Xtra Muse Review: A Cheaper Pocket 3 Alternative

TL;DR

The Xtra Muse firmware update adds direct Bluetooth connectivity for DJI Mic Mini, Mic 2, and Mic 3 transmitters without requiring a separate receiver. Audio tests found its wireless microphone performance broadly comparable to the DJI Pocket 3, although the Pocket 3 remains preferable when prices are close because it offers official DJI support, more firmware updates, and a more established ecosystem.

Transcript

A while back, I tested this really strange camera called the Extra Muse. It looks almost identical to the DJI Pocket 3. Same design, same menus, even very similar image quality. But it was missing one feature that made the Pocket 3 so useful. You couldn't connect a wireless mic directly to the camera. Well, this all changes because this camera just... Read More

Key Insights

• The firmware update adds direct Bluetooth wireless microphone connectivity to the Xtra Muse and other cameras in the Xtra line, eliminating the need to attach a separate receiver to the USB-C port for supported DJI microphones.
• The Xtra Muse supports the DJI Mic Mini, DJI Mic 2, and DJI Mic 3, giving owners several transmitter choices with different capabilities, including backup recording and a 3.5 mm input on the Mic 2.
• The microphone pairing process works through a new wireless mic menu, where the camera detects a transmitter after its connection button is held and then provides settings similar to those available on the DJI Pocket 3.
• The Xtra Muse retains paired microphone information after being powered off and restarted, allowing users to reconnect without repeating the initial setup process each time they begin recording.
• The connected transmitter can remotely trigger recording on the Xtra Muse, while the main shooting interface displays microphone status and audio levels and allows users to adjust volume during operation.
• Two DJI Mic 3 transmitters can connect to the Xtra Muse simultaneously, making the camera suitable for recordings involving multiple speakers without requiring an external wireless receiver.
• The blind audio comparison found no dramatic quality difference between the Xtra Muse and DJI Pocket 3 when both used the DJI Mic Mini with identical settings across outdoor, background-noise, and noise-cancellation tests.
• The DJI Pocket 3 remains the reviewer's preferred purchase when prices are close because it is the official DJI product with longer-term support, more firmware updates, and a more established ecosystem.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do you connect a DJI wireless mic to the Xtra Muse?

First, download the camera's mobile app, connect the Xtra Muse to a phone, and install the firmware update that adds Bluetooth wireless microphone support. After updating, open the camera settings and select the wireless mic menu. Hold the connection button on the DJI transmitter until the camera finds it, select connect, and then configure the available microphone settings.

Q: Which DJI microphones work directly with the Xtra Muse?

The updated Xtra Muse supports direct connections with the DJI Mic Mini, DJI Mic 2, and DJI Mic 3. All three models were connected during testing. The Mic 2 adds benefits such as backup recording and a 3.5 mm input, while the camera also exposes relevant transmitter controls after a compatible microphone has been paired.

Q: Does the Xtra Muse need a separate wireless microphone receiver?

A separate receiver is no longer required when using a supported DJI wireless microphone after installing the firmware update. Previously, users had to plug a receiver into the camera's USB-C port, which added bulk and left hardware hanging from the compact camera. Direct Bluetooth connectivity preserves the smaller setup intended for portable vlogging and YouTube recording.

Q: Does the Xtra Muse remember a paired DJI microphone?

The Xtra Muse remembers its paired microphone after the camera is powered off and turned back on. Testing with the DJI Mic Mini showed that the connection remained available after restarting the camera. This reduces repeated setup work and makes the wireless microphone system more practical when users need to start filming quickly.

Q: Can two wireless microphones connect to the Xtra Muse?

Two DJI Mic 3 transmitters connected to the Xtra Muse successfully during testing. The camera displayed both connections without requiring a separate receiver. This multiple-microphone capability can support recordings with more than one speaker, while the camera's interface provides access to transmitter settings such as low cut and backup recording where available.

Q: How does Xtra Muse audio compare with DJI Pocket 3 audio?

The blind comparison found that Xtra Muse and DJI Pocket 3 recordings sounded very similar when both cameras used the DJI Mic Mini with identical audio settings. Both captured the speaker clearly, and neither was dramatically better. The comparison included walking outdoors with wind and background noise, plus tests with noise cancellation turned off, low, and high.

Q: What microphone controls are available on the Xtra Muse?

The updated Xtra Muse provides controls similar to those on the DJI Pocket 3, including low cut filtering, clipping control, monitor volume, and visible audio levels. Users can adjust microphone volume from the main shooting interface. With compatible transmitters, the settings also include features such as backup recording, and the transmitter's connection button can trigger camera recording.

Q: Should you buy the Xtra Muse instead of the DJI Pocket 3?

The Xtra Muse is a compelling choice when it is significantly cheaper or when the DJI Pocket 3 is unavailable. The reviewer cited typical prices of about $420 for the Xtra Muse and $520 for the Pocket 3, while noting a $440 Pocket 3 listing at the time of recording. When prices are close, the reviewer prefers the Pocket 3 for official DJI support, additional firmware updates, and its established ecosystem.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A firmware update gives the Xtra Muse and other Xtra cameras direct Bluetooth connectivity with DJI wireless microphones. Installation requires the camera's mobile app and a phone connection. Once updated, the wireless microphone menu supports pairing without a receiver attached to the camera's USB-C port, creating a smaller setup.

• Testing confirmed compatibility with the DJI Mic Mini, Mic 2, and Mic 3. The Xtra Muse remembered a paired transmitter after restarting, accepted remote recording commands, displayed audio levels, and provided controls for features such as low cut, clipping control, monitor volume, backup recording, and microphone gain.

• A blind comparison used identical audio settings on the Xtra Muse and DJI Pocket 3, including tests while walking outdoors and using different noise cancellation levels. The recordings sounded very similar overall. The Xtra Muse is compelling when significantly cheaper, but the reviewer favors the Pocket 3 when their prices are close.