@@WallyboisWoodworking that’s incredibly frustrating! I haven’t had any issues with the M2, but I’m sure long term use will tell. Sorry to hear you haven’t had a good experience :(
Just ordered the Hollyland Lark M2 with adaptars combo on a pre-black friday deal on Amazon for about 110$, which in Mexico (add tariffs) is a very good deal!
On board recording and being able to add a clip on mic made it an easy decision to get the CM28 picked up the kit for €98 and then a pair of clip on neewer mics for €12 also on sale......the full kit normally goes for €194.00 so hard to argue with the numbers there
Thanks for making the comparison I actually have the mk2 add I end up returning them because of the distortion in range if I turned away from the receiver the voice would be distorted and it had no range at all I give up and I was like I'm going to have to end up getting a DJI 2 mic which I didn't want to buy I did see the CM 28 but I thought it would be the same experience with the MK2 and I seen your video and I decided to get the CM 28 and I'm just blown away for the price point on sale and everything all the features of internal recording the UV lights to kill the germs overall extremely satisfied I'm glad I watched your video
@greenteasister from what I understand, the Fulani X5 are extremely similar (if not identical). An alternative I’ve heard/seen is the Godox XT1 but I have no personal experience with it (maybe soon??).
Unfortunately the Lark M2 is pretty sensitive which can be both good and bad. A lot can be fixed in post, but if you need to isolate on the spot I’ve been pretty impressed with the internal noise cancellation.
Very good comparison! I ended up buying the Lark 2 because they were actually cheaper at the time but those Neweer mics look very enticing with their on-board recording
Is it possible to get seperate audio recordings with the mk2s connected to a pocket 3? Seems like if you use the MK2 with the simple USB C adapter then the two mics record into the same channel
Unfortunately the M2s limit you to a mono track unless you use the 3.5mm receiver. Alternatively, you may be able to use the USB adapter with that, as you would when connecting it to a computer. If you use the “T” shaped USB dongle, then you’re correct, they both record together.
If I could provide my opinion here. Being someone who has ordered several wireless lavs I’ve got to say that the CM28 for the price point is pretty damn good. Has option for wired mic, internal recording, mic volume display, and noise cancellation. I would hate to be thinking I’m recording and all set then realize there was an issue with my receiver. The internal recording is a life saver and sound quality wise it’s as good as the lark m2.
Thank you for the video. I recently purchased a Neweer system and I can share some of the shortcomings that were revealed during the operation of this device. Firstly, I purchased a microphone to improve the sound quality when shooting with a GoPro. I am a big fan of hiking and in the mountains in open space the wind simply muffles the sound, especially when the selfie stick is extended to its full length. There were no problems with the sound recording quality. Dead cat does its job. Now about the cons. And this is an LCD display. It is absolutely unreadable in the open air and not only under the bright Sun. But the worst thing that happened was that when I hit the camera on a rock, I unfortunately broke the screen. And, although the entire system still works, I don’t know the charge level or whether it’s turned on at all. it would be much better if they put simple led indicators, like transmitters have. Simple and do the job. And it's also a shame that Neweer doesn't sell components separately. Only the whole set.... 😔
Oh no... I never even thought about reparability with the screen! I think you said it best, sound quality is there, but it seems to lack in build quality compared to the more robust alternatives. I love the fact that the LCD screen shows the battery life for not only the transmitter, but also the receivers, but it never crossed my mind what would happen if it were to go out, or in your case, break... Maybe at some point Neewer will release replacement transmitters?!
@@Novice-Media in principle, if you use the system for urban vlogging or indoors in general, then Neweer is a very good choice. In my case..... it is really very difficult to choose a device. I must choose a small, lightweight and most durable device with the ability to buy components separately. For now I’m looking towards purchasing Laxmark 1 (not 2, like yours). But even in that case there are some compromises. This is the lack of built-in memory in the microphones and the dead cat mounting method (there is a risk of losing it). And also the fact that the existing Neweer system will have to be put on the shelf. In general, I have a lot of dilemmas... 🤦🙂
@@tomerzharikov3425 while I don't currently own a set (I plan to within the next few weeks) you may want to look at the DJI Mic version 1 or 2, as they feature the interlocking deadcat similar to Neewer, internal recording, and I *believe* they even sell replacement transmitters AND receivers. Granted, it's double the price of the Lark M2 and nearly triple the price of the CM28, but it could be a case of "you get what you pay for". Plus, they're about the same size as the CM28, so you'd already be used to the form factor. I may need to pick one up a DJI mic now for a more in-depth test...
Great question! I don't know for 100%, but here's my take: Most manufacturers avoid offering single microphone kits because it’s simply not "cost-effective." Developing and producing them would require additional engineering and R&D for a niche market, with little return. For example, the Lark M2 uses a proprietary charging system with pins on the transmitter and receiver. To sell a single mic kit, they’d need to design a separate charger, which adds expense. Some brands, like DJI and Rode, do cater to solo creators with single mic options. They simplify charging by using USB-C or offering separate chargers, but this flexibility often comes at a higher price. For example, the cost of the DJI Mic's single transmitter and receiver is almost as expensive as the Lark M2 combo kit. In the end, many companies focus on cutting costs to keep their products more affordable, even if it means skipping single-mic kits.
