SAMSON
Samson Meteor Mic USB Condenser Podcasting Podcast Recording Desktop Microphone
Bottom line: The Samson Meteor Mic USB Condenser Podcasting Podcast Recording Desktop: Large 25mm diaphragm, bigger than most desktop USB mics in this price class; main trade-off: 16-bit/48 kHz ceiling: no 24-bit option for higher-headroom music tracking.
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Large 25mm diaphragm, bigger than most desktop USB mics in this price class
- ✓ Driver-free USB: plugs into any Mac or PC and works with most DAW software
- ✓ Records at 16-bit, 44.1/48 kHz, matching standard podcast and video delivery rates
- ✓ Stereo 1/8-inch headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring while you record
- ✓ Onboard headphone volume knob and mute switch, no DAW mouse-clicking mid-take
Cons
- ✗ 16-bit/48 kHz ceiling: no 24-bit option for higher-headroom music tracking
- ✗ iPhone and iPad use needs an optional Lightning or 30-pin adapter, sold separately
- ✗ Single fixed pickup pattern, no switchable cardioid/omni/stereo modes
- ✗ No XLR output, so it cannot move to an audio interface or mixer later
Manufacturer description
The Samson Meteor Mic is a USB condenser microphone built around a large 25mm diaphragm, aimed at podcasters, streamers, and home recordists who want studio-style capture without an audio interface. It plugs directly into any Mac or PC over USB with no drivers to install, and it works with most computer-based digital audio workstation software, so you can be recording within a minute of unboxing. Recording runs at 16-bit, 44.1/48 kHz resolution, the same sample rates most podcast and video platforms expect for voice. A stereo 1/8-inch headphone jack on the mic body gives you zero-latency…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Samson Meteor Mic USB Condenser Podcasting Podcast Recording Desktop… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the gaming peripherals category. SAMSON's gaming peripherals lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for gaming peripherals of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install drivers to use the Samson Meteor Mic?
No. The Meteor Mic plugs directly into any Mac or PC with a USB input and requires no drivers. It is compatible with most computer-based digital audio workstation software.
What recording quality does the Meteor Mic capture?
It records at 16-bit with 44.1/48 kHz resolution, which covers the standard sample rates used for podcast, streaming, and video audio delivery.
Can I use the Samson Meteor Mic with an iPhone or iPad?
Yes, with an optional adapter. Samson lists compatibility with Apple products using a Lightning USB camera adapter or a 30-pin camera connection kit, both purchased separately.
Can I hear myself while recording with this microphone?
Yes. The Meteor Mic has a stereo 1/8-inch headphone jack for no-latency monitoring, plus a headphone volume control so you can set your own level in real time.
Key Features
- LARGE, 25MM DIAPHRAGM: Samson SAMTR Meteor Mic USB Condenser Podcasting and Recording Desktop Microphone. Large, 25mm diaphragm USB studio condenser microphone
- PLUGS DIRECTLY INTO ANY MAC OR PC: Plugs directly into any computer with a USB input, no drivers required. Compatible with most computer-based digital audio workstation software
- 16-BIT, 44.1/48KHZ RESOLUTION: Meteor Mic’s 16-bit, 44.1/48 kHz resolution give you professional audio results no matter what you're recording
- WORKS WITH APPLE PRODUCTS: Works with iPhone or iPad using optional Lightning USB camera adapter or camera connection kit (30-pin)
- STEREO 1/8-INCH HEADPHONE JACK: The microphone features a stereo 1/8-inch headphone jack for no latency monitoring. It also features a headphone volume control with microphone mute switch
Full Specifications
| Brand | SAMSON |
|---|---|
| Color | Chrome |
| Model Name | SAMTR OB |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | SAMTR |
| Power Source | Usb |
| Audible Noise | 96 db |
| Compatibility | PC, Switch, iOS, Mac |
| Polar Pattern | Unidirectional |
| Built-In Media | USB cable, carry bag |
| Connector Type | USB |
| Item Type Name | Samson Meteor Mic - Portable USB Studio Condenser Microphone - Chrome |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz–20kHz. |
| Item Dimensions | 6 x 3 x 5 inches |
| Mfr Part Number | SAMTR |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Antenna Location | Gaming |
| Audio Sensitivity | 120 db |
Ready to buy?
Samson Meteor Mic USB Condenser Podcasting Podcast Recording Desktop Microphone is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
Related Gaming Peripherals
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- Best PS4 & PS5 Controllers for PC Gaming in 2026
- Q4_K_M Is Fine for Chat, a Trap for Agents: KV Cache Quant Math for Local Coding
- AI-Driven Driver Hunt: Installing Vintage Sound Cards on Windows 98 With Claude
- Best Streaming Gear for New Streamers in 2026: 5 Picks to Start On-Air
- RTX 4090 AI Server vs AMD Instinct: 2025 Guide
- Best Budget SSD for Gaming in 2026: 5 Tested Picks Ranked
- Best SSDs for a Raspberry Pi homelab NAS in 2026
- Best Wired Gear for Tournament-Legal LAN Play in 2026
- RTX 3060 Driver Crashes and Stuttering: Troubleshooting Guide (2026)
- Qwen 3.6 27B on a 12GB RTX 3060: Which Quant Actually Fits?
- Turtle Beach Recon 50 in 2026: Is the $40 Gaming Headset Still Worth It?
- Best GPU for ComfyUI and SDXL Under $350 — Why the RTX 3060 12GB Still Wins
- Best Streaming Gear for PC Gamers in 2026
- Simba 3.2 Tops the TTS Leaderboard: Run Local Text-to-Speech on an RTX 3060 12GB
- Best 32-Inch 4K Gaming Monitor for PS5 + PC 2026
- Do You Even Need a Graphics Card? Ryzen 5 5600G iGPU vs RTX 3060 for 1080p
- Noctua-Style Raspberry Pi 5 NAS Build Goes Viral — What Pi 4 Owners Can Borrow
- RTX 5090 vs RX 7900 XTX — does AMD still matter?
- Best Streaming Mic for Console Gaming in 2026: HyperX QuadCast 2 vs Blue Yeti
- Best CPU Cooler for AM4 Ryzen 5800X & 9700K Builds (2026)
- Best Budget GPU for Local LLM Inference in 2026
- Watching a Z80 Live From a Raspberry Pi RP2350
- AA-AgentPerf: What the New Agentic Benchmark Means for Local Coding Rigs
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090