Fifine K688 Unboxing & First Look (K688 vs SM7b)

[@DaveSoltura]

Update: Bought a second Fifine K688 in hopes that the USB would work… but it still didn’t work properly. If you’re going to get it, be ready for that possibility. I hope Fifine works on improving their stock soon! I’d be happy to review a fully functional unit.

[@geloandjoyTV]

Hi. Just bought this and I have the same problem. Tried with other USBC cable but it's still not working. I think there's a problem with the USBC port. What's their course of action for your defective mic?

[@DaveSoltura]

@@geloandjoyTV That sucks, man. Honestly, I didn't reach out to them for a replacement or anything, because I'm okay with the XLRs. But if Fifine is reading this, they should consider doing that and improving their preamps QC. It's surprising really, considering USB mics are their thing. Here's a budget-friendly interface that goes well with it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqOmiatmh91nnLM

[@geloandjoyTV]

@@DaveSoltura Just watched it too and planning to buy it as well. I tried to reach them out today and I'll see what will be their response. Does the mute and volume knobs aren't really working with XLR cable?

[@DaveSoltura]

@@geloandjoyTV They don't seem to work, as the mic doesn't even light up. Basically, it appears to become a plain XLR mic when not in USB mode. You would control the audio via your interface.

[@soversatile]

@@geloandjoyTV how's your mic now?

[@blackjohnny0]

If you wanna XLR and you like SM7b, you should go for Superlux mic. It's basically SM7b.

[@yunu2647]

Very unique review loved it

[@Trimukas]

Do you get stand in the box?

[@DaveSoltura]

You do not!

[@Trimukas]

@@DaveSoltura oh thats sad

[@pixelbat]

I have this mic, and the USB works great, so does the XLR. The XLR is slightly richer sounding.

[@DaveSoltura]

Thanks for chiming in! I'm glad that the USB worked for you. :) I can imagine that's how it would be, i.e. the XLR being slightly richer sounding.

[@sayukiichi]

I also have the same problem with the USB mode, the noise is so bad that it's unusable if I ever use it outside 😭 glad it has the XLR input though Also this is a very nice review and comparison against the SM7B 👏

[@DaveSoltura]

Thanks for sharing!! At least I know I’m not the only one.😅 But yes, really glad it has XLR, and the Teyun Q12 interface is super affordable! My latest video is about that. :)

[@titofrank3094]

Awesome review, Dave! I'm seriously considering getting this. Were you able to get the usb thing working?

[@DaveSoltura]

Thanks for stopping by my channel, Tito Frank! I tried a second time, but it didn’t work… so I ordered a second one in hopes it would work. I’ll share my findings with that soon. :) Worst case: if the USB really won’t work, my latest video talks about a P900 interface that works with it!!

[@EquippedPig]

If you're still looking I highly recommends it, I was gonna use the XLR but after setting up the usb side of it, sounds sooo good highly recommend this bad boy

[@MellonSage]

i just got the fifne k688 mic and I don't have xlr I use it with the USBC cable warning if you use XLR yousacrafice the mute button but the differences between XLR and USBC arent that different you can barley tell that's how good this budget mic is I have a video coming out on September 11th next Monday Luigi's Mansion 3 walkthrough part 3 - 20min- if you want to hear the mic and how it sounds with filters on and with game sounds in the background and for USBC it doesn't sound terrible it actually sounds pretty damn good with my experience and if your starting off the fifne k688 is a no brainer trust me you wont regret it at all.

[@tonynguyen4918]

Can you compare it to the Elgato Wave DX or just tell me which one of them is better

[@MashBro]

Haha this is hilarious! Thanks for the review, mate. This helps!

[@DaveSoltura]

😂 Thanks! Glad it helped.

[@Phil2Diamond]

i was about to get the k688 until i heard that usb sound, now I'm back to looking around I guess,

[@DaveSoltura]

With a proper USB 3.0 cable, it sounds great. :)

[@Scepsis_]

Do you need a gain booster for the SM7B? I’m looking to get it and I really want to know what I would need for it.

[@DaveSoltura]

For the SM7b, you would if you're using something like a Focusrite Scarlett Solo or 2i2 as an interface. If you get a Motu M2, which is a full-fledged interface on its own, you won’t need a gain booster.

[@Scepsis_]

@@DaveSoltura thanks. then what is a decent interface that is pretty cheap? I dont want to spend all my money on an interface. I was going to get the 2i2 since it is only $80. Do you have a cheap recommendation that doesn't need a gain booster?

[@blackjohnny0]

Looks like they got poor quality control. Mine works at USB, but it's kinda quiet and mute button doesn't work properly.

[@DaveSoltura]

Yeah, it’s a bummer, really. Their QC for other models isn’t this bad. First time I’ve had a fifine mic conk out like this.