Do you have a video showing the differences between the Hollyland Lark M2 and Neewer KM18? These two mics seem to be more similar in that they are both button size with magnets. Actually just an update - one thing I've read is that the KM18 is not compatible with DSLR cameras. That's a BIG no for me, then.
I don't have one *yet* but I'm planning to do something here soon focused on the button sized microphones like the Lark M2, Godox SL, DJI Mini and maybe I'll throw the Neewer in the lineup!
Subscribed! As a new content creator myself; I feel you could cut the first two minutes of your vid (pacing). Everything after that carries very well and love the quality of your video. Keep up the good work dude!
Thanks for subscribing! I’m definitely trying to work on pacing, so I greatly appreciate the feedback!! I’ll be sure to try and speed things up in the next video and try to “get to the point” a little faster, haha.
I wouldn't say that the noise cancellation of the Neewer sounds 'robotic' but it does sound heavily compressed. Understandable, because you're effectively cutting requencies, but not good.
You mentioned several times that the Neewer CM28 has the ability to hook up a Lavalier. I'm a newbie and so my question is - what is the difference between a lavalier and the CM28 or Lark M2? I thought these two mics were both lavalier mics already?
Great question! Both the CM28 and Lark M2 are lavalier microphones, but the CM28 offers a jack for a wired lavalier (sometimes called a “lapel”). The Lark M2 is an all-in-one unit, while the CM28 allows for more discreet placement if you add a wired lavalier, which is even smaller and easier to hide. In short, they’re similar, but the CM28 offers more flexibility with its optional lavalier jack. You can find wired lavaliers separately, ranging from $20 to $200 depending on quality.
@@Novice-Media Got it. Great explanation, thank you. Your videos are amazing, by the way. And if you keep on referring to yourself as not an expert, hence the label, then it makes me feel like you're closer to myself but have been through it before. That's a smart strategy, when people are yearning more for realistic and more life-like video. But unlike many of the life-like videos I've seen, yours is much more professional and useful to watch. I would use you as an example to aim for when I make my own media.
@@michaelhart8426 I greatly appreciate the compliments! I'd love the clean up the videos a bit, but as noted, I also want to keep everything grounded for those very reasons. Glad I was able to help :)
How come when you were indoors, you compared a Neewer CM28 with windmuffs to a Lark M2 without windmuffs? Shouldn’t they both have windmuffs? Or alternative both without? And when outdoors, the noise cancellation was used for the M2, but not for the CM28. Overall, thanks for the info.
@@terryfan7403 Honest answer? Not 100% sure. Couldn’t get the Neewer noise cancellation to work when I was outdoors, but it’s been working for me great lately (user error?). As far as the inconsistencies in testing, all valid points; ideally I need to redo this test down the road and throw in some other comparisons and standardization. I’ve got a quick comparison of the two as a short on my channel (indoor) comparing audio to audio unaltered too.
@@Novice-Media so I wound up ordering the CM28, got that double sale! Hoping you see this and know the answer... for whatever reason, I thought this could be used to start recording video on your phone remotely (i.e. click something on the mic that would start recording video if you're standing away from your phone). Do you know if it does have this functionality, or no?
@@Novice-Media yeah, tried that as there's just that button and the power button, but it didn't seem to work. If you are able to figure out a way, I would greatly appreciate a response!
Definitely got to use that Amazon 30 day return when you are a smaller review channel. Got use whatever hack you can to get going. My problem is I usually keep everything i buy 😂. I have the Hollyland that looks more like your Neewer set up. The transmitters are slimmer
I can happily say I’ve only returned one product yet, but it’s for the same reason as you! 😅 didn’t think I’d actually keep the Neewer and it’s turned out to be my favorite wireless mic somehow?!
@@Novice-Media yeah I've been thinking about getting the new Lark M2 for the form factor and smaller RX that I can plug in the back of my Pocket 3. I had to get an extra pigtail for my M1 transmitter which works but there is no elegant way to mount the transmitter to the setup. Great review BTW.
I like the sound signature of the cm28 more, sounds more natural than the m2, the m2 sound too bright, lacking in the lower mids, but the cm28 mic also rejects ambient noise a lot less, I owned both and stuck with the cm28 because of the internal recording. soon I'll have the lark max, hopefully that'll be a big improvement
I think I'd have to agree with you overall! The CM28 does seem to outshine the Lark M2 in several areas, as you said, such as the midtones. The internal recording a major pro, and I wish that Hollyland had found a way to integrate it into the small form factor of the M2, simply because that mic is so easy to throw into a go-bag and it's extremely discreet... You'll have to let me know what you think of the Lark Max; I've been looking into that or the DJI mics.
Hello I'm planning to have a food asmr budget vlogs and the background noise rosters it's my neighbors. So which is better for recording i only use android phone?
