Recording XLR/USB Microphone Studio Dynamic Podcast Cardioid Microphone for Vocal Voice-Over Music Streaming Gaming, with 3.5mm Headphones Jack, Mute Button, Black Metal Mic-K688

I bought this for my brother as a late Christmas gift and i have to say, with all the microphones i have had this one was defonitely worth it for the price. He uses it for streaming and the sound quality on it is immaculate. it was as simple as plug-in and use via USB - TYPE C or can be used with XLR and some sound kit Easy muting as there is a sensor on the microphone. Using the microphone arm from the same brand it has good cable covers and makes the microphone easy to adjust.

The Fifine K688 is a nice microphone with USB and XLR connectivity, offering great flexibility. While it delivers solid performance, be careful when handling it, as it can be slightly resonant. This mic truly shines when used with XLR, providing better sound quality and control. It’s easy to use, well-built, and though lightweight, it feels sturdy enough. For beginners who don’t want to invest in an audio interface just yet—or those looking for a portable, plug-and-play option—the K688 is a solid choice. Plus, it can grow with you if you decide to upgrade to an audio interface later. The zero-latency monitoring is a great feature, and with Fifine moving the capsule back, it’s now less prone to plosives. For the best results, position the mic at a 45-degree angle to your mouth and use the included windshield.

Being a dynamic microphone, the K688 is best suited to situations like podcasts, where the user is the focus. The reason for this is due to the fact dynamic microphones are far less sensitive than condenser mics, requiring the user to be closer (around 2-6 inches from the diaphragm), and in doing so allows them to isolate your vocals and reject background noises far, far better. The K688 is a dual XLR/USB microphone, which means if you already have an audio interface or mixer, then you just need to connect via an XLR cable (not included) and you're away. If you haven't jumped into the world of XLR just yet, then you can connect the K688 via the USB-C to USB-A cable and it's up and running - albeit not quite at the same sound quality of the XLR - but it is one of the best sounding USB mics around. However, the combo route means that should you upgrade your audio gear later down the line, the K688 is able to accommodate the change to XLR. The K688 looks and feels fantastic, with a metal body and metal shock mount, along with the best feeling pop filter I've ever felt - it's almost velvet feeling, that whilst a little too thin on the top, it feels absolutely wonderful. The pop filter whilst feeling absolutely dreamy, is a little too thin, especially at the top, and because of the K688's capsule not being fully recessed from the grille, this means it doesn't reject plosives quite as well at times, but with proper microphone technique and position, this can be rectified - you could also tug the pop filter up a little more to create more of a distance, but this may also effect vocals. The K688 is a genuinely good microphone, and it offers a great opportunity to those already in the XLR scene, and those that just want a plug-and-play USB microphone with the option to upgrade to XLR later down the line.

If you're a new podcaster, YouTuber or live streamer looking to buy your first microphone, everyone will tell you to buy the Shure SM7B, because it's what 95% of all the big content creators use. Problem is, it's very expensive. The good news is you can get excellent sound quality for a fraction of the cost. That's where the Fifine K688 comes in. The sound is clear and well balanced with a natural low end and smooth highs. The build feels fine. It's a dynamic microphone, which means it's more directional than condenser mics such as the Yetis or HyperX's, meaning it cuts out more of the background noise but you need to have it closer to your mouth. Conveniently it has both a USB and XLR connection, so if you don't have an audio interface you an just plug it into your PC, however the mute button only works via USB. I've deducted a point from the sound, because the one negative it has is it's very sensitive to knocks and handling noise. Touching the body or moving the cable will result in very audible noise, probably the worst handling noise of any mic I've ever tried.

