Blue Yeti vs Audio-Technica AT2020 (With actual sample audio)
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Quick Summary
Specifications
Audio Quality
Build Quality and Mounting Options
Verdict
Differences Summary
The Blue Yeti is a USB condenser microphone and the AT2020 is an XLR condenser (though there is a USB version).
They both have a cardioid pickup pattern, but the Blue Yeti has 3 capsules so it can also record in omnidirectional, bidirectional, and stereo by turning the dial on the back.
While the tone of both mics is similar, the AT2020 picks up far more background noise and it sounds more distant when used at the same position as the Blue Yeti.
Specifications
Blue Yeti
Connection Type: USB
Capsule Type: Condenser (3 capsules)
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional, stereo
Frequency Response Range: 20 Hz - 20 KHz
Boom arm threading: 5/8th inch
Stand included.
Audio-Technica AT2020
Connection Type: XLR (requires phantom power)
Capsule Type: Condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response Range: 20 Hz - 20 KHz
Boom arm threading: 5/8-inch with 3/8-inch adapter.
Stand not included.
Audio Quality
Audio from the Blue Yeti was recorded while being plugged directly into my PC. The AT2020 was connected to my Elgato Wave XLR with 48V phantom power enabled.
Both the Blue Yeti and AT2020 excel in spoken word and instrumental applications. Their tone is slightly on the bright side without much bass or proximity effect.
The Blue Yeti is one of the most sensitive mics (USB or otherwise) on the market, and the detail it picked up in the music demonstration was even greater than the AT2020. Even still, the AT2020 captured an insane amount of background noise. My PC fan was incredibly prominent in both audio samples I provided, but it’s basically inaudible with the Blue Yeti.
The AT2020 also picks up even more reflections and reverb than the Blue Yeti making it sound more distant. Neither mic is necessarily “better”, but I would use the Blue Yeti over the AT2020, because the latter picks up way too much background noise.
Build Quality and Mounting Options
AT2020 with 3/8 inch boom arm adapter (included).
Both mics are made of metal and have very sturdy construction. Both can be mounted to a boom arm using the 5/8-inch threading inside, but the AT2020 also comes with a 3/8-inch threaded adapter. The AT2020 doesn’t come with an XLR cable, but the Blue Yeti comes with a USB cable.
The Blue Yeti comes with a desk stand that’s quite hefty and the knobs have a lot of pieces that are easy to lose once you take the mic off the stand. It’s better to put both of these on some soft of scissor arm or boom stand to position them properly, but the desk stand is useful if you have nothing else available.
Verdict
Speaking into the Blue Yeti (and Samson Q2U on the right)
Speaking into the AT2020.
Both the Audio-Technica AT2020 and Blue Yeti have excellent sound reproduction and build quality, but the Blue Yeti is more practical for most setups due to how much unwanted background noise the AT2020 picks up. Additionally, since it’s an XLR microphone, a separate audio interface and XLR cable is required to use it.
