Refurbished. Oh, the stigma that brings.
You may not think you'll be getting the same quality or longevity out of a product when it has "Refurbished" alongside its name, but don't let that fool you! This product comes in all original packaging with original contents, good as new and ready to go. If you're considering buying the AT2020 USB+, why not get it for $30 cheaper?
--
FIRST IMPRESSION:
When I took out the microphone, I instantly noticed its considerable weight. It's a very heavy product, which I think says a lot for its quality. The microphone, although supposedly refurbished, looks brand new. I love the sleek black design it has going for it.
There are two dials on the microphone, one that says "MIC" and "COM", and another with a little headphone symbol to indicate volume. At the back of the mic (which is labeled), there's a headphone jack, and the bottom is where your microphone's input USB cable goes.
Plugging it in and setting it up was a breeze. It's really just plug and play, and sounds great right off the bat.
That being said, let's get into the pros and cons!
PROS (7):
• High-Quality Build
This microphone is HEAVY. It's built so well that you can feel the quality it brings to the table without even plugging it in. It's probably the first thing you'll notice, and it gives a great first impression. Its design is also impeccable, which doesn't hurt either. ;)
• Beautiful Sound
The sound quality on this mic is incredibly high-quality, unlike anything I've ever used before (Blue Yeti included). The audio is so incredibly clear, and the back portion of the mic works to filter out any background sound. You can use the side/top of the mic to pick up sound as well, but generally anything to the front of the mic will be the loudest. I live in a pretty quiet area with low background audio anyway, so I can't attest to how well it covers up loud air conditioning or noisy neighbors. However, compared to every other mic I've used, the white noise picked up by this microphone is the lowest compared to most other mics for the same cost and even some that are more expensive.
• Long Cable (6.5 feet-ish?)
The cable is long and SHOULD be able to reach from your computer and snake through your mic arm and connect to the bottom of the microphone, if you choose to use one. If it's not long enough for you, you can easily pick up an extension USB cable off Amazon for pretty cheap.
• Built-in Audio Jack
There's an audio jack near the back of the mic for you to plug your headphones into. It's basically just an extension of your regular 3.5 mm audio jack. This is very nice as it adds onto the length of your regular headphone cable, plus allows you to hear your microphone input if you so choose to.
• Adjustable Volume and Mic/Com Audio
you can adjust how much of your audio comes from where (microphone or computer) with the left dial, and how loud your volume is with the right dial. If you turn the dial all the way to "MIC", you will only be able to hear your microphone audio. Turn the dial to "COM" and you will only be able to hear your computer. In-between will allow you to hear both, and you can adjust how much of which you want to hear. The audio volume does NOT adjust your actual computer's output volume, so you can adjust the volume until it's just right for you at your standard volume settings.
• Plug and Play
You plug it in and it works. If it doesn't work, be sure to do some troubleshooting like checking your default Recording Devices or making sure your volume dial has been turned up a bit if your headphones are plugged into your mic. If you continue to have issues with your microphone, feel free to drop a comment or contact and I'll try to help you out, or contact Audio Technica's customer service.
• 1 Year Warranty
Inside the box, you get a 1-year warranty card that you can fill out and use if you ever need to. It's nice to know that even when a product has been refurbished, Audio Technica still stands behind their product 100%.
CONS (2, kinda?):
• No Stereo Option
It's not advertised as stereo, so this wasn't really a disappointment. But this microphone had a stereo option, this would be hands down the best microphone in the market for any occasion.
• Mic Stand
The AT2020 USB+ comes with a little microphone tripod that screws right into the provided holder. While that SHOULD sound like a Pro, it's a pretty clear Con for several reasons. The rubber padding on the mic stand that's designed to keep the mic in place easily slides around standard wooden or smooth-surfaced desks. In addition to that, the provided stand isn't sturdy enough to counter the weight of the heavy microphone, and the mic itself easily topples over if you try to move or adjust it.
--
CONCLUSION:
If you're on the fence about getting a brand new AT2020+ for $150 or a Certified Refurbished one for $120, get the Certified Refurbished.
The certified refurbished looks and works amazingly well. I see no reason not to buy this Certified Refurbished version from Audio Technica instead of the regular one for $30 more. I would suggest spending what you save on a mic arm to replace the stand it comes with, and maybe pick up a pop filter and a shock mount along the way.
