Fifine K688 USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Review

[@jerrysplanet]

I just got this mic recently which I'm (currently) working on content creation. But I did a lot of research, reading and watching demo reviews on youtube, before I even purchased it. I was well aware of the plosives/filter issue and I was ready for it when it was delivered. I simply grabbed a piece of foam I had, (about 1/8" thick) and cut two small circle pieces to snuggly fit inside the regular filter, pushed to the end, where it's too thin. That took care of that issue. BUT, I noticed on some sound testing reviews around youtube, for various mics, they seem to put their mouth almost right on the mic, but myself, I can't stand mics in my face at all, so I keep it down to the side (at 4 o'clock) about 8-10 inches away. I have the mic gain knob at about 65 percent, windows mic level at 100 percent and OBS gain just so my voice takes it into the yellow. My voice comes out clear enough. That's all in USB mode, I'm waiting for an audio interface to hook up the XLR option on this mic and things will get moving better. I live in a very quiet enviroment and my fridge in the kitchen is the only background noise I get, if it kicks in while recording.

[@robertomguimaraes]

incredible how this mic looks much better in usb than xlr in all viideos ive seen

[@arteyflow.]

What were your volume settings at when you were using the mic in USB-C? You mentioned it was at around 60-65%, is that for the gain knob on the mic or the windows volume setting (in control panel/sound settings)? If it was for the gain knob on the mic, what was your windows volume setting? I'm just asking because I just got this mic yesterday and found out that the volume is incredibly low, even if I have BOTH the gain knob and windows volume at 100%. I even have to use +10-12db boost in OBS just to be able to clearly hear my words (and this is with the mic being 5-6 inches from my mouth). Couldn't find anyone else that was having the same issue.

[@nathc540]

Yes same issue. Volume is low. Apparently a pre amp is required to make it louder. Do you still use is ?

[@nathc540]

Yes same issue. Volume is low. Apparently a pre amp is required to make it louder. Do you still use is ?

[@MoreArteyFlow]

I ended up returning my Fifine microphone and I'm now using a Blue Yeti. I remember lowering the volume of my desktop audio in OBS to compensate for the lower mic volume though, which did help

[@nathc540]

@@MoreArteyFlow What is OBS and what does it stand fir

[@MoreArteyFlow]

@@nathc540 Obs is recording/streaming software. When i would record or stream games, I had to lower my desktop audio by -6 or -7 db to compensate for the lower mic volume

[@evefifine7291]

Another great review video! Thank you for your suggestions on the mic which are helpful for us to improve the product in the future.

[@StreamGearTalk]

Thanks for the partnership once again Eve!

[@evefifine7291]

@@StreamGearTalk My absolute pleasure! Hope to collaborate with you again in the near future! :)

[@KorocheKo]

Thanks for the great review! What is the length of the pop filter please?

[@quadriamods]

I'm currently using the behringer c1-u, but the sound quality of this microphone is very satisfying to me. Do you think you recommend me to go and do I need a USB-C converter when using it? Does the converter affect the sound?

[@rikmortiy]

This model has both a black filter and a gray filter. What is the difference? Why did the company change the color of the filter? What is the difference?

[@Gaaaaaaaaaary]

Color?

[@Imnotsplix]

Wow, thank you for this review. Very honest, unlike any other review of this mic. Already purchased it, but wish I had seen this first. Still an upgrade from a headset mic tho:)

[@StreamGearTalk]

It is definitely an upgrade!

[@24xvf]

I'm using the usb and on the mic I have to have it on full gain and on the pc 100% also with that It still sounds very low can someone help

[@chronicmayhem]

I've seen several other reviewers say the shock mount is removable

[@StreamGearTalk]

Yea I just wasn’t a fan of it being screwed into the mic.

[@edittime8944]

I was thinking of getting this if I got a new windscreen what size would I buy?

[@fernandozenomiranda9470]

He left me a link of the pop filter he used in the video. It's unavailable, but images tell size. www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZFY9V6?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_6WS163KN79ZMP2CH604P

[@StreamGearTalk]

Oh wait. That size is a little too big. It won’t sit snug on the mic. I don’t have the sm7b filter anymore but i fee like that one would work

[@fernandozenomiranda9470]

@@StreamGearTalk oh alright. Thanks for the help once again😂.

[@parvhis5740]

Does it need a mic booster if I connect it to an audio interface?

[@FIFINE]

Hi Parvhis, not every dynamic is extremely quite and needs quite a lot of gain boost, just any standard interface that can provide more than 60dB gain can work.

[@rashedmango9753]

This fifinek688 or rode pocmic usb or elgato wave 3 if i want to use only my phone to record??

[@FIFINE]

Maybe none of the three will work perfectly. And you may rule out the Wave3 first, since you can't get the best out of it without the Wave Link software. But also a similar case can can be applied to the K688 and Podmic USB, since you have to use XLR to get the best out them. Then the first thing is to consider an interface for phones.

[@Typerist]

Do you think this would be an upgrade over my samson q2u?

[@FIFINE]

The K688 has lower self-noise, and better high ends. If you have the budget, it's worth a try. But since they are both dynamic mics, which are not known for their clarity and being detail-full, the tone coloring is similar. If you use mics in a quiet room, maybe getting a XLR condenser mic will give you refreshing experience.

[@cristianhaivaz]

would the K688 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

[@FIFINE]

Yes, it will. Just in case other viewers may have the same question.

[@sentsuu]

how did you apply the gate to the mic using the wave 3 software?

