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Microphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Microphones Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Samson C01U Pro Review | 76 Data compared

Avg. price:~£95Connection type:USBTransducer type:condenserMax SPL:130 dB SPLSupported sample rates:44.1, 48 kHzOutput connector type:USB-b

Samson C01U Pro Review: Compare 76 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Microphones category and whether it is worth buying.

6.0

Overall score

Score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the microphone's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best microphones on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

75%

5.6

Technical score

25%

7.2

User score

▼Worse than 91% of microphones
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Microphones category across these key areas: Audio Performance, Connectivity, Recording, Pickup Patterns, Controls & Features, Power, Design, Accessories, Compatibility.
When it matters
When you want to compare microphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

20%

7.2

Audio Performance

20%

5.4

Recording

16%

1.0

Pickup Patterns

16%

3.9

Controls & Features

10%

10

Power

7%

10

Compatibility

5%

6.5

Connectivity

3%

6.9

Design

3%

4.1

Accessories

▼Worse than 88% of microphones
7.2

User score

User score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

4.5

Number of reviews

Based on 54 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
▼Worse than 94% of microphones
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of microphone Samson C01U Pro

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Microphones category across these key areas: Audio Performance, Connectivity, Recording, Pickup Patterns, Controls & Features, Power, Design, Accessories, Compatibility.
When it matters
When you want to compare microphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

20%

7.2

Audio Performance

20%

5.4

Recording

16%

1.0

Pickup Patterns

16%

3.9

Controls & Features

10%

10

Power

7%

10

Compatibility

5%

6.5

Connectivity

3%

6.9

Design

3%

4.1

Accessories

5.6
User score
User score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

4.5

Number of reviews

Based on 54 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.2
Popularity
Popularity
4.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you prefer to buy a product chosen and reviewed by many other consumers.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Samson C01U Pro has a popularity score of 4.5 points, which is lower than 62.3% of microphones.
4.5
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the microphone's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a microphone with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

