{"data":{"slug":"samson-q2u","type":"microphone","brand":"Samson","name":"Q2U","aliases":["Samson Q2U","Q2U Recording and Podcasting Pack","Samson Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone","Q2U USB-C Microphone","SAQ2U"],"release_date":"2009-01","url":"https://arkivo.dev/microphones/samson-q2u","specs":{"series":null,"model_numbers":["SAQ2U"],"gtins":["809164009665"],"announce_date":"2009-01","status":"available","predecessor":null,"successor":null,"launch_price_usd":59.99,"launch_price_eur":null,"markets":null,"colors":null,"manufacturer_url":"https://samsontech.com/products/microphones/usb-microphones/q2u/","spec_sheet_url":null,"manual_url":"https://storage.googleapis.com/samson-production/uploads/documents/Q2U_OM_5L_v7.pdf","eprel_registration_number":null,"warranty_years":2,"transducer_type":"dynamic","capsule_size_mm":null,"capsule_count":1,"polar_patterns":["cardioid"],"address_type":"end","frequency_response_hz":{"min_hz":50,"max_hz":15000},"sensitivity_dbv_pa":-54,"sensitivity_dbfs":null,"max_spl_db":148,"max_spl_thd_percent":null,"self_noise_dba":null,"noise_floor_dbfs":null,"snr_db":null,"dynamic_range_db":null,"output_impedance_ohm":null,"connection_types":["usb","xlr"],"external_inputs":null,"simultaneous_usb_xlr":true,"usb_connector":"usb_c","cable_host_connector":"usb_a","cable_length_m":2.25,"phantom_power":"not_required","max_bit_depth_bits":16,"max_sample_rate_khz":48,"float_32_bit":false,"headphone_jack":true,"zero_latency_monitoring":true,"onboard_controls":["headphone_volume","mute"],"onboard_processing":null,"mount_threads":null,"shock_mount":"internal","pop_filter":["internal","foam_windscreen"],"desk_stand_included":true,"housing_material":"Die-cast","rgb_lighting":false,"lighting_zones":null,"software_name":null,"firmware_updatable":true,"os_compatibility":["windows","macos","chromeos","ios","ipados","android"],"console_compatibility":null,"dimensions_mm":{"width_mm":55,"height_mm":55,"depth_mm":190},"weight_g":317.5,"weight_with_stand_g":null,"other_certifications":null,"in_the_box":["Q2U microphone","Mic clip","Tripod stand","Tripod stand extension","Foam windscreen","USB cable (2.25m)","XLR cable (3m)"]},"variants":[],"sources":[{"url":"https://samsontech.com/products/microphones/usb-microphones/q2u/","kind":"manufacturer_page","accessed":"2026-10-20","fields":["model_numbers","gtins","status","manufacturer_url","manual_url","transducer_type","polar_patterns","address_type","frequency_response_hz","sensitivity_dbv_pa","max_spl_db","connection_types","usb_connector","cable_host_connector","cable_length_m","max_bit_depth_bits","max_sample_rate_khz","float_32_bit","headphone_jack","zero_latency_monitoring","onboard_controls","pop_filter","desk_stand_included","housing_material","rgb_lighting","firmware_updatable","os_compatibility","dimensions_mm","in_the_box"],"notes":{"model_numbers":"The page data names SKU SAQ2U.","gtins":"The page data gives UPC 809164009665 for SAQ2U. Amazon lists the same code as a 14 digit GTIN 00809164009665.","status":"The page is live with the current spec table and the Q2U is listed in stock on Amazon US.","manual_url":"Downloads: Q2U Owners Manual (5 Language) v7. The manual describes the earlier Mini-B USB model, see usb_connector.","transducer_type":"Specifications: Element Type Dynamic.","polar_patterns":"Specifications: Polar Pattern Cardioid. The text calls it a cardioid (unidirectional) pattern.","address_type":"The compare table lists the Q2U as End Address Dynamic.","frequency_response_hz":"Specifications: Frequency Response 50Hz-15kHz. The compare table of the same page prints 20Hz-18kHz for the Q2U, which differs. The spec table and the manual agree on 50Hz-15kHz, so that is stored.","sensitivity_dbv_pa":"Specifications: Sensitivity -54dBV/Pa. The reference level is not printed and 1 Pa is assumed.","max_spl_db":"Specifications: Max SPL 148dB SPL. No distortion limit is printed, so max_spl_thd_percent is left out.","connection_types":"Specifications: Digital outputs USB-C and analog output XLR. The 1/8 in headphone output does not carry the microphone signal to a computer.","usb_connector":"Specifications: Digital Ouputs USB-C, and the page photos show a USB-C port on the bottom. The 2021 manual and older retail