Tech Review: Joby Wavo Pod Mic | Streamer/Gamer Mic

Joby is synonymous with vlogging after its range of camera/phone accessories became a must-have item. The Gorilla Pod was THE mobile phone tripod of choice that allowed vloggers worldwide to record anything from anywhere thanks to their octopus-like tripod that could grip onto all sorts of surfaces. Over the years, the product range has grown dramatically and so it makes sense for Joby to move into microphones for the vlogging community. Their aim is simple, create a studio-quality mic that can be on the go as much as you. Lets take a look and listen to see how they did…

The Look & Feel

The Joby Wavo Pod Mic certainly is striking with its black brushed metal finish and eyecatching red pop filter. As it is in the Gaming Debugged brand colours, I can’t help but give it an 11/10 for that. However red might not go with every streamer’s gaming setup, but what is clear, is that Joby wants the Wavo to be a statement piece and something you put proudly in shot for all and sundry to see.

The mic body feels reassuringly heavy but not too heavy that it will further weigh down your camera bag. The majority of the weight is in the base plate. On the back there are two controls; the first is a multi-functional dial that controls the volume and gains as well as mutes it. By holding the button for 2 seconds it cycles through the different functions. Underneath is the pattern switcher which changes between omnidirectional for podcasts or group conversations or cardioid patterns when creating solo content. Whilst I absolutely love the simplicity of the controls as it makes recording idiot-proof, more controlling audiophiles may prefer the clunk-click of the more expensive mic for precision control. However, for those starting out, the Joby makes it super easy to get started with little or no audio technology knowledge.

The base is fully removable and reveals a standard 3/8 screw fitting for all major boom arms. Handy for those looking to be able to move the mic around quickly and easily. also underneath is the 3.5mm headphone jack and the USB cable port. The headphone jack allows for zero-latency monitoring of your vocals, but it also just serves as a decent DAC for your computer. Right out of the box, it comes with USB-C and USB A connectors allowing you to plug straight into your phone or computer. The stand itself is a sleek U bracket with two easily adjustable screws to rotate the main body. Having an adjustable desk, I often switch between sitting and standing, so this feature gets a lot of use in my studio.

The last point on the looks has to be the included pop filter. It is fantastic that it comes as standard, as it allows new content creators to concentrate on the content and less on the audio quality. When I first started, I used the Blue Yeti, but after creating my first few videos I realised that pop filters are essential. Further to that, I realised that not all pop filters work with all mics. In short, it would have been really handy to have working pop filters from day one. The Joby Wavo Pod has one pop filter included (for cardioid/solo recording), but you can also purchase a second one for omnidirectional sound when doing an interview or podcast.

The Sound

For those who know about audio quality levels, the Joby Wavo Pod mic enjoys 24 bit 48khz high-resolution sampling rate which is fantastic if we compare it to its competitors. The Rode NT USB is 50% more expensive and Blue Yeti is 25% more expensive and both run at 16bit 48kHz. As such, $100 or £89.99 for the microphone, AND pop filter and cables is a great deal.

Sound Tests

Computer Mic
This is was the pick-up is like on the standard mac book. She Sells, Sea Shells, on The Sea Shore.

This is the Blue Yeti USB with a pop filter – Peter Piper Picked a Pep of Pickled Pepper / Seven Sizzling Sausages

And this the Joby Wavo Pod with included pop filter – A noisy noise annoys an oyster / Simon says silly sayings

The Connectivity

The Joby Wavo Pod mic is also a transforming spider. Ok, it doesn’t grow legs and wander off but it comes with multiple connection options for the array of Joby addons. One arm can come out to hold a light, another can hold your phone, and another can hold a boom mic. There are various combinations you can try which makes it a hugely versatile and useful bit of kit for budding content creators. The additional arms and accessories don’t come as standard, but are a fantastic edition and help keep all of your equipment together.

Overall, the Joby Wavo Pod Mic is a head-turning starter mic for any content creator. Whether you are a streamer, gamer, or podcaster, the Wavo Pod has everything you need right out of the box and can be extended as and when you need to. For only £89 or $100, the sound quality is clear and comparable to its competitors. The mic works well on a desk or hanging from a boom arm, and packs away easily for creators on the move. The red colour won’t be for everyone and if you are looking to make a living from audiobooks or voice-over acting you may need to look at the higher end of the market (along with padded rooms and specialist software). However, I was pleasantly surprised by the Wavo Pod Mic as it easily surpassed similar mics in its price bracket and even those at almost double the price. The connectivity and versatility of the mic make it a fantastic option for creators and ensure its longevity in any studio.