60%

6.0

Overall score

40%

10

Price

7.2
Microphone type
studio
Transducer type
condenser
Diaphragm size
19 mm
Capsule type
single
Sensitivity
?
Show more
Connection type
USB
Output connector type
USB-b
Headphone output
yes
Headphone output
yes
This microphone includes a headphone output. 62.3% of microphones include this output.
3.5 mm audio jack
yes
3.5 mm audio jack
yes
This microphone includes a 3.5 mm jack. 62.8% of microphones include this connector.
6.35 mm audio jack connector
no
6.35 mm audio jack connector
no
This microphone does not include a 6.35 mm jack. 2% of microphones include this connector.
Show more
Supported sample rates
44.1, 48 kHz
Supported bit depths
16 bit
Audio interface sample rate
48 kHz
Audio interface sample rate
48 kHz
This microphone supports an interface sample rate of 48 kHz which is higher than that of 2.3% of microphones and equal to that of 55.6% of microphones.
Audio interface bit depth
16 bit
Audio interface bit depth
16 bit
This microphone supports an interface bit depth of 16 bit which is lower than that of 58.5% of microphones and equal to that of 41.5% of microphones.
Signal-to-noise ratio (DAC)
?
Show more
N. of polar patterns
1
N. of polar patterns
1
The number of selectable polar patterns offered by this microphone is 1, which is lower than that of 24.6% of microphones and equal to that of 75.4% of microphones.
Cardioid pattern
no
Cardioid pattern
no
This microphone does not support a cardioid pickup pattern. 91.5% of microphones support this pattern.
Omnidirectional pattern
no
Omnidirectional pattern
no
This microphone does not support an omnidirectional pickup pattern. 26.1% of microphones support this pattern.
Hypercardioid pattern
no
Hypercardioid pattern
no
This microphone does not support a hypercardioid pickup pattern. 1.5% of microphones support this pattern.
Bidirectional pattern
no
Bidirectional pattern
no
This microphone does not support a bidirectional pickup pattern. 17.1% of microphones support this pattern.
Mute function
no
Mute function
no
This microphone does not include a mute function. 68.3% of microphones include this control.
Onboard gain control
no
Onboard gain control
no
This microphone does not include onboard gain control. 51.3% of microphones include this control.
Volume control levels
0
Volume control levels
0
This microphone offers volume output of 0 which is lower than that of 65.7% of microphones and equal to that of 34.3% of microphones.
Flat DSP mode
no
Flat DSP mode
no
This microphone does not support a flat DSP mode. 25.6% of microphones offer this processing option.
DSP presets
0
DSP presets
0
This microphone offers 0 DSP presets, which is fewer than 16.6% of microphones and equal to 83.4% of microphones.
Show more
Phantom power required
no
Phantom power required
no
This microphone does not require phantom power. 90.5% of microphones also operate without phantom power.
Phantom power voltage
N/A
USB bus-powered
yes
USB bus-powered
yes
This microphone supports USB bus power. 85.9% of microphones support USB-powered operation.
Battery life
N/A
Height
180 mm
Height
180 mm
This microphone is 180 mm tall, which is shorter than 55.9% of microphones and equal in height to 1% of microphones.
Width
54 mm
Width
54 mm
This microphone is 54 mm wide, which is narrower than 60% of microphones and equal in width to 2.6% of microphones.
Thickness
54 mm
Thickness
54 mm
This microphone is 54 mm thick, which is thinner than 57.4% of microphones and equal in thickness to 2.6% of microphones.
Weight
?
Body material
metal
Show more
Included accessories
cable; mount adapter
Shock mount included
no
Shock mount included
no
This microphone does not include a shock mount. 49.8% of microphones include this accessory.
Pop filter included
no
Pop filter included
no
This microphone does not include a pop filter. 60.8% of microphones include this accessory.
Windscreen included
no
Windscreen included
no
This microphone does not include a windscreen. 31.8% of microphones include this accessory.
Cable length
1.8 m
Cable length
1.8 m
This microphone has a cable length of 1.8 m which is shorter than that of 66.3% of microphones and equal to that of 15% of microphones.
Android compatibility
yes
Android compatibility
yes
This microphone is compatible with Android. 65.8% of microphones are compatible with Android.
iOS compatibility
yes
iOS compatibility
yes
This microphone is compatible with iOS. 61.3% of microphones are compatible with iOS.
Windows compatibility
yes
Windows compatibility
yes
This microphone is compatible with Windows. 100% of microphones are compatible with Windows.
macOS compatibility
yes
macOS compatibility
yes
This microphone is compatible with macOS. 99.5% of microphones are compatible with macOS.
Xbox compatibility
no
Xbox compatibility
no
This microphone is not compatible with Xbox. 1.5% of microphones are compatible with Xbox.
Show more

