Audio-Technica AT2040USB vs Samson Q2U Comparison

Audio-Technica AT2040USB

Audio-Technica specifies an 80 Hz to 16 kHz response and a high-resolution converter rated for 24-bit / 96 kHz. The low-cut filter rolls off at 80 Hz with an 18 dB per octave slope. Speech sounds focused and smooth, with a controlled low end that avoids boominess at close range.

Samson Q2U

Samson quotes a frequency response of 50 Hz to 15 kHz, and the USB converter works at 16-bit with 44.1 or 48 kHz sample rates. That is narrow on paper, but voice sits comfortably inside it. Next to a condenser such as the Rode NT-USB+ it lacks air and fine detail.

Audio-Technica AT2040USB

Hypercardioid pickup is narrower than cardioid at the sides, with a small rear lobe. Audio-Technica designed it to reduce ambient noise such as the hum of a computer fan. Aimed at your mouth from about 5 to 10 cm, it keeps keyboards and room sound well down. Turn your head to a second screen and your level drops faster than with a cardioid model.

Samson Q2U

The cardioid dynamic capsule needs you to be close, ideally within a few centimetres. Sound from the sides and rear drops away quickly. That is exactly what makes it good in shared homes and offices. Keyboard clatter, a fan or a TV in the next room fade into the background as long as you speak into the end of the mic.

Audio-Technica AT2040USB

The mic has a silent capacitive mute, a headphone level control, a mix control and a low-cut switch. A two-state LED ring glows blue when live and red when muted. The touch mute makes no sound at all, which makes it one of the best mute designs for meetings. The colour ring is visible on camera, so others can see when you have muted yourself.

Samson Q2U

An on/off switch sits on the body, and a headphone volume knob sits next to the 3.5 mm jack on the base. There is no gain control or mute button. Without hardware mute, you rely on the meeting app or keyboard shortcut. The power switch can silence the mic, but it disconnects the device, which some apps handle badly mid-call.

Audio-Technica AT2040USB

The metal body weighs about 600 g and measures 145.3 mm long with a 52 mm diameter. An integrated shock mount and a multistage foam and mesh windscreen are built in. That internal isolation means bumps to the desk or arm are well damped, and close-talking produces few pops. The included AT8487 clamp attaches to stands and boom arms with a 5/8 to 3/8 inch adapter.

Samson Q2U

The body is metal with a mesh grille, and it weighs about 320 g. Samson includes a small desktop tripod, a mic clip and a foam windscreen. A cheap boom arm and the included clip fix both issues, bringing the mic closer to your mouth and away from the desk surface.