Sennheiser enters the plug & play microphone market for streaming and podcasting. The Profile, that’s its name, will it live up to our expectations?
Is it still necessary to present Sennheiser? The German group, which had separated from its EPOS branch, is launching an assault on the streaming microphone market with the Profile. Like most references on the market, the Sennheiser Profile is intended to be simple to use and therefore does not require any driver to operate.
It is a cardioid condenser microphone, constructed entirely of metal and available in two configurations. A first “table stand” version, offered at the recommended price of 130 euros, and a second kit, which we received, in which the microphone is delivered with an articulated arm. This set is offered at the recommended price of 200 euros.
A solid microphone, particularly well built
If we compare it to other microphones that have passed through our hands recently, the Sennheiser Profile is much more compact. The brand experience is felt immediately, as the product seems qualitative. The body of the microphone is completely built in metal and the assemblies are impeccable.
Even better, Sennheiser has managed to fully integrate the adjustable support into the body of its microphone. Thus it is possible to tilt the microphone a few degrees back to orient it correctly. Again, it’s almost a pleasure to handle the Profile, as the movements are fluid.
The capsule consists of a very classic black metal grid. We find at the front the various control buttons with first of all the one that allows to cut the capture. When activating this function, the first two buttons light up in red, to indicate to the user that the microphone is muted. These LEDs can also turn yellow when the microphone overloads.
There is then a potentiometer which manages the gain of the Profile, another dedicated to the balance between the sound of the microphone and that of the PC and finally a third allowing to adjust the volume of the audio output. Indeed, the Profile has a classic jack output, located at the back and providing audio feedback from the capture while being able to be used as an audio output by the computer.
The connection with the computer is ensured by a USB-C cable of the correct length. However, we regret that no adapter to USB A is provided in the box. Thus, it still seems a little too early to us not to provide this type of accessory, USB-C not yet being very widespread on desktop computers.
We have received the Profile in its version Streaming Set which ignores the table leg and benefits from a real articulated arm. The latter combines metal and plastic and is, like the microphone, relatively compact compared to what is usually found on the market. It, too, is very well built and holds the microphone firmly in place. Only his joints seem a little too rigid to us, at least at first.
The arm also incorporates a system allowing the cable to pass through it properly. During our tests, we were able to validate the good attenuation of impact noise on our desk, with the arm installed on it. In the same way, the manipulation of the arm during the recording does not disturb the sound recording in any way.
In terms of design and ergonomics, there is simply nothing to complain about. The Sennheiser Profile is perfect. The microphone is solid, well-built, simple to use, and its arm completes the whole thing. It even has the luxury of being rather compact, especially compared to its direct competitors.
Brand-winning performance
The Sennheiser Profile is convincing in its construction and ergonomics, and it is just as convincing in terms of its performance. The brand’s reputation is well established and many professionals and artists use Sennheiser microphones for their recordings. However, we are here facing the brand’s first USB microphone, a slightly different discipline.
No need to prolong the suspense any longer: the Sennheiser Profile is very good! The capture of the voice is clear, warm and the recording overall impeccable! It therefore responds perfectly to the initial constraint: a microphone plug & play which requires no settings or drivers. It is then effective both for a voice discussion and for recording a podcast.
Basic recording, 75% gain, normalized to 0 dB
The Profile does not stop at a simple recording of good quality since all the organs which could disturb the recordings seem to have been studied in detail. Thus, the capsule is not very sensitive to hiss and plosives, a windshield or a filter will eliminate them. Similarly, the button mute generates no unpleasant sound when turning on or off.
Basic recording with keystrokes, 75% gain, normalized to 0 dB
Finally, and despite its compact size, the Profile is not very sensitive to handling noise. Thus, he can be moved, reoriented or his arm manipulated, without this having any noticeable impact on the recording. Finally, its cardioid directivity is effective in attenuating ambient noise and focusing on the voice. As often, keyboard or mouse noises remain audible, but this does not really affect the experience.
Price and availability
The Sennheiser Profile microphone is available at the recommended price of 130 euros.
The pack with an articulated arm is offered at the recommended price of 200 euros.