Final Thoughts on the Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone
I started off this review with a clean slate for Shure to make a first impression upon, and my experience with the MV6 USB Gaming Microphone has led to this being a great first impression. Now that’s not to say that the company itself is some sort of newcomer, quite the opposite actually. It is just that we have not reviewed any items from Shure, so this was our first foray into their product lineup. Bringing a USB-connected microphone to the gaming segment (though you can use the MV6 for nearly any use case), was a first for Shure, and the simplicity of USB makes this a great option for gamers looking to really improve their communication or content creation audio. No messing with XLR interfaces, phantom power, or other components here. Simply plug the microphone into your supported device, phones and tablets included, and off you go.
Of course you can use the MV6 as it is, with access to the touch-sensitive mute and integrated real-time headphone monitor, but to really get going, the MOTIV Mix application can really flesh out your audio routing needs. Similar to WaveLink from Elgato, MOTIV Mix lets you add multiple audio sources to the application, adjusting them individually, and bringing them all together into a single output, and routing that wherever your needs may take it. MOTIV Mix isn’t overly complex in its current beta form, which some users have really complained about, but I think the userbase for the MV6 will find it to be sufficient.
As far as sound quality goes, I think the MV6 sounds great. Decades of Shure experience, mixed with integrated digital adjustments and filtering, really brings together the past and the present into a package for today’s gamer. The foam windscreen and Digital Popper Stopper did a great job filtering out my plosives during my use with the MV6, letting the dynamic cartridge pick up the details in just my voice, thanks to its cardioid polar pattern.
All of this quality comes at a price, and the MV6 USB Gaming Microphone is available for $149.99 at our favorite online shop. This places the MV6 near the top of the price chart of microphones we have looked at in recent years, but I think it is well worth it when you consider the exceptional sound recording and excellent build quality that you get from a company like Shure. All this comes together to earn the Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone a 9 out of 10.
Pros:
- Great Build Quality
- Touch-Sensitive Mute
- Real-Time Monitoring
- Great Audio Quality
- Sturdy Stand Included
Cons:
- Price
- MOTIV Mix Lacking In Some Scenarios
- Mute Sensor Not Visible During Use
