Maono’s PD300X is Some Serious Podcasting Tech
The search for the best podcasting equipment never stops. With fancy new features, improved audio and visuals, and designs that look as good as they perform, who wouldn’t want to stay up to date on the latest and greatest to revolutionize their streaming setup? But it can also be a little overwhelming with the sheer amount of technology available. Today I’ll be looking at Maono’s latest microphone on the scene, the PD300X!
As someone who has been rocking a Maono microphone on my desktop setup for quite some time, I’ve become accustomed to the quality work that this company has been providing to gamers and streamers. I’ve tested many microphones here and have yet to find one to replace the Maono PD400X I currently have. It fits my needs perfectly, making me look like a professional podcaster with a sleek studio design, but also gives me crystal-clear audio that doesn’t take an incredible amount of work and editing to sound nice. I’m a creature of habit and don’t like to change what is clearly working.
However, with the arrival of the PD300X, might it be time to permanently switch out my standard setup in lieu of something new? Let’s explore what the PD300x has to offer and if it’s the right microphone for both you readers and me!
[Note: while I am reviewing this item independently and honestly, it should be noted that I received the PD300X from Maono for the purpose of this review.]
Maono’s hefty microphone promises some studio weight
When I unboxed the PD300X, the first thing I noticed was that it was a picture-perfect microphone for the image I had in my head for a professional studio. Picture any film or show that features characters in a studio or some form of recording booth, and you probably have an exact mental image of this Maono mic. It features a sleek cylindrical body connected to a larger circular shock mount. While most of the body is the microphone itself (which encapsulates just over half of the body), there are also a mute button and knob, which allow users to adjust volume and other settings.
In the standard box, you will find the microphone, along with the connecting cord and a ⅝” to ⅜” thread adapter. Compared to some of the other microphones and cameras that we’ve tested out, the contents of the PD300X are rather simple. It doesn’t come with any sort of base for those who are looking for that, although there are various mounting options that can be purchased separately and would elevate this microphone to the studio look and feel that you’re expecting.
There are two main options available for mounting: a standard desktop stand, which allows users to have an upright configuration, and the boom arm, which creates more variation in the use of the PD300X. For this review, Maono also sent along the boom arm, which was incredibly easy to attach and transformed the microphone from a stationary to an adjustable one in minutes.
As someone who does quite a bit of podcasting and interviewing, I require technology that can move with me. I’m not someone who can just sit in a single position for hours on end; I’m constantly moving, even when I’m recording. Sure, I’m not getting up and walking around, but I am shifting, moving my arms and legs, and fidgeting. So, as I’m moving, a microphone that can be shifted with me is essential.
Connecting the PD300X to my computer was also super simple, which is something that I’ve come to appreciate from the Maono products I’ve used in the past. They are incredibly easy to use. With life moving at a rapid pace for everyone, it’s nice not to have to basically pray to the Tech Gods to get something working.
This microphone comes with plenty of options on how to connect, featuring hookups for USB, USB Type-C, and XLR, depending on what you’re used to or how you have your equipment set up. The PD300X is also labeled as being made for iPhones, iPads, and iPods, meaning that it doesn’t have to be beholden to a computer setup, allowing for greater variation without loss of quality.
There are some friends I record with who prefer using their phones because they have a faster processor than their dated laptops. The PD300X easily allows them to connect to their phone, providing a significant boost to their phone’s microphone, while also enabling them to record from anywhere in the world they choose.
The inner workings of this Maono microphone
Now that we’ve covered almost every inch on the outside of the PD300X, it’s time to turn towards what this Maono microphone is packing on the inside. This microphone outputs 192kHz/24-bit, meaning that it has some of the highest resolution out there. So what does that mean for you exactly? To put it simply, the PD300X can capture everything you say in crystal-clear detail, with a dynamic range that is superior to many other microphones on the market.
It also features five layers of noise reduction, from the foam filter and the shock mount on the outside to the Maono link, and High Off-Axis Noise Rejection housed inside the frame. There are many ways to ensure that residual noises are filtered out of your streaming and podcasting. They also have a one-button noise reduction, which is a simple way to enact the PD300X’s noise-cancelling abilities to the max and gives you the studio sound that you’re looking for.
My favorite features are the four preset modes, which allow users to easily transition between recording, streaming, and gaming. The settings for recording a podcast aren’t the same as those needed for gaming with friends, so having a quick way of switching out one for another adds more time to doing what you love, whatever that is.
The quality provided by the PD300X was exactly what I was expecting, with some of the features even exceeding what I had thought. No one I recorded with, nor has anyone, seemed to notice a negative change in the sound quality. If anything, I’ve had people note that it seems like I’m in a better-situated studio, and I’ve had some people say I was producing some of the best-sounding recordings to date. All that to say, not only does this microphone look professional, it sounds professional, exceeding my recording needs.
Final thoughts on the PD300X Maono microphone
I will say, those who are looking for a microphone that comes with a stand or boom arm might be disappointed when they purchase this product. Obviously, when you make a big purchase for your studio, you want to make sure you have the entire package to achieve your goals, and dropping an additional 40 dollars on a boom arm might not fit into the budget.
That being said, Maono’s products are worth the extra money, as they truly are some of the best microphones I’ve tested so far. If you want to look and sound good, then it’s a no-brainer to check out the Maono PD300X.
The PD300X is currently available for purchase and can be purchased bundled with the boom arm. Are you in the market for a new microphone? Planning on checking this one out? Let us know on social media @mycosmiccircus.
Also check out: Maono’s Wave T5 Wireless Microphone Gives You Studio Sound On The Move!