If you’re wanting to use noise cancellation, the Lark M2 hands down. The CM28 is a good microphone, but when it comes to being used with a smartphone the Hollyland shines.
Brother which one should I buy?? I'm a travel vlogger, using iphone for shooting videos. I need a quick solution for audio recording which should sound good and durable. Also I wish to know how is the magnetic power on Lark M2 compared to Neewer.
Solid question! If you need internal recording, CM28 is your best bet. If you want something compact, with a super strong magnet, easily the Lark M2. The Lark is also 24-bit whereas the CM28 is only 16-bit, so for outdoor vlogging you may have better results with the Lark M2.
@@Novice-Media Actually I don't need a backup recording. 16bit is too worst for screeming scenario, 24bit is much better I think. Thank you for your suggestion brother. Going with Lark M2. ❤️🫡
Surprised you didn't mention the built in recording - the CM28 has 4Gb internal recording on each mic, the Hollylands don't seem to? That is probably why the Neewers are bigger. But looking at the Hollylands, I am surprised at that price level they don't have onboard recording?
@@harduphiker I had a bit of footage I trimmed out, and now realizing, that was probably in it. The 4GB of internal storage is honestly great, but it does explain the size as it needs somewhere to store that data. I want to say Hollyland focused more on what they could fit in the smallest form factor, but hopefully once day technology will improve and they can fit more into the size.
Strong point, something I should have clarified better (16 vs 24bit). The Hollyland phone adapters aren't great, but at least they're included (some aren't).
cm28 better signal to noise ratio than hollyland and least to my ear and i have tested both.. Also cm28 you can adjust gain and hollyland is tuned loud.
I believe that the Neewer does have more adjustment, yes (approx. 5 bars/levels in memory serves correct) whereas Hollyland has 3 levels on top of the receiver via the knob.
I’d agree with this. In a recent re-review, it’s essentially the same case where the Lark is better for noise cancelling, but still isn’t over the moon amazing.
Ah! At last the comparison I've been waiting for. From other reviews I've preferred the Lark M2 but there's never been a direct comparison. Now I prefer the Neewer. It's a bit fuller audio. Lucky since I have a Fulaim X5 = CM28.
I haven’t attempted it (yet) but I would presume it could be removed if you were to go over the logo *lightly* with either acetone or nail polish remover. It’s slightly raised, so the text was printed, not molded.
I would definitely. I think in a regular environment without noise cancellation, the Neewer shines. The technology for the active cancellation is… less than ideal. I’ll need to do a more in depth review on this later.
@@Novice-Media definitely the m2 was my first choice but I think I’ll end up buying both and starting with the newer thank you so much It’s always nice to have a backup and it’s nice to know that these are more than adequate
Hi, I heard that with M2 you can record 2 mics on separate channels, is it true and if so could you make a video how to do that, if its hard to describe? also saw a comment that you wanted to check distance distortion, any updates on that?
This is correct! I’d be happy to put together a short explaining/showing this, but the receiver has two modes coordinated by color: blue = stereo (two channel) where each transmitter has its own channel green = mono (single channel) where one (or both) microphones record to the same channel. Regarding distance distortion, I haven’t come up with a perfect way to demonstrate this (as I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how to accurately measure the distance) but it’s still in the cards. I’m also planning to do a full-length 90 or 180-day recap video on these two mics, as well as another video comparing them to other alternative options on the market like the new Godox mic.
@@Novice-Media i just did a review on the godox wirelss virso s m2. I may have to repost it because i think the audo got corrupted in upload. Doesnt sound as good as it did. It is a great mic though! Lemme know what you think?
@StayReady2Review just checked it out and you’re right, towards the end it does sound a bit different than it should (almost robotic)? Your video itself is really good though!
@@Novice-Media Isn't it just connecting the charger to the adapter that comes with the CM28? I want to use the CM28 while charging the phone. If it wasn't possible, then I'd go for the M2. 😔
You may have to go to the Lark M2 in that case, as the receiver for the CM28 is connected to the phone using the included smartphone adapters via the charging port. (No additional pass through) Alternatively, you may be able to buy a splitter, but I’m not 100% sure that would work.
Oh and that shotgun mic at the beginning was trash too… your room sounded real echo like…I’m only saying this because by watching like 30 mic videos in the past 12 hours I’ve developed quite the ear..and also Your vid helped a lot on my decision thanks …
@saucesystems appreciate it, thank you! EDIT: Didn’t see the second comment, but you’re 100% right, the shotgun mic for this video was awful. We’ve come a long way since then though!
I can fully understand. Well, if you’re budget minded (like the CM28) and want a similar form factor (to the Lark M2).. may I suggest the Godox XT1? Comparable audio quality: th-cam.com/video/OXkLxjhuRls/w-d-xo.htmlsi=byjfER_tV2PLFfMM
Surprisingly, they both max at 20 kHz, but the Lark M2 goes as low as 20 Hz whereas the CM28 only goes as low as 30 Hz, so the statement isn’t entirely true.
