Audiatechnica mic broken in windows AND linux

[FlpDaMattress]

Hello lads, I recently picked up an Audia-Technica AT2020 USB+ on eBay and first impressions have been less then stellar. The mic sounds the way it should when I am literally a centimeter away but backup to about 3 inches and I'm barely audible. This happens in Windows 10 and Kubuntu, I don't have a Windows 7 ISO to test, It sounds the same playing back in windows/Linux and from the built in monitor itself (tested with AKG earbuds and Senheiser HD4.40's) The last thing I want to do is return it, but I'm genuinely at a loss. I've even tried plugging the mic directly into a phone charger and listening to the monitor that way. nothing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

demo of what's happening:

mictest.wav

 

[The Flying Sloth]

This is exactly the reason I tend to not recommend USB mics, when they break you can't do a thing about it.
The 2020USB has fixed gain before the converter so there's really not anything you can do.

Better options to replace it with are the AT2005, Samson Q2U or the Thomann MB88U if you really want a USB mic.

[FlpDaMattress]

4 hours ago, The Flying Sloth said:

This is exactly the reason I tend to not recommend USB mics, when they break you can't do a thing about it.
The 2020USB has fixed gain before the converter so there's really not anything you can do.

Better options to replace it with are the AT2005, Samson Q2U or the Thomann MB88U if you really want a USB mic.

It just came in the mail yesterday so I think I'm just going to return it. Wasn't too concerned with USB mics after i've had a CAD U37 for years. Guess I wasn't ready to upgrade after all.