This was posted 1 year 2 months 7 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Audio Technica AT2020USB+ Microphone $99 (Was $199) + Delivery ($0 C&C or in-Store in Limited Stores) @ JB Hi-Fi

1170

Great deal for a pretty decent mic with many great reviews. Record low for this model (USB variant) as far as I could find. Good mic quality suited for music producers, podcasters or just personal use.

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  • Great mic

  • +1

    Great price for a great mic.
    I paid $170 about a month ago

    Hardwired LED though. Can't turn it of ..

    • Electrical tape?

      • Nah it's an internal LED that's bright as (profanity).

        It's to denote mute/unmute

        • Ahhh ok…spot of black nail polish applied from an ear bud. haha.

        • +2

          I just bought a mic boom arm that comes with a foam cover and that does the trick.

          Imgur
          Imgur

  • +2

    I bought this mic 6 years ago and I've dropped it a million times. Still going strong. Just get rid of the tripod mount and get a boom arm.

    • +7

      How are you dropping it so often while its on a boom arm lol

      • When I was using the stock tripod I dropped it often.

    • I’ve got this mic. Which boom arm did you get?

      • Some cheapie "newer" one from Amazon. However I wouldn't recommend as it sags a bit cause the mic is too heavy.

    • +15

      mic drop.

    • Read somewhere you shouldn't drop condenser mics, they can alter sounds/performance

    • +1

      Woah, you've dropped it on average 456 times per day.

  • +3

    compared to Blue Yeti? which is better?

    • +1

      This by a country mile

      • thanks was wondering the same.

      • +5

        I think you're very much overselling the difference. Others can listen for themselves e.g. here:

        https://youtube.com/watch?v=FhOYIoJjTmA (good comparison for male spoken voice)
        https://youtube.com/watch?v=XxMH9qGXrlM (lots of instrument comparisons)

        The AT2020+ might be a little bit better on average in cardioid vs cardioid but you also lose some extra features like multiple patterns. Your country mile is much more like an inch or two (close enough to be subjective; some people will still prefer the Yeti).

        Of the linked videos imo second video has the most audible difference with certain instruments, and even the guy who made that says:

        I think they're both fantastic, realistically. It's just a matter of a little bit of taste. […] If you were to just pin me down to take one, I'd probably take the Yeti because it's more versatile […] depends on what you hear, and what you like, and also what your application is.

        • +1

          I'll take this a bit further: $99 is about what these mics are worth. They're clear but lack detail, and they have caveats.

          The AT2020 has survived this long because most people are too disengaged from mic assessment and purchase that they won't recommend anything other than this or the SM7B.

          And so every guide still mentions it over and over and over because it gets way more search hits and revenue.

          • +3

            @jasswolf: Sound equipment is just a shit market to have to buy in for your average person, imo. It's so subjective after a fairly low dollar threshold that is hard to get a grasp on what's going to work best. One thing i always have to ask is 'is the stuff this audio person is saying is important, actually important?'. And i still don't know for sure by the time I'm clicking buy. So it's unsurprising that opinions converge on one or two generally accepted products.

            • +1

              @gakko: People throw the subjective argument in, but I think it's more specifically a lack of experience with high quality audio production, which doesn't necessarily have a high price tag from a listener perspective.

              You've seen my comments around here so you know my recommendations tend to stay in a grouping of 5 max in a given product category, I just lament that the conversation doesn't shift quickly enough over time with technological change.

              Very few classics are actually classic, they just stand on hills no one wants to die on against 10,000+ amateur debaters.

              But certainly with mic and production choices people are going to generally colour/compliment their vocals and perhaps other samples/recordings. But again, the list shrinks once people learn how to describe what kind of colouration or technical aspects they want to capture/remove/distort.

              • -1

                @jasswolf: 10,000+ amateur debaters vs a handful of master debaters is the audio purchasing experience in a nutshell

  • fantastic price!

  • +1

    This or Rode NT-USB?