@@Novice-Media I seriously doubt either of those mics achieve the kind of frequency response that the manufacturers claim. Might say that on paper but in the real world - don't count on it. Just by listening to the differences in your video - while they both sound about the same on the low end, I'm here to tell you the M2 doesn't come anywhere close to the high end response the CM28 achieves. Some might not be able to hear that difference in the high end, but I can. As for 20Hz vs. 30Hz - again I seriously doubt either can get below 50Hz at these price points. There isn't very much useful stuff at 30Hz or below anyway.
@@Sui778 I don't disagree whatsoever. Mics like these are tested in "best case scenario" environments that many of us will never use, likely indicating the rating. I do agree that there seems to be (audibly) a better high end frequency with the CM28, but on paper, they claim to be identical.
@@Novice-Media They're both fine for what the pricepoint is - hard to go wrong with either. I would say the M2 tops out at around 10-11kHz while the CM28 probably is hitting more in the 12-14kHz range. I went with the CM28 mainly because the S's just sound better - not as scratchy.
I am shocked 😲 how good neewer sounds. It's way better sound than Lark M2 and for less and the price. Hollyland M2 has better noise reduction and that's about it. Nevertheless, I am going for newer as I already have DJI Pocket 3 Creator combo.
The Hollyland, you get the form factor (size) and *slightly* better noise reduction like you said, but I agree, the Neewer is a much better deal. It is pretty shocking how well it does for the price!
Well he did the noise cancellation in the inside of his home I would like to see how it sounds on the outside of the home because noise cancellation outside sounds different than inside
@@Novice-Media I just got a super deal 30% OFF Neewer CM28 on Aliexpress and got it for $78. The deal is so good I feel like I robbed someone... 😂 😂 😂 Will compare it to DJI Mic 2 as soon as I get it.
Hey! I just checked and this video is about 45 or so days old, so this could’ve happened. Looks like the Neewer can be found around $70 (TikTok)-$95 (Amazon) and the Hollyland is about $140, which is still a good deal of difference.
Will you be picking up one of these wireless mics?
Yes just ordered the Hollyland. I had been looking at them already and you convinced me!
@sonliving that’s great to hear! You’ll end up loving the Hollylands
Not after experiencing the Lark M1... they do whatever they can not to replace my faulty mic
@@WallyboisWoodworking that’s incredibly frustrating! I haven’t had any issues with the M2, but I’m sure long term use will tell. Sorry to hear you haven’t had a good experience :(
Just ordered the Hollyland Lark M2 with adaptars combo on a pre-black friday deal on Amazon for about 110$, which in Mexico (add tariffs) is a very good deal!
great review man
On board recording and being able to add a clip on mic made it an easy decision to get the CM28 picked up the kit for €98 and then a pair of clip on neewer mics for €12 also on sale......the full kit normally goes for €194.00 so hard to argue with the numbers there
That’s a steal!
Nice job with this thorough comparison. I did prefer the Lark audio both indoors and outside.
@@markexploringnewstuff thank you! The Lark M2 is extremely impressive given its form factor.
Thanks for making the comparison I actually have the mk2 add I end up returning them because of the distortion in range if I turned away from the receiver the voice would be distorted and it had no range at all I give up and I was like I'm going to have to end up getting a DJI 2 mic which I didn't want to buy I did see the CM 28 but I thought it would be the same experience with the MK2 and I seen your video and I decided to get the CM 28 and I'm just blown away for the price point on sale and everything all the features of internal recording the UV lights to kill the germs overall extremely satisfied I'm glad I watched your video
Glad I was able to help! Sorry to hear you didn’t like the Lark M2, haven’t noticed the distortion myself but now I want to check.
Great info! Thanks, I already ordered a Lark M2 and it's coming tomorrow 😍🥳
You’re going to love it!
your channel is so underrated! thanks, this video was helpful in picking the mic.
Well thank you, glad I could help. Which one did you decide to pick up?
@@Novice-Media I ordered Neewer, but it can cancelled.. thinking of choosing another one. Any other similar brand u recommend?
@greenteasister from what I understand, the Fulani X5 are extremely similar (if not identical). An alternative I’ve heard/seen is the Godox XT1 but I have no personal experience with it (maybe soon??).
Thank u so much!!
nice video review! good job.
Thank you!
I got lark 2 today.. but even in my house i still hear way too much surroundings when i move my legs or i move on a couch :(
Unfortunately the Lark M2 is pretty sensitive which can be both good and bad. A lot can be fixed in post, but if you need to isolate on the spot I’ve been pretty impressed with the internal noise cancellation.
Good to know your fan was on I the last shot, honestly didnt even notice!!!
Maybe the mics are just that good? Who knows!
Very good comparison! I ended up buying the Lark 2 because they were actually cheaper at the time but those Neweer mics look very enticing with their on-board recording
Thank you! It’s always crazy seeing the Lark M2 price drops, especially being such a well regarded brand. Hope you enjoy it!
That Adobe Podcast AI software is dope. I have a noisy apartment. literally can hear everything outside so I 'm excited to see how well it does.
It works surprisingly well! It’s not 100% perfect, but it’s close.
