Why you possibly can belief TechRadar
We spend hours testing each services or products we overview, so that you might be certain you’re shopping for the perfect. Find out more about how we test.
RIG M2 Streamstar: One-minute overview
The RIG M2 Streamstar is a baffling product. Regardless of being billed as a premium microphone for streamers and extra common gaming, it’s about so simple as they arrive with plug-and-play performance and no included software program.
You simply want to fit the included cable right into a free USB port, choose it as your most well-liked recording system within the likes of OBS or Audacity, and also you’re able to go in a matter of seconds.
This, on prime of its impressively compact dimension, may make it a good choose in case you’re in search of a conveyable microphone you can simply use with a gaming laptop computer to maintain up together with your streams when on the transfer.
Sadly, its precise function set is very restricted with only a primary acquire dial, mute performance, and sidetone to mess around with. On prime of a typical 3.5mm headphone jack it does supply the choice of Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity for that facet tone monitoring, with Qualcomm aptX HD codec compatibility for 24-bit hi-res audio.
That is fairly progressive, and the world’s first in a wired microphone in line with Nacon, however in the end doesn’t look like essentially the most helpful factor to have. It really works very nicely and is extraordinarily responsive general with no noticeable delay, however I can’t think about that the majority streamers wouldn’t have already got a good pair of wired gaming earbuds, or related, readily available for microphone monitoring.
With a singular angular look, the design of the microphone is kind of placing and refreshingly delicate for a gaming product and this helps set it aside. Sadly, although, the supplies used really feel disappointingly low-cost for the worth.
It’s plasticky within the fingers, with flimsy dials that even wobble barely whereas being turned. That is onerous to abdomen once you’re coping with a $129.99 product and when numerous different choices all the best way from the cheaper Blue Yeti and HyperX DuoCast to costlier SteelSeries Alias are significantly extra premium and higher constructed.
As for the efficiency, it’s respectable however nothing to jot down residence about. The microphone provides a 24-bit decision with pattern charges of as much as 192kHz, so is correct studio high quality, however can sound somewhat muffled and is difficult to place correctly with no growth arm.
The shortage of software program additionally means nothing in the best way of any substantial noise cancellation, so keep away from this mannequin until you have already got a quiet recording house or software program resolution in place.
RIG M2 Streamstar: Worth and availability
- Priced at $129.99
- Accessible through Amazon
- Worth is questionable
The RIG M2 Streamstar prices $129.99 and is offered through Amazon within the US. This value places it in the direction of the extra premium finish of the market, however, past its 24-bit audio and 192kHz pattern charge, it actually doesn’t have a lot to indicate for it. The HyperX DuoCast is only one instance of a less expensive competitor that advantages from a strong set of included software program, nice audio efficiency, and a extra premium design.
As for costlier choices, the JBL Quantum Stream Studio and SteelSeries Alias supply considerably extra options. Thnd play compatibility, plus extra robust optioe JBL Quantum Stream Studio has quite a lot of pickup patterns to select from, making it a greater match for a lot of setups, and, once more, some nice software program. As for the SteelSeries Alias, you get a relatively luxurious design, equally good plug and play software program.
The pattern charge of the RIG M2 Streamstar is significantly increased than the competitors although (with most fashions capping out at 48 or 96kHz), so may make that prime price a bit simpler to abdomen if that’s vital to you. There’s additionally the distinctive Bluetooth facet tone performance which, relying in your peripherals and setup, may show helpful and maybe definitely worth the value of admission.
RIG M2 Streamstar: Specs
|
Worth |
$129.99 |
|
Polar sample |
Cardioid |
|
Pattern charge |
48/96/192kHz |
|
Bit charge |
24-bit |
|
Frequency vary |
20 Hz – 20 kHz |
|
Connectivity |
USB Kind-C, 3.5mm, Bluetooth 5.4 |
RIG M2 Streamstar: Design and options
- Distinctive look, however feels low-cost
- Very primary set of options
- No included software program
The RIG M2 Streamstar has fairly a horny design. The capsule has an angular form, with a definite mix of clean rectangles and trapezoids. It appears to be like nearly futuristic and could be very compact in addition, coming in at roughly 6.5in / 165mm tall when utilizing its included stand.
The entrance of the microphone is dominated by a big metallic grille, which sits simply above two dials. The highest dial controls your headphone settings when a appropriate pair is linked through the three.5mm jack or Bluetooth. Twisting the dial will increase or decreases the general headphone quantity, whereas urgent it as soon as mutes the headset. Holding the button permits Bluetooth paring mode, indicated by a flashing ring gentle across the base of the button.
The opposite dial controls the microphone acquire, although it’s a bit difficult to regulate. It’s onerous to inform your present degree until you’re utilizing the facet tone. Usually, I might merely boot up a microphone’s software program to vary my present settings to the exact degree that I needed – however as there isn’t any of that right here you simply must do it by ear.
