Photos and Features
If you have been aware of ModMics for a while now, the naming of these two new microphones might be a surprise. There is a good chance you have seen the ModMic 3/4/5 in the past. I reviewed the ModMic 5 back in 2017 and the ModMic 4.0 before that in 2016. The ModMic 5 was then replaced by the ModMic Uni and the ModMic USB was launched as well. Going back to the version 2 in the name is because they are sticking with their ModMic USB and ModMic Uni product names along with the ModMic Wireless which the Antlion Audio website does say they have a ModMic Wireless 2 in the works but had delays that will push that launch into 2025.
Both of the new microphones have similar packaging and you can see the evolution from the previous models. They have the same peg hanging box design and the color themes match but the artwork has been changed and improved on. Up top you have the Antlion Audio logo then in a bold font the ModMic name with the Uni 2 and USB 2 designations below that in a smaller font. Then they have a drawing below that of a person using the microphone, those drawings are different for each model in blue for the USB 2 model and blue-green for the Uni 2. Those drawings then have a real picture of the ModMic itself showing how you can add it to your headphones. Then down at the bottom, they show the connection type. Around on the back things are similar between the two models as well with a drawing showing the ModMic with text boxes highlighting each feature and a compatibility list down at the bottom.
Both the ModMic USB 2 and Uni 2 come with a hard shell carrying case inside of the box. What was surprising however was that they have different finishes. The USB 2 has a hard shell with a fabric finish and the Uni 2 has a fake leather-like finish. Both have the Antlion brand name molded into the top and a zipper around the middle to keep everything inside. I’ve seen both case finishes over the years used for the ModMics and both get the job done. I was just surprised that they haven’t settled on one or the other by now.
Inside the case for the ModMic USB 2, you get a set of instructions tucked up under the microphone itself. Then on the other side of the case, they have all of the ModMics wire stuffed into the mesh pouch. The top also has two small baggies. One has the new USB Type-A to Type-C connection adapter and the other has the standard ModMic installation kit. That installation kit includes an alcohol wipe, two extra replacement 3M double-sided sticky pads, a second magnetic base, and five S-shaped clips to use to attach the ModMics cable to your headphone cable to keep things clean. The extra mounting base is the big inclusion here for me though, you can keep this around in case you lose your original or you can mount it on a second pair of headphones to swap the ModMic between them. Antlion Audio also sells a similar kit online if you ever need any of these in the future. The USB adapter is a nice inclusion, a lot of devices these days, especially laptops have moved fully to Type-C.
The cable on the ModMic USB 2 is 2 meters long or just over six and a half shoe holders in length. It has a USB Type-A connection on the end and an in-line mute button. The mute button is simple with just a white button with a microphone symbol with a line through it. Pressing it does light up a red light behind it and it will glow to let you know you are muted. Beyond that, the cable doesn’t have any sleeving and has a rubber finish on it. They do include a Velcro strap that comes preinstalled to tie up the wiring when transporting.
As for the ModMic USB 2, visually there aren’t any big changes if you have seen the ModMic design in the past. The cable runs into a solid hook at the end. Then from there the boom itself is thicker and is flexible. The boom has the mounting point on it and that can be loosened and moved wherever on the microphone you need it, including flipping backward depending on if you are trying to flip sides. Down at the end is the microphone capsule which comes with a foam pop filter on it. One of the big changes here is the move to a single microphone capsule. The original USB ModMic had a switch at the end where you could switch between Uni and Omni directional pickups. They have gone with the Unidirectional pickup full time which makes sense, if you are running this type of microphone you are trying to cut out background noise not add it in. Antlion’s goal as listed on their website was to combine the noise cancellation of the uni-directional mode with the quality of the omni-directional mode. The signal-to-noise ratio when compared to the previous Uni-Directional capsule is 70 to 67 and even farther ahead of the Omni-Directional capsule. Beyond that, the stats are similar. They also say that the strain relief durability has been improved.
While the case has a different finish on the outside, inside the case for the ModMic Uni 2 is the same as what we saw on the USB 2. The microphone has space in one half with two straps to hold it in place. Then the cord and accessories are all tucked into the mesh pouch on the other side. You can an installation guide for documentation. Then you get the same small baggie with everything needed to install the ModMic Uni 2. You get an alcohol wipe to clean the surface, extra double-sided pads, a second magnetic mount, and five S-shaped wire clips to clip the ModMic wire to your headphone wire.
The cord for the ModMic Uni 2 is noticeably thinner than on the USB model which isn’t too much of a surprise as it doesn’t have to pass as many wires through it. At the end, it has a 3.5mm jack. This cable is 2 meters long as well and also comes with a Velcro strap. It also has a microphone mute in-line but because this isn’t powered through USB there isn’t a light-up button. You just have a simple switch that will cut the feed when needed. It does make it harder to see if you are muted though. Antlion mentioned the improved strain relief which wasn’t visible on the USB 2 but you can see it on the Uni 2. Compared with the last time I took a look at once, the strain on the plug end here is longer.
The strain relief going into the ModMic Uni 2 is longer as well, even when compared to the USB 2. Beyond that, the design is similar with the same overall shape but there were a few big differences between the two. The ModMic Uni 2 is thinner, and with that at the start where it hooks, it is more compact. The wire is flat whereas on the USB 2, it is round. You have the same adjustable magnetic mount that can be moved anywhere you need it. Then down at the end, the microphone capsule is a little more compact. It has the same improved capsule with an improved signal-to-noise ratio and with that a better noise floor.
Getting the ModMic USB 2 and ModMic Uni 2 next to each other is the best way to be able to see some of the differences between the two. Specifically how the Uni 2 has the thinner flat design that is more compact at the hook where the wire comes in. This also shows the better wire strain reliefs as well which I’m not sure why the USB 2 wouldn’t get the same longer design. Even the microphone capsule design is more compact. I don’t know the internal design, but I would guess that the USB 2 has to have at least some of its analog-to-digital converter inside of that housing. The foam for the pop filters between the two is a little different as well as the mesh on the housing itself.
