Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 vs Logitech G Yeti Comparison

Elgato Wave:3 MK.2

Inside is a 16 mm condenser capsule with an integrated JFET, recording at 24-bit / 48 kHz across 70 Hz to 20 kHz. Elgato quotes a dynamic range of 110 dB, which is generous for a desktop USB mic at this price. The Shure MV7+ is the dynamic alternative. The flip side of that openness is that your room comes along too.

Logitech G Yeti

Logitech lists 16-bit / 48 kHz conversion, a 20 Hz to 20 kHz response and a 120 dB maximum SPL at 0.5% THD. The three 14 mm condenser capsules give the Yeti a bright, detailed character. Voices sound open and airy at about 15 to 20 cm, with more top-end sparkle than a typical dynamic.

Elgato Wave:3 MK.2

The pattern is a single cardioid, so it favours the front and rejects the rear. It is still a condenser, though, and it hears keyboard and mouse noise from further away than dynamic designs do. Clipguard is the clever part. When you laugh or shout, the mic switches to a second, quieter signal path in a few milliseconds, so the peak never clips.

Logitech G Yeti

A rear switch selects cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional or stereo. Cardioid is the mode for meetings, while bidirectional suits two people sitting across a table. Omni picks up a whole circle of speakers, which is handy for an impromptu group call around one laptop. Stereo adds width for music or ambient recordings but adds little to speech.

Elgato Wave:3 MK.2

On top, a capacitive sensor mutes the mic when you tap it, and a ring of LEDs turns red so you can see the state at a glance. The front dial controls gain, headphone volume or the monitor mix, and pressing it switches between the three. That dial has a learning curve, because it is easy to change the wrong setting in a hurry.

Logitech G Yeti

On the front sit a mute button with a status light and a headphone volume dial. A gain dial on the rear sets sensitivity, and the 3.5 mm jack provides latency-free monitoring. A physical mute that works in any app is valuable in meetings. The light flashes red when muted, so a quick glance confirms whether your colleagues can hear you.

Elgato Wave:3 MK.2

The Wave:3 MK.2 uses Wave Link for its companion software. Onboard DSP is listed as Wave FX processor with Clipguard. The software or onboard controls also include monitoring (3.5 mm), gain control (multifunction dial), a mix control (dial and Wave Link) and a limiter (Clipguard). Official capture is listed at 48 kHz and 24-bit.

Logitech G Yeti

The Yeti uses Logitech G HUB for its companion software. Onboard DSP is listed as Blue VO!CE (via G HUB). The software or onboard controls also include EQ or presets (EQ in G HUB / Blue VO!CE), monitoring (3.5 mm headphone output), gain control (rear dial) and a limiter (Blue VO!CE limiter in G HUB).

Elgato Wave:3 MK.2

Elgato lists the mic at about 250 g, or roughly 570 g with the stand attached. The weighted desk stand is included, along with 5/8" and 3/8" thread adapters for a boom arm. The housing mixes plastic with a metal grille. Its weight is well within the 2 kg rating of slim arms such as the Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP.

Logitech G Yeti

The mic alone weighs 550 g, and the metal desk stand adds about 1 kg. An internal shock mount isolates the capsule array from small knocks and desk vibration. The side-address design means you speak into the front, not the top. You can remove the stand and mount it on a boom arm, though its weight calls for a solid arm rather than a light clamp-on model.