Customer Ratings & Reviews

# Elgato Wave DX Review – Is It Worth It for Streaming? The **Elgato Wave DX** is a dynamic XLR microphone designed specifically for streamers, content creators, podcasters, and gamers. It delivers a clean, broadcast-style sound while keeping the setup relatively simple. ## Sound Quality The Wave DX produces a **clear and detailed vocal sound** with good presence in the mid and high frequencies. Compared to many condenser microphones, it does a better job of reducing unwanted room noise, making it particularly useful for gaming and streaming setups. Since it is a dynamic microphone, you can position it close to your mouth—around **3 to 6 inches (8–15 cm)** is a good starting point. Moving closer also increases the proximity effect, giving your voice a deeper and fuller broadcast-style sound. ## Background Noise One of the biggest advantages of the Wave DX is its ability to focus on your voice rather than everything happening in the room. Keyboard clicks, PC fans, and other background sounds can still be picked up, but generally at a much lower level than with a sensitive condenser microphone. Combining it with a light noise gate or expander can produce excellent results for live streaming. ## Wave DX + Wave XLR The **Wave XLR** is an excellent companion for the Wave DX. The microphone itself does not have USB connectivity, so an XLR audio interface is required. Using the Wave XLR also gives you access to Elgato's Wave Link software, allowing you to control separate audio sources, apply VST effects, and create different mixes for yourself and your stream. ## Pros * Excellent vocal clarity * Dynamic cardioid design * Good rejection of room noise * Great for streaming and gaming * Strong build quality * Works with virtually any XLR interface * Excellent integration with Wave XLR and Wave Link * No Cloudlifter required with a capable interface ## Cons * No USB connection * Requires an XLR audio interface * XLR cable is not included * Can still pick up keyboard noise depending on positioning * A boom arm is highly recommended ## Final Verdict The **Elgato Wave DX is one of the better XLR microphones for gaming and streaming**, especially if you want clear vocals without picking up too much of the room. Its sound is clean, articulate, and slightly brighter than some traditional broadcast microphones, which helps your voice remain intelligible even when game audio and music are playing in the background. When paired with the **Wave XLR**, it becomes an especially convenient streaming setup thanks to Wave Link's audio routing and VST processing. **Rating: 8.5/10** For streamers looking for a high-quality dynamic XLR microphone without spending significantly more on something like a Shure SM7B, the **Wave DX offers excellent value for the money.**

This review will encompass the Elgato Wave DX dynamic mic, the Elgato XLR, the XLR microphone cable, and Elgato's Wave Link software as they all work together as a complete solution. When I started streaming a year ago, I went with the Elgato Wave 3 condenser mic because it was a very cost-effective option and it gave me access to their Wave Link digital mixing software. As I became more experienced in streaming and audio configuration, I upgraded to the XLR system using the Wave DX dynamic microphone. You can do your own research regarding the differences between condenser mics and dynamic mics, but in a nutshell the dynamic mic produces better audio, but requires amplification and mixing through a physical hardware device (enter the Wave XLR). Dynamic mics also work better in environments where you don't want the mic to pickup background noise, which is the reason why virtually every professional podcaster and radio stations exclusively use them. As a whole, the Elgato ecosystem with the Wave DX, Wave XLR, XLR mic cable, and Wave Link software is a great option for people looking for professional quality audio without spending two or three times more for other brands.

I kay have been Best Buy’s first buyer if this kid. As it isn’t I store yet. And it was like super fresh in the online store. I started looking last few days and bam. Best Buy! I Started with the wave 3. And learned about this xlr option. Gotta say it’s a nice improvement even from the wave 3. Even tho that is also a 5star mic imo. I picked up the wave Dx from the online store. Shipping was basic. And no added protections. But it wasn’t damaged. The price point is the main reason I switched. Coupled with wanting to hand over the wave 3 to my son for his first usb mic experience. If you’re in a budget. This is definitely a great choice. And the wave xlr is small but sleek. I got mine from eBay for about half price of new.

As the title says, this is way better than my blue yeti usb mic. Its definitely not shure quality but it does sound so much better. It still picks up background noise even with a reducer but not much and can be tweeked. Picks up the highs and lows greatly. I would recomend this formany streamer or content creator on a budget.

Works very well! I had my doubts but they were lifted as soon as I plugged the mic in. Crisp audio and no feedback. Instant auto adjustments.

Excellent product, works well. People in voice chat could tell the difference between my old mic and this microphone

[Employee of bestbuy] The Microphone was very easy to setup and even sounds very crisp compared to the previous microphone i was using.

[Employee of bestbuy] This microphone did an excellent job at cutting out background noise compared to the previous entry-level mics I’ve had. The audio quality is also very nice, with alot of support and interface options through ElGato. I use this mic with the ElGato XLR interface, an AudioQuest Yukon XLR, and an ElGato mic arm.

It's a solid microhone, I personally like the rectangle design over the typical cylindrical design of mics. It's stylish. As for sound. (paired with the wave xlr) I own a blue yeti (the original) and have used a Shure SM7B. I would say that this is great mic to use straight out of the box, it's not the best for an untreated/noisy room, but with the use of a background removal plugin or some kind of active noise suppressor it's going to sound more than fine. The wave xlr app that this pairs with allows audio plugins to be used to increase it's sound quality. It's sound seems to be slightly tuned already to provide a crisp, easy to hear sound signature.

my firt venturee into xlr microphones. i hjave no compliants about this on and thinks its sounds great and even better with tunning in the software they provide

This microphone is great for our podcasting sessions! Make sure you order a stand though.

This is a super great value. XLR mics can get expensive but Elgato made a great product here!

Good microphone, but I wish they added the info of the things that were needed. The microphone is a great price but you also need more things to even use it

Sounds great, easy to set up and works with my other elgato products

Works well with wave xlr and and the wave mic arm suspension boom arm.

Nothing sounds better than a dynamic real Microphone. And I own 2 of the wave 3’s I own everything (almost) that elgato has (almost) love the products

Great quality! Crisp and clear. Would definitely recommend.

Great sound that you expect from elgato. Works great with rodecaster

The microphone sounds so clean and clear. I'm really happy with my purchase

Best way to use with wave xlr. Cheaper then most mic and best quality