FIFINE K690 USB Studio Recording Microphone

Had two microphones this exact model, both of them broke the same exact way

This microphone was originally gifted to me by my girlfriend, and I loved it so much. The build quality was great, with very sturdy metal-like material. My audio quality was great, I've gotten compliments on how smooth my audio was, both in calls and in video clips. However, there is one complaint, which is the choice of their outdated USB Mini powering the Microphone, instead of a type C. That is where my microphone broke the first time I bought it, the plastic bit of the female connecter was pulled out of the microphone hub and was stuck inside the included USB wire. I attempted to fix this and eventually the pins bent, but I ultimately blamed myself and cast it aside as user error. Well since I had a sentimental attachment to this microphone since the original was gifted to me by my girlfriend, I ended up BUYING a replacement for myself. I've had it for six months as well, but eventually, the same exact thing happened to my new microphone. The plastic bit that was included in the female USB mini connection, ended up getting stuck in the male part after attempting to adjust the connector. I loved Fifine since they make the best bang-for-buck microphones, but it seems like I'll be looking for a replacement soon, either with another brand or one of their microphones with a USB Type - C connector.

Zakri Kneebone

April 15, 2022

Solid performer for the price

I had an issue with the supplied power cable which originally worked but burned out after a month and suddenly I sounded muffled. A bit of research found a replacement cable: USB type mini-B so I bought a high quality cord. Since then I sound clear and crisp, just a bit tinny but I expect this for the price. Monitor headphones (not included) sound fantastic through the 3.5mm jack. The supplied stand is okay, but I would like it to have a bit more counterweight and be taller. I have the mic on a 2" box to avoid cable stress. I'm happy with the quality compared to a mic that costs twice as much.

Came with a dent.

I mean, it works really well, but it came with a dent and im very confused about it.

I thought it has noice, but it was my PC fans.

Probably most of you comparing it's with blue yeti, and asking yourself "should I overpay for yeti"? Answer is NO. You shouldn't. Go with this boy, if you will be able to get it for a reasonable price.

It much more compact than yeti, but yeti looks lil bit better. Sound is good for high tier USB mic.

I bought it for 63 dollars at black Friday. You probably will not get that opportunity, but if you can get it for around 70-80 on some limited times deals or price will drop - then buy it for sure.

1 think I didn't like it's range. If you move it to far away (1m or more), the gain knob will not be enough to get at least -6dp. But at normal range up to 40sm it's good.

Best Purchase of the Year

This is the second type of Fifine USB mic I have bought. I had purchased their entry level USB mics and they were good. Only lacking in real time audio monitoring and the fact that you only get one pick up mode built in (Cardiod). This one though has 4 pick up modes; cardioid, omni, bidirectional and stereo. Perfect for podcasts with guests especially if you don't want those nasty microphone arms in your shots (sorry, don't look cool to me). And the sound quality is better. I currently work in radio so I record programs at home using this and send them to work. Helps a lot in the pandemic. Build quality feels much better than their entry level mic but just don't drop any of them regardless.

Glad I did my research & bought this mic!

We started doing weekly live webinars & moved from our podcast studio to our home offices when COVID hit in 2020. Needed to upgrade mic & camera. Glad I picked the Fifine.

A strong competitor in the micrphone space.

Typically when you're getting into anything regarding social media, the first thing you're likely to go out and buy is a microphone. In a world where the market is littered with tons of options, there's a select few that most people recommend as a safe place to start, and while I don't entirely disagree with those top picks, I'm more interested in what can perform close to those same top picks for significantly less money. Today we're taking a look at a microphone that punches high above it's price point.

Packaging: the packaging here is pretty great, thickly padded foam with stiff cardboard on top of a protective paper sleeve shielding the box itself. In the box you get the microphone, stand, type A to mini B usb cable that's about 6.5ft long, and a 5/8 male to 3/8 female adapter.

