Shopping for an Apple compatible wired or wireless headset with built-in mic for Mac Skype, FaceTime, Apple Dictation, Videoconferencing or Gaming?
Universal USB or Analog Apple Headset For Mac - iPad - iPhone
The AT2020 is a classic vocal mic that performs well above its price point. The AT2020USB+ is, you guessed it, the plug-n-play USB version. It has a headphone jack so you can listen to yourself speaking (don’t use your speakers or there’s a good chance you’ll get a nasty echo) and a mix control dial that lets you blend audio from your computer with whatever you microphone is hearing. Blue Microphones Tiki review. By Matt Hanson TechRadar Pro. The Blue Microphones Tiki USB microphone is designed to help with an increasingly common web task - VoiP and video conferencing. More than half of our users are on Mac’s and use Microsoft Remote Desktop. We have found Version 10 much harder to setup on users desktops because unlike the prior version where most of the information was in one place - now its spread around via access to dropdowns and in various locations.
Currently you'll find three types of wired Apple compatible headset hardware: All-Digital USB headsets with a simple USB cable that's instantly recognized by OSX in Sound Preferences Pane. There are Analog headsets that also include a USB Audio Adapter Dongle that converts the audio and microphone signal to a single USB connection for Mac use. Apple users could also opt for newer TRRS 4-Pole Analog headsets that use a single plug like the iPhone, iPad and newer Mac's use.
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Analog Mic Headsets For Mac : 4-Pole
More recently, Apple standardized on a single 4-Conductor 1/8th inch plug for earbuds and headsets with integrated microphones. This occured both on desktop Macintosh and MacBook laptops - along with iPads and iPhones. The PC and cell-phone world saw the appeal of this and many manufacturers are now delivering Apple compatible TRRS 4-Pole headsets with mic that use a single 4-pole plug that work the same with either Mac's or PC's.
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4-Pole Headset With Mic For Mac - iPad - iPhone
Many older Macs used 'Microphone Level' rather than 'Line Level' input voltages in their audio jacks. The standard 1/8th inch plug looked the same, but many PC analog headsets with microphones with 2 separate plugs, one for it's built-in mic simply did not work on a Macintosh. They failed to deliver adequate volatge to the audio in port for the microphone to produce an audible level of sound. Mono and stereo headsets compatible with Mac have been a bit problematic historically. For a long time Apple used different line voltage standards for 1/8' plug microphones that fractured the Analog headset market into those that were PC compatible and others that were Mac compatible. As such, USB headsets for Mac became a far wiser headset choice for assured Mac compatibility.
USB-C Digital Headsets For New Macs
A new generation of all-digital Mac compatible USB-C headsets with mic can use the Type-C USB 3.1 / Thunderbolt 3 ports on newer MacBook Pro and Air laptops, as well as the latest iMac and Mac mini desktop computers.
Mac Compatible USB-C Headset Type-C or 4-Pole TRRS Connection
Shop carefully if you want a Type-C connector; there's still a million rectangular Type-A USB mic headsets out there. However, you can use them on a newer Mac with the addition of a USB-A to USB-C adapter or hub if needed. Apple compatible USB-C earbud style headphones with inline mic are easier to find because so many new smartphones are also adopting the Type-C USB-C interface for audio and charging.
Wireless Headsets For Mac
For cordless freedom, some may prefer an Apple compatible wireless Bluetooth headset with mic. You can roam a bit while in use, though headset recharging will still need to be done via USB periodically.
Jabra Evolve Pro Headset For Mac 2-Device Bluetooth Pairing Support
Microphone For Mac Computer
Headset For Mac Features To Look For
When shopping for a headset to compliment your Macintosh computer setup, consider the varied uses and OSX applications you'll likely use. For iTunes music enjoyment, ponder headsets with larger 30mm to 50mm driver elements to reproduce deep bass frequencies most music lovers and gamers prefer. For Apple Dictation needs, some may prefer a lightweight Mac mic headset design that can be worn for extended periods. Some small business and VOIP users might actualy prefer a single-ear monophonic headset so that they can more easily interact with a conventional desk phone or converse easily with coworkers.