Is it possible to get seperate audio recordings with the mk2s connected to a pocket 3? Seems like if you use the MK2 with the simple USB C adapter then the two mics record into the same channel
Unfortunately the M2s limit you to a mono track unless you use the 3.5mm receiver. Alternatively, you may be able to use the USB adapter with that, as you would when connecting it to a computer.
If you use the “T” shaped USB dongle, then you’re correct, they both record together.
The Neewer CM28 has built in internal recording. that's a +1
Massive advantage of the CM28 over the Lark M2!
If I could provide my opinion here. Being someone who has ordered several wireless lavs I’ve got to say that the CM28 for the price point is pretty damn good. Has option for wired mic, internal recording, mic volume display, and noise cancellation. I would hate to be thinking I’m recording and all set then realize there was an issue with my receiver. The internal recording is a life saver and sound quality wise it’s as good as the lark m2.
Absolutely! They're both solid mics, but as you've pointed out for the price, the CM28 seems to be the better buy. Thanks for the feedback!
Which Ones the better option the NEEWER CM28 or the ULANZI AM18? if anyone used it feel free to leave a review as well of either of these
I can't tell the difference in audio between them. I have a Fulaim X5 = Neewer CM28.
Any button magnets will do as a replacement.
@@WillNewcomb Fair enough!
Thank you for the video. I recently purchased a Neweer system and I can share some of the shortcomings that were revealed during the operation of this device. Firstly, I purchased a microphone to improve the sound quality when shooting with a GoPro. I am a big fan of hiking and in the mountains in open space the wind simply muffles the sound, especially when the selfie stick is extended to its full length. There were no problems with the sound recording quality. Dead cat does its job. Now about the cons. And this is an LCD display. It is absolutely unreadable in the open air and not only under the bright Sun. But the worst thing that happened was that when I hit the camera on a rock, I unfortunately broke the screen. And, although the entire system still works, I don’t know the charge level or whether it’s turned on at all. it would be much better if they put simple led indicators, like transmitters have. Simple and do the job. And it's also a shame that Neweer doesn't sell components separately. Only the whole set.... 😔
Oh no... I never even thought about reparability with the screen! I think you said it best, sound quality is there, but it seems to lack in build quality compared to the more robust alternatives. I love the fact that the LCD screen shows the battery life for not only the transmitter, but also the receivers, but it never crossed my mind what would happen if it were to go out, or in your case, break...
Maybe at some point Neewer will release replacement transmitters?!
@@Novice-Media in principle, if you use the system for urban vlogging or indoors in general, then Neweer is a very good choice. In my case..... it is really very difficult to choose a device. I must choose a small, lightweight and most durable device with the ability to buy components separately. For now I’m looking towards purchasing Laxmark 1 (not 2, like yours). But even in that case there are some compromises. This is the lack of built-in memory in the microphones and the dead cat mounting method (there is a risk of losing it). And also the fact that the existing Neweer system will have to be put on the shelf. In general, I have a lot of dilemmas... 🤦🙂
@@tomerzharikov3425 while I don't currently own a set (I plan to within the next few weeks) you may want to look at the DJI Mic version 1 or 2, as they feature the interlocking deadcat similar to Neewer, internal recording, and I *believe* they even sell replacement transmitters AND receivers. Granted, it's double the price of the Lark M2 and nearly triple the price of the CM28, but it could be a case of "you get what you pay for". Plus, they're about the same size as the CM28, so you'd already be used to the form factor.
I may need to pick one up a DJI mic now for a more in-depth test...
@@Novice-Media thank you. I'll think about it. 🙂👍
Super helpful 😮
I have one last question, if you don't mind. Why are there two mics in each package? Why don't they sell a package with 1 microphone and 1 receiver?
Great question! I don't know for 100%, but here's my take:
Most manufacturers avoid offering single microphone kits because it’s simply not "cost-effective." Developing and producing them would require additional engineering and R&D for a niche market, with little return. For example, the Lark M2 uses a proprietary charging system with pins on the transmitter and receiver. To sell a single mic kit, they’d need to design a separate charger, which adds expense.
Some brands, like DJI and Rode, do cater to solo creators with single mic options. They simplify charging by using USB-C or offering separate chargers, but this flexibility often comes at a higher price. For example, the cost of the DJI Mic's single transmitter and receiver is almost as expensive as the Lark M2 combo kit.
In the end, many companies focus on cutting costs to keep their products more affordable, even if it means skipping single-mic kits.
Do you have a video showing the differences between the Hollyland Lark M2 and Neewer KM18? These two mics seem to be more similar in that they are both button size with magnets. Actually just an update - one thing I've read is that the KM18 is not compatible with DSLR cameras. That's a BIG no for me, then.
I don't have one *yet* but I'm planning to do something here soon focused on the button sized microphones like the Lark M2, Godox SL, DJI Mini and maybe I'll throw the Neewer in the lineup!
Subscribed! As a new content creator myself; I feel you could cut the first two minutes of your vid (pacing). Everything after that carries very well and love the quality of your video. Keep up the good work dude!
