This mic is better than the SM7B | Fifine K688 Review
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- Опубликовано: 29 июн 2024
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Microphones reviewed:
Shure SM7B - amzn.to/3f1jbdj
Fifine K688 - amzn.to/3F7dwNA
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Another quality review video!👍💯 Thank you for showing the XLR and the USB modes nicely. You and your brother's recognition on the K688 are much more appreciated. 🥰
Hey could you tell me what stand you used with the fifine k688?
Sure! amzn.to/3NEFC4T
@@DarkenedCyrus thanks boss 🙏🏼
@@DarkenedCyrus thank you
Thanks for the review just ordered it!
Thanks for a good review! I'm about to buy it for my channel. ☺
Love it!
Great job on the review. I’d love to see a comparison with Fifine’s other famous budget mic: Q2U. Also, it would be easier to hear the difference during the sound comparisons without the background music.
I thought we did cut the background music? I never post it with it. Weird if it’s there. Totally my mistake. I have another video comparing them as well without music if that’s the case.
Seems I need to be ordering a Q2U. I did compare it to the Rode Podmic
I second this request. I have both the K688 and Q2U in my cart, trying to decide which might be better for beginner female VO work. Both are USB & XLR for later upgrade capability. Thoughts?
Thanks for the review. How do you think this compares to the Samson Q2U as a first mic?
Good review!
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks for the great review! What is the length of the K688 pop filter please?
FiFine never fails to amaze us with their amazing price to performance microphones. I mean I was going to go for one but I settled on the Maono PD400X and a wave xlr because of the look and the little swing that it comes on. I prefer mics like that and also the software is just fantastic. My mother spent $400+ on a BEACN mic with the Mix Create and I just told her about the microphones you have reviewed on your channel. She said that that mic is amazing and I told her that it is not the best considering the price. I told her how good a $50-$150 mic with the wave xlr is and she still refused to believe it. I can't wait to get my PD400X and start streaming with some top tier audio. So glad I came across your channel. This just saved me $250. She spent $250 on a mix create for streaming when she could have spent the same on the mic alone, less on the mixer, and have a better software. I looked at the Mix Create software and it is so much worse compared to wave link. More expensive, Less features, and just overall terrible value for what you get. I need to tell her to come to me first before buying things so that she can save money and get better items for a cheaper price.
Love this comment! Please update me when they come in and how you like them!
@@DarkenedCyrus i mean itll be a little while since im going to be gone for 2-3 months and then moving to a new house/apartment and I gotta apply for my job, but itll take like a week to get the microphone and the rest of the audio equipment, so not too long after moving. But when I do order it, I will let you know how it is. Also i know that this was a comment on an old video, but I like your microphone reviews because it gives me new choices for budget options.
@@DarkenedCyrus actually, what would you recommend? FiFine K688 or Maono PD400X? I wanna get your opinion since you are experienced on microphones. I am going to use it for streaming and recording, so which would you recommend for those use cases?
you can use both USB and XLR simultaneously, so usable both as a communications input on your PC as well as an XLR mic input with your other audio hardware
Yes! Also, this is great for a dual pc setup as well
Very informative review, you got a new subscriber, since you did a review on the Fduce SL40, which one would you go for if they were the same price?
Thanks! And the K688 all the way
Loved the review and all your past ones, so I’m considering of upgrading my mic, so my question which one would you recommend between the k688 or the fduce ? I’m torn cause they both sound amazing and kinda around the same price range
Totally, go K688. It's still my main microphone for my setup.
Would you mind sharing what stand you were using with the SM7B. The video made it look like it reached across the room... LOL
It’s insane how good it is for the price.
It’s definitely a good option for starting producers to get a microphone and audio interface in on package for very cheap and they can later upgrade the interface and possibly adding outboard and still keep the mic and have a good mic… I mean, it is good… I want to try it out as a vocal mic
@DarkenedCyrus i was wondering which would be a better mic options for a streamer/content creater. i came up with 2 great options but thought i could trust you and let you tell me which is the better microphone between the Fifine K688 and the Fifine Am8. Thanks!
Between the two, I say K688
So I am a pro podcaster and have been for almost 5 years. I have been using the Rode Pod Mic for most of that time. However I have a deep voice and wanted a mic to pick up a little more of the bass in my voice without having to EQ it. I use the Rode Caster Pro 2 which IMHO is the best in the field for podcasters. I was about to buy the Shure SM7b until I found your review. It sounds like it would add the bass I am looking for and for $70 vs $400 that is mind blowing. I do not think I could pick out the difference between this mic and a higher price one. Thanks for your review and for saving me some money!! David McClam Host of True Crime & Authors Podcast.
