CES 2020: Samson Q9U wins Best Microphone award

Samson has announced the Q9U Professional Broadcast Dynamic XLR/USB Microphone at CES 2020. It’s also our pick for CES 2020’s best microphone.

The Q9U offers professional audio at a decent price of $199. It also offers easy connection to your computer without any driver downloads. It’s easy to set up and fit right into any setup. It’s our pick for CES 2020’s Best Microphone.

The microphone features analog and digital connectivity with an XLR output and USB-C connection. That comes with 24-bit/96kHz hi-definition audio resolution. “The Q9U is an effective solution for achieving professional studio-quality audio for broadcasting, podcasting and streaming,” claims Samson.

Samson Q9U

Samson Q9U highlight features

  • Cardioid polar pattern
  • 24-bit/96kHz resolution
  • XLR Analog Output
  • USB-C Port
  • “Zero-Latency” Headphone output, according to Samson
  • Integrated swivel yoke mount
  • Low Cut Filter
  • Mid-presence Boost
  • Mute button
  • Integrated, dual-layer windscreen

“The Q9U includes sought after features such as a zero-latency headphone output that allows users to monitor their voice directly from the source or from the computer and offers an onboard mute switch,” says Samson.

Setting up the Samson Q9U

The Q9U features a humbucking neodymium capsule that should give enough output to integrate into whatever setup you have without needing external gain devices. Samson says the Q9U is ”equally suitable in a podcast studio, broadcast booth or recording rig.”

Samson Q9U hooked to rig
The Samson Q9U will ne on display at CES 2020

Additionally, the analog XLR output allows the microphone to connect to standard preamp, mixer or audio interface.

Audio

There’s an internal air-pneumatic shock mount that isolates the capsule from mechanical noise. Also, the Q9U features a cardioid pickup pattern with off-axis rejection. It should isolate the sound source in front of the mic and minimize ambient noise. Furthermore, the microphone has a dual-layer windscreen and low-cut and mid-presence boost controls.

USB connectivity

The Q9U features a USB-C connection so you can connect it into a computer without any driver downloads. The microphone features a 24bit/96kHz analog to digital converter.

Pricing and availability

The Samson Q9U will be out in the spring of 2020 for $199.

Sean Berry
Sean Berry
Sean Berry is Videomaker's Managing Editor.

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