FiFine AM8 Review / Test (vs. K688, GoMic, SM58, SM7b)

Summary

The video is a detailed review of the Five Fine AM8 microphone, a budget-friendly $45 to $55 XLR USB dynamic mic. It covers the unboxing, build quality, features, and performance, highlighting its cardioid pattern, solid background noise rejection, and dual XLR/USB outputs. The review compares the AM8's sound to various other microphones, from affordable to high-end models, showcasing its surprisingly good performance for the price. While praising the microphone's value and ease of use, the reviewer notes some cons, including weak tension screws and issues with mounting. Overall, the AM8 is recommended as a solid starter microphone, particularly for those on a budget.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Five Fine AM8 microphone is an affordable option priced between $45 to $55, offering both XLR and USB outputs.
• 😀 The microphone comes with a USBC to USBA cable, desktop stand, and basic documentation, making it a good all-in-one package for beginners.
• 😀 The build quality of the AM8 is mostly plastic, with a metal grill, but the mounting system is weak, making the microphone prone to instability if tension on cables is not properly managed.
• 😀 The AM8 has a cardioid polar pattern, a frequency response range of 50Hz to 16kHz, and a sensitivity of -50 dB, which is decent for its price range.
• 😀 The microphone has a capacitive mute button, a lighting button for different lighting options, a microphone gain dial, and a headphone volume control.
• 😀 Sound quality from the AM8 is slightly V-shaped with a punchy bass and treble, but the mids take a back seat. It works well for podcasting and voice chatting, though it may require some EQ adjustments for singing or close miking.
• 😀 The AM8 performs reasonably well at background noise rejection, and it doesn't pick up excessive keyboard sounds or desk taps compared to other microphones.
• 😀 The XLR and USB outputs can be used simultaneously, allowing for versatile recording setups or backup recording, which is a significant advantage for streamers or podcasters.
• 😀 The microphone includes a mute button, but it may produce a noticeable pop or click if muted abruptly mid-sentence due to a lack of fade in/out functionality.
• 😀 While the AM8 is a great starting microphone, its weak mounting system makes it difficult to use the XLR output effectively without risk of inconsistent audio if not handled carefully.

Q & A

What is the price range of the FIFINE AM8 microphone?

The FIFINE AM8 microphone costs between $45 and $55, making it a very affordable option for a dynamic microphone.

What outputs does the FIFINE AM8 microphone offer?

The FIFINE AM8 offers both XLR and USB outputs simultaneously, which provides flexibility for different recording setups.

What is the polar pattern of the FIFINE AM8 microphone?

The FIFINE AM8 microphone has a cardioid polar pattern, which helps to capture sound from the front while rejecting noise from the sides and back.

How does the sound quality of the FIFINE AM8 compare to more expensive microphones?

For its price, the FIFINE AM8 delivers a surprisingly good sound quality, especially for spoken word and podcasts. While it won’t compete with high-end microphones like the Shure SM7B or Neumann U87, it holds up well against similarly priced models.

What is the build quality of the FIFINE AM8 like?

The build quality of the FIFINE AM8 is a mix of plastic and metal components. While the microphone feels solid, the mounting system is weak, with plastic tension screws that don’t provide stability, especially when cables are attached.

What are the main pros of the FIFINE AM8 microphone?

The main pros of the FIFINE AM8 are its excellent value for the price, simultaneous XLR and USB output, background noise rejection, and the inclusion of essential accessories like the stand and cable.

What are the cons of the FIFINE AM8 microphone?

The cons of the FIFINE AM8 include a weak mounting system, some resonance in the audio, limited 16-bit audio conversion, lack of mix control for monitoring, and a sudden mute button with no fade in/out.

How does the mute button on the FIFINE AM8 work?

The mute button on the FIFINE AM8 is capacitive, and it mutes the microphone instantly without a fade in or out. This can sometimes lead to abrupt audio cuts or pops when muted mid-sentence.

Is the FIFINE AM8 suitable for live streaming or podcasting?

Yes, the FIFINE AM8 is very suitable for live streaming and podcasting, especially considering its affordability, solid sound quality, and inclusion of necessary accessories like the desktop stand.

What are some limitations of the XLR output on the FIFINE AM8?

The XLR output on the FIFINE AM8 is less reliable because the weak mounting system causes the microphone to flop over if the XLR cable or headphones are connected. This can lead to inconsistent audio unless extra care is taken to manage cables or use tension relief.