For any musician, audiophile, voice-over artist, or aspiring YouTuber, this is a sturdy, high-quality buy at a relatively low cost, and really, a no-brainer.
IF YOU'RE CONSIDERING A BLUE YETI:
If you're on the fence about getting this microphone over the Blue Yeti and you DON'T need stereo/binaural input, get the AT2020 USB+.
But if you need a microphone for a podcast or any other situation in which a stereo microphone would be preferred, I would highly suggest checking out the Blue Yeti. In terms of quality, this mic is quite clearly the better option based on that alone, but don't be too upset, because the Blue Yeti really doesn't fall that far behind. They are both great buys, and you won't be disappointed either way.
SUGGESTED ACCESSORIES:
• Microphone Arm Stand
You can pick up a pretty solid mic arm for about 12 USD. You can mount it on a sideways or upright overhang, but due to the orientation of the springs, mounting it upside down isn't recommended.
• Pop Filter
You don't need this if you're just going to be talking in Skype or Discord, but if you plan on singing or recording voice-overs or anything that requires you to get close to the mic, this will help make your breaths and P's less ear-damaging.
• Shock Mount
Again you don't need this, but I would highly recommend it for anyone who records voice-overs or sings. This will help reduce or eliminate shock if you bump into your desk or the mic arm while recording. Just be sure to look for a 48mm - 54mm shock mount, as anything smaller will be too small for the mic to fit.
-
EDIT 10/21/2018:
So I've had this mic for over a year, and I'm so impressed with it. The audio quality is phenomenal. I use it nearly every single day and sometimes for several hours and it's still working. I'm IN LOVE
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone (Renewed)
4.6 | 276 ratings
Price: 0
Last update: 12-31-2024
About this item
Condenser microphone with USB output for digital recording
High quality A/D converter with 16 bit, 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate for superb audio
Headphone jack with volume control allows you to monitor the microphone signal with no delay
Mix control allows you to blend your microphone signal and pre-recorded audio
High-output internal headphone amplifier delivers superior clarity and musical detail as well as more volume overall
High quality A/D converter with 16 bit, 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate for superb audio
Headphone jack with volume control allows you to monitor the microphone signal with no delay
Mix control allows you to blend your microphone signal and pre-recorded audio
High-output internal headphone amplifier delivers superior clarity and musical detail as well as more volume overall
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Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone (Renewed)
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Top reviews from the United States
HarteCertified refurbished you say? No... Good as new!
Harte
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2017
You may not think you'll be getting the same quality or longevity out of a product when it has "Refurbished" alongside its name, but don't let that fool you! This product comes in all original packaging with original contents, good as new and ready to go. If you're considering buying the AT2020 USB+, why not get it for $30 cheaper?
--
FIRST IMPRESSION:
When I took out the microphone, I instantly noticed its considerable weight. It's a very heavy product, which I think says a lot for its quality. The microphone, although supposedly refurbished, looks brand new. I love the sleek black design it has going for it.
There are two dials on the microphone, one that says "MIC" and "COM", and another with a little headphone symbol to indicate volume. At the back of the mic (which is labeled), there's a headphone jack, and the bottom is where your microphone's input USB cable goes.
Plugging it in and setting it up was a breeze. It's really just plug and play, and sounds great right off the bat.
That being said, let's get into the pros and cons!
PROS (7):
• High-Quality Build
This microphone is HEAVY. It's built so well that you can feel the quality it brings to the table without even plugging it in. It's probably the first thing you'll notice, and it gives a great first impression. Its design is also impeccable, which doesn't hurt either. ;)
• Beautiful Sound
The sound quality on this mic is incredibly high-quality, unlike anything I've ever used before (Blue Yeti included). The audio is so incredibly clear, and the back portion of the mic works to filter out any background sound. You can use the side/top of the mic to pick up sound as well, but generally anything to the front of the mic will be the loudest. I live in a pretty quiet area with low background audio anyway, so I can't attest to how well it covers up loud air conditioning or noisy neighbors. However, compared to every other mic I've used, the white noise picked up by this microphone is the lowest compared to most other mics for the same cost and even some that are more expensive.
• Long Cable (6.5 feet-ish?)
