About Samson
Samson Technologies was founded in 1980 in Hicksville, New York, designing wireless microphone systems. Through the early 1990s the company expanded into power amplifiers, mixers, wired microphones, and signal processors, and in 2005 it introduced some of the first USB microphones built for musicians, broadcasters, and podcasters. Samson now operates under three brands, Samson Audio, Samson Wireless, and Hartke (bass amplification), with products sold in more than 140 countries.
The Q2U is Samson's long-running hybrid USB and XLR dynamic microphone, built around a cardioid dynamic capsule and sold as a complete kit with a tripod stand, mic clip, foam windscreen, and both USB and XLR cables in the box. Podcasting outlets including Buzzsprout, Castos, and The Podcast Host have each named it a top pick for new podcasters, and on Amazon it carries more than five thousand owner ratings, one of the larger review bases of any microphone in its category.
Brand website: samsontech.com
What Samson makes
Samson's catalog runs wider than the gear we review. The lines we know best from our own testing are marked with a star:
USB & XLR Podcasting Microphones
Hybrid dynamic microphones including the Q2U and Q9U, offering both USB and XLR connectivity in one body — featured on House of Octave
USB Condenser Microphones
Desktop USB microphones including the Go Mic and Meteor Mic, aimed at streaming, voiceover, and home recording
Wireless Microphone Systems
Handheld and lavalier wireless systems such as the XPD2 series, built on Samson's original wireless microphone business
Mixers & Power Amplifiers
Live-sound mixers and power amplifiers dating back to Samson's early-1990s product expansion
Hartke Bass Amplification
Samson's bass amp and cabinet brand, sold alongside its microphone and audio lines
Why we recognized Samson
The House of Octave Top Brand recognition isn't paid for and can't be applied for. We award it to the brands whose gear consistently stands out in our player-tested category guides. Samson earned it on the strength of the products below, judged the same way every product on this site is: assessed on build, tone, and playability, weighed against what players actually report over years of use, and ranked on merit.
Samson gear we rated highly
Samson Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack
In our testing it stood out as a genuine USB and XLR hybrid at the lowest price on the page, which means the setup a reader buys first does not need replacing when they later add an interface. It ships complete with a tripod stand, mic clip, windscreen, and both cables, so unlike most dynamic mics in this category there is no second purchase before recording starts. Its dynamic cardioid capsule suits the untreated bedrooms and spare rooms most first podcasts are recorded in, hearing the speaker while largely ignoring the room, and it carries more than five thousand owner ratings on Amazon, among the deepest track records of any microphone we reviewed at this price.
Read the 11 Best Podcast Microphones of 2026 (USB, XLR, Budget, Wireless & Beginner) guide →What earned Samson the recognition
- Founded in 1980 in Hicksville, New York, Samson Technologies began with wireless microphone systems before expanding into mixers, power amps, and signal processors in the early 1990s
- Introduced some of the first USB microphones built for musicians, broadcasters, and podcasters in 2005
- The Q2U pairs a dynamic cardioid capsule with both USB and XLR outputs in one body, and ships complete with a stand, clip, windscreen, and both cables
- Carries more than five thousand owner ratings on Amazon at 4.5 stars, one of the deepest review bases of any hybrid USB/XLR microphone we reviewed
- Named a top entry-level podcasting microphone by outlets including Buzzsprout, Castos, and The Podcast Host
- Operates three brands, Samson Audio, Samson Wireless, and Hartke, with products distributed in more than 140 countries