We use the same process for every microphone we test, and we've tested an awful lot over the years. Given that our day-to-day working life requires a whole host of meetings we will test each mic as part of our standard office kit. That way we will be able to hear what it sounds like from our colleagues in the standard way you might end up using it yourself.
As part of that long-term testing—usually at least two weeks of in-place testing—we will get an idea of what it's like to set up the microphone, and what it's like to live with it. That will highlight any foibles that might arise under normal conditions that you wouldn't otherwise see from a quick afternoon of testing.
We will also run test recordings on each microphone, using our standard script of out of context gaming quotes, and reference those recordings back to our historical catalogue of older recordings. That way we can hear exactly what a given mic will sound like in comparison with other microphones we've tested.The polar pattern is the way a mic captures the sound around it. These are the most common polar patterns: Bidirectional:Picks up sound from every direction.
Having a good mic will also mean you don't have to use a gaming headset at all. For us audiophiles who prefer a great set of headphones that come without a mic at all, a desk-based option is the only way to roll.This isn't a fashion show, but the form factor is still something that matters. In the case of a standing mic, you'll be staring at it every time you're sitting at your desk—and attachable mics need to make sure they aren't too distracting either.
A mic's form factor can also play a role in how adaptable it is, as you'll need to make space for it. We used every mic in multiple settings with different PCs, keyboards, and monitors, getting a feel for how they looked and performed in each environment. As a streamer, your mic will also be in view for your audience, so its appearance is relevant.