FiFine AM8 Review / Test (vs. K688, GoMic, SM58, SM7b)

[@Pedakin]

Someone recommended your channel on Reddit do I rushed over. Trying to find the best quality mic under $200 to get rid of my AKG P120. I'll do my research on your account. Very comprehensive video, way to be in depth and compare to the SM7B. Love it.

[@techmed-rainer]

Danke! Thank you for introducing the FiFine AM8 to us, Bandrew. I like how it sounds, especially at this price. Other than that I don’t think it’s good recommendation for its target group. Streaming or talkiking head videos done by more unexperienced users will be compromised easily. It picks up way to much tapping and keyboard noise. In addition there is this barely usable mount. For me personally it makes it very hard to recommend this mic even considering its low price.

[@Podcastage]

@@techmed-rainer I think you offer a really great analysis about the mic and I think the mount is its biggest drawback. If they were to update that it would be a much better offering.

[@djtoman6875]

The handling noise and yoke are weaknesses, for sure, and an update that sounds as good and resolves those issues would be great. But until then just mount it and leave it alone.

[@actualnotanewbie]

I actually like the sensitivity, I crank up the compression so that if I step away from my desk and keep talking you can still hear me and it sounds great basically no matter where I am unless I'm behind the mic

[@jcdagod]

been waiting for this to drop

[@DaveSoltura]

What an amazing review! 😀 “Insane value”, “tonally… really nice”, and “better than some mics 3x the price” are exactly what I’ve thought of this mic! It’s nice to get some validation and relief after having these opinions for more than a year now. The screws on the side can easily be tightened sufficiently, in my experience. Always rooting for you, Bandrew!🎉

[@mirzaangon]

make a video about it!

[@50Cal_Actual]

I bought the AM8 during a black friday sale and have been really happy with it. I do use XLR, but I also use a boom arm where the XLR cable does not get to weigh down the mic to where it moves around too much.

[@ThatOneCat_]

This is exactly the video I needed at the perfect time! I just was reccomending a budget USB dynamic mic to a friend, and wanted to see how this one sounded. I'm so glad you uploaded it, because you are easily the best microphone test channel. Keep making great content!

[@lucasfifine1211]

Thanks for reviewing the FIFINE AmpliGame AM8, mate!

[@mrbubonic]

i've been watching your videos every now and then for years now and its really nice to see you're still here making these high quality tests and reviews. its also nice to see people aren't including stickers to these mics anymore 😂

[@Podcastage]

I’ve been trying to stay consistent and have been really loving the process. I haven’t seen a sticker in a long time either. Thanks for watching!

[@travisshaw3866]

Hey, Bandrew, I've been watching your videos for the past year, including a lot of your older videos, and I've noticed your music has evolved a lot. Your guitar playing and chord structures have become more complex and darker than in earlier videos. Not that the earlier songs were not also good and funny your quirky witty way, but just that I like how your music has evolved and jwanted to tell you so. Have you ever thought about somehow making a compilation videos of your songs, a kind "Best of" series or something? If not, you should consider it! I think people would enjoy it. You're guitar playing is good. P.S. Sorry if my comment about Fifine on your other channel came off in the wrong way! :)

[@Podcastage]

I really appreciate you noticing the evolution in the music section. I had been trying to keep things as similar as possible from video to video. Palm muting accentuates lower frequencies so I just stuck with that stuff for consistency sake. But every video doesn't need to be identical so I figured I'd explore a bit more. I will definitely consider doing a compilation of the songs. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@travisshaw3866]

@@Podcastage ​​⁠Well, in that case, maybe you will let me throw out another idea as food for thought, as you consider a compilation video. Maybe you could somehow introduce two songs at a time, then let commenters vote on their favorite of the two.. The winners of each "song battle" could be selected in tournament-fashion for the "best of" compilation. Or, you could ask people in survey/contest-fashion to give you their "best of" list and those songs could somehow make up the compilation. I don't know if any of these ideas are good or terrible. I'm just one of those people who has, for better or worse, lots of ideas for other people! 😂 Well, that, and as a guitarist and songwriter myself, I've noticed you know your way around the fretboard and have wanted to comment on it for awhile!