Love this comment!! My wife is OBSESSED with true crime podcasts, so I’ll recommend your show to her!
And you and I have the same thoughts here. Love that we can agree that the K688 is a great microphone for the price
mic does sound pretty good!
Totally!
Good video overall, the value proposition of the K688 is insane but did you REALLY put music over an audio sample test.... really?
Edit: also, no it does not sound better than the SM7B. But the difference is 100% not worth the 4x price of the shure. Again, insane value proposition, very good
My wife and I have a nice selection of pro mics but we prefer this one. One tip is if you get plosives more than you want just pull the windscreen out 1/2" to create some space between the end of the screen and the end of the mic. You can also cut a little circle of open cell foam or something and put it inside. Another tip is if you use XLR with a preamp that doesn't sound as good near max gain you can use a booster with this mic and solve the problem. You can use a cloud lifter or on a budget the Klark Teknik CT 1 is much cheaper and works great.
Love this!
Great review,just curious would you say this is better than the fifine k658? :)
I haven't personally tested the K658, but from what I've been told and seen it is almost an identical pickup. However, without personally testing it, I don't want to speak to it.
do you have a recommendation for a budget voice over mic ? ( I cant get the 688 where I am at)
Hey, just some friendly advice,
You could use a de-esser on your vocal. Or maybe another pop filter.
The sibilance in the way you speak sounds harsh through both mics..
Great comparison otherwise.
I like it more on the usb c connection strangely enough. The XLR setting is way too sibilant for my taste
Great video! Do you think it’s better than the feduce SL40?
I'd say so, but maybe I should do a comparison video?
Please compare sound of K688 to FiFine's new Tank3. Thanks!
Would you recommend this one or the Maono PD400X?
What computer did you connect fifine k688 microphone to and can it also connect to an Apple Silicon M1 processor
I don't have an audio interface since I don't have the budget yet, is it good just using it via USB C?
Does this mic pickup any background noise? Only concern is whether it’ll pick up my wooting 60he keyboard since it’ll be right under the mic
I think you sold me on the Fifine 688. Especially for the price. Thank you for your content
You're welcome! It really does sound great!
I can confirm he is still using this mic and has his sm7b in the box lol
What type of mic stand should I get
The background music didn’t help with hearing differences between the microphones
I really wonder what the idea behind that was. In the beginning I thought that these mics are really popping awfully... till I noticed that this was the music underneath... I really don`t understand how one can do the work for that video and destroy it.
@bobbyboe Oh, hello. I’m the one you are referencing. I’ve released multiple videos with this microphone in it without background music. Leaving the music in was a mistake, I’d agree, but ruin a video?
@@DarkenedCyrus well... it made it very difficult to concentrate... and I didn`t understand what the music was for... but anyway thank you. I made my decision for am8... still with a little fear about the possible popping sounds... which are difficult to correct once they are in the material. Hopefully I will find a way to avoid them... because in many videos on YT about these mics, I heared a lot of these "p" that are very unpleasant for me.
Can you please send me the link of the the mic arm you are using on the Fifine K688
Noise cancelling and will it pick up my keyboard keys when I am gaming?
Great mic for the price
⚜️I will buy this man; so good in quality ouli boulisz.
Gret review man. Do you know how this compares to the Fifine AM8?
Very similar in sound. I’ve done several videos recently where they both are in the video. I also have one on my blog with the original wav files for you to go listen without RUclips compression. www.darkenedcyrus.com/blog
@@DarkenedCyrus
Thanks, I will check those out. I heard them both on RUclips, and they sound almost identical to me. But the K688 is £20 more in the UK.
As of rn, they did edit their design and they moved the capsule a little further back from the grill. A minor detail I thought I would share
Just got the mic, just curious how far have you put the gain dial up and what's your gain set to in windows?
I use it on XLR, not USB so I don't know if I can speak to that. I'd say 90 is a safe bet and then turn up your gain on the microphone
great review, but why the music when people are trying to listen to the sound of the microphones?!
It was a mistake. I thought I had muted it and didn’t notice it until someone commented it a couple of weeks later. I’ve done several reviews with it since then that you can reference
how to know which side of the mic pickups my voice. what is the optimal position
Can you please share what EQ software you’re using and what your settings are?
0 EQ on this video!
Yaaaassss i made it into a video lol!
Yes!!