[@blackjohnny0]

@@DaveSoltura I have to set gain to 100% both physically and in software and it is still kinda quiet (USB mode)...

[@DaveSoltura]

@@blackjohnny0 I got it to work via USB now too (using USB 3.0) so I know what you mean! When you speak, how far is your mouth from the tip of the mic?

[@blackjohnny0]

@@DaveSoltura 5-10 cm.

[@DaveSoltura]

Yeah, that’s already pretty close. It’s a dynamic so it’s substantially more quiet than condensers, so I’m not sure if that’s the reason…

[@CoversbyPatYam]

Where did you get this Dave? I was trying to check their official store on Lazada but it's not available there. PS: I'm planning to get Shure MV7-K next week but when I saw this, I feel like I should consider this as well, but I don't know where to buy it.

[@DaveSoltura]

Hi Patty! For some reason, it’s available in the official store for me: s.lazada.com.ph/s.gcw28 If you do decide to get it, let me know how it goes!!

[@CoversbyPatYam]

@@DaveSoltura thanks for the link!

[@DaveSoltura]

@@CoversbyPatYam My pleasure! :)

[@okietokki]

I found this mic selling for 2.5k in JG Superstore on Lazada, I ordered it but I'm scared, do you think the mic is legit?

[@DaveSoltura]

@@okietokki That sounds way too low for its price elsewhere… Saw it too. JG is generally legit, and there’s a slight chance it could be a promo. Personally, I wouldn’t go for it and buy straight from fifine.

[@TechnologyRules]

You just got a new subscriber. Nice videos. I loved the acting anime-style

[@DaveSoltura]

Thanks so much!🙏🏻

[@soversatile]

What do you think using this mic for voice over? would you recommend it? or there is better mic that i can use for voice over at this price range?

[@DaveSoltura]

Long answer: “Better” has a lot to do with your needs and situation, and there are many mics out there that are great. VO mics tend to be condenser mics, but dynamic mics have their own advantages. Short answer: Can’t really go wrong with this!

[@soversatile]

@@DaveSoltura yeah i'm not professional tho, just started interested to do some voice over and thingking to upgrade my mic from bm 800 with crazy background noise, still confused to buy this or atr2500x

[@DaveSoltura]

@@soversatile I’d choose this over the Atr2500x any day. Just a heads up that the usb may end up not working, so maybe get a Teyun Q12 with it!

[@soversatile]

@@DaveSoltura yepp, i was thingking that too because atr2500x didn't have an xlr and more pricey 😂 i will ask them to check the usb before they send it on lazada

[@soversatile]

@@DaveSoltura one more, Teyun Q12 or Yamaha M4G?

[@sylcarter1582]

This is now the second vid that I’ve seen, where the USB didnt work. I think I’ll still buy because it still sounds good and it’s $70 but they should probably fix that.

[@DaveSoltura]

I feel the same way! I’d still buy it if I had to start over. Still a good deal overall. You could find a USB 3.0 cable or get a cheap interface like the Teyun Q12 for starters.

[@SBGGAMING-LOL]

can the k658 windscreen fit on the fifine k688?

[@Swxzy101]

does it come with xlr cable or am i going to have to buy separately?

[@DaveSoltura]

You have to buy it separately.

[@blitz-kun005]

@9:44 I feel attacked

[@vincetuibeo]

Awesome review! if i would be making a carry anywhere setup for a podcast or streaming while travelling, would you recommend that I be getting one of these? I got super interested with the weight. Carrying around something light and good would be amazing! and for a streamer who also do voice work, would you recommend K688s over a samson q2u or a rode podmic? Thanks Dave!

[@DaveSoltura]

Hey Vince!! Great to see you here! It really depends on what you consider to be light! Some brands market their products as portable, but sometimes even those are heavy. Sound-wise, I do like the K688 as a personal preference. As a former owner of the Q2U, I can say the Q2U sounds fairly full, but dull for my taste. For its USB mode (micro usb) you don't get much gain, so you end up having more noise in your noise floor. Fifine has this new thing for including crazy good preamps inside their new mics, so if the unit you get has a functioning USB c port, the K688 would beat the Q2U any day. At 0.937kg, the Rode podmic is a mammoth in terms of weight in spite the size. If by travel, you mean a mic that you can take with you for luggage and eventually store in hotel rooms, sure the K688 would work. But as a mic to fit into a sling bag, the size could cause discomfort, even though it’s not that heavy. It's weird because Amazon lists an item weight of 0.73kg, and Fifine lists a shipping weight of 1kg on their website. But I put it on a weighing scale, and it's only 0.309kg! That's lighter than my Sony ZV-E10 Mirrorless camera with a kit lens. Since it's that light, you could still potentially bring a small interface like the Teyun Q12, which I'm unboxing next. It has two XLR inputs, so I'm hoping that might work! That would just make the workflow generally easier.

