The Maono DGM20 Gamerwave microphone - USB microphone for gaming and streaming
Inexpensive microphones from Asia are slowly taking over the market in the budget segment. But is it worth buying a cheap microphone? We do the test
TL;DR: Our Rating
★★★★☆
The microphone sounds pretty good for its price, but it doesn't sound very high quality.
★★★★★
The connectivity is good, all adapters are included and it's plug & play
★★★☆☆
The workmanship of the device is good, but the microphone boom is unfortunately not so stable.
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Maono DGM20 in test: First impression and scope of delivery
The USB microphone is available directly with a microphone boom for an almost unbeatable price. The arm is quickly set up and the microphone works via plug and play. The RGB lighting is immediately noticeable and cannot be overlooked. It also comes with a USB cable and a pop filter, which we will test later.
The first impression of the sound: not bad at all! And although the microphone boom is cheaply made, the overall package is good in this price segment.
Technical specification
Apart from noise reduction and RGB lighting, there are no special features. Recording in 24 bit and 48KHz is the minimum audio standard, there is a mute button, and “zero latency” direct monitoring, which means you can hear yourself on the headphones without delay.
The microphone is actually compatible with all consoles, PC and Mac. If the lighting bothers you, you can also switch it off.
Sound quality: How good is the Maono Gamerwave really?
Of course, one thing counts above all else with a microphone: the sound. And here, the Maono DGM20 delivers a performance that can absolutely hold its own in its price range. The voice sounds clear, sufficiently present and pleasantly soft – especially compared to typical headset microphones or cheap USB mics under €30.
Plosive sounds (P, T, K) are picked up quite well by the included pop protection, and the directional characteristic ensures that ambient noise is at least partially filtered out. Ideal for gaming setups or home streaming without studio acoustics.
What is noticeable, however, is that the sensitivity is relatively high, which can lead to slightly more ambient noise if the positioning is not optimal. However, if you position the microphone with your arm close to your mouth, you will get a very round, clean sound, especially for Discord, Twitch or YouTube.
The brand Maono
We didn’t know Maono ourselves before, and we have to admit: It’s a Chinese brand that only sells online by mail order. If you want to use the product in the long term and want support, then you should go for better-known brands, such as Røde, Shure, Sennheiser, etc.
The Maono DGM20 USB microphone offers an affordable alternative. We have not noticed any serious quality problems, except that the microphone boom will probably not hold up well in the long term. However, for users who are just getting into the subject and don’t have much of a budget, the DGM20 is a good value product.
Conclusion: A good microphone for new gamers and streamers
The Maono DGM20 Gamerwave is not a professional tool – nor does it want to be. Instead, it is aimed at beginners who are looking for an affordable microphone with decent sound, easy handling and a certain “gaming look”.
If you can do without individual sound optimization via software and are simply looking for a good USB microphone at a low price, you can’t go wrong with the DGM20. For around 50 to 60 euros, you get a functional overall package with a microphone boom, RGB look and plug & play convenience – ideal for your first podcast attempts, live streams or relaxed gaming sessions.
Our recommendation: If you are looking for an affordable microphone with good sound, RGB style and entry-level comfort, the Maono DGM20 is definitely worth a look. It doesn’t replace a studio microphone – but it delivers a lot of sound for the money.
You can find more USB microphones from other brands here: USB microphones
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