Can’t find a headset/mic combination you like? Do you have a favorite pair of headphones but no mic? Wouldn’t it be great to just add a microphone to your own headphones anytime you like? You may remember my own attempts at using a hot glue gun to attach a microphone to my own comfy headphones… Fortunately, the AntLion Audio ModMic detachable boom microphone solves this problem.
Specs:
- Jack: 3.5mm
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Sensitivity: -26 ± 3 dB
- Response: 30 Hz–17.5 kHz ± 3 dB
- SNR: 58+ dB
- Impedance: 2.2 KΩ
- Operating Voltage: 1 to 10V
- Max current at 2.0V: 500 µA
- Max input SPL: 110 dB
- Boom Length: ~5 inches (~12.7 cm, stock), ~6 inches (~15.2 cm, maximum length)
- Clasp Height: 0.5 inches (1.27 cm, attached), 0.2 inches (0.5 cm, detached)
- Microphone Weight (mic and clasp): 4 grams (0.14 ounces)
- Total Weight (mic, clasp, and cable): 20 grams (0.71 ounces)
The NeoClasp magnets have a peel-off adhesive on one side, and a four-pronged “tooth” system that lets you adjust the mic angle. If you unscrew the cap, you can adjust the length of the mic boom.
To attach, simply attach the adhesive NeoClasp magnet to your favorite headphones. You’ll need a flat surface, since the magnet itself is flat. In my case, my Sennheiser PX100-II folding headphones don’t have a flat surface, so I cut a tiny piece of double-stick foam tape to do the trick.
How does it sound? Sounds great! I called up my brothers-in-law, who I usually use to try this sort of stuff out with, and they could not tell I was using something that was essentially completely custom. Voices sounded almost booming, as if the mic was too close. The 6mm electret capsule condenser microphone at the end of a 5″ long boom is flexible, so you can move it closer or further away from your mouth. The cable is a VERY generous 11.5 feet long to reach the back of your computer.
If there’s one thing I would improve on is the design of the magnet “teeth”. Because there are four teeth, you can only rotate the mic at 90 degree increments. Perhaps 8 or 16 teeth would have allowed a more usable coarse adjustment for mic-to-mouth alignment, while the bendy bit works for fine tuning.
Now I have no excuse for NOT having my favorite pair of headphones to use for that next Skype session or fragfest!
Product Information
| Price: | $32.95 |
| Manufacturer: | AntLion Audio |
| Requirements: |
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Great review… I’ve been looking for a stereo headset with high quality sound and high quality noise rejection on the mic (I assume that means a boom mic) for use with my iPhone and can’t find one. I’ve tried the Ume, and while the mic was great, the incoming sound wasn’t great. Any suggestions?
I also tried the UmeVoice “the Boom” on my own headphones.
http://the-gadgeteer.com/2010/05/04/plantronics-audio-476-dsp-usb-headset-review/
It’s not easy, that’s for sure.
Which sounds better and has better mic quality: your homemade headset with the Ume or the plantronics?
Is it possible to somehow adapt gaming headsets for cellphone use?
They’re all pretty good. TheBoom is unmatched for background noise reduction, however.
I’m not sure how you could adapt gaming headsets to a cell phone. You’d need a special adapter to combine the microphone and headphone audio. However, I suppose a bluetooth-based gaming headset would also work with a cell phone. I haven’t tried it.