Whether it’s for streaming or for shouting…that is, talking to your teammates in multiplayer video games, we all know how important it is to have a good microphone close to your mouth. While most gaming headsets out there have a built-in microphone, it’s impossible to match the quality and performance of a dedicated microphone. Quality e performance they are the two workhorses that ASUS brought out for the ROG Carnyx, the company’s new gaming microphone that we will analyze in this article review.
The ASUS ROG Carnyx is a USB microphone designed for streamers, gamers and content creators. It stands out with customizable RGB lighting, high recording quality and a rugged construction.
Our review of the ROG Carnyx microphone
ROG Carnyx is a professional-quality cardioid USB microphone equipped with 25 mm condenser capsule e sampling rate of 192 kHz / 24 bit to deliver clear and vivid sound. The microphone also features a high pass filter which reduces low frequency noise, and a anti-pop filter built-in to prevent vocal plosives and a metal shock mount to minimize external vibrations.
In addition to providing studio-quality recordings, Carnyx also features an intuitive one-touch mute button and multifunctional control knob to take your recording and streaming experiences to the next level.
Design
Like all ASUS ROG products, this Carnyx also sports a charming and modern design with a black aluminum body “suspended”, through two elastic bands, on a solid metal base. The body of the microphone is characterized by a triangle pattern that reveals the essentials RGB lighting. The elastic system provides excellent shockproof support to reduce unwanted vibrations.
On the front of the microphone we find a single wheel button to increase and decrease the volume of the microphone or headphones, should we decide to insert them into the microphone. In the back, in fact, in addition to the entrance USB C to connect the microphone to the computer, we also have a 3.5mm inlet jack to connect headphones.
On the top of the microphone there is a touch control to silence the microphone in a flash. The RGB lights will automatically turn red to let you know if you’re talking nonsense or not.
Technology
In addition to being undoubtedly beautiful to look at, the ROG Carnyx offers the latest technologies in audio recording. In this device we find one 25mm condenser capsule which delivers rich, detailed sound with a frequency response from 20Hz to 20kHz. The Furthermore, the 192kHz/24bit sampling rate guarantees high-quality audio acquisition.
As anticipated, the ROG Carnyx microphone features a Cardioid polar pattern, a feature that offers significant advantages for different types of use. The cardioid polar pattern, so called because of the shape of the heart it takes on, makes the microphone more sensitive to sounds coming from the front part, corresponding to the “tip” of the heart, while the sensitivity gradually decreases towards the sides and is completely eliminated in the rear. This translates into a excellent audio rendering from where we are and at the same time reduce any background noise coming from other parts of the room.
The possibilities of Armory Crate
Like all ASUS devices, the ROG Carnyx is compatible with the free ROG Armory Crate software, to better manage the microphone and adapt it to the needs of each of us. Through the app it is possible to precisely adjust the microphone gain, activate AI noise cancellation and monitor audio levels. The software also offers several presets to optimize the sound based on the type of use.
Obviously one is not missing section dedicated to RGB lighting to select your favorite color or animation and adapt it to the Aura Sync software.
Our test of the ASUS ROG Carnyx gaming microphone
Having arrived at this section of our review of the ROG Carnyx, we must necessarily inform you of the cost of the microphone: €200. Having an eye on the cost will help us fully understand the quality-price ratio of this device.
For this review we tested the ROG Carnyx from ASUS for about 2 weeks during which time it became our primary microphone for meetings and streaming. The microphone presents itself excellently and like all devices in the ROG family, the attention to detail and quality of materials is truly amazing. The microphone adapts to any environment and the charm of the RGB lights is undeniable (RIGHT?!). The elastic system that keeps the microphone suspended has proven to be particularly effective for the issue of “accidental impacts” during recording, but we are not sure that it is an efficient system in the long term. Elastic bands of this type, especially if subjected to tension as in this case, tend to wear out quickly over time. Not being able to see this in just 2 weeks, we warn you.
Going into detail, the audio quality is truly remarkable, with a rich, detailed sound that captures my voice perfectly. The possibility of choosing between different pickup modes is a plus that allows me to adapt the microphone to different usage needs. ROG Armory Crate software is easy to use and offers several useful features for controlling the microphone, such as gain adjustment and AI noise cancellation. The software is not essential and the microphone can be used simply by connecting it to the PC very easily.
The enigmatic value for money
At this point, we must remember the €200 mentioned above. Ultimately, the ROG Carnyx is certainly an excellent professional microphone that will make many gamers or streamers happy but it does not represent excellence on the market. Here we can in fact find other devices with similar if not superior qualities at a relatively lower cost.
Obviously there is the fact that you are purchasing an ASUS ROG device with the experience, design and support over the years that have made the ROG brand famous. It’s only up to you to decide if the game is worth the candle.
The ROG Carnyx review in brief
The ASUS ROG Carnyx is a high-quality USB microphone that offers excellent audio performance and a sleek design. Its advanced features make it ideal for streamers, gamers and content creators looking for a versatile and reliable microphone.
The price seemed a little excessive to us considering the other offers on the market but if you want the quality and design of ASUS ROG, it is a compromise to take into consideration.