Samson C01U Pro vs the average microphone

246810TotalAudio PerformanceConnectivityRecordingPickup PatternsControls & FeaturesPowerDesignAccessoriesCompatibility
  • 9 dB SPL higher limit
    Max SPL
    130 dB SPL
    This microphone has a higher max SPL than the average microphone (130 dB SPL vs 121 dB SPL). The average microphone handles a max SPL of 121 dB SPL.
    130 dB SPL vs 121 dB SPL
  • 9 dB SPL higher limit
    Max SPL
    130 dB SPL
    This microphone has a higher max SPL than the average microphone (130 dB SPL vs 121 dB SPL). The average microphone handles a max SPL of 121 dB SPL.
    130 dB SPL vs 121 dB SPL
  • No gain control
    Onboard gain control
    no
    This microphone does not include onboard gain control, the average microphone does.
  • 8 bit lower interface bit depth
    Audio interface bit depth
    16 bit
    This microphone supports a lower audio interface bit depth than the average microphone (16 bit vs 24 bit). The average microphone audio interface supports 24 bit.
    16 bit vs 24 bit
  • No on-device controls
    On-device controls
    no
    This microphone does not place key controls on the device, the average microphone does. 79.5% of microphones place key controls on the device.
  • No mute function
    Mute function
    no
    This microphone does not include a mute function, the average microphone does.
  • No cardioid pickup
    Cardioid pattern
    no
    This microphone does not support cardioid pickup, the average microphone does.
  • 18 dB narrower dynamic range
    Dynamic range
    78 dB
    This microphone has a narrower dynamic range than the average microphone (78 dB vs 96 dB). The average microphone has a dynamic range of 96 dB.
    78 dB vs 96 dB
  • 2,000 Hz lower high-frequency limit
    Highest frequency
    18,000 Hz
    This microphone has a lower high-frequency limit than the average microphone (18000 Hz vs 20000 Hz). By comparison, the average microphone has a high-frequency limit of 20000 Hz.
    18,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • No pop filter
    Pop filter included
    no
    This microphone does not include a pop filter, the average microphone does.
  • 11.3% lower user score
    User score
    7.2/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Samson C01U Pro
    the average microphone
    Samson C01U Pro has a lower user score than the average microphone (7.21 vs 8.027).
    7.21 vs 8.03
  • 9.9% worse value for money
    Samson C01U Pro has a lower value-for-money score than the average microphone (7.22 vs 7.9).
    7.22 vs 7.94
  • 18 dB narrower dynamic range
    Dynamic range
    78 dB
    This microphone has a narrower dynamic range than the average microphone (78 dB vs 96 dB). The average microphone has a dynamic range of 96 dB.
    78 dB vs 96 dB
  • 2,000 Hz lower high-frequency limit
    Highest frequency
    18,000 Hz
    This microphone has a lower high-frequency limit than the average microphone (18000 Hz vs 20000 Hz). By comparison, the average microphone has a high-frequency limit of 20000 Hz.
    18,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 8 bit lower interface bit depth
    Audio interface bit depth
    16 bit
    This microphone supports a lower audio interface bit depth than the average microphone (16 bit vs 24 bit). The average microphone audio interface supports 24 bit.
    16 bit vs 24 bit
  • No cardioid pickup
    Cardioid pattern
    no
    This microphone does not support cardioid pickup, the average microphone does.
  • No gain control
    Onboard gain control
    no
    This microphone does not include onboard gain control, the average microphone does.
  • No on-device controls
    On-device controls
    no
    This microphone does not place key controls on the device, the average microphone does. 79.5% of microphones place key controls on the device.
  • No mute function
    Mute function
    no
    This microphone does not include a mute function, the average microphone does.
  • 6 older release date
    Release date
    2014
    This microphone is older than the average microphone (2014 vs 2020). The average microphone was released in 2020.
    2014 vs 2020
  • No pop filter
    Pop filter included
    no
    This microphone does not include a pop filter, the average microphone does.
  • 0.2 m shorter cable length
    Cable length
    1.8 m
    This microphone has a shorter cable than the average microphone (1.8 m vs 2 m). The average microphone has a cable length of 2 m.
    1.8 m vs 2 m

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

A
ask.video
10/09/2014
Summary of the review
T
thepodcasthost.com
10/09/2015
Summary of the review
G
geeksrising.com
06/12/2015
Summary of the review
P
podcastage.com
08/12/2015
Summary of the review
T
techuplife.com
01/08/2019
Summary of the review
T
test.ask.video
01/09/2015
Summary of the review
H
homebrewaudio.com
30/07/2025
Summary of the review
A
ask.video
01/04/2014
Summary of the review
F
fr.audiofanzine.com
19/12/2022
Summary of the review
M
macprovideo.com
28/05/2014
Summary of the review
M
macprovideo.com
N/A
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

Based on 54 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this

What we like about Samson C01U Pro

  • High-quality, crystal-clear audio suitable for vocals and podcasts
  • Zero-latency headphone monitoring via built-in jack
  • Sturdy, durable die-cast metal construction
  • Easy plug-and-play setup without requiring additional drivers
  • Improved signal-to-noise ratio with significantly less hiss than the original C01U
  • Excellent value for the price point

What we don't like about Samson C01U Pro

  • Lack of on-mic controls for gain or volume
  • Included tripod stand is often reported as flimsy or prone to tipping
  • USB-only connectivity limits long-term upgrade options compared to XLR
  • Fixed supercardioid pickup pattern cannot be adjusted for different environments
  • The headphone jack location can interfere with some shock mount setups

Verdict

The Samson C01U Pro is a plug-and-play USB condenser microphone featuring a 19mm large-diaphragm capsule and a supercardioid pickup pattern designed for focused recording and ambient noise rejection. It captures high-definition audio at 16-bit, 44.1/48kHz resolution with a flat frequency response of 20Hz–18kHz and a maximum SPL of 130dB. Main pros include its durable die-cast metal construction, an integrated 1/8” headphone output for zero-latency monitoring, and an internal shock-mounted element to reduce handling noise. However, notable cons include the lack of onboard gain or volume controls, a basic tripod stand that can be prone to tipping, and limited adjustability restricted to software settings.

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