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Pros
- Streamlines dual PC and game console audio
- XLR mic connectivity
- Onboard preamp and phantom power
Cons
- Needs Beacn Mix and software for best functionality
- Slightly confusing setup
- Expensive against competitors
For a considerable amount of time, the GoXLR was the best option for simplified PC audio at a reasonably priced price, but that changed with the release of the Beacn Mix and Mix Create. It makes sense that the people who created the GoXLR would eventually overthrow their own invention, and they are now expanding that moment with the Beacn Studio, a whole new product design.
Audio routing is necessary for even the greatest gaming PCs, and Beacn solves that problem by streamlining PC audio throughout its hardware and software suites. An XLR connection, one of the primary attractions of the GoXLR (hence its name), is an extension of Beacn Studio's work.
With its dual routing capability, however, the Beacn Studio goes one step further and makes it easier for you to manage your audio across two devices, such as two PC sets or a PC and a gaming console. Yes, you can connect an XLR microphone to your PS5 using the Beacon Studio, and if you have the Mix or Mix Create, you can access even more control settings.
After utilizing the Studio for more than a week in a variety of meetings, gaming sessions, and recordings, I can finally attest to the true strength of Beacn's most recent design. In the run-up to my comprehensive review, continue reading for my hands-on and refer to Tom's Guide for all forthcoming faceoffs and features.
- Price: $129
- Colors: White or Black
- Connectivity: Two USB-C and one XLR port
What is the Beacn Studio?
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With the Beacn Studio, you can connect two PCs or even a PC and a gaming console more easily and effortlessly while controlling your audio and switching between devices. It also functions as an XLR mic connection and audio interface for your PC. It has a 3.5mm audio jack for your headphones, an XLR mic connection, and two USB-C connections.
Without Beacn's two audio suites available in the Beacn Link app and the basic Beacn platform, the Studio experience is incomplete. The Beacn Mix or Mix Create, two audio interfaces akin to the GoXLR or Focusrite Scarlett Solo, are the ideal match for the former. You may adjust and personalize your mic sounds in a number of ways with the Beacn applications.
Similar products such as the GoXLR audio interface discussed above, or the Elgato Stream Deck Plus with its latest XLR dock add-on, mirror the Beacn Studio. Even while the Beacon Studio won't be able to handle your entire audio file natively, you can still utilize the program on its own if you only have your audio without the Mix or Mix Create.
Beacn Studio hands-on: Price and availability
September marks the official release date of the Beacn Studio, with a $249 starting price. It will be offered in a variety of retail locations, such as Amazon and Best Buy, and it may even be packaged with the Mix or Mix Create. Alongside the formal launch, a Launch Day software update will be sent to make sure any possible defects or issues are fixed before the product is made available to the general public.
Compared to other comparable items on the market, the Beacon Studio is a significant investment at $249. PC audio interfaces are known to be quite pricey gear, but in the last year, newer models have made them much more affordable. Examples of these are the $169 GoXLR Mini, the $159 Elgato Wave XLR, and the $149 Focusrite Scarlett.
It's crucial to remember that the Beacn Studio provides a little bit more, though, as it can combine two PC audio configurations with the help of the Beacn Link program. While there are other alternatives that are relatively similar—such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, which connects to PCs and contemporary consoles across many platforms—the Studio is presently the best and only option for using an XLR microphone with the Xbox Series X, PS5, and numerous PCs.
Beacn Studio hands-on: Design
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In actuality, the Beacn Studio is rather compact, making it ideal for people with small desks. Like other of Beacn's equivalent goods, it has a boxy style and is available in black or white.
A complete studio-quality preamp with up to 69dB of ultra-low-noise gain is one of the many amazing features found within the Studio, which will make your video come to life like never before. This will facilitate your ability to muffle unpleasant noise, such as neighboring speakers producing music or people speaking in a different room.
