Hi Aiden, we’re truly sorry to let you down on the defective K688 that you got. After our audio engineers replicate the use scenario as you did in the video as well as check up on the components, we suspect that the ADC IC is the culprit. And the likely reason is the electrostatic damage or cold joint solder of the IC. The defective rate of a malfunctioning IC is around 0.3%, which is not counted for the products that customers buy, but for the items that we test during the QC step. So it’s sort of the quality control issue. We use the word “sort of” because we run both the machine and manual tests of the components before they are resembled as well as the resembled items before they get shipped out to the warehouse. The whole process means that such a rather discernible noise should be found in one or two above-mentioned tests, but it’s not (sorry to make it sound like we’re blaming the shipping). We do admit that it is a defective product because of our inability to find it before it went out of the factory. And sorry again for the disappointment that you get with the very first product of FIFINE. It has been a while since the video was released, could we still send you another K688 to try out? Though we’re not able to get our hands on the exact one that you reviewed to examine it and confirm the issue for now, we think it’s quite likely to be the defective item. If you would like to give us another chance to receive one, we will continue to ship you one from our Amazon warehouse, in case there’s any possibility of us cherry-picking one. We can tell from the video that there're complaints about the sales channel as well as the troubleshooting as a customer who may buy this mic. It is nowhere close to the satisfactory customer service that we chase after if buyers can’t find the tech support page for a specific model. We will make a quick update in case any self-troubleshooting of the latest models is needed. And just a reminder that any other customers who experience any issue with the FIFINE products can reach us out at web@fifine.cc Our support team is 24/7 available. And any item from our Amazon official store is covered by a 2-year warranty. Despite the disappointment, as a seller, we definitely would make up for any fault of any of our products. Btw, we are not the oldest fans of your channel but have kept an eye on your videos (since the review of the AT2040 a year ago) for the suggestions that we can take on for the microphones that are being developed. But the more videos we watched, the better we know that you may not like the Amazon sellers of audio who mainly makes USB microphone. So we do not bother you testing out some of our models that we think may meet your demanding requirements. It’s kind of a double whammy to us, we failed you as our customer and as the audio pro whom we cherish the opinion of. The replacement of the K688 should not disappoint you this time and we do hope it could also bring back some of the confidence in our brands as well as the Amazon sellers (at least some of them).

I have this mic and use USB connection with ZERO problems. For the price, it sounds amazing. I have it eq’d for my voice. For the $$$ I love it!

I have this mic and absolutely love it. I've used both USB and XLR. No issues with either. It's perfect for my voice. My husband loves microphones. He liked my K688 so much I had to buy him one because he kept borrowing mine. He loves it, but uses the XLR connection.

$58.00 right now on Amazon.

I had that same issue with the knob but with the top one but I figured out by playing with it to pull it a tad bit and it’ll become loose like the other knob. You can actually take the whole knob off (which scared me at first) but you can put it back on but not too deep so it won’t be too tight to turn

With that voice any mic sounds good haha Thanks for the review

Surprisingly, the Fifine K6888 sounded better to my ears than the sE Electronics DCM3...

I bought this mic for streaming. For the price the sound quality is surprisingly good especially when its eq'd properly. I wish the plosive rejection was a little better and the mute functioned for both usb and xlr mode. other than that the mic is perfect for my application

Done Maono and FIFINE and never really had a problem for price to performance. I’m no audio expert or really worked with expensive mics yet so it’s coming from a standard user to somewhat educated perspective. As always I loved the video though!

I only order stuff like this from Amazon because of the 30 days no question return policy. This is the first review where I've heard the usb issue

Just my musings on the usb issue, first try the supplied usb cable without the XLR plugged into the back of the mic. A number of devices I have worked with have a sense attached and can tell when something is plugged in or not. All the other reviews I have seen on this mic have either the XLR plugged in OR the usb not both at the same time. Food for thought.

Hello Aiden Thenx for great review ....if you had to choose between this mic and the FIFINE AM8, what would you choose between them and why? “I am speaking in terms of sound quality only.”

I'm surprised how good or sometimes even better the Amazon mic sounds like. Someone online said to save the money and get that one and they were onto something

Super helpful!

I had kind of the same problem and it happens only when usb and xlr where plugs at the same time

Your K688 is faulty with USB mode. I have it and its absolutely ok with USB. Both knobs work smooth and easy

Thanks for this video. Great review! Perfect timing too. I've been looking into this mic. It's very intriguing (especially for that price). Tbh, I think it looks great and it actually sounds pretty darn good (for what it is). Not sure about that USB issue. I have a feeling that it's going to be a bit hit or miss for customers. Loved your Rode X mics review (XDM 100 specifically). Ideally, that's what I really want. Just waiting on if that Rode X software will finally be updated to work with Mac. Once it does, then that's totally where I'm going!

incredibly honest review this is amazing well done. i feel like this brand is all about marketing but i appreciate how they found you & wanted to fix the problem. I need a usb mic for now but might get into xlr later, i use old razer seiren x which takes every sound out there so i'm looking for a dynamic mic, i'd get shure mv7 but it's $400 here for some reason. do you have any recommendations ? should i get this one?