The shortage of software program additionally signifies that easy actions like enabling the facet tone or altering the pattern charge are convoluted and require you to fiddle round in your system settings. The included Fast Begin Information is stuffed with screenshots of an older model of the Home windows sound settings tab, which makes it unhelpful for these on Windows 11. Simplicity is an efficient factor and I usually love plug-and-play performance, however there comes a degree the place not having fast entry to vital settings is simply annoying.
Urgent the acquire dial rapidly mutes the microphone, which is normal at this value however however a useful function to have. Each dials are constructed from plastic and really feel very low-cost, even wobbling barely after they’re being adjusted. The motion of rotating the dial additionally results in a number of audible suggestions, which goes to be an issue in case you’re used to utilizing a mannequin the place you possibly can rapidly alter your settings on stream.
The included stand is primary and underwhelming, successfully a two-part lump of plastic with a rubberized underside that does not really feel notably sturdy and is held collectively by low-cost screws. The microphone is appropriate with most growth arms through a typical 5/8 thread although, which is nice and provides you extra choices to work with.
One little element I do admire is the truth that the microphone has a small plastic panel on its rear that’s held in place by magnets and might be eliminated simply. That is meant to be a spot the place you possibly can show your personal branding, which is a cute and novel thought.
RIG M2 Streamstar: Efficiency
- Straightforward to get arrange
- Sounds good when correctly positioned
- Vulnerable to background noise
The setup course of could be very simple, however I rapidly discovered that the RIG M2 Streamstar tends to sound fairly muffled until you’re cautious about positioning. I am used to testing a number of totally different cardioid mics, however my traditional spot simply didn’t appear to work this time round. As a substitute, the microphone wanted to be proper beneath mouth to be able to choose up speech reliably so it’s undoubtedly price investing in a growth arm in case you don’t have already got one.
Every little thing that I did handle to report as soon as I discovered that place sounded good, not less than. The high-fidelity recordings I produced in Audacity had been very detailed and captured my voice nicely – not less than when there wasn’t any background noise. On that observe, the RIG M2 Streamstar picks up background noise simply, with all the pieces from the press of my mouse to passing automobiles coming throughout in life-like element.
This wouldn’t be a difficulty in a studio atmosphere, however in case you’re a streamer or content material creator you’re going to wish a separate software program resolution for noise cancellation within the likes of OBS. This isn’t the tip of the world, however nearly each gaming mannequin from main manufacturers at this value comes with its personal noise-cancellation options out of the field.
The facet tone options carry out nicely when the microphone is linked to both a wired or wi-fi audio system. There’s no noticeable latency at throughout Bluetooth, which could be very spectacular. I examined the microphone with a couple of totally different pairs of wi-fi headphones (each gaming and extra common shopper fashions) and each mannequin paired simply. As linked headphones can be utilized as audio output units, this might double as a method to allow Bluetooth 5.4 audio in your PC if it doesn’t help it.
Ought to I purchase the RIG M2 Streamstar?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally contemplate…
After another choices? These two fashions give the RIG M2 Streamstar a run for its cash.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
RIG M2 Streamstar |
HyperX DuoCast |
JBL Quantum Stream Studio |
|
Worth |
$129.99 |
$99 / £65 |
$149.99 / £129.99 / AU$199.95 |
|
Polar sample |
Cardioid |
Cardioid, omnidirectional |
Cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, stereo |
|
Pattern charge |
48/96/192kHz |
96kHz |
44.1 kHz / 48 kHz / 96 kHz / 192 kHz |
|
Bit charge |
24-bit |
16 / 24 bit |
16 / 24-bit |
|
Frequency vary |
20 Hz – 20 kHz |
20Hz – 20kHz |
50Hz – 16kHz |
|
Connectivity |
USB Kind-C, 3.5mm, Bluetooth 5.4 |
USB Kind-C, 3.5mm |
USB Kind-C, 3.5mm |
How I examined the RIG M2 Streamstar
- Examined for every week
- In comparison with different gaming microphones
- Utilized in quite a lot of situations and use instances
I examined the RIG M2 Streamstar for every week, placing it by its paces in various situations utilizing my residence PC with an RTX 3060, I5-11400F, and 32GB of RAM. This time included various work conferences and gaming classes with pals, along with testing its compatibility with well-liked streaming software program OBS. I additionally evaluated its audio high quality with various recording exams, most notably recording a number of samples in Audacity in quite a lot of totally different circumstances.
All through my time with the microphone I in contrast my expertise with my hands-on testing of numerous different fashions ranging all the best way from dependable finances choices such because the Blue Snowball to extra premium options just like the Blue Yeti and Steelseries Alias and SteelSeries Alias Pro.
First reviewed March 2025.