Elgato Wave DX review

The Elgato Wave DX has big shoes to fill is a bit of an understatement, since the Elgato Wave 3 has been Corsair’s best streaming microphone for a long time. Since it doesn’t use USB and instead uses an XLR cable, the new flagship isn’t as simple because it needs more equipment to work, but it does raise the bar for streamers who want better audio quality to carry their sweet tones.

Elgato doesn’t just want to make the best gaming microphone; it also wants to be the brand that professional streamers use. It has almost everything a content creator needs, from the best capture card to webcams to green screens. Even its Wave XLR preamp seems to have been made before its new dynamic XLR microphone.

When talking about the Elgato Wave DX, it’s hard to avoid talking about the Wave XLR audio interface and Wave Link software. XLR microphones need a preamp to work, and even though you can use any interface, it’s clear that the Elgato Wave DX was made with this particular accessory in mind.

Most people agree that USB microphones are easier to use and carry around than XLR microphones. But the Elgato Wave DX is about as easy to use as it gets. Setting up the Elgato Wave DX and Wave XLR is very easy and doesn’t require an audio engineer. All you have to do is plug in a couple of cables and you’re ready to go.

Elgato Wave DX review: Design

The Elgato Wave DX has an angular design that is a little bit smoother than the others in the series. This gives it a professional look that makes it stand out from other similar products. It’s also a lot heavier than entry-level streaming microphones, so it feels as expensive as it looks.

The microphone doesn’t demand to be seen either. It’s not too obvious, so it won’t get people’s attention whether you put it on camera or not. The lack of a pop filter might worry you at first, but I’m happy to tell you that the Elgato Wave DX has an internal pop filter, so you never have to deal with a big shield or look for a foam sleeve that fits.

The Elgato Wave DX doesn’t come with its own stand like the Elgato Wave 3. It does come with 3/8′′ and 5/8′′ thread adapters so you can connect it to a compatible mic stand, but if you don’t already have a mic stand, you’ll have to buy one as well. You can buy this microphone from its official website.

Elgato Wave DX review: Sound Performance

The mount point is completely detachable and can be put on either side of the microphone. This gives you a lot of options for how you want to set it up, and I had no trouble finding a spot I liked. If you like, you can even swap and rotate the Elgato logo to keep it facing the right way for your stream viewers.

There’s a built-in pop filter that’s hidden inside the body, but I didn’t think it worked as well as external solutions, especially if you’re close and trying to get that deep podcast sound. There’s also no way to shock mount the Wave DX, so it could get damaged if it bumps into something on your desk.

Overall, though, the Wave DX has a design and build quality that make it feel like it costs much more than $99/£109. But it’s also important to know that Elgato doesn’t include an XLR cable with the Wave DX. You’ll have to buy one separately or buy their own 3m cable for $19.99/£19.99.

Elgato Wave DX review: Price

At this point, we realize I haven’t talked about how much the Wave DX actually costs, nor have I talked about the different parts it needs to work. The mic itself costs $99/£110, which makes it one of the more affordable XLR mics, and for that price, it’s a great deal. When you add all the other parts you need to make it work, which are more than the mic itself, it gets a little more complicated.

The Wave XLR interface costs $160/£160, while the boom arm costs $90/£90 and the XLR cable costs $20/£20 separately. Getting all of this up and running will cost you close to $400/£410, which takes it out of the “affordable” category a bit.

Elgato Wave DX review: Conclusion

In many ways, the Wave DX is a great microphone. It sounds full and rich, which is great for capturing vocals. It also picks up a lot of treble detail, so you can record instruments and make them sound natural without losing the noise rejection that makes dynamic mics good for untreated rooms and noisy environments.

But it feels unfinished without the Wave XLR. Buying both of them together costs more than twice as much, and if you also want Elgato’s mic arm and XLR cable, it costs three times as much. Buying everything together for $299 is much cheaper than buying each item separately for $379, but it still feels pricey.

The Wave DX is good because it can grow with your setup, but if you don’t plan to add external mixers or other accessories, some of the best gaming and streaming microphones still have regular USB connections. If you like how the Wave Link software can be used and don’t mind how a condenser microphone sounds.

The Elgato Wave:3 is a great alternative that will save you a lot of money at checkout. The Beacn Mic is also worth thinking about if you want a USB microphone with even better sound design.