The sm7b sounds much better with your voice. Doesn't make the frequencies above 6k to go over you main tone and make those noises rounded. It creates a signal that's easier to work with for production.
even using headphone jack you can connect it to pc as linear input
is this better than the blue yeti nano?
Oh wow thats only 80? Seinheiser are 80$ headphones and they are great too. 80 must be the number to go for. What camera would u suggest?? For a low price but good quality. Im trying to save money for stuff i need but want to get my Twitch going. That does look good tho
Starter webcam, definitely go the cheap route with the Logitech c920. Avermedia also has some great ones for a little more than that 80$ price tag. And yes, 80$ is that magic number for budget, quality items
Would anyone recommend this mic with usb c? Or should i get a Audio Interface for it?
How does this mic do with ambient noise? My mic right now picks up pretty much everything happening in my room and it drives my friends crazy.
As a Dynamic mic, naturally it will lower the ambient sounds, but no microphone removes them completely. Noise Gates and Noise Reduction software helps.
do you need a sound pad?
Sounds better than the FDUCE SL40?
Yes, no doubt
would you reccomend this for a podcast? i been wanting to start one and this mic seems perfect and a good price.
1000%
No Joke, It's still in my main setup.
is it stereo or mono?
Could you possibly use this mic with the go xlr ?
Yes!
HI! Help me please. I have Fedora Linux and a Fifine K688 microphone. But when the microphone is connected, crackling and noise are heard on the recording. Everything works correctly on Windows. How can this be corrected?
Did you solved it?
@@potatogod3882 Yes. The problem was due to the included cable. I changed it to another one and everything worked. As I understand it, such a problem with sound due to a cable is not uncommon.
@@kolyakovalenko6463 good to know
I've done about 3 months with the K-688 tonight I took it down and am replacing it. First impressions are 100% like this review. Problem is the cracks start to show and they're deep. For instance if you touch anything that goes to the mic it ends up in the recording. Touch the XLR cable... Usb.... Headphones if you're monitoring. The mount... the arm. This thing is a beer can with a mic in it. That's the build quality. Cheap plastic and super thin aluminum alloy. For most mic arms it doesn't even weigh enough to hold position. The truth here is you're better off buying something better to start. Unless this is literally your budget because it will be replaced once you've used it enough to start seeing the flaws this budget buys you. I no longer recommend this mic as I know anyone making content is going to want their content to be better than it can be with this mic.
I can see where you are coming from. That being said, almost every mix I’ve tested, including the SM7B, has sound that comes from messing with the XLR connection. Just food for thought here. Some of this should also come down to mic etiquette and what you should and shouldn’t be doing with your mic for the best audio product.
@@DarkenedCyrus That's very very very very blatantly untrue. The SM7b is very resistant to touching and handling noises. The Neat King Bee is so good you can flick the fucking springs on the mic arm and it picks up nothing. That's even a condenser mic. The truth is the Fifine is just a cheap mic made with cheap materials.
@@SecretlySeven would u say the hyperx quadcast is better? or should I just keep my beyerdynamic fox and get a boomarm
@@ExitiumD The Fox is a good mic. I’d hold with that. Invest in sound treatment for the space instead.
@@SecretlySeven so a rode psa1 boomarm and im set right?
Nice video but I would suggest that if you are going to do a head to head vocal comparison you really should consider doing so without the music bed. The music bed colors your vocal and I m not sure how clean the audio of the twoics are. Also you kept saying "the sensor"...I think you were referring to the part of the microphone that picks of the sound waves of your voice? If that's what you were talking about, that part of the microphone is called a capsule or a diaphragm. Anyhow thanks for explaining about the mic.
Thanks for the suggestion. And yeah, I realized after posting that the audio was still there, but left it up as I felt it still made my point. .
And totally, it’s the capsule/diaphragm. Just didn’t use the correct term in the video like I goof
fifine k658 rode podmic or fifine k688 ? which one you prefer prices are same here
I think they are essentially the same microphone in a different shell. That being said, I like the look of the K688 better without that knob.
I bought it and the mic itself isn’t that close to the end of the enclosure as it is with yours. It that something to worry about?
Nope! I think they’ve recently adjusted the mic placement after some recommendations from creators and reviewers
@@DarkenedCyrus Thank you! I was a little concerned that I might have to send it back 😂
usb c sounds a little soft? Is that the max setting of it for the usb c connection?
No. I stream with this mic regularly, so you can go to my channel to see what it sounds like on USB C as well
I'm hoping someone can help. When I connect the mic. via the USB cable, the quick touch mute button lights up. However, when i connect the mic via an audio interface via XLR cable, there doesn't seem to be power to the mic. The quick touch mute button doesn't light up. I have to also use the USB cable to get power. Is this by design? What am I missing? Thanks.
