural-sounding tones, making their sound outputs clear and audible.

However, there are some differences in audio quality performance between the Blue Yeti and HyperX QuadCast microphones. Let’s discuss them in detail.

Proximity Effect

The Proximity effect is the microphone’s ability to pick sound based on its distance from the sound source. The Blue Yeti has a specific range within which it should be positioned for optimum use. For example, you should position it approximately 3 to 6 inches from your mouth for the best sound quality.

Otherwise, the microphone may experience sibilance when positioned too close to your mouth. You may then hear hissing sounds when pronouncing the letter “s.” In contrast, when you place the mic further away, you may hear your voice echoing in the room. The only way to solve this issue is to soundproof the room, which is an additional expense.

However, the HyperX QuadCast has a higher proximity effect than the Blue Yeti. You can position it a few inches from the mouth without experiencing much sibilance. Additionally, you can set the HyperX QuadCast further away without compromising the audio quality. This microphone can easily filter background noises, including echoes and other sound distractions. Ultimately, it’s more convenient to use a HyperX QuadCast than a Blue Yeti, especially when streaming, as you don’t have to monitor the mic’s proximity constantly.

Plosive Rejection

Plosive rejection entails a microphone’s ability to limit the distortions that arise when the air hits the mic’s diaphragm, leading to a low-frequency sound. This issue occurs when using letters like p, b, and d.

The HyperX QuadCast has an internal pop filter, which limits the distortions from plosiveness. However, it’s ineffective, so you must have an external pop filter. In contrast, the Blue Yeti has an excellent internal pop filter, meaning you don’t have to acquire an external one.

Background and Noise Floor Rejection

Background noises are the surrounding sounds picked up by most microphones. It includes keyboard sounds and fans blowing. The Blue Yeti doesn’t efficiently filter these sounds; you may hear them in your recording. However, the HyperX QuadCast will eliminate the background noises, improving your audio quality.

The noise floor is another issue that affects sound quality in most microphones. It entails an electronic hiss that distorts the audio quality. The Blue Yeti doesn’t effectively filter this hissing sound compared to the HyperX QuadCast, making it less ideal for office spaces.

Bumps and Shock

You will hear bumps and shock when using both mics on a desk. The main difference is that you will hear other background noises when using the Blue Yeti, thus distracting the listeners.

However, the bumps may not be very apparent when using the HyperX QuadCast; unless one listens to the audio with headphones.

Music

Go for the Blue Yeti if you want a microphone to record music. This mic gains at minimum, while the QuadCast gains at maximum. As such, when recording music using the Blue Yeti, you can hear the words correctly, especially when emphasizing syllables, which isn’t the case when using the HyperX QuadCast. The Blue Yeti will also be clearer when playing various musical instruments.

Price

We wrap up our Blue Yeti vs. HyperX QuadCast by comparing the microphones’ prices. The Blue Yeti costs $129.99, while the HyperX QuadCast costs $139.99. It makes the HyperX QuadCast more expensive as it has additional features like RGB lighting.

Blue Yeti History

Blue Microphones released the first mic in 1995. It had the basic microphone elements without the advanced features seen in modern ones. In 2010, the company released the Blue Yeti, which was the first professional microphone on the market. Furthermore, it was the first USB microphone at the time with a 16-bit and 48kHz resolution.

However, the most recent Blue Yeti microphone is the Blue Yeti X. This microphone has a 24-bit and 48kHz resolution, making it better and more advanced than previous models. The Blue Yeti doesn’t have a rich history because the manufacturers have been upgrading this 2010 version, as they released the Blue Yeti X in 2020.

HyperX QuadCast History

The HyperX QuadCast was initially released in 2019 by Kingston Technology Company, Inc. to compete with the Blue Yeti. The company’s primary competitive edge is on RGB lighting, which isn’t in the Blue Yeti.

One year later, Kingston Technology Company released the HyperX QuadCast S, a better version of the original QuadCast model. For example, the QuadCast S has an RGB lighting feature, which isn’t available in the original QuadCast. To date, the HyperX QuadCast S remains the Blue Yeti X’s main competitor.

Blue Yeti vs. HyperX QuadCast: 5 Must-Know Facts

Users must have an external pop filter when using the HyperX QuadCast.
The Blue Yeti is the best microphone for recording music, while the HyperX is ideal for enclosed spaces.
HyperX QuadCast users need the HyperX NGenuity software to control the RGB lighting.
Positioning the Blue Yeti 3 to 6 inches from the mouth improves audio quality.
Laptops must have a USB 2.0 output to connect to the Blue Yeti or a USB type C output to connect to the HyperX QuadCast.

Blue Yeti vs. HyperX QuadCast: Which One Is Better?

Let’s wrap up this match-up based on the features discussed above. The microphone you choose between the Blue Yeti and the HyperX QuadCast depends on the intended use. Go for the HyperX QuadCast if you prefer a sleek-looking microphone with good sound quality. Thanks to its compact design and accessible mute button, this microphone is easy to use and set up. Ultimately, the HyperX QuadCast is the best mic for gaming and podcasting.

In contrast, choose the Blue Yeti if you prefer a microphone with easily accessible knobs and good sound quality. You also don’t need to buy a pop filter when using this microphone. Furthermore, the Blue Yeti is the best mic for recording music.

Overall, opt for the HyperX QuadCast for a microphone that gives you superior features at a relatively affordable price.