Does the dual output (USB & XLR) of K688 operate alternately or can they be used simultaneously? If they can be used simultaneously, is it possible as a backup in case one of them encounters an issue? How about AM8? Can the USB & XLR be used simultaneously? I appreciate your help.

Is it worth upgrading from the 669B? My 669 has never had any of that static; use Windows 7; Windows 11 is defective. I'm not joking. I'm also not spending the extra on the XSLR hardware, so it would be in USB mode like the 669... so level playing field comparison. I point my microphone right at the side of my cheek, so plosives go right past it.

My most trusted source for audio related review. Thank you!!

ye, sadly i was that one that have defected one too. Mic work really good with live monitoring via 3.5 mm, but usb is defeacted (several laptops was tested).

Kudos to FiFine for replying to this review and giving such a great explanation of the issue. That said, SM58, easy to forget how great that mic sounds until you hear it next to something like this.

You know, I think it sounds great except for the USB. I've had 2 of their mics, all on special deals. They both sounded great at first but over time the quality of the sound just faded. Now my podcasts are really low and I just can't afford to go out and buy yet another one. I don't know if it is me or the actual mic. Increasing the gain in the software doesn't really work all that great either. I have no clue. I just want my podcast to sound good.

Hey Aiden, love your content and the knowledge you drop in your vids Brotha, I preciate’cha! I gotta say mayne, this mic sounds good on you Bro. Keep up the great work, thx!

Looks like your mic USB circuitry is probably broken. First problem fifine k688 I've seen in 10 youtube videos. Fifine k688 vs Shure sm58 - can't hear a difference with eyes closed. Fifine k688 vs DCM3 - DCM3 is way too bright (too hissy / too much high end) Fifine k688 vs SE Dynacaster - very similar can't pick which one is fifine Fifine k688 vs Shure SM7b - can't hear a difference with eyes closed.

I read on another video that it could be the wrong USB cable. Seems like Fifine bundled in the USB-C 2.0 instead of the 3.0. Not sure if you have a cable to test but could be the issue. Other users who experienced the same distorted sound, reported that swapping the cable worked once they tried a 3.0 cable.

I tried this Mic and just didn't sound right for my voice. Fifine mics just don't work for me for some reason. They are OK and affordable but the high end sound is just too aggressive and you will get tired of it pretty quick. Great video on this Mic as always Sir. It's not defective just how it is.

What computer did you connect fifine k688 microphone to and can it also connect to an Apple Silicon M1 processor

There you go.. The problem with the USB is Windows 11. I have the same problem with many audio interfaces. Most of the time, unplugging it and replugging it in solves the problem but sometimes it needs a reboot and sometimes, it just doesn't work. Most of the time, it's conflicting with another audio device.

Updated version of this?

Interesting. I have watched dozens of reviews on the K688 ... this is the only one with the odd usb distortion. May be your set up ... being a cheaper mic, it may have been intended more to plug directly into a pc, laptop, etc. I ordered one, and it should be here tomorrow. When I test it, I'll update this reply. I will be plugging it directly into a fairly high end laptop running Windows 10 ..... should be interesting. I'm just going to be doing light volunteer voice over stuff, so don't have tons to spend. If I get an interface, I'll probably go with something like the UA Volt 276.

Guys I just bought a k688 and it's an old stock and believe it or not the capsule placement is different! It's actually like the sm7b, much closer to the case of the mic the one u got was new stock and its at the top, I think fifine thought it was too quiet or something and moved it to the top but I'm actually a loud speaker so I actually prefer the sm7b design with the lower capsule placement on the old revision of the k688 which I got, also my k688 came with a 3 leg stand as well! I'm not kidding its sealed I didn't plant em in there neither did the shop I bought from, I bought it for only 40 bucks cuz they were clearing it cuz it wasn't selling well and they sold it to me for only slightly above cost price and I get these extras and better capsule placement, I couldn't as for more!

Glad to see you buddy. 💜

You still had the xlr connected to the microphone, when you put the usb in. Unplug the xlr, and see if that works

The usb sounds like what happens when I use Voicemeeter banana and discord. Usually changing my affinity solves it

Fifine USB worked fine for me. Sounds like you mic is broken/tech issue for it to not work on USB. Good mic for its price

Oh no… Fifine is serious. Listen to the quality. I own the K688 it’s flawless

thanks for the INFO!!!!

I got 2 creators I've watched. One here in our country and outside. It's sad that they have same issues. That's 2 out of 2 bad review. And defective on usb. I'll not take my chances. New subscriber. here. Any recommendation that can do good recording and podcasting ? Really like your voice ❤😊

It sounds much better on your voice than mine. I got one and while it works fine, to my ear, my voice sounds bad on it

Dcm3 had a weird metallic empty sound to me

Trouble shooting 101: try the mic in a known good usb input port and a mic that worked in that port in your lap top.

I'm about to buy this one but I'll check another one. Thanks for this.

