INTRODUCTION

   Largely thanks to YouTube there are currently more streamers and video bloggers that we could ever possibly count (with more starting up each day that goes by) and as expected that has sky rocketed demand for quality USB microphones. In turn the appearance of such models has also made it possible for regular consumers to no longer rely on the low quality built-in microphones found in most web cameras and notebooks. This means that if you're using Viber, Skype, Facebook or any other program and/or platform for online calls an USB microphone is probably the best way to go with currently. Arozzi may count only 5 years in the PC gaming peripherals market but their share is far from small and after their very successful Gaming Chair, Desk, Eyewear and even Racing Simulator Stand lines they entered the USB microphone market with the Sfera, Sfera Pro and Colonna models all of which have been with us for just over a month now.

   Arozzi is a Swedish company founded in 2013. Arozzi gaming chairs are built in the spirit of Esports and feature ergonomic design with high levels of comfort. Our products have a refined aesthetic that draws inspiration from the world of motorsports. Each Arozzi chair can be finely adjusted to your needs to ensure you are in the best position achieve your next victory, whatever the game!

   Both the Sfera and Sfera Pro USB Microphones by Arozzi are condenser type microphones (capacitor microphones if you're in Great Britain) based on 14mm condenser capsules (1 at the front for the Sfera and 2 for the Sfera Pro - front and rear). Both microphones have 3.5mm audio outputs for use with headphones, boom arm mounts (in case you don't have enough room on your desk) and feature a frequency response of 20Hz-20KHz with 44.1KHz sample rate (also 48KHz for the Sfera Pro), 16bit bit-rate, 44dBA sensitivity and a maximum SPL of 120dB. The two main differences between the Sfera and Sfera Pro is the headphone amplifier of the Sfera Pro (15Hz-22KHz frequency response with 16Ohms impedance and 114dB SNR) and their polar/pick-up patterns so whereas the Sfera features a directional (cardioid) pattern which basically only records sounds coming directly from the front of the microphone the Sfera Pro also features the classic Omni-directional pattern which can record sounds equally from all directions (it also features a -10dB cardioid pattern in case you need to use it with very loud instruments and/or even voices). Now as some of you may know condenser microphones have the ability to produce superior sound quality compared to dynamic models (mostly used in concerts) since they feature widest frequency response, best transient response, higher sensitivity and reduced noise. Of course this mostly applies to professional grade microphones so two rather entry-level models like the Sfera and Sfera Pro may leave some people asking for more. This is where the Colonna comes in however since it has a total of 3 14mm condenser capsules (front, rear and top) and features a frequency response of 20Hz-20KHz, 44.1KHz-48KHz sample rate, 16bit bit-rate and a max SPL of 120dB. Just like the Sfera Pro the Colonna also features a headphone amplifier (15Hz-22KHz frequency response with 16Ohms impedance and 114dB SNR) but what really sets it apart from the other two models is its 3 different polar/pick-up patterns cardioid, Omni-directional and a bi-directional the last of which can be used to record sounds coming from both the front and rear of the microphone (side sounds are blocked). So let's move on with today’s review/comparison and see what each of these USB microphones by Arozzi has to offer.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

All three models get shipped inside black boxes that have large product pictures at the front right beneath the company logo.

The available colors are all listed on the right side of each box (a small red dot indicates the included color).

At the rear Arozzi has placed a few words about each microphone along with their features in 8 languages.

Each of the Sfera and Sfera Pro models is bundled with a plastic (yet heavy thanks to the metal inside) round base, USB cable and the user manual whereas the Colonna is bundled with its USB cable and its user manual (the entire base is pre-mounted on the microphone).

THE SFERA & SFERA PRO

At first glance both the Sfera and Sfera Pro models seem identical and so both weigh almost 730g (USB cable excluded) and can extend from 239mm up to 285mm.

Both are made out of plastic and aluminum.

The main visible difference between these two models is the polar/pick-up pattern indicator placed at the top so although the Sfera has a heart at the top (cardioid) which lights up when used the Sfera Pro has the -10dB cardioid, cardioid and Omni-directional indicators.

At the rear of both microphones we find the USB host ports, headphone mini jacks and two buttons.

This is the second visible difference since the button of the Sfera can be used to mute the microphone whereas the button of the Sfera Pro can be used to switch between patterns.

Both microphones also have plastic holders for their long USB cables (1.8 meter long for the Sfera and 1.9 meter long for the Sfera Pro).

THE COLONNA

Unlike the Sfera and Sfera Pro the Colona is made mostly out of aluminum, weighs roughly 1.42Kg and is 275mm tall.

You may not be able to raise and lower its stand but you can rotate the main body around its axis (by around 300 degrees).

At the front we see the Arozzi logo, microphone mute button and the headphone volume control.

Since this is also an Omni-directional microphone the top is designed accordingly.

Moving at the rear we find the pattern button (Omni-directional, cardioid and bi-directional) and the microphone volume control knob.

Again unlike the Sfera and Sfera Pro the Colonna has a mini USB port at the base alongside the 3.5mm headphone mini jack and the 5/8 inch boom arm mount.

CONCLUSION

   Since we're not into streaming not only did we use all three USB microphones for both Skype and Viber calls but we also used them for in-game communication and on top of that we also recorded several audio clips which we checked several times over later on. Now this may not come as a surprise to most of you but both the Sfera and Sfera Pro performed identically in cardioid mode whereas the Omni-directional mode of the Sfera Pro was more ideal for sounds coming from all sides (still that means reduced clarity for sounds coming from the front so for single people standing in front of a PC the "regular" Sfera is just as good as the Pro version - unless you're using a very loud instrument in which case the -10dB cardioid mode of the Pro version could come in handy). The Colonna offers even clearer audio for sounds coming from the front when in cardioid mode but at the same time doesn't sacrifice audio clarity when in Omni-directional and bi-directional modes. We tried to showcase the differences between each microphone by recording short (5s) audio clip (hint, it’s one of the most iconic lines in movie history) from one of our 5.1 surround sound systems (all 3 microphones where placed at the center of the room – slightly towards the center speaker for optimal cardioid recording) so download and check them out (Sfera Cardioid - Sfera Pro Cardioid / Omni-Directional / Cardioid -10dB - Colonna Cardioid / Omni-Directional / Bi-Directional).

   So how much does one have to spend to get one of these USB microphones by Arozzi? Well currently you can find the Sfera for USD44.99/35Euros (Amazon / Amazon UK), the Sfera Pro for USD64.99/55Euros (Amazon / Amazon UK) and the Colonna for USD80.49/85Euros (Amazon / Amazon UK). Since these are the very first USB microphones to find their way to our lab we really can’t say they are the best in their price ranges but they are much better compared to several 3.5mm microphones we’ve used in the past (even compared to some by SONY and Yamaha - alas lower-cost ones) and on top of that they look great too. Our only hope is that Arozzi will expand the color range of the Sfera Pro and Colonna models since it seems like a waste for the red and black color combination to only be available with the “regular” Sfera. With that out of the way all three Microphones lived up to our expectations and although the Colonna is slightly ahead in terms of features and audio clarity both the Sfera and the Sfera Pro offer a far better price/performance ratio.

PROS

- Build Quality (Colonna)
- Design
- Audio Clarity
- Available Polar/Pickup Patterns (Sfera Pro / Colonna)
- Headphone Amplifier (Sfera Pro / Colonna)
- Plug & Play
- Available Colors (Sfera / Colonna)
- Price (Sfera / Sfera Pro)

CONS

- Price (Colonna)
- Color Selection (Sfera Pro)