    • +4

      NT-USB IMO, but look into the Razer Seiren X ($60 eBay), HyperX DuoCast ($130 eBay), or Shure MV7 ($199 Amazon mid-year sales, do not get the MV7X).

      There's the odd other USB option (AT4050, I think?), but outside of these models, I would switch to XLR mics, with hand-held dynamics in the $30-$130 range, then an array of studio condenser, broadcast dynamics, and broadcaster condensers thereafter.

  • +1

    This good for karkokee or any recommendations?

    • +2

      Probably not, it does not have sound effect controls built into the mic.

      Also, it uses USB, typical karaoke equipment most likely requires 6.3mm audio jack or some sort of wireless interface.

    • +2

      Just put the lyrics up on your TV's Spotify app and shout at the top of your lungs with your friends.

      That's what most people wind up doing at Kareoke bars anyway…

  • +1

    Good for ASMR?

  • +1

    Website is not taking accepting gift cards for some reason. Keeps saying invalid

    • +1

      Had this issue as well, looking at the console log their API might be borked.
      Get a 404 on /checkbalance

  • Compare this with Rode NT-USB Mini for podcasting?

    • +3

      Rode fan here, and owner of the NT-USB Mini amongst other products. The Mini has excellent sound quality, very crisp and clear, I have never had a single complaint. There is no adjustable mic patterns and EQ/DSP modes, but that's expected at this price. The Mini has such a small physical presence too, it really is compact and discreet (vodcasting, video calls), looks great. Doesn't come with any practical stand though, so you'll need a boom arm or an adjustable mic stand. I'm sure this AT is good too.

      • +1

        Thank you for your input :)

  • Good timing. Thanks op. bought one.

  • excellent price for a great little mic,

  • No more stock in NSW, rip. Will get it delivered for $6 though, seems still worth.

  • Any recommended boom arm for this?

    • +2

      https://www.amazon.com.au/Microphone-Heavy-Duty-Suspension-C…

      This guy. Could check camels/wait for a sale. The ones with the exterior springs are really annoying to use - loud, hard to position correctly etc. These ones with the internal springs are a lot more well put together - easy to reposition, holds in place, looks better.

  • The Blue Snowball Ice is also on sale for $67 and has lots of good reviews. Is it worth paying $32 extra for the one in OP?
    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/blue-snowball-ice-usb-mic…

  • Thanks OP. Bought one of these as a gift 12 years ago. It's crazy how little they've maintained their price in that time (excepting 50% off sales like this one).

    • +1

      Are you saying they always sell for around $200?

      • No, I'm just saying impressions from my experience.

        • +3

          Not sure what you mean by this: "how little they've maintained their price"
          Does this mean the price has remained the same, gone up, or gone down in the past 12 years

          • +2

            @x x: Sorry, that's my mistake. I meant how "well" they've maintained their price. I suspect it was a phone typing error.

            I would have expected the model price to come down over 12 years, but the shelf price seems to have stayed pretty much at the same level for that whole time.

  • Just need something for Zoom calls, is this worth it or something else?

    • If you have a decent web cam then usually those mics are good enough (my Streamcam mic is pretty good). If you're using a laptop or a low-mid end headset then I'd grab this for sure.

      • Yea thanks for the info. I’ll be getting a MacBook Pro laptop from work. A bit annoying that a “high end” laptop would need a separate mic in this Zoom age.

        • Honestly the MBP builtin mic is pretty decent if you're in a quiet room.

    • I've been using a Neewer NW-8000 for a couple of years now with good results. It's certainly a big step above the microphone built into my WH-1000MX4 headset (being in front of my face probably makes 80% of the difference). I don't know how it stacks up for serious uses, but it was only about $30 when I bought it.

      • Thanks for the recommendation. It looks like the kit is around $50 on Amazon

  • +2

    Do you need a pop filter or does it work good enough as is?

  • Any idea how long the sale goes for?

