Accessories

Is the AKG Lyra the USB mic for you?

For those who have pivoted to content creation

Published

May 25, 2021

The Coronavirus pandemic has forced people to be more creative with their income flows. Several industries were hit, leaving plenty jobless. This has led some to reinvent themselves as content creators. For those that are looking to level up the audio on their content, the AKG Lyra USB mic might be the solution.

USB mics are pretty straightforward. They’re all literally plug and play. The same is true for the AKG Lyra. So, what you’ll be looking out for mostly are sound quality along with build and design.

Build and Design

The AKG Lyra unmistakably looks like a mic. Up front you’ll see the AKG logo, and the knobs and ports are pretty straight forward too.

The base is pretty heavy and sturdy so you know it’ll stay in place on your desk or wherever you place it.

The front panel has the volume and mute controls. It also has the LED light indicators to let you know what mode it’s currently on.

Flipping over to the back, you’ll see two knobs: One to control the mode, and the other to control gain. The latter is key to determining how much of the background noise is captured by the mic. More on this later.

On the bottom are its two ports: One USB-C out to that connects to the USB device where you’ll be recording, and the other is a 3.5mm jack that functions as an input so you hear yourself and the sound on the computer.

Here’s how it looks with a USB-C cable and headset plugged in.

You can also do away with the stand and connect it with any standard or boom mic stand. AKG made sure it can have versatile mounting options.

Sound quality

I used the mic for voice calls, video calls, and presenting during zoom events. In all of the activities mentioned, the people on the other line said I came off very crisp and clear.

Of course, you don’t have to just take my word for it. I recorded very quick sample clips to illustrate the differences between no mic, with a lapel mic, and with the AKG Lyra. There were supposed to be more but I had unfortunately lost most of the recordings along with a few other treasured files while migrating from one review device to another. I digress. Here are the samples:

No mic:

With USB-C lapel mic:

With AKG Lyra:

I also tried recording with a guitar and on Tight Stereo mode:

No mic:

With USB-C lapel mic:

With AKG Lyra:

I wanted to do even a snippet of a song but my overall singing and playing isn’t up to snuff right now so these will have to do. Getting the obvious out of the way, the audio quality is very similar to what you can get with what I think is its closest competitor — the Blue Yeti.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rodneil Millora Quiteles (@rodneil)

This track below was recorded (with some post processing) on the Blue Yeti and I’m pretty confident you can get the same quality with the AKG Lyra.

Rodneil Quiteles · Sampip (All) [Cover]

One thing I would say the AKG Lyra has over the Blue Yeti is the USB-C connection. I’m unsure if there’s now a USB-C version of the Blue Yeti but making the port USB-C makes it more useful if you happen to lose the cable packaged with the device. It’s just easier to look for USB-C cables now versus the micro USB Type-B on the Blue Yeti.

I’m also trying to retrieve a recording of the quick presentation I had during a product launch. I’ll include the clip here if retrieval is successful.

I had a grand time using the AKG Lyra as the pleasantly surprised reactions I got clearly showed that the device was doing its job of providing better audio. Of course, you’ll have to adjust a few settings to get things right. These were pretty easy to do thanks to how the AKG Lyra was built and designed.

Different recording options

The AKG Lyra is pretty versatile with its multiple recording modes or patterns. Here’s a quick breakdown of what each one does.

Front — Easily the most commonly used recording pattern. In this mode, the AKG Lyra captures anything from the front of the mic. This mode also reduces the sound captured from the back and the sides. It’s great for voice overs, podcasts, vlogs, gaming livestreamers, vocalists, acoustic instruments, or even just voice and video calls.

Front and Back — This is great for one-on-one interviews where you’re directly facing the person you’re interviewing. The mode captures the front and back of the microphone while reducing sound from the back. It also works for recording music where one person could be singing in front while the guitar player sits on the opposite side.

Tight Stereo — This mode uses the two microphone capsules to capture sound. AKG says it’s ideal for recording instruments with stereo spread. It’s best for when the performers are situated alongside each other.

