The build and handling of the Godox Movelink II M2 stack up to form an attractive package for anyone looking for an alternative to the Rode Wireless Go II system. Through the test, the performance of the Godox Movelink II M2 has been generally impressive. Sound quality is an obvious step up from Canon EOS R5 C and Sony A7 III onboard mics, but then that’s to be expected to the point there is no comparison. The audio through these units is clear and crisp with good rich tones as long as you get the mic positioning correct.
Overall audio quality when the receiver is connected to the camera through a 3.5mm cable is good, but as ever, to get the most out of the audio quality, plugging them into a Tascam or similar will elevate that quality.
Testing out with the small onboard mic integrated with the transmitters and then attacking the Lavalier mics, it was nice to hear that there wasn’t much of a change in quality. The small clip mics pack decent quality.
The more I used the system, the more I realised that there was a tendency for the levels to peak easily if not carefully set; this is an obvious and easy tweak that can be adjusted in the camera or directly on the units.
However, the one issue I did have was the digital noise reduction that just missed the mark and gave the audio a muted, faded and often digitised tone. Switching off the noise reduction boosted the quality significantly, so something to test in your location before you rely on it.
The set-up and use of the Godox Movelink II M2 are straightforward and intuitive. Its automatic pairing is a handy feature once you power on each of the three units. The link is highlighted on the unit’s small screens, which are very neat and easy to understand, featuring small symbols to highlight pairing, noise reduction and mute mode.
The 2.4GHz wireless and frequency-hopping technology works well at maintaining a strong connection, although there were instances where the sound quality deteriorated slightly. The device’s range has performed consistently and delivers clear sound even at long distances.
The battery life of the Godox Movelink II M2 is impressive, easily lasting a full day of shooting. The USB Type-C charging is convenient and enables you to charge up on your Bluetti AC180.
In principle, a feature that looks like a great idea is the magnetic fasteners, essentially a small disc that you put inside your shirt before attaching the transmitter. The issue is the strength of the magnets is just a little too weak, so in use, it’s all too easy to knock the mics off.
The slimline case is a nice addition, but this is just a charging case that requires external power in order to charge the units within. There’s no internal battery that helps keep things topped up.
Overall, the Godox Movelink II M2 compares favourably with similar products, offering good audio quality as long as you avoid noise reduction, and it also offers a considerably lower price than competitors like the RODE Wireless Go II mics.