Build Quality: when it comes to build quality, I'd say nothing about this microphone feels cheap in the hand at all. You get 3 knobs for different adjustments and a single mute button on the front end. The quality of the mic itself feels pretty close to that of the Blue Yeti. While I don't currently have a blue yeti microphone in my possession, I've used the Yeti several times in the past so I'm well aware of how it feels in the hand and sounds.

Stand: the stand holding the microphone feels pretty stable and solid, and can be further adjusted with the two plastic knobs on the side.

Buttons: on the backside of the microphone you have your microphone pattern settings and gain control which are adjusted using a knob. Microphone pattern options are stereo, omnidirectional, cardioid, and bidirectional. We'll dive into what these patterns can do shortly. On the front of the mic you get quick access to a mute button that gives a soft actuation in feedback. You also get access to a knob that allows you to adjusting the volume levels when monitoring audio, this is complete with a 3.5mm headphone jack found at the bottom along with your power to USB and a screw hole to mount as needed. All of the buttons here feel smooth in use when turning any of the knobs, but the microphone pattern knob is much harder to turn in comparison by design. When adjusting the microphone patterns, the knob requires a hard turn and then locks in place to whatever setting you've decided on, so there's no chance you'll accidentally switch to the wrong setting which is great to see. It should be noted that all of the buttons on this mic are plastic while the rest of the body is made of metal including the stand.

I think in a conversation where value is your absolute top priority, the K690 is an excellent place to start for anyone looking into audio, especially for those who aren't really sure what they're looking for. Where I would typically warn against USB microphones, this microphone by Fifine is definitely worth looking into at its price point.

Sound is very clear!

Great mic. Works well with PC/Mac and my PS4. Sound quality is great! Zero complaints will but again. Great product.

Mic Works great!

Had a lot of complaints during video calls about my sound quality (Microsoft webcam), so got this Mic. Everyone noted a significant improvement, so this is worth the money. Will be using it to do some voice work for video montages and naration.

Amazing USB Microphone

This an amazing usb mic and an even better price point. I compared this to a Shure MV7 ($250 mic) and although out of the box the MV7 sounded a bit better, after I added a effects such as a noise gate and gain these mics almost exactly the same. Definitely a great buy, but if you do get it make sure you have the mic close to your mouth. The stand that comes with the mic will not typically get it close enough to your mouth, so I'd recommend getting a mic arm with it.

amazing mic but package came a little banged up..

the knob to change what “mode” the microphone is on is cracked and doesn’t turn right

Bang for your buck

Right off the bat, you can tell this is better than Fifine's other mic (K678). I would really recommend this product just for the price. You don't have to spend over $100 to have a great sounding mic. Do yourself a favor and buy a mic arm along with this mic and you're set!

5:35

Activater

March 30, 2021

Solid Mic for a Solid Price.

This thing is great. The time spent playing with this thing right out the the box was worth the price alone. The features this mic includes can turn your basic microphone into something that sounds high quality. The different modes along with the sturdy build make this a solid choice for the beginner to long time podcaster/content creator.

Great sound and material quality!

This is a great mic! I asked my audience about the clarity in sound and they advised that it sounds very professional and clear. A word of caution though: the microphone picks up the smallest of sounds so be mindful of that! Overall-I highly recommended this product!

Bronson VanWagoner

February 17, 2021

Another Great Mic from FiFine, but Hoping for Innovative Changes

There is no arguing that the FiFine K690 is a Blue Yeti Clone. Same features, similar build concept, and even every button and dial is in the EXACT same position as the Blue Yeti. Does this mean it isn't a good mic? No, it is a good mic. Although, I would love to see some innovation from FiFine in the future. A part of me doesn't want to say this slightly critical stuff about FiFine because I really do like them as a company. They produce some great mics for a great price. Since I know they are capable of making good products, I know that they could be capable of even more and coming out with their own microphone concepts with great features! I'd like to see them make the NEXT Blue Yeti, not the current one.

FiFine K690 Pros:

The K690 functions very well.

Great build quality.

Reasonable price.

Sound is on par with the cost.

