Podcasters, streamers or videographers: this is Sennheiser’s target with its Profile microphone. Renowned for its high-end equipment, the manufacturer is trying to shake up the consumer market by offering a USB microphone plug & play (plug in and it works) at an affordable price and aimed at content creators.
Available in two versions (without articulated arm or with), it is marketed at a price of 130 euros (200 euros with the Sennheiser articulated arm that we recommend).
Sennheiser ensures that its Profile is the ideal microphone for content creators (podcasters, streamers, youtubers, videographers) with a content budget and/or who do not wish to equip themselves with too complex audio paraphernalia.
Inevitably, we wanted to check if the Profile was as crazy as the Sennheiser advance. Spoiler: we were not disappointed with the trip.
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Micro USB vs XLR: what are the differences?
For those who do not know the microphone market, remember that there are two main families: micro USB and micro XLR.
Acclaimed by content creation professionals, XLR microphones must be accompanied by an audio console serving as an intermediary between the microphone and the computer. They often deliver better sound quality and the audio console allows you to adjust the sound. Often software comes with the package to add voice effects or control the sound with more precision. Inevitably, this arsenal has a cost, often very high, that beginners are not necessarily ready to pay.
This is where USB microphones come in. More affordable, they connect directly to the computer, tablet or smartphone (USB-C for the Profile). No need audio console, no need special interface, one branch and it works. On the other hand, the sound quality is worse than the XLR microphones and the possibilities of adjustment are more limited.
With the Profile, Sennheiser therefore promises to combine the best of both worlds. : remarkable sound quality with disconcerting ease of use for a contained price.
A professional sound (or almost)
Let’s start with the basics of a microphone: its sound quality. Sennheiser promises an experience worthy of a professional microphone. The Profile has a sampling rate of 48 KHz and a resolution of 16 bits for high definition rendering.
Is the quality there? Absolutely. Without reaching the level of the best professional microphones, the Profile outclasses all other micro USB on the market. Although it tends to transcribe a deeper voice with more roundness (imagine radio voices), the sound reproduction remains excellent, especially for this price.
This particular sound signature will delight podcasters and streamers, perhaps less videographers looking to transcribe a voice closer to reality.
Although it is a carioid microphone (it picks up the sound in front of it), Sennheiser has integrated a function that allows to record interviews without having to buy a second microphone. The Profile can indeed record in front of and behind it (by long pressing the mute button). A real highlight.
We will quibble a little while mentioning the absence of a pop filter. A detail without great importance as the microphone filters out these lip sounds (“p” and “b”) well.
Sennheiser displays its most beautiful Profile
An effective microphone is good, if it is more elegant it is better. At the time of the video, the aesthetics of a microphone is very important. Sennheiser does not play the card of originality by opting for a simple but effective matte black design.
The finishes are exemplary, the articulated arm of the “streamer” version solid and minimalist. On a desk, the Profile displays its most beautiful profile… (fat laughter). More seriously, let’s highlight the very appreciable tilting system to position the microphone well so that it does not hide the face during streams or filming.
If it does not come with any software, the Profile has very complete control buttons on the front. Three knobs allow you to adjust the volume of the return headphones (3.5 mm jack port on the back), the pickup power of the microphone and the microphone/computer sound balance in the headphone return.
Finally, a “mute” button allows you to mute the microphone on the fly (if someone enters the room during a stream, if a phone rings, etc.). As explained above, a long press on this same button switches to interview mode.
Sennheiser Profile: for whom, for what?
© Lemon squeezer
The qualities of the Sennheiser Profile make it an ideal product for content creators. Sennheiser therefore hits its target right in the heart.
Podcasters, streamers or Youtubers will find this microphone a simple, efficient and elegant tool. However, it is important to specify that this microphone is aimed at beginners or semi-professionals in content creation.
Seasoned professionals will rather turn to XLR microphones, which are more efficient but also require heavier investments, especially in an audio console. Among the references we find the Shure SM7B or the Logitech Blue Sona. Again, this audience is not the target of the Profile.
Discover the Sennheiser Profile
Our opinion on the Sennheiser Profile microphone
With the Profile, Sennheiser has succeeded in its bet. Its USB-C microphone stands out as the market benchmark. Beginner or semi-professional podcasters, streamers, YouTubers and videographers will find it a perfect creative tool.
Elegant, it is distinguished by its excellent sound quality and its control keys that are as simple to use as they are effective. Add to that a quality articulated arm (on the streamers version at 200 euros) and a welcome “interview” mode. A new benchmark in content creation.
Sennheiser Profile
From 130€
WE love
- Elegant design
- Remarkable sound quality
- Thoughtful control keys
- Easy to use
- Content price
We love less
- No pop filter provided