I have the same issue. If you use usb the sound is too low

so i just got this mic and it sounds super choppy and robotic sounding when i use discord or any form of mic communication, i own an asus rog g14 zephyr us and wanted to know how to fix it

-58Db? Almost ask quiet as the sm7b? NO SHOT! Do you need a cloud lifter for this? Love the detailed reviews brother. +1 sub

Yeah, if you're selling a usb microphone it has to be simple plug and play. That segment of the market doesn't have the training. knowledge or inclination to do complex troubleshooting.

my mic does not sound even close to that with the usb connection it actually dosent sound too far off from what it sounds like when you have the xlr connected it sounds better then any other mic ive had and the only mic that you put it up against that sounded better was the first one the other ones i did not like compared even when the price was over 4 times as much for some of them the fifine in my opinion sounded better than the others.

I have seen so much people singing this mic praises to an absurd degree while the mic sounds good I don't think it should bw hyped as a mic that dethrones the sm7b

A really good budget microphone for the price. As far as the USB issue, I think you got a bad unit. I seen another review of the mic and it did not have the same issue using USB.

I used this mic for 3 months. Worked really well BUT I believe I received a faulty one or the circuit within was fried. My mic muting button kept muting and unmuting itself like it was possessed. I tried every troubleshooting solutions but they weren’t helping at all! Going to return it back to Amazon and get me a Hyper X mic. 😳😢

Conect the mic only with the usb cable, no with the other, only one cable

Reduce buffer length to fix clicks😂

I have compared this Mic with other expensive mics; it gave the quality I was looking for and I am shocked by the way you review it here which I think is not fair.

that is deffective cause mine works , I just prefer the xlr options sicne I do have a decent audio interface

What is the name of the mic that give you this sound ?

So I have this mic, and the capsule on mine is a fair bit further away from the grill. Possibly a newer revision?

The Fifine still sounds better than all of the one he showed even it costs like a fraction of a "branded" microfone lmao

amazing review, complete! you need a lot more views and likes!

Mouth always must be placed directly on Capsule... not in axes.. People use this method to protect themselves against plosives... but wrong usage.. missing all the valuable notes in voice

Oddly, my version sounds thin and somewhat boxy, it was quite disappointing, plus I get some very noticeable self noise, at least compared to my Thomann SC400 which both have been used on my Air 4 audio interface.

By the shockmount being hard mounted, does that mean you cannot remove it or change it?

Hi bro. Great review as always. But I'm getting interested with your camera setting. How the way you got nice color grading like that?

I received a K688 and it broke after 10 minutes. The replacement lasted even less than 10 minutes. Complete garbage.

I have the older version of this mic. There definitely interesting

Like… I’m really confused here. We’re all here because of the quality of the mic. This mic sounds almost as good as the sm7b (they’re like 1 inch away) a mic 4 times more expensive !!!! To me, they’re actually in the same league, just a question of personal taste. I’m actually surprised that you took almost 2 minutes to bring down the value of this beautiful piece because of what is obviously a technical problem you alone brought up after all these amazing reviews I watched about this mic. You can do better than that c’mon sir

Any thoughts on the Maono PD100? 🙂

Mannnn I like the USB sound for a distortion sound

Love the irony - you're not F@#$#!n Fine at the time of video release. Get well matey.

My Mic did this same distortion thing. Tried a usb 3.0 and 2.0 cable. Had to find one that eventually worked.

other videos ive seen you need a usb 3.0 but idk

Would you recommand it over the Elgato Wave DX

Came here to ask for a review of the Maono pd400x and he trash3s them in the first 5 seconds lol

Este tipo siempre esta desacuerdo con todo…

I think you got a defective Mic. We have one and the USB is fine.

the main thing is that he doesn't say anything about the microphone, which means that he doesn't understand anything about microphones or is cheating for money from the Chinese, what's good is that the sound from the microphone is not bad, it makes little noise and is enough, the sound is very close to the head and is not enough, the sound from afar is for recording in bad conditions, this is good, and the rest is terrible, it is impossible to touch the microphone and the wire, it's a bomb in the ears, no isolation of the head from the body, USB recording 16 bit 44 kilohertz and the sound is much worse than through the wire, a very weak signal comes through the headphone output and is distorted, good luck to everyone

Is this plastic?

I believe it's pronounced "Fine Fine"

This was a interesting review and I think that it was a defective product that was sent to you. I've also made a review on my channel in case anyone needs more reference about this mic!

I have had this microphone for six months and I have no problem with USB. Your USB test is meaningless

You're not comparing the mics to each other. You're speaking into two mics at a time, and then asking which do we like. How do you hear each mic separately if you're speaking into two at a time? You have to speak into one at a time, and then give us a second to make the comparison. Your mic comparisons are terrible.

Hi there! @geloandjoyTV let me know that the USB-C works if you switch it to a USB 3.0 cable. I bought two of these myself and had the same issue and said the same thing about changing samples rates and all, but a USB 3.0 cable works! I just wish the right cable came with the box.