[@theiammike123]

Fifine K688 vs Maono PD100. Which is better?

[@DaveSoltura]

For singing, I’d pick the K688, since it has warmer tones. :) But there really are many factors to consider such as your budget, and if you plan to start with XLR or USB.

[@theiammike123]

@@DaveSoltura Ever tried the BOYA BY-DM500?

[@DaveSoltura]

@@theiammike123 Thanks for calling attention to it! Something to consider for future videos. :)

[@briantamagos2306]

Great review! Is the shock mount removable?

[@DaveSoltura]

Great question! Sadly, it’s screwed on.

[@johnlestheruy4526]

Thank you for the amazing reviews, I watched most of your videos for the Fifine K688 and it helped me decide to buy it, just waiting for it to arrive. hopefully the usb will work out of the box if not I will purchase the Teyun Q12 which you also reviewed. Thank you again. You have a new subscriber :)

[@DaveSoltura]

Thanks for subscribing. Enjoy your K688!

[@johnlestheruy4526]

@@DaveSoltura Thank you the Fifine K688 arrived today and as of now the usb is working just fine. I didn't encounter the same issue you had with the ones you reviewed. and the packaging kinda changed for the foam atleast and it now includes a small hefty tripod

[@DaveSoltura]

@@johnlestheruy4526 Interesting! Glad to know! Thanks for sharing!

[@furnacecrafter]

Would you rather take the fifine k685 or fifine k688. I don't no what i would rather buy.

[@DaveSoltura]

K688 because it has an xlr port! I also prefer the sound.

[@furnacecrafter]

And whats about the design?

[@DaveSoltura]

@@furnacecrafter I think the K688 looks more professional, so I feel pretty good about using it for podcasts and videos for sponsors. But that's my personal preference.

[@furnacecrafter]

@@DaveSoltura ok thank you. I think about it.

[@furnacecrafter]

And did you buy it on the fifine website or on amazon or something?

[@benjiang9789]

K688 is simply cheap. In sound, it is no rival of SM7b.

[@DaveSoltura]

Shure looks the part, though!😂

[@Speed_Monger]

Hey man, awesome video :) I have the same mic and I want it to sound like yours. Could you share the settings or any other suggestions?

[@DaveSoltura]

Hey, sure thing! Are you using it with an audio interface? If yes, which one?

[@Speed_Monger]

@@DaveSoltura I currently have the Behringer UM2 XLR interface

[@DaveSoltura]

@@Speed_Monger Still a great interface for the price. :) Lots of things you can do in post to make it sound beefier. Adding compression will make a big difference!

[@Speed_Monger]

@@DaveSoltura gotcha any tips on adjusting the highs, mids and lows?

[@DaveSoltura]

@@Speed_Monger Well, this mic sounds pretty good as it is for most cases! It’s generally balanced-sounding, and the EQ depends on what you plan on using it for, i.e voiceovers, singing, etc. You should be good with your UM2. I’m still going to make a full review of this mic, and I’ll make a comparison between the UM2 and Motu M2 as interfaces while using the K688. Stay tuned!

[@cristianhaivaz]

would it work if I use a USB C to USB C cable to connect it directly to my Mac? sorry for this stupid question but it would be my first mic :P

[@DaveSoltura]

That should absolutely work! I've used it on my 10th get ipad with a USB C port. :) Just a heads up that the included USB C cable is defective, so you'd need to buy a USB C 3.0 cable.

[@cristianhaivaz]

@@DaveSoltura so i can use a usb c to usb c cable as long as it's 3.0 cable? do you have some recommendations? even if there are tons out there hahah

[@DaveSoltura]

@@cristianhaivaz Yes you can use usb c to usb c as long as it's a 3.0 cable. I'm afraid I can't make any recommendations myself, as I just reused one of my USB 3.0 cables from my portable hard drives.

[@cristianhaivaz]

@@DaveSoltura thanks anyway! I like your videos a lot! now I'm just super indecisive about which one to buy between this one and the Maono PD100... which one do you suggest? I need a mic for a nice voice over on yt videos and most likely will use usb port at first as I don't consider to buy an audio interface, at least at the beginning

[@DaveSoltura]

​@@cristianhaivaz Thanks for the kind words. IThey mean a lot to me. :) It depends on your budget. The PD100 only works with an audio interface. You can buy something like a Teyun Q12 as a cheap interface. Your upgrade route would be to upgrade to a better interface later. For the K688, you could start with USB C (though you have to buy a cable) then you can upgrade to a better interface later on, too. Budget-wise, the PD100 is incredible value. :) You'll get to experience XLR early on. It'll futureproof you. Fewer upgrades over time. But if you can't be bothered to get an interface right now, the K688 is the way to go.