Has a slight edge when it comes to sound quality compared to the Blue Yeti.

Has useful and nice features (4 separate polar patterns).

FiFine K690 Cons:

Carbon Copy of the Blue Yeti (Some people probably don't care about this at all).

I wish it at least could do 24 bit 48 kHz, but it just simply matches the Yeti with 16 bit 48 kHz.

Once again matches the Blue Yeti with a mini USB port, I would have liked to see a USB-C port on this mic.

Stand is a little short, so it could be hard to get great sound with it on a desk

Summary:

When it comes to the K690, I believe the Pros out weigh the Cons. This is a good sounding microphone with great features, even though those features aren't the most cutting edge. A lot of people may not care that it is a clone. The only reason I do, is that I want more for FiFine as a company.

If you want to watch my full review, check out the 'Audio Hotline' on YouTube.

The Best USB Mic Under $100 For Podcasting in 2021!

This is the best podcast mic under $100 in 2021! Check out my video review!

22:46

Watts

January 26, 2021

The K690 USB Microphone is a Keeper!

Now I must say I’m not an audiophile, never claimed to be. But I want to be heard and sound good when you are listening to me. That is where the K690 comes into play. The Fifine K690 is a condenser USB Microphone that features four pick up patterns: Cardiod, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, and Stereo. My favorite feature of this microphone is being able to quickly mute myself if I need to cough, sneeze, or whatever. Sometimes it’s the little things that matter. I appreciate the button turning red to let me know my microphone is muted. When I want to rejoin the conversation/content, I simply press the button to unmute myself and the light turns from red to green.

The second feature that I enjoy is the pick up pattern. For the most part, I’m probably going to stay in the cardiod pick up pattern simply because that makes sense for videos I make on YouTube. If I ever want to interview someone, I will switch it over to the bidirectional pattern.

Other features including plugging your headphone into the microphone to monitor the low latency audio. This will allow you to get a preview of how you sound prior to recording. Additional features include being able to turn up the gain of the microphone and adjusting the volume inside your headphones. This microphone is definitely a keeper for me and I have used it in subsequent videos I made on YouTube.

1:37

Joshua Lopez

January 14, 2021

If you’re debating, Yes. Get this Mic!

If you need to know if you should buy this mic, the answer is yes! A better value and amazing quality vs a blue yeti.

This mic is extremely durable, sounds fantastic, and the added features are helpful.

Hands down, solid mic.

I hate to say this, but this might be the only mic I really need

TL;DR - If you’re looking for a good, all-around microphone that will morph and shift with you as your recording needs change, and want good recording quality, I would recommend this. With its different polar patterns, it can function as a voiceover microphone, a podcasting microphone, a streaming mic, an audio/video conference mic, a beginner SFX or foley mic, and it even does decently at recording instruments. At its price, it is an incredible value.

First of all, I need to provide some context so that both the people who just want a high quality microphone, and the more discerning readers among you can get a reference point for why I’m equipped to make this review. I am an amateur audio recording enthusiast, and in my humble collection of microphones reside a Shure SM7B, a Rode NTG2, a Techzone Audio Products Stellar X2, a Sennheiser E614, an Audio Technica AT2035, a couple of Audio Technica ATR2100x-USB mics, a Golden Audio Project D2, and some wireless Samson systems. I’ve owned a number of other microphones in the past, from the likes of the aforementioned brands, as well as Blue. I’ve also worked with various flavors of digital recorders from Zoom and Sound Devices, and hired and worked on set with audio folks who own Schoeps, Lectrosonics, Neumann and Zaxcom gear. I’m no expert, but I’m a pseudo geek, and I *love* gear. I used to follow Curtis Judd and Podcastage religiously, until I discovered that my devotion to them was draining my wallet (I was buying stuff they reviewed, even though I didn’t need any more gear)

When I got the opportunity to review the Fifine* K690, I initially scoffed at the idea. I’d owned budget Chinese audio gear in the past, and they were mediocre at best. How much better could they have become? The photos looked good, though, and my contact at Fifine who reached out to me to request a review agreed that I was not bound to say anything positive if my assessment revealed that there wasn’t anything positive to say. I told her I was in.

