I’m a bit of an audiophile, I’ll admit. I’ve spent years obsessing over the nuances in sound quality between different devices, all in the relentless quest to find the microphone that perfectly captures my voice, flaws and all.
Throughout this journey, I’ve tested over a dozen headsets, spanning both console and PC gaming domains, and a variety of microphones including the well-known Blue Yeti. My mindset was simple: if my voice was going to sound rough, my equipment needed to help make it sound better.
Then, about five years ago, I stumbled upon the SHURE SM7B and finally found my holy grail. It retails at $399. In comparison, the NZXT Capsule Elite is a budget-friendly $89.99.
I’m sharing my experience so you can have a clearer picture of my audio evolution and see where you might find yourself on this path. With any luck, it aids in determining whether the Capsule Elite could be your go-to choice.
Now, why should you take my word for it? Well, I’m Michael Hoglund, a steadfast PC enthusiast with 25 years of gaming and audio exploration under my belt. From tuning my setup to far exceed typical console costs, I’ve always chased audio perfection. So when I endorse a microphone, you can be sure I mean it.
This review is unbiased, despite having received a review sample from NZXT. The company had no influence over my opinions or the review’s content.
NZXT Capsule Elite: Specs and Features
The Capsule Elite offers an enticingly low price compared to its competitors, and it showcases a sleek metallic finish for its grilles, giving it an appealing aesthetic.
Literally standing strong off its stand, the microphone is housed in a sturdy plastic body with steel grilles and aluminum knobs. Its stand is a hefty piece of metal, impressively stable, ensuring that even a minor desk bump won’t send it flying. Its front sports a classic silver metallic finish, while the rear grille is white, seamlessly blending with the rest of the design.
You’ll find some LEDs strategically placed, both on the front and back. The front acts as a volume meter for both headphones and microphone audio, while the rear features simple RGB lighting that adds a touch of flair to your streaming setup.
NZXT Capsule Elite: The Good Stuff
The sound quality of the Capsule Elite genuinely impressed me. While it doesn’t quite compete with heavyweights like the SHURE SM7B, it holds its own against typical headset mics. After running several tests in Audacity, I found the Capsule Elite delivered a warm sound, clearly outshining most standard and even higher-end headset microphones. I’d argue it’s neck and neck with many mid-range options.
The customization options via the NZXT CAM Software are nothing short of comprehensive. It goes head-to-head with the capabilities of my GO XLR. The software features a de-esser, de-popper, noise gate, compressor, and equalizer, all providing a level of control not often found in this price range.
NZXT Capsule Elite: Room for Improvement
Despite the software’s promise, I encountered issues while using its built-in testing feature—it made my playback sound awful. Stick to Audacity or check your voice quality over Discord for a much better experience.
The main criticism I have is the plastic housing. It looks nice but feels a tad cheap. For $90, I expected something more substantial. In comparison, a Blue Yeti only costs $10 more and boasts a robust metal casing.
Another snag was with the mic arm. My setup couldn’t accommodate the Capsule Elite’s arm due to its unidirectional bend. It doesn’t rotate at the base, so attaching it resulted in the microphone pointing away from me. Streamers may find this particularly annoying if they want to show off their gear.
Should You Get the NZXT Capsule Elite?
You might want to consider it if:
- You’re after a mic that makes your voice sound fantastic.
- You’re looking for high customization without extra costs on audio equipment.
Friends have noticed how good my voice sounds, even if it’s different from my usual SHURE SM7B and GO XLR setup—making my friends a bit envious is always a fun bonus.
You might want to skip it if:
- You need to mount it on a mic arm stand without hassle.
- You require something that can move freely without losing audio quality.
The NZXT Capsule Elite is a killer deal for the price, offering features that other microphones in its range don’t. Its customization and sound quality are unexpected perks for the cost, proving that it’s ready to challenge more established rivals like the Blue Yeti and Razer Seiren, especially in software and voice quality.
In conclusion, if your budget is around $100, the NZXT Capsule Elite is hard to beat. It consistently amazed me, and I have no doubt it’ll do the same for you.
