I’ve tested a few useful microphones in my time, but I’ve never had the pleasure of using an XLR microphone. For the uninitiated, the XLR form factor is arguably the most traditional form factor that microphones can take, as the connector has been around since the 1950s and among professionals is the de facto standard for most audio devices, including microphones. As streaming has become a more popular medium, XLR microphones have taken on a new lease of life as content creators look to create the best content possible, and of course, audio is a big part of that.

As a result, we’ve seen a fair number of brilliant XLR microphones launched for professional use that streamers have also started using – think Shure’s SM7 or Rode’s Procaster. Well, in the last couple of years, we’ve seen more companies join the party, such as Elgato, the Corsair-owned brand that has made a name for itself with some of the best all-round kits for streamers, from the Stream Deck to its range of keylights.

But anyway, back to the point: the Elgato Wave DX is their latest (and potentially biggest) entry in their microphone lineup, and as you probably guessed, it's an XLR!

As a result of being an XLR microphone, the Wave DX was a little fiddly to set up; it’s not the most plug-and-play device in the world in the sense that you can plug in a cable and the mic works. Instead, it’s a multi-stage procedure that relies on you having a few things to hand.

To actually get the Wave DX working, you'll need the microphone itself, as well as an XLR cable (sold separately, but any XLR cable should work) and an interface of some form, which is where you plug the microphone in, and the interface then connects to your PC. I should say at this point that this microphone should work with any XLR interface, but for the sake of unity and convenience, I'm using Elgato's own Wave XLR, which also gives you access to the onboard gain control, so as not to clutter up the sleek design of the Wave DX itself.

Once you’ve jumped through a few hoops and set the Wave DX up on a mic arm (there’s no tripod in the box), you’re ready to go. Setup is actually a lot easier than I imagined – it’s literally just a matter of plugging in a handful of cables. It’s worth noting here how well-built every part of this kit is, and how simple it is to operate. The Wave DX has this minimalist, almost sleek look. There’s no unnecessary bulk with a shock mount or external pop filter like you get with other mics – interestingly, the Wave DX has an internal pop filter. It’s also mostly metal and feels quite sturdy. The same goes for the boom arm and the Wave XLR interface too, which, despite being made of plastic, doesn’t feel cheap at all.

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Of course, the most important thing with a microphone is how it sounds, and I’m pleased to report that the Wave DX sounds wonderful. It delivers vocals that have plenty of body to them, along with excellent clarity. My only issue with it is that some plosives still came through with a slightly annoying hiss, proving that while the internal pop filter offers a more design-driven way of removing harsh sounds, an external physical barrier can offer a more foolproof way.

The Wave DX offers a cardioid polar pattern, which is ideal for vocals, though intriguingly, it’s not a condenser microphone like many of the more affordable options. Instead, the Wave DX is actually a dynamic microphone, which means it’s better suited to capturing louder noises – ideal if you’re someone who shouts into a microphone. As a dynamic microphone, it also doesn’t require external power, unlike condensers, whose XLR-based versions will need to draw power from somewhere – usually the interface they’re plugged into. If you want to use an XLR condenser microphone with the Wave XLR interface, it can provide the 48V of phantom power needed to make them work.

Elgato’s XLR microphone also did a brilliant job of cancelling out most background noise, so it was just my voice that was coming through, as opposed to any irritated typing on a keyboard. Plus, you can get an additional plug-in that can help cancel out noise even more. This brings me nicely to the support for VST plug-ins, including Elgato’s own EQ, where you can mess around with the different frequencies of your voice – if you want a bit more bottom end or more shimmer, then go for it!

At this point I realise I haven’t mentioned the actual price of the Wave DX, and of course the assorted kit required to get things working. The mic itself costs $1.99/£110, which puts it in the more affordable category for XLR mics, and so represents excellent value for money. Things get a little more complicated when you add in all the other bits required to get it working, which actually cost more than the mic itself. The Wave XLR interface costs $1.60/£160, while the boom arm costs $1.90/£90 and the separate XLR cable is $1.20/£20. In essence, you’ll be paying around $1.400/£410 to get all this up and running, which pushes it a little way out of the ‘affordable’ category.

All in all, the Wave DX is a great microphone with excellent clarity and full-bodied audio that should really take your streaming and content creation game to the next level. With all the kit included, it’s quite pricey, but if you want a sleek, minimalist setup for streaming, this is a good choice.