Thanks for subscribing! I’m definitely trying to work on pacing, so I greatly appreciate the feedback!! I’ll be sure to try and speed things up in the next video and try to “get to the point” a little faster, haha.
I wouldn't say that the noise cancellation of the Neewer sounds 'robotic' but it does sound heavily compressed. Understandable, because you're effectively cutting requencies, but not good.
You mentioned several times that the Neewer CM28 has the ability to hook up a Lavalier. I'm a newbie and so my question is - what is the difference between a lavalier and the CM28 or Lark M2? I thought these two mics were both lavalier mics already?
Great question!
Both the CM28 and Lark M2 are lavalier microphones, but the CM28 offers a jack for a wired lavalier (sometimes called a “lapel”). The Lark M2 is an all-in-one unit, while the CM28 allows for more discreet placement if you add a wired lavalier, which is even smaller and easier to hide.
In short, they’re similar, but the CM28 offers more flexibility with its optional lavalier jack. You can find wired lavaliers separately, ranging from $20 to $200 depending on quality.
@@Novice-Media Got it. Great explanation, thank you. Your videos are amazing, by the way. And if you keep on referring to yourself as not an expert, hence the label, then it makes me feel like you're closer to myself but have been through it before. That's a smart strategy, when people are yearning more for realistic and more life-like video. But unlike many of the life-like videos I've seen, yours is much more professional and useful to watch. I would use you as an example to aim for when I make my own media.
@@michaelhart8426 I greatly appreciate the compliments! I'd love the clean up the videos a bit, but as noted, I also want to keep everything grounded for those very reasons. Glad I was able to help :)
How come when you were indoors, you compared a Neewer CM28 with windmuffs to a Lark M2 without windmuffs? Shouldn’t they both have windmuffs? Or alternative both without? And when outdoors, the noise cancellation was used for the M2, but not for the CM28. Overall, thanks for the info.
@@terryfan7403 Honest answer? Not 100% sure.
Couldn’t get the Neewer noise cancellation to work when I was outdoors, but it’s been working for me great lately (user error?).
As far as the inconsistencies in testing, all valid points; ideally I need to redo this test down the road and throw in some other comparisons and standardization.
I’ve got a quick comparison of the two as a short on my channel (indoor) comparing audio to audio unaltered too.
@@Novice-Media thank you for the reply. A new video on your long-term experiences with both would be appreciated. Thank you
great video! Subscribed!!!I'm a beginner so...I'm seriously grateful!
Thank you! I’m sure we can help each other out along the way
Appreciate this brother!
Any time!
@@Novice-Media so I wound up ordering the CM28, got that double sale! Hoping you see this and know the answer... for whatever reason, I thought this could be used to start recording video on your phone remotely (i.e. click something on the mic that would start recording video if you're standing away from your phone). Do you know if it does have this functionality, or no?
@@benjirexx I believe you can hit the yellow noise cancellation button and it should start recording.
@@Novice-Media yeah, tried that as there's just that button and the power button, but it didn't seem to work. If you are able to figure out a way, I would greatly appreciate a response!
Definitely got to use that Amazon 30 day return when you are a smaller review channel. Got use whatever hack you can to get going. My problem is I usually keep everything i buy 😂. I have the Hollyland that looks more like your Neewer set up. The transmitters are slimmer
I can happily say I’ve only returned one product yet, but it’s for the same reason as you! 😅 didn’t think I’d actually keep the Neewer and it’s turned out to be my favorite wireless mic somehow?!
@@Novice-Media yeah I've been thinking about getting the new Lark M2 for the form factor and smaller RX that I can plug in the back of my Pocket 3. I had to get an extra pigtail for my M1 transmitter which works but there is no elegant way to mount the transmitter to the setup. Great review BTW.
@StrillLife couldn’t agree more! When I travel and do interviews, the Lark M2 is ideal for exactly that: form factor. And thank you!
I like the sound signature of the cm28 more, sounds more natural than the m2, the m2 sound too bright, lacking in the lower mids, but the cm28 mic also rejects ambient noise a lot less, I owned both and stuck with the cm28 because of the internal recording. soon I'll have the lark max, hopefully that'll be a big improvement
I think I'd have to agree with you overall! The CM28 does seem to outshine the Lark M2 in several areas, as you said, such as the midtones. The internal recording a major pro, and I wish that Hollyland had found a way to integrate it into the small form factor of the M2, simply because that mic is so easy to throw into a go-bag and it's extremely discreet...
You'll have to let me know what you think of the Lark Max; I've been looking into that or the DJI mics.
I have subbed to u man, very frank with u. The best video ever about this topic.
Greatly appreciate it! Glad I could help :)
Hello I'm planning to have a food asmr budget vlogs and the background noise rosters it's my neighbors. So which is better for recording i only use android phone?
If you’re wanting to use noise cancellation, the Lark M2 hands down. The CM28 is a good microphone, but when it comes to being used with a smartphone the Hollyland shines.
@@Novice-Media thank you 😊
Brother which one should I buy?? I'm a travel vlogger, using iphone for shooting videos. I need a quick solution for audio recording which should sound good and durable. Also I wish to know how is the magnetic power on Lark M2 compared to Neewer.
