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The Maono PD200X brings dual USB and XLR outputs to an affordable dynamic microphone built for streaming and content creation. Does it hold up against popular alternatives from Samson and Audio-Technica? Let’s take a closer look.

The PD200X offers several features that competitors in the budget-friendly dynamic microphone space do not. But of course, none of that matters if it doesn’t provide quality sound. The good news is that over USB on the “original” setting, the PD200X provides a very usable sound quality for content creation, and 24-bit / 48kHz conversion.

Features & Connectivity

Hardware features of the PD200X include:

• USB-C & XLR output (can be used simultaneously)
• 3.5mm headphone output for zero-latency monitoring
• Headphone volume / mic gain dial + mute button
• RGB control button
• Included shock mount
• Foam windscreen (installed)
• 24-bit / 48kHz audio conversion (USB)
• USB-C to USB-C/A cable included
• -52dBV sensitivity (XLR)
• 40Hz – 16kHz frequency response
• Cardioid polar pattern

There are no notable features missing on the PD200X, it’s got pretty much everything you could want. However with a price under $100, the quality of all these features isn’t going to be top-tier. For example, the shock mount is not very effective at reducing the low-frequency resonance from bumping the boom arm, cables, and desk. In fact, bumping the shock mount itself produces a loud resonating “boom”. The windscreen also does not stop plosives very effectively, though a different windscreen that provides more airspace between the capsule would be an inexpensive fix. And the buttons and dial, though very useful, make loud clicking noises when pressing them which can be heard in your recording. One other small complaint I have is that the USB and XLR outputs don’t have the same sound profile, at least not when the USB output is on the standard “original” setting. The XLR output has more of a raw sound with a sharper high end, while the USB on “original” has a more full low end and slightly tamed high end.

On the plus-side, having all these features and controls is not a given at this price point. Most of the competition does not offer dual output, as much physical control, or RGB lighting (which I prefer to leave off). 24-bit / 48kHz conversion over USB is also a plus, as some competitors offer only 16-bit conversion. The headphone output is also not unpleasant to listen to while recording. It’s not the cleanest headphone output, but honestly a lot of USB microphones I’ve tested have fairly noisy headphone outputs, even the higher-priced ones (save for the Elgato Wave 3 which is quiet enough for longer periods of casual listening). The XLR sensitivity is also higher than many other dynamic microphones at -52dBV. This means audio interfaces like the Focusrite Scarlett series can power the PD200X without the help of an inline preamp. But is the sound of the PD200X good enough to overlook my hardware-related complaints?

Sound Quality & Software

I found the sound quality of the PD200X over USB to be very usable in just about any content creation scenario – streaming, podcasting, or video. In my opinion, the default setting in the Maono Link software (“original”) provides the best sound. The low end is present and the high end is somewhat tamed on this setting. It could benefit from perhaps a small EQ cut around 400-500Hz but otherwise sounds pretty nice for spoken word applications. The “deep” setting brings a bit too much bass for my taste (and my voice), while the “natural” setting is a little on the shrill side and “legacy” adds some analog sound but sounds a bit muddy to me. All those settings are in the “basic” tab of Maono Link. On the “advanced” tab, you have control over a high pass filter and presence boost, limiter and compressor. The sound in advanced mode is a little bit more focused on mid and upper frequencies, a bit like the XLR output, so perhaps using advanced mode would be advisable if trying to match the sound profile of the XLR output.

Compared to the sound of two main competitors with dual USB & XLR output for an affordable price, the PD200X held up quite well. The Samson Q2U offers both outputs and 16-bit conversion for around $60. It’s a very popular choice as a “starter” or extra microphone in podcasting setups due to its reliable performance and sound. But I personally thought it sounded a bit thin compared to the PD200X, and I don’t love the antiquated mini-USB output or 16-bit conversion. Another option is the Audio-Technica ATR2100x, which goes for the same price as the PD200X ($79). The sound quality of the ATR2100x is nice, if a bit harsh in the high end. But it does not offer any software to shape the sound and if it matters to you, it also doesn’t look as nice on-screen. For me, between the ATR200x and the PD200X, I think it’s a matter of personal preference in the sound profile. When it comes to more expensive options like the Rode PodMic USB and Shure MV7, I would give the edge to the competition in terms of sound quality and DSP/software features without hesitation, but they are more than double the price.

Final Thoughts

Overall, would I recommend the PD200X? If your budget is the $100-or-less range and you need both USB & XLR outputs, you certainly could do worse than the PD200X. It’s also regularly discounted on amazon – I’ve seen it as low as $59 on occasion, making it an even better value. However if you do not require dual output, there are many USB or XLR-only options on the market that don’t have quite as many minor issues. Check out my recommended podcast microphones if you’d like some more suggestions.