Review Product Provided by Neat Microphones
The latest top-of-the-line product from Neat Microphones is here and it is the King Bee II Cardioid Solid-State Condenser XLR Microphone! After using this microphone over the past week, I can confirm that this is the best microphone I’ve used yet. But instead of just talking about it, let’s get into the details of what this microphone offers to its users.
What’s In The Box
All that is in this box is the King Bee II microphone by itself. It has no way to stand on its own nor a cable to plug it in. While this was a bit of an upset to me at first, it is because it isn’t just your average microphone. I went out and purchased a phantom power box and a 3.5mm stereo male to XLR female cable, along with a small stand, to get it all set up. Plugging it all in and the mic was ready to go.
Aesthetic and Build Quality
Coming in its own shock-resistant strap style that forms a sort of web around the microphone, it’s large-diaphragm 34 mm center-terminated true condenser capsule design is ideal for applications requiring low noise and high sensitivity. It also has a pop filter that is connected to a case that closes around the microphone making it only pick up what you want it to hear.
The pure aesthetic aspect of this microphone simply looks professional. It sits firmly on the mic stand and presents a unique style that makes it stand out on its own. Blend that with the sleek black color design and you are looking at a sturdy piece of equipment ready for recording, streaming, or simply chatting online.
It handles sound quality control with custom Class A discrete electronics and a precision, gold-sputtered microphone capsule. This design, along with the pop filter and shock mount, makes it so what you hear in the output is exactly what the mic hears at the input.
Specs and Audio Quality
When I titled this review as ‘the quality I’ve been looking for,’ that is the fact that this is the first mic to naturally handle one of my biggest issues with every mic I have used in my life. Whether it is a headset or a standing mic, with or without a pop filter, my breathing is always picked up! I’ve dealt with the fact that I breathe loudly my whole life and I hated that I knew my mics always picked it up, but while doing my first round of tests with the King Bee II, I noticed it wasn’t there.
I opened up some voice chats to talk to some friends to ask if they heard it, then recorded a few random lines and breath takes, then just recorded sitting silently for a bit, and through all of these tests, for the first time ever, my breathing wasn’t picked up. Usually, I have to tweak all sorts of settings and try to find filters to make this happen, but not with this mic. Somehow, it can pick up my whispers but it doesn’t pick up my breathing and for me, that is an immediate top-quality marking!
As for the specs that make this mic reach the quality it does:
Cardioid solid-state true condenser XLR microphone
Exceptional audio for recording, voiceovers, broadcast & streaming use
Perfect for vocals, drums, electric guitar, piano, & acoustic instruments
Proprietary 34mm large diaphragm gold-sputtered true condenser capsule
Beautifully styled modern design; custom Class A discrete electronics provide amazing clarity and depth
XLR output; includes custom Beekeeper shock mount and Honeycomb pop filter for control of ‘plosives’
What It Could Have Done Better
My only complaint with this microphone is that I wish I knew it wasn’t going to come with any of the cables I would need to use it. Even so, it was worth getting all the proper equipment to make it usable.
Note: I quickly got a response from Neat Microphone’s explaining that, “most XLR microphones do not come complete with the XLR cables. This is typically something you purchase separate. However we do offer our own Neat XLR cables as well called the Beeline!” So, it seems there is the option to have the set up sent out!
Verdict
The King Bee II microphone is definitely one of the best top-of-the-line microphones in the market! Neat has outdone themselves with this one and if there is anybody out there looking for a mic that will handle a habitual, annoying noise that persists - like me and my breathing - then this is definitely the mic to try out. Considering the quality of this mic, it really is a fair price, but if a price tag of $169.99 USD makes you hesitate, know that you won’t need to replace this mic and it is suitable for recording all forms of media for you as well.