    • +2

      Looks like there's a new AT2020USBX version which is USB-c, so i'd assume they are trying to shift the old stock.

  • How does it compare to the Razer Seiren X ?

    Edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThMupFYwkmQ

    Paid $60 AUD for Seiren X think it's not worth the $46 difference for me lol.

    • is it still available for $60 where you bought it?

    • I'm curious too. FYI the youtube video you linked is actually comparing the Seiren Elite not the Seiren X.

      • Thanks for that, he doesn't actually seem to mention that anywhere not even the title. Can see in the description the product for the Seiren Elite.

        While not a comparison here is what seems to be a decent review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofh9VBqF2VI

        Does not recommend if paying $100 USD (Was 5 years ago)

  • +1

    This is a good buy for this price. This model has 16Bit/48kHz sampling. If you need higher, the replacement model AT2020USBX has 24-bit/96kHz and is USB-C. The new version also has a MUCH sturdier base if you are not using a boom.

  • Is this good for ASMR?

  • Seems no local stock in QLD

    • +2

      I went into a JBhifi on the GC (Burleigh) and they have in stock. He said their website will show OOS if they only have 3 or less in stock in the store

      • Thanks, mate. I will visit near jb tomorrow

  • Couldn't find any stock in Melbourne, unsure how far it checks from the postcode entered, but is this possibly OOS?

    • Go into a store and check. JB guy told me today their website will show OOS if they have 3 or less in the store

  • Which speech to text software do you find best?

  • -3

    I think the overall consensus from the comments is it's a decent microphone that's worth $100. Your not really getting a "bargain" for the current price so you should only really get it if you need a microphone.

    But you won't be disappointed for the price

  • Any recommendations for a simple sound recording program to use with it?

    For a cappella quintet wanting to playback rehearsal singing to listen to voice blend etc.

  • This is a great deal! Thanks OP :)

  • +1

    Can’t find any click and collects. Shipping is $6
    Signed up for perk and got a $10 voucher

    • Did the same, only thing is delivery date was estimated to be 17 March in Brisbane, but not in rush.

  • Need a mic for gaming and video recording but no one is mentioning this mic for that purpose. Any recommendations appreciated as I am lost.

  • Perfect thanks! Got a $100 gift card and this is it!

  • How good is this if I put it at arms distance from me so that it is not in view when doing video calls? Don't know how professional it would look to have a mic in view if I have an interview or meeting online

    • Also, how would this compare vs Rode NT-USB and the Rode NT-USB mini?

    • I think it would look very professional. it's not a very obnoxious or gamer looking mic.

  • Does this pick up background noise? My wife runs online sessions and her computer mic picks up so much noise when there is construction work in the area.

    Wonder if this will help?

    • +1

      The AT2020 has a cardioid pattern (here), its most effective range when faced in the right direction is probably about a yoga ball sized area at most right in front of the mic, but ideally a basketball, if that makes it easier.

      That's not to say it won't pick up background noise at all though, but its focus pattern is good for isolation, as long as it is being used correctly and around the right way.
      Here is another Cardioid type diagram as an example (here)

  • +1

    Finally got mine. Very impressed with the mic quality and the headphone amp is pretty decent too. The blue light is annoying though, and it doesn't turn off even when the PC is off until you physically disconnect the USB.

  • Still haven't received mine..

    • +1

      Go through chat

      May have been backlogged to depot like I was. Chat diverted order to local store for quicker dispatch

      I contacted them because I saw another deal that reminded me of this and saw you could buy now and get delivered next day.

  • +2

    Mine's still not arrived. Emailed JB about it and they must've forgotten it in the log, but they're sending it again and refunding the shipping cost.

    • I still haven't received mine either, they initially responded with "you should receive it soon" but wont even respond now - pretty disappointed with their customer service.

  • Mine finally came today, didn't get in contact with them at all. Would've been more upset if it wasn't such a surprisingly big upgrade over my blue snowball. Can anyone recommend any boom arms?

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