Wide Stereo — This mode utilizes all of the microphone capsules on the AKG Lyra. This is great for ambient recording. It provides better stereo separation compared to Tight Stereo.

Is the AKG Lyra your GadgetMatch?

As of writing, it’s currently priced at PhP 7,199 on onward.ph and US$ 149 on the official AKG website. That’s quite a price for a very specific tool. But if you find yourself needing to produce better audio, this is a gadget that will surely up the quality of your content.

For solo live streamers, this can certainly be of help but you might be better off with mics that are cheaper and don’t have the other extra recording modes. But if you do require something versatile that you can pull out during quick sit down interviews or perhaps a quick jam session, this most certainly fills that role.

If you happen to be dealing with a lot of recording or live presentations, though, this is a worthy investment. Sound quality is superb and, with the right cables, will work with most computers and smartphones you likely own and currently use.

For more great products and accessories like the AKG Lyra, visit OnWardPH or follow them through their Facebook and Instagram accounts (@OnWardPH) for you to keep posted.

Accessories

Sony WF-1000XM6 was accidentally leaked online

The design suggests some interesting changes.

Published

February 3, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Despite how small they are, the unannounced Sony WF-1000XM6 has just made a huge appearance, albeit accidentally, in an online retail store. Though the leak doesn’t reveal all the technical details about the device, the scant photos and specs are enough to paint an interesting picture about Sony’s next earbuds.

Via The Walkman Blog, an online retailer called Power Buy accidentally released a store page for the WF-1000XM6. The page contains extensive photos and a few specs for the device. Now, the specs don’t reveal much. As we can already ascertain based on previous releases, the earbuds will have Active Noise Cancelation and IPX4-rated water resistance.

The photos, however, are telling. For one, the WF-1000XM6 will return to a completely matte texture after a brief switch to a glossy texture for the current generation. The overall design is more elongated or pill-shaped, too. Previous earbuds feature a more circular or compact design.

Conversely, the charging case switches from a pill-shaped design to a more angular one, featuring flat bases. The flatter design should make the case stabler while on a surface but might make it clunkier when inside a pocket.

The leak caps it all off by including a price: THB 11,990 (or roughly US$ 381), which is a lot higher than the current generation. Either Sony went crazy with the price increase, or this is just a placeholder price. Only time (and an official launch) will tell. The leak, unfortunately, doesn’t reveal a launch date, so it might still be quite a wait.

Accessories

OBSBOT launches AI-powered 4K Tiny 3 series webcams

Professional-grade audiovisual features in compact bodies

Published

January 28, 2026

GadgetMatch

OBSBOT has announced the global launch of two new AI-powered 4K webcams: the Tiny 3 and Tiny 3 Lite.

Designed for content creators, streamers, podcasters, remote professionals, educators, and more, the Tiny 3 series sets a new benchmark for professional webcams.

The products combine studio-grade spatial audio, flagship-level imaging, and industry-leading AI intelligence.

The two variants also come in ultra-compact aluminum-alloy bodies while delivering premium sight and sound.

Both the Tiny 3 and Tiny 3 Lite feature industry-leading triple silicon MEMS microphone array. This system combines one omnidirectional and two directional microphones powered by Sisonic MEMS technology.

The architecture is commonly found in premium TWS earbuds and professional audio equipment. Such technology enables:

ultra-low distortion up to 130 dB SPL
exceptional 69dB signal-to-noise ratio
full spectrum 50Hz-20kHz frequency response
consistent unit-to-unit studio quality

This way, users can expect immersive sound that rivals dedicated microphones without the need to buy an extra product.

In addition, the Tiny 3 series features five dedicated audio profiles so users can tailor fit the webcams for various needs:

Pure Audio Mode — zero processing, studio-grade capture
Spatial Audio Mode — enhanced left-right stereo separation for vlogs, storytelling with soundscape
Smart Omni Mode — AI-powered 360-degree pickup with balanced vocals, ambient sound
Directional Mode — focuses on voice in front while cutting surrounding noise
Dual-Directional Mode — clear audio capture from front and rear while rejecting side noise

Moreover, the Tiny 3 series comes with Voice Locator. This feature lets the product find users, smoothly rotating the gimbal and tracking them automatically.

