Maono Lavalier Wave T5 Microphone Review

Be heard whether you’re home or away – Maono Lavalier Wave T5 Microphone Review

However good the microphone is, sometimes desktop audio delivery just isn’t good enough. With the mix of deskbound dungeons, on the go gaming, and spontaneous streams that make up modern online gaming there are a multitude of situations where being tied to the desk isn’t an option.

Whether you’re out irl or just trying to get heard during couch co-op there are so many scenarios where the likes of the Maono PD200X or a bulky gaming headset won’t do the job. Maono’s new Wave T5 is about to end that problem with multi functional lavalier setup for a multitude of situations. The new Maono mic is a lavalier microphone that takes the traditional clip-on mic configuration and looks to elevate the experience, adding in AI noise cancellation, high sampling rates, and a wide variety of connection modes to accommodate everywhere from the convention floor to the couch.

The Maono Lavalier Wave T5 comes in four distinct variations that provide compatibility with USB-C, Lighting, and DSLR or mirrorless cameras. You’ll find all of these, and the combo USB-C / Lightning / camera variant available on the Maono website from $129.99 (RRP). While you can get these with regular deep discounts, we got our hands on the Wave T5 and tried every option available to hear how it performs on PC, mobile, camera, and console co-ops alike.

 

Specifications

:

Transmitter
– Transmission Type: 2.4GHz Digital Frequency Hopping Technology
– Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
– Frequency Response Range: 20Hz-20KHz
– Maximum Sound Pressure Level: 120dBSPL
– Dynamic Range: 93dB
– S/N (Signal-to-Noise Ratio): >80dB
– Sensitivity: -2.5dBFS at 1000Hz 94dB
– Max Wireless Transmission Range: 300m (line of sight), 100m (obstructed)
– Lithium Battery Parameters: 3.8V, 97mAh
– Battery Life: About 10 hours
– Charging Time: About 1.5 hours
– Operating Environment Temperature: -10~50°C
– Charging Environment Temperature: 0~45°C
– Dimensions: 27 × 27 × 13mm
– Weight: 9.0g

Receiver-Lightning/Receiver-Type-C
– Transmission Type: 2.4GHz Digital Frequency Hopping Technology
– Max Wireless Transmission Range: 300m (line of sight), 100m (obstructed)
– Operating Environment Temperature: -10~50°C
– Dimensions: 41 × 32 × 8mm
– Weight: 5.1g

Receiver (Camera)
– Transmission Type: 2.4GHz Digital Frequency Hopping Technology
– Max Wireless Transmission Range: 300m (viewing range), 60m (rotation)
– Lithium Battery Parameters: 3.8V, 145mAh
– Battery Life: About 9 hours
– Charging Time: About 1.5 hours
– Work Environment Temperature: -10~50°C
– Charging Environment Temperature: 0~45°C
– Size: 44 × 26 × 19mm
– Weight: 13.6g

Phone Charging Case
– Lithium Battery Parameters: 3.8V, 750mAh
– Battery Life: Charge for approximately two full cycles
– Charging Time: About 2 hours
– Work Environment Temperature: -10~50°C
– Charging Environment Temperature: 0~45°C
– Size: 81 × 37 × 51mm
– Weight: 79.6g

Camera Charging Case
– Lithium Battery Parameters: 3.8V, 1950mAh
– Battery Life: Charge for approximately two full cycles
– Charging Time: About 2 hours
– Work Environment Temperature: -10~50°C
– Charging Environment Temperature: 0~45°C
– Size: 78 × 36 × 57mm
– Weight: 107.6g

 

 

Out Of The Box

 

 

The boxed components of this new microphone are, as usual for Maono, pleasantly packaged in a black and gold branded box. Slipping off the exterior sleeve and opening up, you’ll find a box, a carry case and assorted components. Delving into the textured fabric hard cover carry case, we uncovered two clip on microphones, the main receiver, accessories, and the camera adapter. These are all well secured and aren’t likely to rattle around while on the move. If you choose to take them out for a close look you’ll find the camera adaptor and circular USB mics all slotted nicely inside a textured plastic charging case that could easily be mistaken for metal. The hefty 138 gramm container, including contents, flips open and clips shut on a secure magnetic top, revealing two circular shaped microphones and the camera adaptor piece.

Despite there being absolutely no need for it, Maono went for an eye-catching circular shape for the two lavalier mics at the core of this set. Each feels solidly built but obviously plastic, helping make them positively forgettable when you’re actually wearing them.

While these microphones are in use, point the mic’s mesh covers up to make finding the physical buttons easier to find. A multi function button acts as the power, noise suppression, and pairing button, while another is the mic mute. These are helpfully slotted around the flat edge and are just big enough to be useful to most hands. Flip the little button microphones over and there’s a magnetic faceplate string back at you, a fantastic addition that we’ll get to later.

These microphones wirelessly connect to the available smartphone dongles. Each of which continues the curved aesthetic. Both the USB-C and Lightning options are virtually identical, and take the form of a small curved rectangle with a phone connector. Embedded in the receivers are a pair of connection indicator LEDS, a noise reduction and parking button, and a helpful USB-C port for pass through charging.