I’ll gloss over the packaging and appearance with the exception of saying that it’s really quite nice and better than expected at this price point. Packaging discarded, I checked out the build quality of the mic. It has heft, and feels very solid. The finish is really quite nice, and the silk The included base has a small footprint, and the mic swivels smoothly in the base, while staying put when you place it at a weird angle. You can easily mount the mic on a standard mic stand or boom arm with the included adapter, which screws into the bottom of the mic, but Fifine made a very curious choice for the size of that screw thread. Perhaps this is my own ignorance on display, but I would have chosen a 1/4”-20 female screw thread on the bottom of the mic to ensure compatibility with the vast majority of grip gear. Instead, the size is strange and appears to be non-standard.

I then plugged it into my 2013 Mac Pro using the included USB cable (very strangely dimensioned at 9.84 feet long), turned my monitors down, slapped my Sony MDR7506 monitor headphones on, and spun up Adobe Audition. After selecting the Fifine K690 as the input, I gave it a whirl. I started with the cardioid polar pattern first, as that’s the one that I use the most, and started recording. Color me impressed! Upon playback, I was a little shocked at how good this jill of all trades microphone performed. I’d turned the gain knob on the mic all the way down, and the signal was strong, with almost no background noise. I don’t know if there’s a built-in pop filter or not, but plosives were minimal, even though I kept saying ping pong pang punk right into the microphone. I spun the microphone around as I kept babbling to test off-axis rejection, and was rewarded with very little pickup on the back side of the mic. I then ran through tests with the other polar patterns, and voila! Omnidirectional was indeed omnidirectional, stereo was stereo and the figure 8 (or bidirectional), worked as claimed.

For the price, I think it’s really hard to beat the value of this mic. Time will tell whether it will stand up to the rigors of regular use, but its utility cannot be denied. I use it for Zoom, for letting my daughter record her singing, and for calls home via Google Voice. It has a built in mute button, which is much easier to access and use than the mute button on Zoom, or having to press the Zoom keyboard combination to mute. If I was a podcaster, I’d take it on the road with me and save time on setup, and give my back a break. It now sits on my desk, taking centerstage, while my SM7B sits on its boom stand, viewing it askance, probably muttering less than savory things under its breath. I never thought I’d say this, but this might be the only mic I’d need. Does that mean I’ll stop watching Curtis Judd and occasionally getting one of the mics he recommends, even if they can only be used in limited situations? Nah, I like audio gear, and this K690 will someday join my SM7B in envy. But until then, it's a solid, all-around replacement that simplifies my audio chain significantly and works well for my current needs.

*It’s pronounced like you would say the word “fine” twice in a row. I had to know since I was having too much fun making up pronunciations, and emailed them to ask

A USB mic that can do it all

What got me interested in this mic is the features it offers for its price. When I first got this mic, I was surprised of the quality. It has a good weight and doesn't feel plasticky. It has four options that benefit content creators who are interested in creating videos, podcast and voiceovers. But if you're not into that, you can level up your audio if you just want to use this for conference meetings and zoom calls.

Overall, im happy with this mic because I feel like I can do a lot with this and doesn't really break the bank.

This microphone is amazing for its price point for every user.

Watch the video for full review

9:12

This might possibly the best USB Microphone for the price!

All I have to say is this Mic is built well, sounds amazing, and is such a value for the price! I totally recommend this mic for anyone that wants quality! This mic surprised me, once you get the package you know this was totally worth the price. Don't hesitate to buy this mic!

2:54

Impressive quality microphone!

I purchased this microphone to improve the quality of voice recordings that I do, and I am very happy to say that it will fit the bill nicely! I was really impressed with the overall look and feel of this microphone. The unboxing of it was surprisingly nice -- it's in a very well-presented package. Everything about this feels very high quality, from the metal casing of the microphone itself, to the substantial stand included, and even the "Fifine" branded USB cable.