If you told me a 60 quid microphone could sound this good, I'd have asked you if you'd been huffin solder fumes again. Yet here I am, 2 weeks in with the K688, and me voice comes through so clear and crisp I half expect Spotify to start sending me cheques. Sexy? Aye, enough to make Barry White rise from the grave and tell me to sod off for treddin on his turf. Unidirectional pickup means it couldn’t care less about the chaos around me: dogs barking, neighbours coughing like they’re trying to get a spot in a Victorian TB ward, or me hammering on the keyboard like I’m sendin Morse code to the afterlife. The pop filter? Dense, suede-like, and posh enough that I briefly thought about donning a monocle. Blocks plosives and wind like a bouncer at Wetherspoons - quick, ruthless, and wonderin why I'm in here on a Tuesday night. I run mine through a GoXLR, EQ’d to taste (because if you can’t make yourself sound like a smooth-talking late-night DJ, what’s the point). But straight out the box? It slaps harder than a Chuck Norris roundhouse - clean, brutal, and you’ll be telling the grandkids about it. In USB mode, it’s basically its own audio interface: plug headphones straight in, twiddle volume and gain like a proper tech wizz, and mute it with a tap that makes you feel like you’re defusing a Bond villain’s nuke. Switch to XLR and them extras disappear, but who cares? Me GoXLR’s already got it covered. Ease of Use & Setup: Absolute doddle. Plug it in, job done. No drivers, no faffing, no sacrificing a goat to the tech gods. It’s the dictionary definition of plug-and-play. Compatibility: If it’s got a USB port, this mic will play nice with it. PC, laptop, maybe even your nan’s smart fridge if you’re daft enough to try. Basically, if it can record audio, the K688 will shake its hand and get on with the job. Durability: Built like it’s ready for nuclear apocalypse. Metal body solid enough to fend off burglars, sat in a plastic shock mount that’s smarter than it looks (plastic stops it rattling like a cheap cymbal). Suspended in elastic bands, it shrugs off knocks and vibrations like a hungover bloke ignoring his alarm. Bottom line? The K688 makes you wonder why people blow hundreds on “premium” mics. It’s the audio equivalent of discovering the corner chippy makes a curry that humiliates the posh Indian down the road: cheap, cheerful, and bloody brilliant.

well i am very surprised at the sound quality of the mic just plugs straight in works out of the box the last mic i had cost double this price tag and it constantly hissed crackled and popped orded it came with in 24 hours nice packaging works well with my pc very compatible set up was easy just took old mic of boom arm replaced mic it seem very durable not as heavy as last mic noise filter is very good no popping 1 thing i think could be better placed is the mute button is underneath and the microphone volume and gain buttons are on the back of the mic so its a bit of a fiddle oh yes if u have set up correctly and get no sound check the mute button

Great mic with the option for usb or xlr personally I use usb currently as i dont have the set up for an xlr but its great I have the option for the future, the mic is made from mostly metal and some plastic and then the mic cover which works a charm, the microphone is amazing quality for the price and feels very high quality. The mute button on the top is super easy to use and a life saver if u have siblings or noisy people in the house. -- The mic arm in the picture does not come with the microphone by the way--

Very good microphone for any setups, good features like a mute button on the microphone and it looks very high quality for the price. It is compatible with anything from pcs to consoles and more.

Great Sound via usb-c and easy setup

Bin von diesem Noname Mic positiv überrascht. Am XLR an Scarlett Solo 2 / Mac kann man das Ding so hoch pegeln, dass man nicht ausschliesslich und permanent Lippenkontakt halten muss. Trotz 10, 15 cm Abstand wird fast nur die Stimme und keine Raumgeräusche eingefangen. Rauschen auch bei höheren Pegeln für mich kaum wahrnehmbar. Die Stimme klingt ausgewogen, daher für meinen Einsatz als Voiceover Mic für Video PP sehr gut geeignet. Mein Favorit im direkten Vergleich zu Røde und Sennheiser, die ihre bekannte Qualität nicht so recht im Budgetsegment (U100) platzieren können.

It's nice it sounds clear enough, it's a middle step between nothing and getting an XLR interface.

Viel Plastik, gut verarbeitet, Preiswert und guter Klang !

Dieses Mikrofon ist in meinen Augen einfach Perfekt, ich benötige kein anderes und es war einer der Wichtigsten Käufe jemals für mich. Egal ob ihr Podcast‘s aufnehmen wollt, mit euren Freunden im TS oder Discord hockt… eure Freunde werden das Mikrofon genauso mögen wie ihr! Ihr tut euch und euren Freunden mit der Wahl etwas gutes. Wenn ihr noch ein Kabelgebundenes Headset habt, könnt ihr dies ganz Simpel mit anklemmen da sich an der Rückseite ein Klinkenanschluss befindet!