[@luisardox]

thanks for the review! i was waiting a long time, and it was worth it because no one had mentioned the problem with the mount but i can think a few ways to fix that, what i like about this microphone is that out of the box it has that low tone which i think would sound great with my high pitched voice 🤣and it is always on sale, I even saw it for 35 dollars. 🤑

[@justsomeone953]

awesome stuff going the extra mile by comparing this to so many mics ... love it :)

[@ObscureTech]

As a lover of budget gear…I loved this video, as its validation for all the am8 fans, and there are a lot of them.

[@djtoman6875]

It’s a great mic.

[@sibidb]

I've been streaming using this mic for a good while now, insanely good value. For my purposes which is just purely livestreaming video games it does what it needs to and I'm very happy with the audio quality. Only downsides I see to it is cheap build quality (knobs in particular feel bad) and handling noises but not really noticeable if you don't move around the mic a lot (I just keep it in one position and practice good mic distancing), but hey it's 50$ when I paid for mine so can't complain too much.

[@Podcastage]

Yeah I agree that the value is insane, and it seems like you're getting a lot of good use out of it.

[@Azxiana]

I love that you nearly kept it together for the entirety of the U87 Ai comparison. XD

[@coffeehigh420]

Podcastage, whats with the cap ? Thanks!

[@PabloRayHere]

Hey, firstly I would like to say that I LOVE YOUR CONTENT, I have been a viewer since you had 10k subs, and I am still viewing your videos till date and still feel you are the best audio related youtube channel to exist. My current microphone AT2035 recently stopped working somehow for some reason after years of usage. I as a vocalist am looking to do a huge upgrade for myself as well as a studio that I run. Now for my request, would be able to do a review on the Neumann TLM 107? It's sound intrigues me and I think would sound good on a tenor vocal like me with slight nasally tone. I would especially love it to be compared to the TLM 49. My budget lies around that range, I'd be open to purchase any other mic at that range too, but I'd prefer neumann or sony or such a brand name as it draws customers to my studio, as well as for that reason even though I love the TLM 49 I think I am leaning towards TLM 107 as it has so many polar patterns and adjustments I feel it will be a great workhorse for all kinds of vocals and instruments. If you find time and find worth in it, I would love a TLM 107 review and comparison video.

[@yo3429]

I guess if you throw some rubber rings or shims in, the mount is fixed. Or am I wrong?

[@YvdB]

It gives some nice liveliness to your voice.

[@deadboidex]

i have this mic and love it for the price i think its worth it!

[@Podcastage]

I'm glad you're enjoying it! It's a great option for the price.

[@clintedmonson]

FYI…there’s a 3D printed shock mount on Etsy for this mic. Highly recommended to make this usable.

[@SecretlySeven]

This video should be linked as the first comment on every video where the creator wasted money an SM7b just to flex on camera...

[@justyuriforever]

xD

[@clumsykiki]

That loose stand when using XLR is pretty bad. Otherwise, sounds great compared to the other microphones, especially for its price. Nice complete review!

[@Malyarevsky]

While reviewing the review, I had a spatial spectrogram open after work and I accidentally noticed this. All cheap USB microphones (all up to AT 2040) including AM8 somehow do not give a full mono signal. There are small stereo spikes everywhere almost throughout the frequency spectrum. They are no more than 10-15 percent to the left or right and it is almost imperceptible to the ear, but nevertheless, if for some reason it is important to someone.

[@twistedpopo]

Got this over a year ago. I really wanted to get the K688 but got the AM8 for around $40. I was hoping a Bandrew review before getting this and now we're here.

[@chaclan05]

I think the build quality might vary with each, because my tension screws tighten enough to support me setting my headphones (just to test it) at the base of the AM8

[@jasonfields6514]

Super smooth sounding mic for the money!

[@The-Skyking]

Sounds better than the Shure. For $55 this sounds awesome. Sucks about the tension screws.

[@JasonWelchMusic]

I just bought my first mac. Laugh if you want, but I bought it solely for the purpose of using GarageBand. Ive got 24g ram/512gb ssd on the new m4 silicon chip. So it should handle a 32 channel interface with no problems. If its compatible (and it should be) its a win/win for home studios who want a set-it-and-forget-it setup where you can leave all channels the same for every song. (ie: piano ch1, guitar ch2, bass ch3, vocal ch4...etc).

