Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsFoscomax 3 in 1 Mini 2.4G Ultra-Low Delay Lavalier Mic iPhone/iPad/Android/Camera - Almost There
Reviewed in Canada on July 16, 2024
This is a review of the Foscomax Lavalier Microphone Wireless, 3 in 1 Mini Microphone for iPhone/iPad/Android/Camera, 2.4G Ultra-Low Delay Wireless Mic with Noise Reduction for Live Streaming/Vlog/TikTok/YouTube.
The Foscomax 3 in 1 Mini 2.4G Ultra-Low Delay Lavalier Mic iPhone/iPad/Android/Camera was consistently just below average, in terms of acceptable audio recording performance, when recording into my mobile ‘phone, digital camera, and laptop.
After listening to the audio for a while, I developed ear-fatigue, and although I improved it a little with EQ, compression and so on, I could not improve to it to an adequate level for any acceptable or semi-professional use.
Unfortunately, this is a typical case of so near, and yet so far - if the audio had just been a little better, this Foscomax Lavalier Microphone Wireless package would have been capable of acceptable audio recording quality.
See below for tests, and more details.
Recommended only for amateur recordings.
HOW THE FOSCOMAX WIRELESS LAVALIER MICROPHONE WORKS
The Foscomax Lavalier Microphones work by the lavalier microphones transmitting the audio to the receiver, which you have plugged into a device such as a ‘phone, or a laptop.
IMPORTANT
As is the case with some other USB devices I have tested, I found that the Foscomax Lavalier Microphones cannot be recorded directly into the professional (third party) audio / sound recording program which I installed on my laptop.
Rather, the way to get the Foscomax Lavalier Microphones to record to the laptop is to use the Windows Sound Recorder app, which comes with Windows (and then transfer those sound files to the professional program afterwards).
TESTS
I tested the Foscomax Lavalier Microphones lavalier microphones in exactly the same way for all the tests: attached to my shirt, about 9 inches below my chin.
MOBILE PHONE TEST
PROS & CONS
1. Excellent range - I went into a room 30 feet away from where I was recording, with a couple of walls in between me and the receiver, and there was no degradation or interruption of signal - the sound recorded perfectly.
2. The recording level of the Foscomax mobile phone recording was noticeably distorted, in the sense that it was too loud, ‘clipping’ at times- i.e., going into digital distortion (which sounds awful)
When I transferred the audio file to my DAW (professional audio recording program), the volume levels of the mobile file peaked at 0dB (decibels) on average, which is the loudest possible sound before distorting, and occasionally went above 0dB.
The sound was also quite muffled or ‘muddy’ and bass heavy.
Even though I tried to clean up the sound (using EQ, compression and so on), I was not able to get a professional sound out of the Fosomax mobile ‘phone audio, although some people might call it presentable in an amateur context.
LAPTOP TEST
PROS & CONS
1. The Foscomax Lavalier Microphones produced an acceptable recording when the receiver was plugged in to the USB C port of my Laptop - the signal and tone was not quite as distorted as the tone when I recorded into my mobile ‘phone, but was slightly distorted and a little muddy.
Again, this recording was not in any way “Perfect for interviews or live performances”, as claimed in the advertising.
DIGITAL CAMERA TEST
PROS & CONS
When I plugged one of the Foscomax Lavalier Microphones male’ 3.5mm connector into my Canon M50 digital camera’s ‘female’ 3.5mm socket, the Foscomax provided a better audio recording than with the mobile phone, and with the laptop.
But, the recording was still not really acceptable.
OTHER PROS & CONS
1. The Foscomax Lavalier Microphones records in .M4A format - a common audio format (at 48kHz /16bit)
2. The Foscomax Lavalier Microphones system is very easy to set-up, and use
3. The noise reduction function of the Foscomax seemed to keep the wind noise of a nearby air conditioner from intruding on the recording during my mobile ‘phone test
4. As well as the included USB A to USB C charging cable, the Foscomax mics. and receiver can be charged using a USB C to USB C cable (which is faster than a USB A to USB C charging cable)
5. The Foscomax would not record when plugged into the audio (3.5mm) socket on my laptop
6. The clips that are used to attach the microphones to your clothing made a clicking sound as I was walking when I was moving between rooms to test the range of the Foscomax’s microphones.
7. The clips are also (a) difficult to fully slide on to / over each of the plastic nubs on the microphones that hold them on to the microphones, and (b) are permanently fixed in a horizontal orientation - i.e., you cannot rotate the microphones at all. Unfortunately, the microphones seem to not sit fully vertical, so it would be really useful to be able to twist them back up - but you cannot do this
8. There is only one charging cable included in the Foscomax Lavalier Microphone package (a USB A to USB C). With 3 devices to charge (2 mics., and 1 receiver), this is a disadvantage