Solid question! If you need internal recording, CM28 is your best bet. If you want something compact, with a super strong magnet, easily the Lark M2. The Lark is also 24-bit whereas the CM28 is only 16-bit, so for outdoor vlogging you may have better results with the Lark M2.
@@Novice-Media Actually I don't need a backup recording. 16bit is too worst for screeming scenario, 24bit is much better I think. Thank you for your suggestion brother. Going with Lark M2. ❤️🫡
Surprised you didn't mention the built in recording - the CM28 has 4Gb internal recording on each mic, the Hollylands don't seem to? That is probably why the Neewers are bigger. But looking at the Hollylands, I am surprised at that price level they don't have onboard recording?
@@harduphiker I had a bit of footage I trimmed out, and now realizing, that was probably in it. The 4GB of internal storage is honestly great, but it does explain the size as it needs somewhere to store that data. I want to say Hollyland focused more on what they could fit in the smallest form factor, but hopefully once day technology will improve and they can fit more into the size.
Newer are 16bit, Hollyland 24bit + Hollyland are far smaller → I am sold to Hollyland. Anyway I would have wished for stereo capture mode for USB C...
Strong point, something I should have clarified better (16 vs 24bit). The Hollyland phone adapters aren't great, but at least they're included (some aren't).
cm28 better signal to noise ratio than hollyland and least to my ear and i have tested both.. Also cm28 you can adjust gain and hollyland is tuned loud.
I believe that the Neewer does have more adjustment, yes (approx. 5 bars/levels in memory serves correct) whereas Hollyland has 3 levels on top of the receiver via the knob.
"Noise Cancellation" more like EQ and a Compressor
Imo the noise Cancellation on the lark is better and more natural then the newer.
I’d agree with this. In a recent re-review, it’s essentially the same case where the Lark is better for noise cancelling, but still isn’t over the moon amazing.
Ah! At last the comparison I've been waiting for. From other reviews I've preferred the Lark M2 but there's never been a direct comparison.
Now I prefer the Neewer. It's a bit fuller audio. Lucky since I have a Fulaim X5 = CM28.
I’m honestly impressed with the Neewer (Fulaim) myself, especially given the sound quality for the price of the mic. Thanks for watching!
how can i remove the neewer logo? xd
I haven’t attempted it (yet) but I would presume it could be removed if you were to go over the logo *lightly* with either acetone or nail polish remover. It’s slightly raised, so the text was printed, not molded.
Someone on another video suggested maybe using that black electrical tape
The neewer CM28 has built in recording. +1
Definitely the Newer in Noise Cancelling mode was choppy, the Lark M2 was definitely better.
I would definitely. I think in a regular environment without noise cancellation, the Neewer shines. The technology for the active cancellation is… less than ideal. I’ll need to do a more in depth review on this later.
Very good man like ur videos
I appreciate it, thank you!
I was looking between these both ❤😮
Well I hope I was able to help you make a decision! Are you leaning towards one more than the other?
@@Novice-Media definitely the m2 was my first choice but I think I’ll end up buying both and starting with the newer thank you so much
It’s always nice to have a backup and it’s nice to know that these are more than adequate
@@LouisLuzuka it never hurts to have a backup!
Had a nightmare getting these fixed... Hollyland after sales is the worst
Good to know! I hope to not have any issues (knock on wood) but I’ll update if I do. Neewer has been fantastic to deal with after sales however.
Yo compré el cm 28 neewr va muy bien
I'm glad to hear it! It's by far one of my favorite mics on the market right now.
👏🏼👏🏼 thank you
Absolutely! Glad I was able to help
Hi, I heard that with M2 you can record 2 mics on separate channels, is it true and if so could you make a video how to do that, if its hard to describe? also saw a comment that you wanted to check distance distortion, any updates on that?
This is correct! I’d be happy to put together a short explaining/showing this, but the receiver has two modes coordinated by color:
blue = stereo (two channel) where each transmitter has its own channel
green = mono (single channel) where one (or both) microphones record to the same channel.
Regarding distance distortion, I haven’t come up with a perfect way to demonstrate this (as I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how to accurately measure the distance) but it’s still in the cards.
I’m also planning to do a full-length 90 or 180-day recap video on these two mics, as well as another video comparing them to other alternative options on the market like the new Godox mic.
@@Novice-Media Thank you so much :)
@@Novice-Media i just did a review on the godox wirelss virso s m2. I may have to repost it because i think the audo got corrupted in upload. Doesnt sound as good as it did. It is a great mic though! Lemme know what you think?
@StayReady2Review just checked it out and you’re right, towards the end it does sound a bit different than it should (almost robotic)? Your video itself is really good though!
nobody talks about the lark's phone receiver can be charged while plugged in
Well, you just taught me something new.
The Neewer's too, right?
@nipao503 technically, yes, however the Neewer is a much bulkier setup. The Hollyland is by far more sleep.
