Page 4 - Conclusion
While a separate microphone may add complexity to your peripherals setup, it is quite clear the Neat Bumblebee II accomplishes its purpose superbly. From the get-go, the Bumblebee II is built with a strong metal structure. Its weighted base keeps the unit in place, but Neat also provides options to mount the microphone onto a third-party stand, if you so desire. On the external side, we have all the necessary knobs and buttons for quick adjustments without needing to go through any computer settings. There is also a clean headphone output so users can monitor their input. In terms of recording quality, the Neat Bumblebee II shows its versatility in its ability to capture sound well in various circumstances. Gamers and content creators will find this microphone able to fully capture their voice and instruments naturally. With its cardioid condenser design, it is a bit more sensitive to background noise, so users will have to be aware if they want to avoid capturing keyboard presses or mouse clicks. There are still some improvements I would make on the Bumblebee II. For one, I would like to see a reduction in plosives, even if they are not too harsh. It might have also been nice to let users change polar patterns. In terms of construction, I would also want an improved table mount to reduce vibrational noises and a braided cable. Even so, these minor inconveniences are overshadowed by an all-around excellent plug-and-play microphone in the Neat Bumblebee II. At the time of the review, the Bumblebee II is available for $100 USD, which puts it squarely in opposition with the ROCCAT Torch. While we may not have the same RGB visual indicators, the performance and higher bit-rate recording capabilities of the Bumblebee II make it a more adaptable option and a better recommendation.
Neat Microphones provided this product to APH Networks for the purpose of evaluation.
APH Networks Review Focus Summary:
8/10 means Definitely a very good product with drawbacks that are not likely going to matter to the end user.
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks, but should be considered before purchasing.
-- Final APH Networks Numeric Rating is 7.7/10
Please note that the APH Networks Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other publications.
The Neat Bumblebee II is a compact, all-purpose microphone that offers great recording quality and a solid construction in an easy to setup solution.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Hardware
3. Recording Performance Tests
4. Conclusion
