In this video I’m testing the Maono PD100X — a $40 dynamic microphone with both USB-C and XLR — and you’re hearing it the entire time with absolutely no EQ so you can get a true sense of how it performs. I also switch between recording through XLR into my audio mixer and USB-C straight into my iPhone 15 Pro (Voice Memos) so you can hear if there’s any real difference between the two outputs. I go through the unboxing and first impressions, and right away the PD100X feels super lightweight but still modern and eye-catching thanks to the translucent body and full RGB lighting (and yes, you can turn the RGB off). I cover the controls like the gain knob (with LED indicators), the touch-sensitive mute button (no click sounds), and the ports on the back including XLR, USB-C, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for monitoring. Performance-wise, it’s a dynamic cardioid mic, so it does a solid job focusing on your voice and rejecting side and rear noise—great for streaming, podcasting, or less-than-ideal rooms. It’s not perfect compared to premium mics, but for affordability, versatility, and ease of use, it’s an easy recommendation in my opinion.