The Chinese manufacturer Hollyland launched the Hollyland Lark M2, a particularly small and extremely light wireless Lavalier microphone, at the beginning of 2024. Can it be convincing technically and acoustically despite its small size?
Today, however, I am here to talk to you about a new product designed for the mobile audience and evolving naturally from last year’s Lark M1. The Lark M2 serves as a hybrid microphone, recalling many features of the Lark M1, combining the connectivity possibilities of the Lark C1 with mobile devices, and adding some pleasant improvements and new features.
Unboxing
- A charging case where you can house the receiver and transmitters
- Two transmitter microphones
- Two windscreen filters
- A pair of magnetic necklaces
- A cable for charging the case or individually charging devices
- A carrying bag
- Some stickers to stick on the microphones
- Magnetic clips that attach to the transmitters
- Magnets that you can attach to necklaces or use individually to attach transmitters
Design
The case, which is a decent addition, not only charges the mics and receiver but also features an internal battery that will fully recharge the system twice. So, while the mics and receiver in isolation will last some ten hours of use, with the charging case, that suddenly has to 30 hours.
In use, the receiver slots into the camera’s hot shoe and then connects using the 3.5mm audio jack, the cable is in the bag, not in the case. The mics are extremely small, not quite as small as traditional lavalier mics, but not too far off. This would make them nice and discreet if it weren’t for the large logo on the front. The mics attach with magnets to clothing rather than clips, which makes them far easier to position than most.
Once everything is attached, the large dial on top of the receiver can be used to adjust the input volume. On the side of the receiver are two buttons, one for power and the other for pairing.
The transmitter mics are extremely simple, with the mic at the top, contacts at the bottom, and the noise-canceling button in yellow on the side. What they lack is a 3.5mm socket to attach a wired Lavalier mic, which makes sense as these mics are supposed to be a direct replacement for that style of microphone.
There is one more part to the kit: the mobile phone adapter. It comes in two types: USB Type-C and Lightning. Both plug into the base of the compatible phone and then connect to the mics. If you swap from the camera-mounted receiver to the phone receiver, it’s simply a case of powering down the one you don’t want. The wireless mics will automatically connect to whichever receiver has power. This feature is particularly convenient if audio isn’t your strong point.
Sound Control
When I evaluate wireless mic kits, I first consider how comprehensive the package is in terms of including everything needed. Hollyland excels in this aspect with the Lark M2, supplying all necessary components, all of which can be conveniently stored in the fabric bag that comes with the kit. This offering is reasonable at this price point, though a step up to the Lark Max offers a semi-hard case for enhanced organization and protection.
The Hollyland Lark M2 provides everything you need to get started, whether filming with your camera or smartphone. Using the system with a camera involves a simple connection via a 3.5mm cable. Setting up is straightforward; the receiver automatically activates upon removal from the charging case, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Similarly, once you remove one or two transmitter mics from the case, they almost instantly pair, indicated by a blue light during pairing and a solid green light once pairing is complete.
While you can monitor audio levels through your camera’s interface, note that the receiver lacks level indicators. A convenient feature is the large dial on top of the receiver, which allows for quick and incremental adjustments to the input level.
Designed for simplicity, the audio automatically splits so that mic 1 sits on channel 1 and mic 2 on channel 2. Switching to mono recording mode is as easy as a long press on the receiver’s side button, demonstrating the kit’s user-friendly design.
The mics don’t offer the ability to adjust the individual mic settings across both channels as a dual mono. When using the App to record to an iPhone, the options remain straightforward, emphasizing the design intention of these mics to be used with minimal audio knowledge and settings adjustment.
In terms of audio quality, the output from the small microphones is quite good and clear, with slightly heavier bass than usual, which isn’t adjustable. This is partly due to the environmental noise cancellation feature, which can make the audio recording sound much richer when turned off in certain locations. I recommend conducting a test depending on your recording environment.
A notable feature is the Lark M2’s utilization of 2.4GHz transmission, which ensures excellent transmission strength. I only ventured up to 10m from the mic during testing, but theoretically, the range could extend up to 300m, according to the literature. Even at about 100m, the transmission quality remained solid.
Connectivity and APP Control
Taking a closer look at the Hollyland Lark M2, you can see that Hollyland has incorporated advanced technology from their higher-end mic systems into this more accessible entry-level kit. The 2.4GHz wireless transmission ensures a stable connection between the transmitter mics and receiver and provides superior audio quality, especially at longer distances compared to Bluetooth.
The system’s design is compact and lightweight, slightly larger than a standard Lavalier mic. Although it is more visible than traditional micro-sized lavalier mics, the Lark M2 balances this with functionality. While you have the option to use a clip, the primary design focuses on its magnetic attachment system. This system, featuring a small yet powerful magnet, allows you to easily attach the mics to clothing, clamping the fabric between the magnet and a metal surface. Despite its growing popularity, this magnetic system is one of the smallest applications you will encounter.
The receiver is equally well-designed, with an easy-to-use volume control dial for straightforward input adjustments. Its connectivity options are versatile, including a USB Type-C port for connecting to a tablet or computer and a standard 3.5mm audio socket for direct camera connection.
The combo kit also includes mobile phone receivers, which plug directly into the base of the phone. You can adjust audio options via the App, which primarily serves as a monitoring and setting adjustment tool for the wireless system rather than for recording. Note that not all iOS and Android apps support external mics, so check compatibility beforehand.
You can enhance audio flexibility with the mono/stereo audio splitting capability, broadening the range of audio output options. The noise-cancelling feature also offers multiple settings – a simple on/off when mounted on a camera, and additional Strong or Weak options when used with the App.
Throughout, small LEDs on the device indicate the selected options, whether it’s the connection status, audio split from stereo to mono, or noise-canceling settings, ensuring ease of use and clarity in all aspects of the operation.
Battery
The microphone battery lasts about 10 hours, and the camera receiver lasts 9 hours. The charging box can fully recharge both within 1.5 – 2 hours, with its battery being sufficient for two charges.
Verdict
The Hollyland Lark M2 serves as an excellent choice for content creators seeking a high-quality, well-priced dual mic system with a degree of discretion. This package includes everything you need to start recording, and the substantial 10-hour battery life, extendable to 30 hours with the charging case, ensures reliable performance for extended multi-day shoots.
The overall quality of the mics, receiver, and case is commendable. While the components come in a fabric bag rather than a dedicated hard case, this is a minor concession given that this is an entry-level set of mics.
For those new to audio equipment, the Lark M2 stands out for its simplicity. However, it’s advisable to check the audio before recording, as the noise-canceling feature can be somewhat overzealous. The lowest setting or turning it off often yields the best results. Additionally, the App offers different noise cancellation options compared to the camera receiver, adding versatility.
The magnetic mounting system deserves special mention for its increasing popularity and effective application in this model. The strong magnets facilitate easy positioning of the mics, which are among the smallest on the market. This makes them ideal for lighter clothing, where heavier mics might cause the fabric to sag. For those who prefer a more traditional setup, magnetic clips are included in the box.
In summary, the Hollyland Lark M2 mics provide an excellent entry-level audio solution. They are straightforward to use and adjust, catering well to users without prior audio knowledge.
Pros
- Extremely small microphones
- Receiver for Android, iOS, and camera (with audio out e.g. PC or digital recorder)
- Good sound
- Long battery life
- Good range
- Comfortable Ladebox
- Very easy handling
- Extensive mounting options
- Free app
- Many accessories included
- Very good price-performance ratio
Cons
- Gain control on the camera receiver is a bit too loose
- Attaching the windscreen to the microphones is a test of patience