listings name a Mini-B port, so Samson changed the connector under the same SKU. See the doubts in the report.","cable_host_connector":"The page photo of the box contents (Q2U Accessories-2 USB-C) shows a USB cable with a small USB-C plug for the microphone and a USB-A plug for the computer. No text names the host plug.","cable_length_m":"Features: includes USB cable (2.25m) and XLR cable (3m). The older manual says 10 ft cables.","max_bit_depth_bits":"Specifications: Bit Depth up to 16-bit.","max_sample_rate_khz":"Specifications: Sample Rate 44.1kHz/48kHz.","float_32_bit":"The maker lists up to 16-bit, so there is no 32-bit float mode.","headphone_jack":"Specifications: Headphone Output 1/8 in (3.5mm).","zero_latency_monitoring":"Features: 1/8 in stereo headphone output with level control for zero-latency monitoring.","onboard_controls":"The headphone output has level control. The On/Off switch controls both the USB and XLR audio output, which the page also calls a microphone mute switch. The page lists no gain control and Samson's manual sets the gain in the computer.","pop_filter":"The package includes a windscreen to minimize wind noise and plosives. The manual also names a dual stage grill that helps reduce p-popping.","desk_stand_included":"Features: includes mic clip, tripod stand, tripod stand extension. The text names a desktop tripod stand.","housing_material":"Features: solid, die-cast construction with heavy gauge mesh grille.","rgb_lighting":"The complete feature list names only a dual-color Power/Clip LED, which is a status light. It names no decorative lighting.","firmware_updatable":"Downloads: Q2U Firmware Updater v3 (Windows).","os_compatibility":"Features: USB output for connecting to Mac, PC, or Chromebook.","dimensions_mm":"Specifications: 7.5 in (190mm) x 2.2 in (55mm) diameter. The microphone is end-address and handheld, so the 190 mm length is the depth and the 55 mm diameter is used for width and height.","in_the_box":"Features: includes mic clip, tripod stand, tripod stand extension, foam windscreen, USB cable (2.25m) and XLR cable (3m). The microphone itself is added to the list."}},{"url":"https://storage.googleapis.com/samson-production/uploads/documents/Q2U_OM_5L_v7.pdf","kind":"manual","accessed":"2026-10-20","fields":["polar_patterns","address_type","frequency_response_hz","sensitivity_dbv_pa","max_spl_db","max_bit_depth_bits","max_sample_rate_khz","float_32_bit","headphone_jack","zero_latency_monitoring","onboard_controls","shock_mount","pop_filter","desk_stand_included","rgb_lighting","dimensions_mm","weight_g","transducer_type","connection_types","capsule_count"],"notes":{"polar_patterns":"Specifications: polar pattern cardioid.","address_type":"Quick start: point the end of the microphone towards the performer.","frequency_response_hz":"Specifications: Frequency Response 50Hz - 15 kHz.","sensitivity_dbv_pa":"Specifications: Sensitivity -54 dBV/Pa.","max_spl_db":"Specifications: Max SPL 148 dB SPL. No distortion limit is printed.","max_bit_depth_bits":"Specifications: sample rate 44.1/48kHz and bit rate 16bit.","max_sample_rate_khz":"Specifications: sample rate 44.1/48kHz.","float_32_bit":"The manual lists 16bit only.","headphone_jack":"Layout item 8: Headphone Output, a 3.5mm stereo jack.","zero_latency_monitoring":"The headphone output gives a mix of the direct signal from the microphone and the playback from the computer. Features: onboard headphone amplifier with level control for zero-latency monitoring.","onboard_controls":"Controls: On/Off Switch, Headphone Volume. The On/Off switch turns the USB and XLR outputs on or off. Input gain is computer-controlled.","shock_mount":"Layout item 2: capsule, an internally shock mounted dynamic microphone element.","pop_filter":"Layout item 1: dual stage grill that helps reduce wind noise and p-popping. The pack includes a large foam windscreen.","desk_stand_included":"The Q2U includes a tripod desktop microphone stand with an extension piece.","rgb_lighting":"Layout item 3: the dual color Power/Clip LED lights green for power and flashes red on overload. It is a status light.","dimensions_mm":"Specifications: 7.5 in x 2.2 in (diameter) / 190 mm x 55 mm (diameter).","weight_g":"Specifications: 11.2oz / 317.5g. The product page rounds this to 0.7 lb (0.32 kg).","transducer_type":"Introduction and Specifications: dynamic microphone element.","connection_types":"Features: dynamic microphone with USB digital output and standard XLR analog output.","capsule_count":"Layout item 2 names the capsule in the singular. It prints no capsule count."