Notification - Apple and the Apple logo, Mac, MacBook Air, Mac mini or iMac, MacBook Pro, OSX and and any others are a registered trademark of Apple Inc. in the US and other countries. Other computing accessory, peripheral, upgrade, add-on and gizmo and gadget mfrs, brands and product names which may be mentioned at this web site are registered trademarks of each related technology corporate entity.
Even before the coronavirus lockdown there was a need for video conferencing, both for work and for personal use. But the one thing that is usually overlooked is the audio.
We are usually sure to get a larger monitor to see people better or a webcam to be seen at higher quality, but what about your computer’s built in microphone? Chances are it’s letting you down.
If your video calling colleagues or friends sounds great, it doesn’t mean you do (and if they don’t sound great, send them the link to this article!) A USB-powered computer microphone is a sensible purchase if you’re working from home due to lockdown and are finding yourself on a lot more Zoom calls or simply if you want to upgrade your desktop set up to be better prepared for all audio needs.
Not only useful for video and internet calling, USB microphones are also perfect for recording audio for podcasts, voice-overs and music production. You might not achieve studio quality results, but rest assured that any of the microphones on this list are better than the small one built into your laptop
If you’re using a desktop, your computer might not even have a microphone anyway. If that’s the case, then a microphone is a fine alternative if you don’t want to wear a headset. Just remember that it also depends on the room you’re using a mic in – if the room is large and echoey with reflective surfaces, then that will still come across via a better mic.
But pairing one of these mics with a acoustically well set up room will result in much better audio whatever your needs.
Blue Snowball iCE
Price: $97
Where to buy:Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi,
Blue makes a couple of very popular USB microphones and the Snowball iCE is the cheaper of the two. That’s not to say it isn’t a great option, with plug and play functionality that means you won’t have to download any additional software to use it.
It’ll work seamlessly with platforms like Skype and FaceTime on laptop and desktop for audio on video calls but will also work for Twitch streaming or recording audio for music or podcast production.
For under $100 it’s our pick of the bunch for its simplicity and relatively huge upgrade to the audio your computer’s microphone could capture in comparison.
Blue Yeti
Price: $450
Where to buy: Amazon
The pricier option from Blue is the Yeti, made famous for its extensive use by thousands of podcast makers worldwide. It has three condensers compared to the Snowball’s two, so overall sound quality is more detailed. It’s the ideal design for podcast audio capture conversations live between two people across from each other, great if you don’t want to fork out for two mics.
It can also record in four polar patterns, meaning it’s a better option if you want to record anything approaching studio-quality audio. It might be overkill if you just want to sound a little better on Zoom.
It adds a mute button and headphone volume control right on the mic, whereas the Snowball lacks either. The Yeti made its name for a reason, and if you will be using a mic to record any kind of content as well as video calling then it could be the better pick.
Audio Technica ATR2100X
Price: $168
Where to buy:Amazon
Of course, you’re not limited to Blue products! If you want a handheld mic (the previous two are stand-only) then this traditionally designed Audio Technica is a good choice. It comes with a small tripod for hands-free desk recording but gives you the option of handheld if you are presenting, for example.
It’s a good choice if you’ll be needing a mic away from the computer, as it has XLR input for sound mixers and audio interfaces as well as USB. It is also a dynamic mic, meaning it is very good at cutting out background noise, unlike the two Blue mics that are designed for a wider field of audio capture.
It means the Audio Technica is best for one-person recordings, whereas the Blue mics can capture podcast or call audio of two people.
Shure MOTIV MV5
Price: $169
Where to buy: Apple
This option from Shure is comparable to the Blue Snowball but is a little more versatile. It’s designed specifically for Mac and iOS so is the best mic on this list if you live in Apple’s world.
It has three preset modes (vocal, instrument and flat) to allow you to easily capture different types of audio depending on the activity and comes with USB-A and Lightning cables as well as a stand. It also works with Shure’s free iOS app to record uncompressed audio, allowing you to use your phone as a controller for different settings.
Desktop Microphone For Pc
Like the Blue Yeti, this one is geared more towards podcasters and musicians with a headphone output hjack on the mic, but it’ll do nicely for your work video calls too. Just steer clear if you have a Windows PC.
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