[@tjzuppe]

Bandrew: “If I let it go, it just flops over…” *stares in Bark*

[@OlexanderZnaharenkoUA]

It sounds... Nice!

[@ActionPopCast]

Forget the mic, the guitar and vox was epic, SOAD vibes

[@Podcastage]

Really appreciate that ActionPop!

[@MattIsSleepy]

Hello! Question here, what makes your main room "treated" > Do you have some sort of foam or etc on the wall? My current room echoes like a mf and I'm trying to do something to make it sound better, do I need to cover all walls with something? or just a few panels of foam or a blanket or etc on one or two? Thanks in advance!

[@mrbloodyhell]

I think you meant to say it feels fifine 0:43

[@Podcastage]

@@mrbloodyhell I was thinking that while editing. 💀

[@dynastes4938]

To be fair, that is a Tom Buck joke, not a Podcastage joke xD

[@DaveSoltura]

And apparently, the official pronunciation according to fifine is “finefine”. So that would make it twice as fine! 😀

[@meistudiony]

😐 (meh). For the money though, someone starting out, yeah i can see this working out pretty well. The lights just screams toy to me though. A nice resonant body at 900hz. Overall though doesn't sound BAD. 16 bit matters not. If you were recording jazz or dynamic orchestral stuff, then yeah, you want the advantages of 24 bit for better noise floor performance, but for this and most purposes.... 16 is fine. Great review as always.

[@IcecalGamer]

It's noooot bad. O>O 45$ and simultaneous usb+XRL AND decent mute button. SUX that the mount screws make it floppy. No one wants a floppy 🎤

[@KillahKuin]

What a nice SM7b.

[@justyuriforever]

?

[@wanderpetes]

This mic isn't just fine, it's fifine.

[@SKIMER]

Weird request - can you test the Superlux S502 MKII? It's a dual-capsule ORTF mic.

[@realstuff1955]

Are those headphones the Rode NTH-100?

[@JoseOnTheAir]

Funny enough, I have seen a custom shock mount for this mic around $20 on Etsy and it works well. I do think at the price point, the sound is so competitive. It's unfortunate the mount kills the XLR functionality, but I'd be curious to see what you think of the Fifine Tank 3, built more like the K669D but also XLR/USB.

[@VinhNguyen-ye9fx]

Waiting for elgato wave neo review…

[@Franco-64]

Hey man, discovered your channel like a week ago and I've been really enjoying your reviews so far. I'm looking for the best dynamic USB mic for gaming, I will probably use it with a desktop stand. It should have decent background noise isolation against keyboard noise etc. and shouldn't cost more than $300. Can you please recommend me something? Thanks in advance.

[@Tarkov.]

Check out the Rode podmic USB

[@Franco-64]

@@Tarkov.Is it better than the Shure MV7+?

[@kiriiba]

I have it rn

[@PeterPalDesign]

I was just searching for AM8 review and thinking: "Why Podcastage didnt do a review, its out for months?" and you just dropped it 😀 1. I fixed the mounting system/screws, just by adding Washer under the holding screws and its steady like any other mic 2. I use it as a 3rd, or 4th back up mic, for travels, in case something happens, so I dont damage expensive mic. 3. I use EQ for mics anyway, so I fine tune the sound to my liking, but its a good starting position

[@fluphybunny930]

Must be an easy way to pack the mount out and allow it to tighten further. Not ideal but an easy fix.

[@Olupko]

Just use a couple of washers and the mount tension is gonna be fine.

[@Podcastage]

Interesting suggestion. Thanks.

[@wavydane]

i love the square foam

[@_Sigfried_]

What worries me about this mic is reliability, can't deny it sounds great for the price but I wouldn't trust it to last more than a year

[@rangersmith4652]

No stickers!! That's a no from me. But ha ha, I own a Fifine SC3 interface, and I really like it for what it is. The AM8 sounds pretty good, but that RGB ring is hideous.

[@zdoswiadczenia]

Sheeesh, MV6 sounds terrible

[@AnthonyMayella-c3u]

maono pd400x pls

[@GS-888]

Sounds good, but I don't like the led light and construction is economic.

