Should You Buy the Logitech Yeti Orb? In-Depth Review of the USB Microphone
Should You Buy the Logitech Yeti Orb? In-Depth Review of the USB Microphone
Explore the Logitech Yeti Orb, a sleek USB microphone designed for streamers and gamers, offering quality sound and modern features at an affordable price.
Introduction: A Fresh Spin on a Beloved Mic Classic
If you’re a streamer or content creator who's followed the evolution of USB microphones, you’ll know the Blue Microphones line has been iconic—especially the Blue Snowball and Blue Yeti models. When Logitech scooped up Blue Microphones in 2018, fans eagerly awaited a fresh take on these classics. Enter the Logitech Yeti Orb: a modern, upgraded version of the Snowball that blends familiar quality with a contemporary design and handy features perfect for gamers and streamers alike.
Design That’s More Modern, Less Retro
Right out of the box, the Yeti Orb looks like a sleek, high-tech orb rather than the retro-style Snowball we used to love. It’s a charcoal-gray sphere wrapped in mesh fabric, with a black plastic band around its middle. Sitting atop this band is the Logitech G logo, glowing with customizable RGB lighting. Not just for show, this light signals whether the mic is recording—streamers will appreciate this subtle yet practical detail.
The mic comes pre-mounted on a sturdy matte black plastic desktop tripod. It has two threaded mounting points allowing it to stand vertically or tilt backward at a 45-degree angle—perfect for side-address recording. The USB-C port, found on the back, makes connecting easy and future-proof.
Compact, Lightweight, but Mighty
The desk stand itself isn’t adjustable in height but can rotate 360 degrees. The mic plus stand measures about 7.75 inches tall, with the mic being roughly 3.5 inches of that. While the stand feels lightweight, its broad feet give it stability. Logitech lists the total weight at around 8.11 ounces (230g), and the microphone alone weighs about 4.22 ounces (120g)—light enough to easily pack with your streaming gear.
The size is comparable to a softball, but it’s much lighter. One downside is the lack of onboard controls—no mute button or gain dial—so all adjustments must be handled via software. That’s a small trade-off for the mic’s clean, simple look and affordable price (around $75 USD).
Plug-and-Play Performance That Impresses
Now, here’s the fun part: sound quality. The Yeti Orb is a USB condenser mic with a side-address design and a cardioid pickup pattern, capturing audio at 24-bit/48kHz. Its frequency response ranges from 70 Hz to 20 kHz, which is a bit narrower on the low end compared to some rivals, but still enough for clear, rich vocals.
From my own experience testing the mic, the Yeti Orb sounded full and warm out of the box—without any need for software tweaking. It handled plosives and sibilance gracefully, making my voice clear and pleasant during a work meeting, where my colleagues actually complimented the sound quality. That’s a rare feat for a USB mic in this price range!
However, the mic works best when you’re fairly close—ideally 10 to 13 cm from your mouth. At about 30 cm, it still caught nuances well, but sound quality dropped noticeably beyond that, becoming muffled and echoey at distances over 45 cm. This means you’ll want to keep it close and maybe lean in a bit, especially since the included stand is on the shorter side.
Software Magic: Logitech G Hub and Blue Vo!ce
Since there are no physical controls on the mic, Logitech’s G Hub software is essential. It integrates Blue Vo!ce, a real-time voice modulation suite packed with features like:
- Three-band equalizer
- High-pass filter
- Noise suppression and noise gate
- Compressor
- De-esser and de-popper filters
If you’re not an audio engineer, don’t worry—Blue Vo!ce comes with presets that instantly improve your voice for streaming, podcasting, or conference calls.
You can also get playful with extreme vocal effects and sound effect samples. Just keep in mind that since the mic itself doesn’t have buttons for these, you’ll need to assign these samples to macro keys or hotkeys on other Logitech peripherals for smooth access during streams.
Customizable RGB Lighting: A Streamer's Delight
Another cool feature is the RGB lighting control for the mic’s logo. Through G Hub, you can set different colors for standby versus recording modes—helping you know at a glance if your mic is live. This subtle touch adds personality without being over the top.
Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy the Logitech Yeti Orb?
If you want a plug-and-play USB microphone that looks great, sounds great, and won’t break the bank, the Logitech Yeti Orb is a fantastic choice. It’s especially suited for beginners or those who want a neat, hassle-free setup for streaming, gaming, or casual remote work.
Of course, if you're a power user craving more control, multiple pickup patterns, or onboard controls, this mic might feel a bit limited. For just a bit more money (around $125-$140 USD), options like the HyperX QuadCast S offer:
- Four pickup patterns
- Built-in shock mounting
- Handy mute buttons right on the mic
But if you’re stepping up from a headset mic or onboard laptop mic, the Yeti Orb will elevate your audio game dramatically.
"The Yeti Orb sounded full and warm out of the box—my team said I sounded absolutely fantastic."
FAQ
- What type of microphone capsule does the Logitech Yeti Orb use? It uses a condenser capsule, ideal for capturing clear, detailed vocals.
- Can I use this microphone without installing additional software? Yes! It works perfectly out of the box via USB, but installing Logitech G Hub unlocks advanced features.
- Does the Yeti Orb have onboard mute or volume controls? No physical controls are on the mic itself; volume and muting are managed through software.
- What is the recommended distance for best sound quality? For optimal audio, place the mic about 10–13 centimeters (4–5 inches) from your mouth.
- Is the microphone RGB lighting customizable? Absolutely. You can set different colors for standby and recording modes using Logitech G Hub.
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