They can also leverage voice commands or the OBSBOT Vox SE wireless lavalier for cable-free audio.

Flagship imaging

Picture wise, the Tiny 3 features 4K@30fps video and up to 120fps high-frame rate capture. The system also uses advanced DCG HDR for balanced highlights and shadows, as well as ultra-fast dual all-pixel PDAF autofocus.

And powered by OBSBOT’s AI algorithms, the series introduces AI Tracking 2.0. Key capabilities include:

accurate tracking of subjects like individuals, groups, hands, objects, and more via Only Me mode
auto zoom, customizable composition lines, Face Framing
Voice Tracking
Multiple AI modes, including dedicated Desk Mode, Whiteboard Mode
Intuitive gesture and voice controls

For further control, users can use the OBSBOT Center and OBSBOT live for creative controls. These cover exposure and gamma curve adjustments, manual white balance tuning, and more.

Furthermore, the Tiny 3 products support remote interaction and VR features powered by the OBSBOT Toolkit.

They also integrate effortlessly with the OBSBOT ecosystem for livestreams, gaming handheld capabilities, and more.

Price, availability

The Tiny 3 starts at US$ 349 while the Tiny 3 Lite starts at US$ 199. The Vox SE, meanwhile, retails for US$ 59.

Accessories

Soundtrack for the city: HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI TMA-2 headphones

Published

January 28, 2026

Alex Matinkhah

Living in a big city like New York makes you want to have music on a lot: on the subway, walking between meetings, sitting in a café with your laptop, zoning out on a long walk home, or romanticizing the smallest things. Headphones have become an essential part of my life.

That’s why the HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI collaboration makes sense. The TMA-2 HIDDEN Edition headphones are reminiscent of early-2000s tech. It’s nostalgic but with New York City character, at least the kind that I encounter and not the one you see in movies.

If you follow either brand, the partnership feels natural. HIDDEN.NY started as an Instagram mood board and grew into a full lifestyle platform rooted in street culture and design. AIAIAI is a Danish company that’s long been part of music culture, known for modular gear that artists use.

The first thing you notice is the colorway. The transparent design with green highlights is subtle. It’s not loud but still stands out.

You can see the structure of the headphones, which makes them feel more like an accessory than just another piece of black plastic tech. Bonus points that they are a conversation starter, too.

In daily use, the headphones are easy to live with. They are light and comfortable, which is important when you’re wearing them for long stretches. They don’t clamp too hard nor do they feel bulky.

Sound-wise, they’re clean and balanced. While it doesn’t have active noise cancellation, it works well for all the ways people actually listen in a big city. I like that you don’t have to think about the sound much.

It’s just good in a way that doesn’t get in your way, whatever mood I’m in wherever I am in the city, these headphones are great company.

AIAIAI’s modular approach also means these aren’t built to be tossed when something wears out. The speaker, headband, earpads, and cable are all replaceable.

So much of the tech we use should grow with us, even if they get outdated. So AIAIAI builds systems that can be upgraded over time. That’s part of why artists and DJs use them.

Especially because it’s a collectible, it feels like a piece you’ll want to keep. As someone who uses his prized possessions for a really long time, I love this about these headphones.

In a city where everything moves fast and feels temporary, it’s nice to have gear that doesn’t feel disposable.

The campaign, shot by photographer Gunner Stahl, probably looks familiar if you’re attuned to hiphop culture. What sets his work apart is his portraits feel more raw and relaxed instead of posed and polished. It aligns with HIDDEN.NY’s aesthetic, the kind of everyday style that feels genuine.

At the end of the day, the HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI TMA-2 Bluetooth headphones make sense for people who live in cities like New York, where music is part of how you move, work, and think.

They sound good, they look interesting and different. They fit into real life without trying too hard.

The TMA-2 Hidden Edition headphones retail for US$220 and is available on aiaiai.audio.