The primary features of the Studio are its two USB-C inputs, which enable you to simplify your setup with numerous PCs, and its XLR connector for condenser and dynamic microphones such as the Audio-Technica AT4050, Rode NT1, and Shure SM7. Additionally, the Beacn Studio has phantom power, which may provide condenser microphones with an additional +48 volts.
On the left side of the gadget is a knob that controls the gain or loudness of your microphone and can be rotated 360 degrees when pressed. Complementing the Beacn Mic fairly well, an LED light that encircles the knob may also be modified via the Beacn app for enhanced customization.
Beacn Studio hands-on: Performance
I tested the Beacn Studio in a variety of situations, mostly by utilizing it in conjunction with my PS5 to enable me to utilize my XLR microphones for gaming. That was definitely one of my favorite moments and got a lot of "wows" from my gaming group mates. But consoles with superior microphone audio are only getting started.
Additionally, the Beacon Studio performs admirably when combining sounds from two distinct configurations. When used in conjunction with the main Beacn software, the Beacn Link app allows the Studio to easily route both audio. With the on-board DSP, you can fully modify your voice and add EQ to your heart's content, and you can select from a wide range of settings to get the most out of your dual PC audio.
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I used Beacn Studio to couple my primary PC with a little PC, and I was really pleased with how well it performed. After you get over the first setup's complexity, it's usually rather easy. The Studio performs as if it were capable of handling up to eight channels of bidirectional digital audio.
I utilized the SteelSeries Alias Pro XL and Shure SM7dB with the Beacn Studio. Both are high-end XLR microphones that functioned well with the Studio. However, I should mention that I first encountered some difficulties getting the Alias Pro XL to function, which I attributed to the microphone's built-in Stream Mixer, which adds a little complexity.
Even while the Studio has an XLR connection, it may still be used in conjunction with a USB microphone—such as the Beacon Mic, which is still among the greatest mics available today. However, you will be without the Studio's integrated preamp, which has the ability to reduce noise by up to 69dB and provide condenser microphones with phantom power of +48 volts.
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The Beacn Studio's extreme dependence on the Beacn Mix or Mix Create is one of its main drawbacks. It is possible to use the Studio alone as your primary XLR input, but doing so would prevent you from taking use of many of the great extra capabilities offered by the Beacn software, which is optimized for use with the Beacn Mix hardware. This raises the price of the ultimate PC audio routing to $149 (Mix) or $199 (Mix Create), which is a significant investment.
Even yet, the Beacn software wouldn't be as user-friendly and wouldn't have the same expanded capability as the hardware if you didn't have the Mix or Mix Create. The Beacn Studio exhibits certain growth pains when one considers the fact that setup alone might take a long period.
It should be noted, though, that compared to the Stream Deck Plus with its XLR dock, the Beacn Studio did consume less PC capacity. For additional information on which audio interface could be ideal for your home setup, stay tuned for an in-depth comparison of the two devices in the upcoming weeks here on Tom's Guide.
Beacn Studio hands-on: Outlook
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For individuals who deal with several PC settings, the Beacn Studio is a world of fun. You may use your preferred XLR microphones on several platforms, including the PS5 and Xbox Series X, and it will simplify the audio routing process for podcasts and live streaming.
Still, the excessive reliance on Beacn's earlier products hinders the Beacn Studio. They are highly recommended because of how well-liked and essentially game-changing its Mix and Mix Create are, but you'll want either one to get the most out of the Beacn Studio, which raises the total cost significantly.
Beacn faces a difficult struggle ahead of them compared to other similar gadgets on the market. At $249, the Studio isn't exactly inexpensive when compared to other devices on the market, and it has a number of drawbacks of its own that might not be suitable for everyone.
That being said, there are two main reasons why it's a worthwhile investment: either you already own the Mix and Mix Create from Beacn and want to improve audio routing across both of your computers, or you use two of the best computers for gaming, streaming, and other activities.
I think the Beacn Studio will really shine if—and this is crucial—Beacn decides to formally introduce its own XLR microphone, as the majority of consumers will probably continue using the reliable Shure SM7 for the time being.