AKG Lyra USB Microphone Review

If you belong to the realm of the musicians and podcasters who are never satisfied enough with the sound quality they are getting from their microphones, and if you’re tired of broken cables, then you need a much better microphone (preferably USB).

This AKG Lyra USB Microphone review might be the best thing you could have come across today because it can resolve a lot of the mentioned issues.

Based on our gauntlet of tests and research, here is what we can tell you about this mic.

Design

It is a fact: the AKG Lyra USB Microphone is so well designed that it reminds you of retro 60s and modern times simultaneously.

In fact, the manufacturers have provided the description themselves – modern design with vintage appeal – and it is precisely what this microphone looks like.

More precisely, there is an easy-to-use mute button at the front, along with four LEDs that signal the operating mode and the knob that controls the headphone sound volume (if you decide to connect the Lyra with your headphones).

Along with that, there are two dials that you use to adjust the pick-up pattern of the mic, aka the properties of recording.

The positioning of this knob is a bit unfortunate: it would have been a lot easier if it was simply put on the front part of the mic. Like it isn’t enough that you’re trying to find the perfect tone that you want to send – you have to do it from behind.

Other than that, everything is fine, and it is fairly easy to set up the Lyra once you unpack it.

It is ready to use with the desktop stand that you get with the purchase, or you can mount it to a boom mic stand instead. The stand isn’t the best one that we’ve encountered, but it’s not bad either.

Another ode to its sturdy built is the shock mount that reduces any possible vibrations.

Those were some eye-catching (and less eye-catching) characteristics of this microphone, but what is of utmost importance is its performance.

Sound Quality

AKG Lyra captures the sound precisely as it is, which is the standard AKG signature. With the resolution of 24-bit/192kH and the frequency range from 20Hz to 20kHz, it will authentically pick up and convey most of the sounds out there.

But seriously, the sound that comes out of it and its clarity are sure to amaze most users and is very balanced overall.

Oh, and you can also connect your headphones to the 3.mm jack standard output to monitor what is being recorded with zero-latency.

Due to such a high range of frequencies, it is necessary to play with the settings so that it does not pick up sounds that you don’t want. As seasoned researchers, we’ve done this countless times, but it still took us a little longer with this mic to get it right.

“Playing with the settings” includes selecting one of the four pre-set modes for the four-capsule AKG Adaptive Array that picks up sounds from all four sides equally. Each pattern accounts for a unique setting and purpose.

There is the “Front” mode (for monologue, solo recording, etc.), “Front & Back” (for more than one voice), “Tight Stereo” (for an instrument), and “Wide Stereo” (for more than one instrument).

To further enhance the sound quality, AKG has equipped this microphone with a built-in sound diffuser that automatically reduces unnecessary noise.

Value For Money

As always, it all boils down to how the quality of the product has reflected the price.

This microphone enables the users to enjoy the best of both worlds without having to make some significant trade-offs.

So, it is safe to say that its price completely justifies its performance, if you’re a YouTuber, podcaster, streamer, or a musician.

On the other hand, if you don’t need a microphone that picks each and every sound, there are some cheaper choices available on the market.

Conclusion

As noted, the Lyra USB Microphone has most of the amenities you might want from a semi-professional microphone.

You will find yourself enjoying the recording process with this mic as much as the listener will enjoy the faithful and clear sound.

If your needs are such that you use a microphone regularly, you should definitely invest in this one.

However, if you do not use it often, the fact that it is so sensitive may annoy you, as it will need frequent tweaking so that it doesn’t pick up every sound beside your voice.