[@Narutouzumaki3226]

Hey mate, what should i get? My room is untreated one and there are sounds which able to distract and reduce my quality such as motocycle sound, neighbour sound, air conditioner,etc. So that's why i search for a good quality mic which introduce me to sm7b or sm7db, from my condition should i decide to buy sm7b or db or should i get another mic and do you have any recomendatio? Thanks

[@justyuriforever]

Please don't get the SM7B or DB 🙏 The microphone in this video seems pretty suited for your case, so I would go with that one ^^

[@Narutouzumaki3226]

@justyuriforever thank you for your kindly response, well i want to upgrade from my shure mv 7, is this mic the answer? P.s: i have focusrite scarlet solo gen 4th and xlr cable

[@justyuriforever]

@@Narutouzumaki3226 Ah, I see. That with the upgrade depends entirely which sound you prefer from both.

[@justyuriforever]

@@Narutouzumaki3226 But I would say, it honestly is, since I like the tone better and also the background rejection is better.

[@Narutouzumaki3226]

@@justyuriforever okey thank you

[@kalorko]

only now xdd, train is not even close now

[@pondeepanrajpaids3808]

can i use this mic for singing ?

[@taunbeddes7055]

The Yeti sounded like garbage.

[@scooba789]

Fifine are frustrating, because their mics actually sound pretty decent, especially for the prices, but that's let down by their build quality, which can be heard in the atrocious handling noise and shock rejection. I had to sell my K688 because even moving the cable would make a noise.

[@SecretlySeven]

Those screws can be tightened. Also that issue seems to be rare. Rare enough it might even be just your example.

[@Podcastage]

I tightened them down as far as I could and verified with another person that they encountered the same issue.

[@silvalocutor993]

0:45 It feels more than fine...it feels FiFine. Don't worry, I know my way out.

[@Podcastage]

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Throw tomatoes at this man!

[@aaroncobeng]

Just watched another of you videos. Are you losing weight man?

[@nerdistanwolf]

no stickers? im shocked, SHOCKED, i say

[@Metro_Gnome]

I bought the k688 way back when it was like $48. I dont know what happened to that price, but im glad i got it for what i think its worth And thats facts. The shure beta 57A is on sale its like within $30 of this nic right now Usb or no.....the beta 57a is waaaaay better than these fifines. I have both and i use the k688 a LOT, i love the XLR through a comica ad2 into a phone or camera 3.5 jack ....but compared to the BETA 57a or Shure 58....for my voice and the fact im playing an acoustic guitar 87% of the day... Obviously i love shure 57s...

[@Podcastage]

The other thing to consider with a beta 57a is that you need to get an interface. So add another $30-$100 to the cost and it's $60-$130 more than AM8. That's why I mentioned the XM8500 because that's $20 and the UM2 is $30-$40, so it's within the same range. Regardless, glad you found what you're looking for!

[@calderondy]

Still waitng for the tank 3 review

[@FLOODOFSINS]

We were all expecting a review of the rode wireless go v3

[@Podcastage]

I didn’t know about it until they announced it yesterday.

[@21ferebee]

amazing video as always. There is no one on KZbin who breaks down mics like you do. Do you have a favorite Xlr/usb mic under $75.00 that you recommended or like just to do podcasting. What would that be?

[@FLOODOFSINS]

@@21ferebee is that a serious question? Just watch a couple videos and it's pretty clear that he has a favorite. I'm surprised he doesn't give all of his microphone names like other weather people name hurricanes.

[@tricogustrico]

I don't like the sound

[@ultravaluetech24]

I have this mic, the sound is OK for cheap mic, but usability wise it's Absolute JUNK! -It mutes all the time on its own and u don't even realise it lol, the proximity sensor for the mute ''button'' is absolute garbage -Doesn't properly works with Smartphones -It's not Loud Enough -Problems A LOT of the times connecting to PC using USB. You get what you pay for & there are a lot of Paid Shilltubers Promoting it and overhyping it.

[@7171jay]

Sounds like junk and seems to have pretty seriously questionable build quality as well. For a few more dollars just get an XM8500 and a budget interface and call it done.

[@yakucho8123]

XM8500 sounds way better lol

[@PaiN-mp3bz]

i would love for you to choose for me, i want to buy one of those am8 or K688 , and i really really genuinely would rather your honest opinion-(price aside) just sound quality @podcastage just one word fromyou ;-;