When you use xlr mode you can’t use any function on this microphone it’s a design don’t worry.
Do you have video for podcast set-up
Yep
@@DarkenedCyrus can you share the link please
Will it work with iPhone ?
#1 K688
I actually passed up the Sm7b for the MV7x with a Sm7b... mic top or whatever lol
I should take a look at the MV7x to be able to judge it fairly. I do like the price point of it, though!
Same configuration here. Love it. Very curios about this mic too after such a wonderful review.
This video made ma buy k688 but Can I ask You what interface will be great to run them together and let’s say something like 40-60$ ?
Fifine SC3 Ampligame mixer. Just did a video about it a couple of months ago!
@@DarkenedCyrus great! Thanks for quick response. Wish you all good 🫡👊
@@DarkenedCyrus btw. Can you also recommend any software to use it with or just setup right filters in obs will be enough?
@ogploplo for free, Voicemeeter is a great option, but hard to setup. If using OBS filters, look up Reaper Plugins. They are free to use.
As for VoiceMeeter, I also have an easy to use tutorial for that as well.
@@DarkenedCyrus man you the boss ! Thanks 🙏
Sound test with music playing??? Lmaoo
W comment. Anything else?
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
100% Works great on my M1 Mac Air
Can you compare it with the Elgato Wave DX?
I've had people ask for this comparison so many times now. Seems I need to pick one up!
How did you get your mic to sound good because I have the same mic but it doesn’t sound like yours.
Do you have it close to you? Maybe consider adding some filters to help improve the sound
@@DarkenedCyrus I keep it close to my mouth and I have to talk a little bit loud to hear myself whenever I’m recording a gameplay video.
Awesome
So I have a question would I be able to just use this without a stand?
It doesn't come with a stand, you need a arm👍
did you add any settings in obs?
Nope
dont you need preamp with the sm7b?
Like a cloudlifter/fethead? The answer is no, even though every person in the industry says you do. Just make sure you buy an interface that has enough gain initially. The Wave XLR and the Go XLR both provide enough gain that you don't need another preamp.
If you are referring to if it's USB, no. It's XLR only. The K688 has the option to be XLR or USB
@@DarkenedCyrus appreciated. I use blue yeti myself and when the time come to upgrade I might go with this combo
i just wish it didnt say the brand on the side
I agree as well
Black paint 🎨🖌️
Put a sticker over it
Black tape or some quick spray paint will sort that for you.
The K688 sounds fine, but not as good as the SM7B. It is cheaper and doesn't require an audio interface if used as a USB mic, so if it sounds good enough, get the K688 instead
I know this is late but i honestly can not tell the difference between them, they sound almost equal in their sound tbh lol. That's just me though!
Right? It’s shocking that it can be that close!
🎺🗿
Can i use the mute button while using xlr input?
nope
Correct, nope
Please mute the BGM while sound testing... The Shure sound more "professional" it has that gilded voice but its less natural.
Am I crazy or it was muted? Don't think I would have made this issue.
If I want a mic to talk to my friends on discord an zoom calls, should I go for the wave 3 (condenser) or the k688 (dynamic)
Go with a DeezKnaughts 480
The sound of Fifine is acceptable but not as good as that of SM7B.
Love the feedback!
the real question is does it noise suppress as good as the sm7b
There are audio samples here for you to judge. I’ve also recently done several more tests recently that you can listen to as well
the Fifine mic sounds awful, it sounds odd and sounds like there is heavy background noise reduction, giving it a very processed robot sound. It makes the mic sound cheaper
Maybe your unit is defective? Try RMA it
@@FrancisNull I don’t even own the mic man 😅 I have a ride procaster, I’m talking about your mics sound quality in the video 😅
Usb working on this one?
Yep!
What do you reckon is the best mic for rapping and singing?
Every voice is completely different, so can’t speak directly to your voice. I will say, a microphone is only a tool, so you will need to find the one that works for you. If you have a wonderfully treated room, I’d grab a condenser microphone that will pick up more natural tones. Don’t have a treated room? A mic like the K688 would be a great place to start. And it’s USB as well, so you can take your mic on the go if you need
@@DarkenedCyrus my voice is leaning slightly towards the the deeper masculine tone but a good part of it is feminine too, so it’s in general balanced. I just have a room with no sound protection just normal room. I wanna do both rapping and singing as I said... what do you think is best for me?