@@Novice-Media Isn't it just connecting the charger to the adapter that comes with the CM28? I want to use the CM28 while charging the phone. If it wasn't possible, then I'd go for the M2. 😔
You may have to go to the Lark M2 in that case, as the receiver for the CM28 is connected to the phone using the included smartphone adapters via the charging port. (No additional pass through)
Alternatively, you may be able to buy a splitter, but I’m not 100% sure that would work.
yeah that newer noise cancellation was trash... sounds really unnatural .....
Can’t disagree there, but it’s also not the worst I’ve heard either. The Hollyland seems to do better in that regard
@@Novice-Media keep
Up the good work my guy… persistence is paramount
Oh and that shotgun mic at the beginning was trash too… your room sounded real echo like…I’m only saying this because by watching like 30 mic videos in the past 12 hours I’ve developed quite the ear..and also Your vid helped a lot on my decision thanks …
@saucesystems appreciate it, thank you!
EDIT: Didn’t see the second comment, but you’re 100% right, the shotgun mic for this video was awful. We’ve come a long way since then though!
The ONLY thing I don't like about the Neewer is the size of the mic. Hollyland has spoiled us with the M2.
I can fully understand. Well, if you’re budget minded (like the CM28) and want a similar form factor (to the Lark M2).. may I suggest the Godox XT1? Comparable audio quality: th-cam.com/video/OXkLxjhuRls/w-d-xo.htmlsi=byjfER_tV2PLFfMM
@@Novice-Media yes! That's a really compelling option!
Cm28 is a better product. Use the noise cancellation during editing for better quality
I'm not sure I follow the "noise cancellation during editing" part.
I know that background character!
Whoa, which one? 👀
Be careful when you order Neewer CM28: There is a version around that comes without the charging box!
This is only the case if you buy the mobile-only set opposed to the combo kit linked.
Lark 2 cost 113$. Just in case.
A price that can’t be beat right now! Hollyland seems to go on sale more frequently since this video was posted.
@@Novice-Media yeah, maybe it is a sale, but it is every store right now. It is good price for amazing microphones. IMHO )
Pretty sure he's reversing the words tx and rx
Oh yeah… I do see that now. Good catch, I’ll make better notes moving forward.. thank you sir!
CM28 has a superior frequency response.
Surprisingly, they both max at 20 kHz, but the Lark M2 goes as low as 20 Hz whereas the CM28 only goes as low as 30 Hz, so the statement isn’t entirely true.
@@Novice-Media I seriously doubt either of those mics achieve the kind of frequency response that the manufacturers claim. Might say that on paper but in the real world - don't count on it. Just by listening to the differences in your video - while they both sound about the same on the low end, I'm here to tell you the M2 doesn't come anywhere close to the high end response the CM28 achieves. Some might not be able to hear that difference in the high end, but I can. As for 20Hz vs. 30Hz - again I seriously doubt either can get below 50Hz at these price points. There isn't very much useful stuff at 30Hz or below anyway.
@@Sui778 I don't disagree whatsoever. Mics like these are tested in "best case scenario" environments that many of us will never use, likely indicating the rating. I do agree that there seems to be (audibly) a better high end frequency with the CM28, but on paper, they claim to be identical.
@@Novice-Media They're both fine for what the pricepoint is - hard to go wrong with either. I would say the M2 tops out at around 10-11kHz while the CM28 probably is hitting more in the 12-14kHz range. I went with the CM28 mainly because the S's just sound better - not as scratchy.
I am shocked 😲 how good neewer sounds. It's way better sound than Lark M2 and for less and the price. Hollyland M2 has better noise reduction and that's about it. Nevertheless, I am going for newer as I already have DJI Pocket 3 Creator combo.
The Hollyland, you get the form factor (size) and *slightly* better noise reduction like you said, but I agree, the Neewer is a much better deal. It is pretty shocking how well it does for the price!
Well he did the noise cancellation in the inside of his home I would like to see how it sounds on the outside of the home because noise cancellation outside sounds different than inside
@@lancet2266 fully agree, and I hope to be revisiting this in the near future
Lark M2 is better with and without noise cancellation.
Fair enough!
And I just subscribed too 😊
@@bolumstar Thank you! 🙏🏽
@@Novice-Media I just got a super deal 30% OFF Neewer CM28 on Aliexpress and got it for $78. The deal is so good I feel like I robbed someone... 😂 😂 😂 Will compare it to DJI Mic 2 as soon as I get it.
That's awesome to hear!! I'll be comparing the CM28 to the DJI Mic 1 here soon (and Lark M2) but I'd love to hear how it stacks up to the DJI Mic 2!
Bro you made me even more confused 😂
Oh no! Anything I can help with?
The M2 sounds better IMO
The NeeWer has 48KHz 16 Bit whereas the M2 has 48KHz 24 Bit, a winner here
It’s definitely more true-to-life sounding than the CM28
The cost doesn’t seem to be the case currently… both are about the same price 😮
Hey! I just checked and this video is about 45 or so days old, so this could’ve happened. Looks like the Neewer can be found around $70 (TikTok)-$95 (Amazon) and the Hollyland is about $140, which is still a good deal of difference.