Nacon RIG M2 Streamstar review – A must-have for budding content creators

Nacon’s new RIG M2 Streamstar is a content creation and gaming microphone that comes with an exciting feature: you can connect your Bluetooth headset or earphone directly to its built-in audio gateway for low-latency audio monitoring. On top of this, it also claims to have studio-quality audio output courtesy of a 24-bit depth and 192kHz sampling rate alongside a 16mm condenser for directional sound capture. All of this comes together in a tidy package, but some concerns over build quality and price leave me a little frustrated.

The RIG M2 Streamstar, also known as the M2 Pro HD, is among the best gaming microphones for its audio quality alone, but it’s the quality of its stand and a contextually debatable MSRP that hurt its appeal. While not perfect, this is still a pretty impressive microphone and puts Nacon among some bigger brand names when it comes to audio quality.

Specs

Design

At first glance, the M2 Streamstar has a strong, eye-catching look to it. It’s sleek but simple black design can slot in nicely to any existing setup, either using its included stand or if you opt to use the 5 / 8-inch thread connection.

While the stand is weighted to offer good balance for the M2 Streamstar, the build quality is cheap, with it being entirely made from a thin plastic. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not going to crumble in your hands if you pick it up, but the cheap feel is hard to ignore, and I fear that one drop or fumble off your desktop could result in damage.

Everything else about the design of the M2 Streamstar is fantastic, though. The angled USB-C cable is a great inclusion and makes cable management easier. There is also a magnetic plate on the back of the microphone with RIG printed onto it, but a blank one can be purchased separately, and you can print whatever you like onto it to customize your mic.

The on-mic controls are simply laid out, and each one has a strong haptic click to indicate when you’re adjusting volume. There is also a light around each one to show when the mic and headset are active, muted, and when you’ve reached the max volume for each one. Finally, a 3.5mm jack is located next to the USB-C power port, meaning you can still choose to use a wired headset for audio monitoring if you wish.

Setup

As a plug-and-play device, setting up the RIG M2 Streamstar is incredibly simple. My initial concerns were with getting a Bluetooth headset to connect to it without additional software, but this too works like a dream.

You simply hold the headphone dial in until it starts flashing, then hold your Bluetooth device close to the microphone while it is in pairing mode. The M2 Streamstar does the rest and establishes a connection within seconds.

It’s at this point that you might need to head into the Windows or Mac sound settings just to make sure both the audio input and output are set to the RIG M2 Pro HD, and ensure the microphone sampling rate is set to 192kHz, but once this is done, you’re set to start using the microphone.

Performance

The RIG M2 Streamstar has crystal clear audio output, but my primary issue is with its audio detection at a distance. When I’m within 20cm of the microphone, the audio pickup from it is fine, but as soon as I move out of this range, the M2 Streamstar gets very quiet, very quickly, even at full volume. I would understand if this was due to noise cancellation, but no such feature is advertised. Without accompanying software, it would be hard to adjust this easily anyway.

Another reason why some software would have been useful is to adjust the audio gate or adjust an equalizer to allow for minor or major adjustments. Instead, while the audio it picks up has fantastic quality, I feel an inherent need to be very close to the microphone at all times. This is more of an issue for gaming purposes than content creation, but the absence of software shackles the truly high potential this microphone has going for it.

I’ve used the M2 Streamstar for gaming comms, work meetings, and some voiceovers, and it’s always performed well. In recordings, my voice is clear, and there are no low-level background noises seeping into the mix, such as breathing or mouse clicks. However, the lack of noise cancelling means that louder keyboards can be picked up and background chatter is likely to register too.

Having used some of the most popular microphones around, including the Logitech Yeti GX and Razer Seiren V2 Pro, the M2 Streamstar has these beaten in terms of sound quality hands down. There is no awkward, low-level static sound whenever I’m not speaking into the microphone, and where my regular speaking tone can sometimes result in lower clarity, when playing back my audio, it’s absolutely clear, word for word, even when I pick up the pace and start speaking quite quickly.

On the audio pass-through, the Bluetooth 5.4 connection is super consistent, and there are no delays or glitches when sound is being passed from PC to microphone to headset. I found it really useful being able to monitor the audio input and having all audio passed through to my headset without the need for wires. This is a feature that content creators will love, and it’s one less wire to worry about in your setup.

While I understand the need to also include the 3.5mm jack port, connecting to it is awkward when mounted on a boom arm, even if you’re using the mini extension adapter, because many cables won’t stretch far enough while also being tidy.

Price

The Nacon RIG M2 Streamstar costs $129.99, which would have been a super competitive price just a few years ago when many premium USB gaming mics picked $149.99 as an MSRP. Now, mics are available with similar specs for less, namely the NXZT Capsule Elite, and the M2 Streamstar becomes a harder sell unless you place a heavy value on the Bluetooth audio connection feature.

Alternatives

NZXT Capsule Elite

With the Capsule Elite’s $89.99 MSRP, you get the same 24-bit depth and 192kHz sampling rate for great audio quality. All you’re really missing is the ability to connect Bluetooth earphones directly to the mic, but it has dedicated software and a much better build quality, so in most cases would be a better option.

Verdict

There is no doubt about the quality of the RIG M2 Streamstar. Its voice clarity is fantastic, and the claims of studio quality are more than backed up throughout my testing. I have some issues with the build quality of the stand and the lack of dedicated software, but I also appreciate the effort that has gone into designing a plug-and-play microphone and making it so simple to set up at first.

The $129.99 price is somewhat hard to swallow, though, and if the M2 Streamstar had been released a few years ago, it would be a very easy recommendation. However, it’s up against some serious competition, and its rivals have all been out for long enough to see their prices become much more affordable, even if their audio quality doesn’t reach the same heights.

Despite this, the RIG M2 Streamstar is a fantastic content creation and gaming microphone that is a surefire upgrade from most other USB mics on the market in audio quality terms. However, it all comes down to how much the built-in Bluetooth audio setting is worth before other brands tag along and include it in their next product.

If you’re a content creator looking for fantastic audio quality, the M2 Streamstar is absolutely the mic for you, and its wireless audio pass-through is a really handy addition. For gamers who just want a way to communicate with teammates, you may find this mic offers diminished returns, and you are better off looking elsewhere.