Cherry Xtrfy Ngale R specifications and in-depth review

Cherry Xtrfy Ngale R

Manufacturer: Cherry

The Cherry Xtrfy Ngale R is a USB condenser microphone designed for desktop use, bringing together a practical feature set in a compact form. It includes a built-in control panel directly on the device body, along with an LED sound level indicator and RGB lighting, making it straightforward to monitor and manage your audio setup at a glance. A shock mount and pop filter are both included in the package, and the 2-metre cable offers reasonable reach from the desk.

On the technical side, the Ngale R captures audio across a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz frequency range via a cardioid pickup pattern, which focuses on sound coming from directly in front of the microphone. The USB connection delivers audio at 96kHz sampling rate with 24-bit depth, and a mute function is also on board. A 3.5mm headphone output allows for direct monitoring. The microphone is compatible with Windows and Mac OS X, weighs 419 g, and measures 193 mm in height with a volume of 1659.8 cm³.

Pros
  • Includes both a shock mount and pop filter out of the box, reducing the need for additional accessories
  • The 96kHz sampling rate and 24-bit bit depth deliver a high-resolution audio signal
  • An LED sound level indicator and on-device control panel make real-time adjustments straightforward
  • A 3.5mm headphone output allows for direct monitoring through the microphone itself
  • Compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X, covering the two most widely used desktop platforms
  • RGB lighting and a built-in mute function add practical and visual utility to the desktop setup
Cons
  • Only the cardioid pickup pattern is available, with no omni, bidirectional, or hyper-cardioid options
  • No compatibility with Android or iOS devices, limiting use to desktop environments
  • At 419 g, the microphone is relatively heavy, which may affect stability on lighter stands
  • No flat DSP mode is available for users who prefer a signal without any processing
  • The 2-metre cable may be restrictive in setups where the computer is positioned further from the recording area
Who is this for?

This microphone is well suited to desktop-based content creators, podcasters, and remote workers who need a straightforward USB setup without the requirement for an external audio interface. The included shock mount and pop filter make it a practical choice for those who want a ready-to-use recording solution without sourcing additional accessories. Users who record in controlled, quiet environments will benefit from the cardioid pickup pattern, which focuses on sound directly in front of the microphone, while the 96kHz/24-bit audio interface suits those who prioritise high-resolution recordings for voice or narration work on Windows or Mac OS X systems.

Who is this NOT for?

This microphone is not a good fit for users who need flexible pickup pattern options, as it supports only a cardioid pattern with no omni, bidirectional, or hyper-cardioid alternatives — making it unsuitable for multi-participant recordings or roundtable setups. Those working primarily on mobile devices will find it incompatible, as there is no support for Android or iOS. Additionally, users who require a more portable or lightweight microphone may find its 419 g weight and relatively large physical dimensions impractical, and anyone needing a longer cable run will be limited by the fixed 2-metre cable length.

Sound quality:

Connection USB
lowest mic frequency 20 Hz
audio interface frequency rate 96kHz
highest mic frequency 20000 Hz
audio interface bit rate 24-bit

The Cherry Xtrfy Ngale R connects via USB and captures audio across the full audible spectrum, from 20 Hz up to 20,000 Hz. The audio interface operates at a 96kHz sampling rate with a 24-bit bit depth, providing a high level of resolution in the digital signal chain.

Features:

has cardioid pattern
has a mute function
has omni pattern
Is compatible with Android
Is compatible with iOS
Is compatible with Windows
Is compatible with Mac OS X
has hyper-cardioid pattern
has flat DSP mode
has bidirectional pattern

The Cherry Xtrfy Ngale R uses a cardioid pickup pattern, focusing on audio from a single direction, while omni, hyper-cardioid, and bidirectional patterns are not supported. A mute function is built in, and the microphone does not include a flat DSP mode. In terms of platform compatibility, it works with Windows and Mac OS X, but is not compatible with Android or iOS devices.

Headphone output:

has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
Has a connector for a 6.35 mm audio jack

The Cherry Xtrfy Ngale R includes a 3.5mm headphone output, allowing users to connect standard headphones or earphones directly to the microphone. A 6.35mm jack connector is not present on this device.

Design:

shock mount included
pop filter included
control panel placed on a device
Has LED sound level indicator
cable length 2 m
has RGB lighting
has an integrated touchpad
volume 1659.8 cm³
weight 419 g
height 193 mm
thickness 86 mm
width 100 mm

The Cherry Xtrfy Ngale R comes with both a shock mount and pop filter included, and features a control panel placed directly on the device body alongside an LED sound level indicator for at-a-glance monitoring. RGB lighting is also built in, while an integrated touchpad is not part of the design. The attached cable measures 2 metres in length. Physically, the microphone stands 193 mm tall, is 100 mm wide, and 86 mm thick, with a total volume of 1659.8 cm³ and a weight of 419 g.

Final Verdict

The Cherry Xtrfy Ngale R is a self-contained USB microphone that covers the essentials for desktop recording without requiring additional hardware. Its 96kHz/24-bit audio interface, bundled shock mount and pop filter, on-device controls, and 3.5mm monitoring output make it a well-rounded option for solo voice work on Windows or Mac OS X. That said, its fixed cardioid pattern and lack of mobile device support mean it serves a fairly specific audience. For users whose needs align with those boundaries — primarily stationary, single-source recording in a controlled environment — the Ngale R delivers a coherent and practical feature set that holds up well within its intended scope.

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