It was simple to install -- just plug into the USB port on my Windows computer and it was immediately recognized. I tweaked a couple of settings in the Sound control panel as suggested in the instructions, and tried a test recording. The sound quality is excellent, and this is the first USB microphone I've purchased that I haven't returned. Other USB microphones had horrible buzzing and static -- this Fifine microphone had very clear audio with no distortion or background interference.

I like that it has an optional headphone jack on the bottom if you want to monitor audio right through that output, but also like the flexibility that I can use the USB microphone to record, but continue to use my computer speakers for playback. This is the second Fifine microphone product I've purchased, and I've been very pleased with the quality of both of them.

Another Great Mic from Fifine

Fifine has great mic's and for the price, and this one is great. I've tried the k678 and it was also really good. If you want the Fifine k678 but need the extra pickup patterns this one has this is perfect. The stand it comes with is also really nice but I highly recommend getting a boom arm just to get it off of your desk. The box it comes in is also perfect for taking the mic on the go because it is padded with foam inside. The only complaint I have is that the mute button on the mic feels a bit cheap unlike how it was on the k678 but that's not too big of a deal because I don't mute the mic very often. Overall, it's a great mic for the price!

Crystal clear audio.

The mic itself is built very well. The sound quality is crystal clear, you won’t be disappointed with it. Because of the 4 pick up patterns you can use it for just about anything. The mic has a very convenient gain knob on the back so you can turn up or down the sensitivity very easily. There is also a mute button on the front so you can easily mute yourself in a zoom call if you need to. Overall I would recommend this mic to anybody who needs a mic for zoom, YouTube, streaming, or music recording.

Eric Miller

December 1, 2020

Great Microphone

Best microphone I've used.

Amazing looking, amazing features and amazing performance!

This is a great upgrade microphone for any beginner creator, singer or streamer. This USB mic sounds amazing and I love the 4 different sound recording mode it offers. I am using it for videos and zoom meetings and it has improved the sound quality of my video endeavors. Everything works great so far and gives a nice improvement over my previous mic.

0:08

Noticeable difference in audio quality.

Alright, this microphone really nails it on the head for $100. Here's a quick breakdown:

-Extremely clear audio when played back

-No distortion of my own voice

-Reflects true to how I actually sound like in real life

-Perfect for zoom meetings and class lectures.

-Easily picks up audio from a distance away.

I started using it this week and my classmates and my friends noticed a drastic change in audio quality to the point where they became doubtful I was the same person behind the mic. For $100 I said this was well worth it, I upgraded from a headset that has a microphone and I can say that there is truly a noticeable difference. If you are a student like me or if you are a teacher I would highly suggest this mic.

Hands down the best USB mic in its category, especially at that price tag.

The mic feels premium with great built quality.

It is super flexible for different types of usage, anywhere from podcast, interviews with the mic sitting on a flat surface, to mounting it up on a boompole for things like voice overs or just videos.

Sound quality is superb, full and crisp at the same time and you can adapt to any of the 4 pick up patterns.

This is definitely the complete package and is hands down the best USB mic in its category, especially at that price tag.

5:41

Sunny

November 19, 2020

One of the best multiple pattern usb condenser microphone (Fifine K690)

Fifine k690 is an awesome microphone for content creators. I personally bought this microphone for doing voiceover and live streaming. I was really impress with the sound quality and also the build quality. You can easily compare fifine k690 performance with more expensive usb condenser microphone like blue yeti. You get the similar options for less money. Fifine k690 comes with three condenser capsules so perfect for most recording situation. Also this microphone comes with multiple pattern selection options like Stereo, Cardioid, Omnidirectional and Bidirectional. You also get a headphone jack so you can monitor your audio while recording. You don't need an external audio interface. Just plug and play. Perfect fit for podcast, interview, live streaming, gaming, singing and voiceover. I highly recommend this microphone.