[@StreamGearTalk]

I use the Elgato wave xlr as my audio interface so when using this mic via xlr you can apply vst plugins in wavelink such as noise gate, eq, etc.

[@fernandozenomiranda9470]

Could you give a link for that pop filter? Seems perfect for this mic.

[@StreamGearTalk]

Here ya go Boseen Pop Filter Foam Mic Cover Compatible with Rode PodMic NT1-A NT-USB NT2-A Procaster Podcaster Microphones Effectively Reduce Noise (2 Packs) a.co/d/gu4dG5Z

[@fernandozenomiranda9470]

@@StreamGearTalk thanks a lot😁

[@MellonSage]

i feel like the reaper plug in made it to quite in my opinion

[@Rakiuska]

Hi. Thanks for your video. Could you tell me which is the amazon widescreen you used for the video? I am looking for one and it sounds really cool . thx so much

[@StreamGearTalk]

Boom here you go Boseen Pop Filter Foam Mic Cover... www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZFY9V6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@VO_JayRedding]

I really dig this mic. It would be an upgrade for me.

[@Foxy_proxy]

I'm looking into getting a USB mic below $100. After your review I think this one might not be it.. Do you have any recommendations?

[@StreamGearTalk]

What are you looking to get out of a mic? Clear crisp sound or radio/podcast sound?

[@Foxy_proxy]

@@StreamGearTalk Clear and crisp. I would be using it for gaming. Its probably overkill but my modmic died and I'm about to switch to a set of totl IEMS so I need a desktop mic. I want it to sound good so I can communicate well. Preferably something high quality, USB plug and play with a relatively small profile. Currently eyeballing the Wave:1. What do you think? Want to spend $100-$150 max but that would include a boom arm and other necessary accessories.

[@RetroLodge]

@@Foxy_proxy I would recommend buying the rode nt usb mini, it has a built in pop filter and its. Cheap in price on amazon, it sounds rich, crisp and clear right out the box.

[@StreamGearTalk]

Hey foxy I’m with retro the rode nt usb mini is a solid choice but if you go with the wave mic you’ll get a great mic plus the wavelink software to really get control over your audio

[@Foxy_proxy]

@@RetroLodge Thanks, I'll look into that one :) Though it seems that there's a deal on the Wave:3 including pop filter/shock mount and arm. It says 100 off on their website which would make it come down to 230. More than I originally wanted to spend but it seems like a great deal.

[@ben11984]

Mine keeps cutting out on the go xlr mini

[@FIFINE]

Hi ben11984, sorry about this issue. Since it's wired mics, the cutout issue could be the reason of the poor connection. Have you tried testing out the mic with different XLR cable and your minigoxlr with different USB cord?

[@abdulmajeed-cg1fy]

from were can i get a pop filter ?

[@StreamGearTalk]

Amazon!

[@FIFINE]

If you have bought the K688 but don't like the pop filter, you may have to look at the after-market to get one that fits Shure SM7B. And you can keep an eye on our accessories website where we will release a new one with better plosives rejection in the future.

[@dysnomia-anarchia]

I just don't get what benefit really you get by also spending another $150 on an Elgator Wave XLR and going XLR. I mean for the most part I'm recording one channel so... I don't even use stereo recording. The K669B cost me only $23. To upgrade to this would be $80 plus $160 for Elgator Wave XLR plus cables so we're talking $250 for... what? A miniscule improvement? I just don't record that much. Sound bytes mostly.

[@StreamGearTalk]

I think you make a good point. The fact this mic is both usb and xlr helps it fit into either camp. To answer your question, the reason I would and did upgrade to the wave xlr is because of the software that supports it. Not to mention that (even though it’s marginal in most cases) xlr sounds better than usb.

[@Sulejmani775]

is it good if i change the windscreen to rk345 from sm7b?

[@tiobic1445]

FYI For any reason at this very moment the rk345 from Amazon it's very thin, is the same thing he showed in the video with the light test, would be interesting the same test with the original sm7b filter...

[@StreamGearTalk]

I actually thought I had one lying around but realized I have it away when I sold my MV7X. As a result idk if the rk345 fits the k688.

[@tiobic1445]

@@StreamGearTalk it fits, the thing is the rk345 from Amazon it's not the same than the original sm7b filter, I mean the light test reveals that...

[@WillVR_77]

I’m thinking about this mic, could you give me some recommendations for the mic I have right now? If you watch my streams could you check my mic out? Thank you!

[@StreamGearTalk]

sure thing. What platform you stream on?

[@WillVR_77]

@@StreamGearTalk Here, KZbin lol

[@StreamGearTalk]

Saw one of your Minecraft streams. What mic is that? It sounds good! Maybe just get it a little closer to your mouth (turn the gain down a little as you bring it closer).

[@WillVR_77]

@@StreamGearTalk it’s a fifine mic, i used voice meeter for eq

[@CallMeTeci]

The windscreen of this mic is as terrible as your mic-technique. "Direct the mic to your mouth and not your mouth to the mic." Its as easy as that and people would stop spending a shit ton of money for big ass windscreens, that dampen the sound of their mics. :I Also its useless to use the small Shure SM7B-windscreen as an (overpriced) alternative - the plosives are the same; you are just 2 cm farer away, because its slightly longer. If you realy have the need to spit directly into the capsules of your mics, then yes, you need one of those big ass windscreens but for basically every mic you are using.

[@StreamGearTalk]

I appreciate your insight Teci :)