}},{"url":"https://samsontech.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045374974-Q2U-Firmware-Update","kind":"manufacturer_page","accessed":"2026-10-20","fields":["firmware_updatable"],"notes":{"firmware_updatable":"Samson support article with a firmware updater v3 and steps for rev 2 and rev 3 Q2U hardware."}},{"url":"https://www.samsontech.com/support/warranty-information/","kind":"manufacturer_page","accessed":"2026-10-20","fields":["warranty_years"],"notes":{"warranty_years":"Samson Audio products carry a two year warranty in the USA, with proof of purchase."}},{"url":"https://lanoc.org/news/hardware-news/samson-ces-2017-q2u-recording-and-podcasting-pack","kind":"press_release","accessed":"2026-10-20","fields":["launch_price_usd","os_compatibility","cable_length_m"],"notes":{"launch_price_usd":"Samson announced the Q2U Recording and Podcasting Pack at CES 2017 on 2017-01-05, available February 2017 at a list price of $59.99 in the US. This is the pack as sold now, with a windscreen and a stand extension and without the HP20 headphones of the 2009 pack. The 2009 launch price was not found.","os_compatibility":"Works with Mac and PC, with iPhone and iPad through Apple's Lightning to USB Camera Adapter and with Android through a host OTG cable.","cable_length_m":"Included USB cable 2.25 m and XLR cable 3 m."}},{"url":"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001R747SG","kind":"retailer","accessed":"2026-10-20","fields":["model_numbers","gtins","status","usb_connector"],"notes":{"model_numbers":"Model number and Mfr part number SAQ2U.","gtins":"UPC 809164009665 and GTIN 00809164009665. A second EU code 05053959417134 is also listed and is not stored.","status":"Amazon US lists the Q2U USB-C Microphone as rank 3 among dynamic microphones with 5,631 ratings.","usb_connector":"Amazon lists connector type USB Type-C, built-in media Q2U USB-C Microphone and includes a USB-C cable."}},{"url":"https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/winter-namm-2009-samson-q2u/","kind":"press","accessed":"2026-10-20","fields":["announce_date","release_date","simultaneous_usb_xlr"],"notes":{"announce_date":"Sweetwater InSync coverage of Winter NAMM 2009, dated 2009-01-14 in the search result. The page itself returned 403 when fetched, so the date and text are from the search result excerpt.","release_date":"The Q2U was shown at Winter NAMM 2009. No ship date was found. Samson reintroduced it as the Recording and Podcasting Pack in February 2017.","simultaneous_usb_xlr":"The excerpt says you can even use both outputs simultaneously."}},{"url":"https://www.buzzsprout.com/blog/samson-q2u-review","kind":"review_site","accessed":"2026-10-20","fields":["usb_connector","onboard_controls","pop_filter"],"notes":{"usb_connector":"Review of 2026-09-30: the current Q2U uses USB-C and older units use Mini-USB. The USB-C port is a small symmetrical oval next to the XLR connector.","onboard_controls":"No onboard gain knob. A physical off switch mutes between takes. Samson's specs list a headphone level control and an on/off switch.","pop_filter":"The foam windscreen tames plosive bursts."}},{"url":"https://castos.com/samson-q2u-review-an-affordable-and-easy-to-use-mic-for-new-podcasters/","kind":"review_site","accessed":"2026-10-20","fields":["phantom_power"],"notes":{"phantom_power":"The review says dynamic mics do not require phantom power. The Q2U is a dynamic microphone with a passive XLR output and the USB side is bus powered. The maker does not state phantom power."}},{"url":"https://www.thepodcasthost.com/equipment/samson-q2u-podcasting-review/","kind":"review_site","accessed":"2026-10-20","fields":["simultaneous_usb_xlr"],"notes":{"simultaneous_usb_xlr":"The review says the microphone has USB and XLR connections and can record through both at once."}}],"fields_filled":37,"updated":"2026-10-20"},"meta":{"api_version":"1","docs":"https://arkivo.dev/api"}}