Audio-Technica AT2040 Series Compared: AT2040, AT2040USB by Official Specs

Audio-Technica’s “AT2040” and “AT2040USB” are hypercardioid dynamic microphones of the same design. The AT2040 connects by XLR and the AT2040USB by USB. In this article we compare the 2 models using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and rank them on the same criteria as the other 11 dynamic microphones on this site.

Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.

In short: which one to choose

• AT2040 (rank A): a hypercardioid dynamic microphone with XLR connection. Strong on ease of getting enough gain and rejection of surrounding sound.
• AT2040USB (rank S): a hypercardioid dynamic microphone with USB connection. Strong on ease of getting enough gain, rejection of surrounding sound and features.

The highest score among the 2 models is AT2040USB (rank S, average 4.3). But the model you need depends on how many things you record at once and which features you use. You do not need to choose a higher model for inputs, outputs or features you will not use.

Main features of the Audio-Technica AT2040 series

A hypercardioid made for picking up voices

The AT2040 and AT2040USB are “hypercardioid” dynamic microphones, with a pickup pattern even narrower than a cardioid. They are said to suppress unwanted sound in the room, such as noise from an air conditioner or a window, and record the voice you aim at. They inherit the sound quality of the broadcast microphone BP40.

Shock mount and pop filter built in

Both have a built-in shock mount, which reduces vibration transmitted from a desk stand or microphone arm, and a pop filter that combines two kinds of material. They are said to let you record with your mouth close.

AT2040USB: features for connecting by USB

The AT2040USB connects directly to a computer with USB-C. It records at up to 24-bit/96 kHz, and has a headphone jack (with volume control) for hearing your own voice with no delay, a mixer control that changes the balance between the microphone and the computer sound, a touch mute and an 80 Hz low-cut. The AT2040 is an XLR-output-only model.

Where it is useful

• Reducing room noise in streaming or narration from home
• Recording your voice easily with USB only for game commentary (AT2040USB)
• Using it connected to a mixer or audio interface (AT2040)

Differences in specifications (comparison table)

Model	Rank	Ease of getting enough gain	High-frequency range	Rejection of surrounding sound	Features
AT2040	A (3.5)	2.2 mV/Pa (4 points)	16,000 Hz (3 points)	Hypercardioid (5 points)	1 of 5 (2 points)
AT2040USB	S (4.3)	USB (built-in preamp) (5 points)	16,000 Hz (3 points)	Hypercardioid (5 points)	3 of 5 (4 points)

How we score (Dynamic microphones)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Ease of getting enough gain	Sensitivity at the XLR output (USB models have a built-in preamp and get full marks)	≥2.5	≥2	≥1.6	≥1.3	<1.3
High-frequency range	Upper limit of the frequency response	≥20000	≥18000	≥16000	≥15000	<15000
Rejection of surrounding sound	Pickup pattern	Supercardioid / hypercardioid	—	Cardioid (unidirectional)	—	—
Features	USB, XLR, low-cut, presence, headphone jack	4 to 5	3	2	1	None

Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer. Price and accessories are not part of the score. "Ease of getting enough gain" answers the common question "do I need a preamp (booster)?". Over XLR, the higher the sensitivity (mV/Pa), the less you need to turn up the gain on the audio interface. Models that can also connect by USB have a preamp inside the microphone, so there is no worry about running short of gain and they get 5 points. Rejection of surrounding sound is decided by the pickup pattern: supercardioid and hypercardioid, which pick up little from outside the front, score highest. Weight is shown in the table for reference.

Rating of each model

AT2040

• It connects by XLR. You need an audio interface or mixer. It is a dynamic microphone, so it does not need phantom power (+48 V).

AT2040USB

• It connects straight to a computer by USB. You do not need an audio interface, but you cannot connect it by XLR.

Compared with other dynamic microphones

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Audio-Technica AT2040 series: connection and getting started

Connection	AT2040: XLR only / AT2040USB: USB-C only (straight to a computer)
Power	The AT2040 needs none. The AT2040USB runs on USB power (5 V)
In the box	AT2040: mounting clamp AT8487, adapter screw, pouch / AT2040USB: mounting clamp AT8487, adapter screw, USB cable (about 2 m, Type-C to Type-A), USB adapter

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.

Related reading

• Dynamic microphones compared
• Dynamic or condenser microphone: what is the difference?
• Condenser microphones compared
• How we rate specifications