I’d start here. I wouldn’t claim it being better if I didn’t stand behind it. Truly
@@DarkenedCyrus thanks i love you
@@DarkenedCyrus also any tips on treating my room better?
that high end is boosted too much and gets grating over time plus the versatility of the sm7b is far better for musicians and just in general for people who know how to EQ since its easier to manage with a flatter curve plus out of the box the 7b is more pleasing to the ears. All of these budget podcasting style mic makers think boosting the high end makes it sound more "crisp" when to me it sounds tinny. Most people are better off getting an sev7 or an sm57/58 for the same price
While I agree with you, the out of box experience for a novice makes me recommend these microphones more often than not. Do I think the SM7B is bad? No, but it does require some skill to really harness everything it has to offer. I’m a classically trained music myself, so I agree with this microphone being more versatile, but I’d still go for a SM57 for that use case for both price and size when dealing with instrument recording.
@@DarkenedCyrus 57 is great, plus theres a bunch of music forums and videos to make it pretty close (not exactly the same) to the 7b with eq. Also you may like the SE electronics mics like the v7 it sounds pretty bright but in a good way and sounds pretty lively for a dynamic almost like a condenser mic the only thing is it doesnt have that fancy podcast radioshow look
That radio show “look” is why the SM7B is so popular. Honestly, that’s the only reason I still have it in my content. Honestly, it’s an awful price/performance compared to the 57.
Will look into v7. You’re not the first person to mention it to me
Would this mic work with screaming vocals?
It is a dynamic mic so it has low sensitivity and it can help you record screaming vocals without ruining the audio.
There should never be backround music when doing an audio test. for the rest of the vid sure but not the audio test
I agree. Didn’t notice I left the track on until well after the upload and someone mentioned it.
This really isn't a great mic, it's actually quite a thin sounding mic. You'd be better off with a Thomann own brand condenser
I think it’s odd that SO many reviews online say how good it is, SO many people in the comments, SO many content creators but you say it’s not….. hmmm
@@YouEnvyMe28 It sounds good to people that have never used good quality mics. Out of the box it's thin, lacks depth and is boxy in the mids. EQ can certainly make it sound better but I'd save your money and buy a t.bone MB 7 Beta, it sounds much better out of the box or just buy an SM57.
Hey,
Great review!
This mic looks really neat, but perhaps you know how does it compare to K683/T683 (same mic)?
I ordered 683 few days ago, but now I saw this thingy, and I have no clue which is better in terms of quality. Thanks!
Totally should do a full round up. Personally,I like dynamic mics for streaming, so I lean towards the K688 between those two.
That being said, I used the K683 for over a year before getting into dynamic mics and almost 100 videos on my channel either used that mic for my audio or was a part of a video. Great capsule and you shouldn’t have buyers remorse if you got it 👍
@DarkenedCyrus thanks for a quick reply! So, would you say in terms of sound quality, T688 is better than K683? Also, how is your T688 holding so far? I have heard that some of them are defective or very quiet even at full gain..
Edit: I would be using mine for gaming/streaming/zoom calls.
Mine still works great. It’s been through a move and several boxes/drops and survived my son’s interest in my gaming equipment. 0 issues
As for quality, I say the K688 will have more mileage as you can go XLR eventually and is a great price. It will have better rejection for keyboard and mouse sounds as well.
On top of that, check out some of my recent mic round ups. I have some other great budget options with sound examples you might want to hear
@DarkenedCyrus Alright, thank you very much! Helped me a lot. I'm probably going to pick up T688. Just might need a boomarm. Any suggestions for that? I don't really want to spend over 40 bucks for an arm, tho.
at 2020 vs this mic?
this mic is better. the at 2020 is overhyped and not good for untreated room. at 2020 lacks deep bass.
@@BukanIbuMu do you own the k688? if yes which audio interface is good for it?
@@soversatile The UMC204HD is good for the K688
Can you connect to Sony ezv10
By using an audio cable, sure, but it will have to be powered by usb somewhere. You can’t connect any camera directly to the USB port on that camera
@@DarkenedCyrus Much love for this!
Does this mic work on an Xbox by its self??
no
*Please make your tests, without music.*
Yep. Realized this after posting. I still have another video reviewing it and honestly, any live stream I've done has been using this microphone. Still a beast microphone. I'll have another review of it coming this month as I compare it to other microphones that have similar offerings
No it is not LOL
Cool. Can you describe with the sounds provided, how they differ? Would love your opinion is the LOL was so pronounced.