Roughly twice as long as either microphone, the camera adapter is made up of similar materials, with a rectangular end and a circular top. This accommodates the obvious Moano branding, a selection of buttons, ports, and a sizable front facing gain dial. Again, the USB-C port is available for charging or smartphone connection, and there’s a cold shoe fitting that will slide into camera tops.

This all seems to be an effort to keep a consistent feel across the set, and it’s a distinct look without being obnoxiously loud, which is consistent with the Maono branding and overall design approach across a range of setups. The deliberate design choices make first impressions of this audio accessory far more impressive than some alternatives. Aside from giving it a distinct personality, there’s an expectation that Maono isn’t going to spend so much effort on boxing and exterior design just to waste it by cheaping out on the execution.

Plugging In

The great thing about the rise of the dongle, is the option to just plug in and go. While we’ll get to more specific configurations and settings a little later, it only seemed fair to just plug in and try the Wave T5. Having already confirmed that these come pre charged, I grabbed my Samsung S23+, set the recording rate to 48 Khz, and slotted in the USB-C receiver. The external USB mic was instantly recognized without any extra setup, and connecting a mic was as simple as picking it up and pressing the power button. A green LED on the receiver confirms connection and my train journey got a lot more awkward during this sample.

 

First a clear and unencumbered sample, and the reproduction here is  very impressive. While not quite as warm as a premium dedicated desktop option, this is as good as I’ve heard in this category of mic. The sound is well balanced and unlike many lav mics, it’s not bunded by interference and popping.

 

 

Now what went on during the train Journey.

 

 

The result initially seems a little robotic, but the Wave T5 is being thrown in at the deep end and the smartphone audio is just illegible.

When given something a little more controlled, the audio is well rounded until noise cancellation has to be turned right up to its maximum settings. When taken against an otherwise overcrowded and noisy train. Cutting back the engine, general bustle, and conversation, you’ll still get heard pushing the payload even on a busy commute!

 

Software Support

 

 

Software support provides even more noise suppression should you need it. Load up the Maono Link software and you’ll see the same considered design that I’ve discussed in other Moano desktop software. The smartphone app connects to the USB-C or Lightning receiver and displays the product image, status, mic levels, and some additional options to give a clear overview of the configuration, what’s going on, and what the sound levels look like. It’s not overcomplicated, it just works, and it makes the Wave T5 easy even if you’re not an audiophile..

Microphone gain is easily controlled along the middle of the screen and the noise suppression can also be set to off, low, medium, and high settings. You’ll hear it across the following clip, if you ever decide to stream your vacuum. Who knows what Twitch category might end up being popular in the far flung future!

Camera Clip On

Other options, other than smartphone setup, are available. The camera connector doesn’t require an app to get it running. That’s evident from all the on board options. The physical gain button on the front is accompanied by charging and connectivity indicators along the top, a multi function power and pairing button,, a USB-C port, a 3.5 mm port, and a stereo selection switch keep most of the camera configuration on board. Setup is as simple as plugging in the included 3.5mm jack, or whichever audio cable you might need, setting the audio on your camera, and recording. Much like the smartphone setup, both microphones connect without having to go through pairing, and gain is easily adjusted and visible thanks to the led indicators on the front of the camera module.

 

Once again, the best way to describe just how good the mics are, is by listening to the audio outcome. We used a pretty mid range mirrorless camera, a Fujifilm X-A7, to record the audio test, and while you might use a gimbal camera or a high end DLSR, the difference between the trashy on board mic and the Wave T5 is clear as day when we sat it just above a RTX 3070 grinding out as many rays as it could trace.

 

What I haven’t talked about much, outside of the audio testing, is the other thoughtful design decisions that make this microphone set worth considering. Included in the box I had for testing was a USB A- USB-C cables, a 3.5 mm jack, a USBC-USB-C cable, wind shields for the mics, and some pleasing design decisions. The magnetic faceplates, for example, make the Wave T5 so easy to use, and far better than the clip on choices of old. The magnetic faceplate hugs an included necklace or magnetic clips tightly, giving the transmitters a wild degree of freedom to be held or clipped or connected to a person at a multitude of angles. The circular design makes adjusting the pickup so simple, and the added pass through charging options on the receiver make an appreciable difference for long sessions,

While Maono advertises 9 hours of battery life per transmitter, I honestly couldn’t find myself talking for long enough to test that. Anything that lasts over 2 hours is going to be more than adequate, and the charging case has your back at an advertised 90 hours of charge too.

Final Thoughts

The Maono Wave T5 is a well designed piece of kit. It’s easily comparable to microphones at a similar price point and even more expensive, but stands out due to its design. Like other Maono mics, it’s the little things that make this a pleasure to use. Solid sound and good noise reduction aside, you’ll find tons of ways to set up the Wave T5, an intuitive software setup, and features that simply don;t have to be there. The magnetic clips, pass through charging, circular mics, status LEDS, and even the magnetic top to the charging case are the extra touches that make this worth having in your kit if you’re about to go IRL. Check out the Maono Wave T5 over at the official website now  or head over to online retailers to grab a mic.