Howdy friend and Welcome aboard!
Before we dive into the Samson Meteor mic review, grab a snack, sit back and relax because…
You’ve come to the right place!!
What I will bring you in this review
- Ratings/Price
- Specifications
- Summary
- Pros
- Cons
- Video Review
- Sound clips from Stu
- Who this mic benefits?
- What you will need?
- Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
- Consensus/Conclusion
- Final Word
Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!!
Samson Meteor
Price: Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater! | Check eBay!
USB Cable
Carrying Pouch
Limited 2-Year Warranty
Specifications
- Microphone Type: Condenser. Condenser mic vs. Dynamic mic
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Diaphragm Size: .98″ (25mm)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Max SPL: 120dB. What is SPL?
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 96dB (A-weighted)
- Color: Silver
- Connector: USB. The difference between a USB microphone and an XLR microphone.
- Weight: .6 lb.
- Included Accessories: USB Cable, Carry pouch
- Manufacturer Part Number: SAMTR
Summary
The Samson Meteor is a compact little microphone a little smaller than the size of a light bulb.
Its legs actually fold up for added portability, and it comes with a nice carrying pouch.
The box that it comes in isn’t anything too special, but it doesn’t feel like cheap plastic that takes years to get open.
You know what I’m talking about; you gotta sit there and pry it until you cut your face off. Lol.
I was impressed with the clarity of sound, but it does tend to pick up a lot of background/ambient noise.
It feels really durable and heavy, and could probably double as a hammer.
“Don’t you know what a hammer is?” -Hank Hill
Other than that fun little tidbit, the Meteor is just about as portable as it gets.
You can even screw it onto a mic stand if you don’t feel like using it on your desk.
Pros
- Convenient, and portable. Folds up nicely for on-the-go situations.
- Great sound. The sound is pretty crispy like Crispix.
- Durable. I feel like I could drop it and it would survive.
- Easy to use. Just plug that bad boy in and start yelling!
- Works with Mac, Logic, Garage band, iPad, iChat, etc.
- Monitors with no latency, and no background noise. What is latency?
Cons
- Takes a while for it to be recognized by your computer. This seems to be a common issue with the low-budget Samson offerings (Go Mic, Meteor, Meteorite).
- There have been some reports of soldering issues with the mini USB connector and port, to where the unit essentially comes apart in this area.
- No gain adjustment on the mic.
- Some driver issues may become apparent on Windows OS.
- Picks up a lot of background noise.
Check out the video review!
Sound clips from Stu
Meteor with Pop Filter
No Pop Filter
Who this mic benefits?
I’ve seen it endorsed for:
- Skype
- iChat
- Voice recognition software
- Voice acting
- Video conferencing
- Gaming
- Podcasts/Youtube
- Instruments
Not as good for:
- Vocals. Because it just picks up way too much, and singing into it will prove much too loud.
What you will need?
Nothing because it’s plug-and-play homie!
Well, I would recommend a pop filter of some sort. It sounds a lot better with one.
Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
One thing that annoyed me was the fact that if it’s sitting on your desk, you will have to kind of hunch over a bit to speak into it at a good distance.
The mic stand remedies this problem, but it’s a USB mic; we would like it to be a bit more convenient in this regard.
It looks like a mini-spaceship and just makes you feel really warm and fuzzy inside. Lol.
I didn’t like the fact that I had to use a traditional pop filter with it. It should have come with a mini windscreen.
Consensus/Conclusion
A portable, durable, and good-sounding mic. Picks up more background noise than I would have cared for.
Compact and easy to use. Needs a pop filter.
Final Word
The Meteor is definitely a worthy investment into your USB mic cabinet, although I would rank it second among mics in this price range and of this type.
I do consider it runner-up to the Blue Yeti, which is what I recommend above all else today.
If you can afford to splurge a little, the Yeti is the best USB on the market.
If you need something a little more affordable, the Meteor really does the trick.
Need the best? Check out this list of features for the Yeti:
- Versatility. Does well in a variety of applications. Just don’t purchase it with the intent of solely recording vocals and instruments. It can also be used with the provided stand or with a separate mic stand + shock mount as well as: a windscreen or pop-filter depending on your preference.
- Features. This baby is basically ready to go out of the box. 4 polar patterns, a gain switch, a zero-latency headphone jack for live monitoring (What is latency?), a mute button, a great USB cable, and an elegant design make it perfect for pod-casters who need everything in one place.
- It’s solid as a rock. It may look like a spaceship, but rest assured this beast is strong and durable.
- Well-rounded sound. Does exceptionally with an array of voice types.
- Popular. Opinions do vary, but you will find the Yeti at or near the top of many shortlists for the best USB pod-casting mic.
- An array of colors. Subject to change.
Interested in my full review?
Learn More:
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Samson Meteor mic review.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please contact me!!
What do you think? Would you take a chance on this baby? What about the Yeti? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
Be sure to check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!
Samson Meteor
Pros
- Durable as all heck
- Pretty
- Crisp sound
- Versatile
- Easy to use and portable
Cons
- Computer takes awhile to recognize it
- Needs a windscreen
- Picks up a lot of background noise
