My all-time favorite streaming microphone didn't need a Black Friday deal: It's worth every cent at a 0% discount

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By Ben Wilson
published

Nothing tempts me away from this XLR champion.

I've tested more microphones than I can count, from budget USB options to XLR premium picks, and nothing has ever beaten my favorite. The Earthworks Audio ETHOS XLR microphone never saw any discounts during Black Friday, but it doesn't matter because it's worth the standard asking price of $399 at Amazon or B&H Photo. Forget Shure; THIS is your next XLR mic.

Earthworks Audio ETHOS XLR |$399 at Amazon

Earthworks Audio ETHOS XLR | $399 at Amazon

Offering ultra-high-quality recordings, this condenser microphone is super sensitive with a huge frequency range. Vocals sound fantastic even on a flat EQ, and a small amount of processing delivers broadcast-level audio.

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✅Perfect for: Livestreamers craving a professional sound that can be tweaked to compliment their voice perfectly.

❌Avoid it if: You don't have space for an XLR mixer with Phantom power. The Ethos needs 24-48v at 10mA.

💰Price check: $399 at B&H Photo

🔍Our review: Earthworks Audio Ethos XLR microphone: Perfect broadcast audio for creators

👀 Alternative deal: Elgato Wave DX for $69.99 & Wave XLR for $119.99 at Amazon

More great Cyber Monday deals

Graduating to XLR is worth it for the Ethos alone

I can't see why I'd ever stop using the Ethos. (Image credit: Ben Wilson | Windows Central)
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Earthworks Audio's flagship microphone is an XLR condenser option designed for broadcasters and professional streamers. Its price point might initially cause concern for newcomers. Still, I haven't stopped using it since my Earthworks Audio Ethos review. I tried it in a simple home setup to see how it could appeal to anyone looking to invest in a high-quality mic, and it proved its worth.

The standard silver model is packaged with a custom foam windscreen and a 3/8" screw thread adapter. However, the matte black variant jumps to an eye-watering $749 without including any extra accessories, so stick with the regular edition.

Earthworks Audio doesn't manufacture cables, and you'll need to provide 24-48v 10mA of Phantom power to power the Ethos. The foam windscreen performed admirably as a pop filter, even when positioning myself only a few inches away. Considering I've needed to pick up additional shields to clip onto previous microphones, this performance out of the box is incredible.

If the Ethos still feels excessive, the Elgato Wave DX is $69.99 at Amazon for Cyber Monday, with the Wave XLR for $119.99 at Amazon, offering one of the most affordable avenues for XLR microphones.

However, without any processing, the Wave DX does pick up a disappointing amount of noise. You'll need to use a set of post-processing plugins to shape your recordings into something more professional, which is a huge selling point for the Earthworks Audio Ethos when it skips that step.

Ben Wilson
Ben Wilson
Channel Editor

Ben is the channel editor for all things tech-related at Windows Central. That includes PCs, the components inside, and any accessory you can connect to a Windows desktop or Xbox console. Not restricted to one platform, he also has a keen interest in Valve's Steam Deck handheld and the Linux-based operating system inside. Fueling this career with coffee since 2021, you can usually find him behind one screen or another. Find him on Mastodon @trzomb@mastodon.online to ask questions or share opinions.