Audio-Technica AT2020USB-XP – Hardware Review
It’s been several months since we last featured a streaming microphone, and we’re always happy to see more and more big hardware manufacturers producing these valuable streaming tools. Back in July, we took a closer look at Sandberg’s Streamer USB Microphone RGB, which proved to be great for its fairly low asking price. The device had a solid base, provided great audio feedback, and it looked rather classy as well. Now, however, we’ll be taking a look at a more premium model with Audio-Technica’s AT2020USB-XP. Across the board, the device performed well, and it has not left our streaming setup ever since.
Design
In terms of design, a lot of brands are now aiming for nearly the same look. This is also the case for Audio-Technica’s AT2020USB-XP, which looks like a very classy matte black metallic device. The microphone doesn’t come with too many bells and whistles, and you’ll simply have the Audio-Technica logo and brand name on the front of the device. There is also a visible LED light inside the actual microphone, a few small LED lights on the front of the device, and a few dials and buttons. The AT2020USB-XP also comes with a pop filter and a desk stand, which both look classy and perfect for every type of gaming (or work) setup.
Comfort
Comfort-wise, the AT2020USB-XP is a great desk model microphone. The device comes with a solid and heavy base with a bit of soft grip at the bottom of the base. This ensures the device stays in place, and that it’s not that easily knocked over. Also, when tinkering with the cable, or when plugging in a headset, you will not move around the microphone too much. The base is still light enough for you to easily put the device in another location if you want to try different setups for your recording or streaming sessions. The soft rubber padding at the bottom of the base does get dirty easily and will require some upkeep. Those who prefer a boom arm can also purchase one separately. The device will probably also fit on boom arms of other brands, as long as there is enough room for the USB-C connection at the bottom of the microphone.
In terms of buttons and dials, everything is easily accessible and the markings on the microphone are also very clear. This means that you’ll easily find what you need, and the overall feedback from the buttons underneath the microphone’s body, as well as the dials, is great. The mute button is a semi-touch button, which means you won’t hear or feel a click.
Specs
Element: Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz
Power Requirements: USB power (5 VDC)
Bit Depth: 16 bit/24 bit
Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz/48 kHz/88.2 kHz/96 kHz/192 kHz*
Controls: Headphone level control, Mix control, Mute, Auto gain control, Noise-reduction
Weight: About 375 g (13 oz)
Dimensions: 142 mm (5.6″) long, 52 mm (2.0″) maximum body diameter
Output Connector: USB Type-C
Headphone Output Power: 110 mW (at 1 kHz, 1% T.H.D., 32 ohms)
Headphone Jack: 3.5 mm (1/8″) stereo mini-jack
System Requirements: USB 2.0 compliant
Supported OS: Windows 10, Windows 11 macOS Catalina, macOS Big Sur, macOS Monterey, macOS Ventura
Accessories Included: Stand (AT8702); Pop filter; 3/8″-16 to 5/8″-27 threaded adapter; USB cable (about 2.0 m (6.6′), USB Type-C to USB Type-A); USB conversion adapter (USB-Type-A to USB Type-C)
Notes: Playback at 24-bit and 192 kHz is not supported. For product improvement, the product is subject to modification without notice.
Overview
Audio-Technica’s AT2020USB-XP is a plug-and-play device that requires no additional software. This means the moment you plug it in, you’re good to go. Of course, you can use your own preferred software if you want to mess around with certain settings. The microphone has two dials on the front, one for volume control and one for monitoring control. These two can only be used when you have a headset plugged into the microphone, but when you are using the pop filter, these are a bit more annoying to reach. The front of the device also has a touch-activated ‘button’ to mute the microphone, and at the bottom of the device, you’ll have an automatic gain control button and a noise reduction button.
All in all, there is truly not that much to say when it comes to the premium features of the device. As stated above, you can adjust volume and monitoring levels when using a headset, and you can also mess around with the gain and noise reduction settings. Out of the box, the AT2020USB-XP does pick up some background noise, especially in rowdy environments or when using a very loud and clicky keyboard. The noise reduction button does already help a lot here, but it does make your voice sound a tad more artificial if you really pay attention to it. Other than that, the device works as it should, and it performs like a proper premium device.
The audio feedback on the receiving end, or for your recordings, is absolutely crisp. Even though we concern ourselves mostly with gaming and streaming, the AT2020USB-XP can easily be used for recording purposes as well, be it for YouTube clips or even music recording. We enjoyed using the device for our intense gaming sessions but also for our day-to-day activities such as calling family members or even for work meetings. Even though the investment may be a bit higher than some cheaper models on the market, this one performs great across the board.
Conclusion
Audio-Technica’s AT2020USB-XP is a great premium microphone that is perfect for many different purposes. The device will be a great companion during your streaming sessions or when talking to your gaming buddies via Discord, but also for audio recordings, podcasts, and even music recording. While there are of course more dedicated models for certain of these tasks, the AT2020USB-XP is a great all-round device for users who are looking for a multi-purpose microphone.
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