The cable is long and SHOULD be able to reach from your computer and snake through your mic arm and connect to the bottom of the microphone, if you choose to use one. If it's not long enough for you, you can easily pick up an extension USB cable off Amazon for pretty cheap.
• Built-in Audio Jack
There's an audio jack near the back of the mic for you to plug your headphones into. It's basically just an extension of your regular 3.5 mm audio jack. This is very nice as it adds onto the length of your regular headphone cable, plus allows you to hear your microphone input if you so choose to.
• Adjustable Volume and Mic/Com Audio
you can adjust how much of your audio comes from where (microphone or computer) with the left dial, and how loud your volume is with the right dial. If you turn the dial all the way to "MIC", you will only be able to hear your microphone audio. Turn the dial to "COM" and you will only be able to hear your computer. In-between will allow you to hear both, and you can adjust how much of which you want to hear. The audio volume does NOT adjust your actual computer's output volume, so you can adjust the volume until it's just right for you at your standard volume settings.
• Plug and Play
You plug it in and it works. If it doesn't work, be sure to do some troubleshooting like checking your default Recording Devices or making sure your volume dial has been turned up a bit if your headphones are plugged into your mic. If you continue to have issues with your microphone, feel free to drop a comment or contact and I'll try to help you out, or contact Audio Technica's customer service.
• 1 Year Warranty
Inside the box, you get a 1-year warranty card that you can fill out and use if you ever need to. It's nice to know that even when a product has been refurbished, Audio Technica still stands behind their product 100%.
CONS (2, kinda?):
• No Stereo Option
It's not advertised as stereo, so this wasn't really a disappointment. But this microphone had a stereo option, this would be hands down the best microphone in the market for any occasion.
• Mic Stand
The AT2020 USB+ comes with a little microphone tripod that screws right into the provided holder. While that SHOULD sound like a Pro, it's a pretty clear Con for several reasons. The rubber padding on the mic stand that's designed to keep the mic in place easily slides around standard wooden or smooth-surfaced desks. In addition to that, the provided stand isn't sturdy enough to counter the weight of the heavy microphone, and the mic itself easily topples over if you try to move or adjust it.
--
CONCLUSION:
If you're on the fence about getting a brand new AT2020+ for $150 or a Certified Refurbished one for $120, get the Certified Refurbished.
The certified refurbished looks and works amazingly well. I see no reason not to buy this Certified Refurbished version from Audio Technica instead of the regular one for $30 more. I would suggest spending what you save on a mic arm to replace the stand it comes with, and maybe pick up a pop filter and a shock mount along the way.
For any musician, audiophile, voice-over artist, or aspiring YouTuber, this is a sturdy, high-quality buy at a relatively low cost, and really, a no-brainer.
IF YOU'RE CONSIDERING A BLUE YETI:
If you're on the fence about getting this microphone over the Blue Yeti and you DON'T need stereo/binaural input, get the AT2020 USB+.
But if you need a microphone for a podcast or any other situation in which a stereo microphone would be preferred, I would highly suggest checking out the Blue Yeti. In terms of quality, this mic is quite clearly the better option based on that alone, but don't be too upset, because the Blue Yeti really doesn't fall that far behind. They are both great buys, and you won't be disappointed either way.
SUGGESTED ACCESSORIES:
• Microphone Arm Stand
You can pick up a pretty solid mic arm for about 12 USD. You can mount it on a sideways or upright overhang, but due to the orientation of the springs, mounting it upside down isn't recommended.
• Pop Filter
You don't need this if you're just going to be talking in Skype or Discord, but if you plan on singing or recording voice-overs or anything that requires you to get close to the mic, this will help make your breaths and P's less ear-damaging.
• Shock Mount
Again you don't need this, but I would highly recommend it for anyone who records voice-overs or sings. This will help reduce or eliminate shock if you bump into your desk or the mic arm while recording. Just be sure to look for a 48mm - 54mm shock mount, as anything smaller will be too small for the mic to fit.
-
EDIT 10/21/2018:
So I've had this mic for over a year, and I'm so impressed with it. The audio quality is phenomenal. I use it nearly every single day and sometimes for several hours and it's still working. I'm IN LOVE
Images in this review
Amazon CustomerThe AT2020USB cardioid microphone is an amazing microphone for those who want to take their narration ...
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Michael
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2024
Images in this review
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