This was purchased to use in an environment that is, frankly, supposed to be beyond the capabilities of this microphone. We have just started webcasting our homeowners association board meetings. There are 10 board members in a horseshoe configuration in the front of the room, speaking through a central sound system with speakers in the ceiling. The room is 1800SF of totally open area and the audience in attendance numbers from 40-60 people with an opportunity for them to speak through a completely different, portable sound system.
The mic was placed approximately fifteen feet from the center of the horseshoe, pointing towards the board members. The webcam (Logitech BCC950, also from Amazon) is placed about ten feet behind the microphone and is piped into the portable speaker system via a 50 foot 3.5mm to 1/4" microphone cable. The operator (me) sits at the table with the webcam and runs the webcast software we are using (Anymeeting) on a Dell 3521 Laptop. Since I make a bit of noise typing, changing settings and remotely turning the camera, I wanted some separation from the mic, thus the reason for the different location.
The microphone picks up the board perfectly - crystal clear to those attending via the webcast. It works seamlessly with Windows 8.1 and complements the video from the Logitech very nicely. When live participants speak through the portable system, it also captures them quite well. When remote participants are "called on", their voice also comes through the portable system and is also captured nicely although will give them a lot of echo since it's sending the same voice back out over the webcast. I could mute the mic during their question/comment but then other remote participants wouldn't hear it so the speaker just has to turn down their own speakers while talking and everything is fine.
The only "downside" to the mic is that it is so sensitive that it picks up ambient noise so if someone in the audience makes a quiet, off the record comment, it is often picked up even though spoken softly. Adjusting the gain levels will likely cure most of this problem during future meetings. Or people will learn that they are live no matter how softly they talk if they are within a few feet of the mic. I can't isolate it anymore than that since the room is somewhat crowded. Since the mic is picking up the board and participant voices via the speaker system, I may be able to actually move the mic to the very back of the room since location should not matter if the overhead speakers are all working okay.
I remember the days when a microphone of this quality would cost hundred of dollars and now this is under seventy. It seems to be of very high quality, comes with a nice little carrying case. I do recommend the 15 foot USB extension for placement purposes - it's here on Amazon for five dollars or so.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Similar item to consider
Hard Rock apparel
Outerwear, tees, and accessories. Discover the rock shop.
Frequently bought together
$69.99
Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 15
Only 20 left in stock - order soon.
+
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Top rated similar items
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn morePRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
Carbon Neutral Certified by SCS Global Services means the product’s carbon emissions have been measured and reduced, with any remaining emissions offset.
Compare with similar items
This Item  MXL AC-404 USB Boundary Condenser Conferencing Microphone - Black |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | -46% $69.99 List: $129.95 | -13% $69.99 List: $79.99 | $69.95 | $74.82 | -9% $79.00 List: $86.90 | $32.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 15 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | Get it as soon as Monday, May 13 | Get it as soon as Monday, May 13 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sound quality | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Sold By | Retail Simpli | AnkerDirect | Liquid Audio Inc | CanesCorner | Amazon.com | TonorDirect US |
| power source | USB | Corded Electric | Buss | Bus | Corded Electric | Corded Electric |
| connectivity tech | USB | USB | USB | USB | XLR | USB |
| connector type | USB | USB | USB | USB | — | USB |
| model number | MXLAC404 | A3308 | AC-44 USB | AC-44 USB | BA 19A | TM20 |
| material | Metal | — | Metal | Metal | — | — |
| battery quantity | 1 lithium ion | 4 lithium polymer | — | — | — | 1 lithium ion, 0 product specific |
| audio sensitivity | — | — | 91 decibels | — | -53 decibels | -38 decibels |
| signal-to-noise ratio | 78 decibels | 78 decibels | 91 decibels | 78 decibels | 35 decibels | 78 decibels |
| hardware platform | PC | PC | PC, Tablet | PC | — | PC |
Reviews with images
A good boundary mic for the price
Overall this is a good quality mic for the price. I compared it to the similar Soundtech CM-1000, and there are pros and cons to each. Both had better sound than my Jabra Speak 410/510 USB speaker/mic, though neither has speaker or bluetooth functions. I would also check out the Samson GoMic, which (though not a boundary mic) is good sounding, very flexible, and less expensive.The MXL isn't really omnidirectional; possibly this is a function of the 3 capsule design? (pic attached). In any case, mine acts as a cardioid pattern mic (the slanted bit is the front), and I got good results orienting the mic this way. 90 degrees off axis was several dB down and sounded more distant, and 180 was even worse. The SoundTech CM-1000 was omni, and though it had a few dB more noise and didn't sound as good as the MXL on axis, it was better off axis. Thus, in a room with only a couple of people or for more distant pickup the MXL wins, but for a small round conference table the SoundTech does.The SoundTech allows you to daisy chain additional mics for better pickup for larger tables or rooms; the MXL does not. However, adding a second mic increased room noise by 6dB. Though it definitely gave more uniform pickup, in my room (noisy due to old A/C system) the background noise made this setup unusable. In quieter rooms this might be a good solution, but I'd verify that it works in your space before committing to it.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Top reviews from other countries
Michael Chan
Does what you want it to do.
Reviewed in Canada on July 13, 2023Style: BLACKVerified Purchase
Hajee A P Bava & Company Constructions Private Ltd
Overall Good
Reviewed in India on August 2, 2023Style: BLACKVerified Purchase
Moritz Mentzel
Konferenzraum Mikrofon in guter Qualität
Reviewed in Germany on April 13, 2017Style: BLACKVerified Purchase
