Skip to main content

FIFINE K690 USB Condenser Microphone - Is It Good?

I’ve been using the Fifine K90 microphone for 5 years. Is the Fifine K690 worth buying? YES! It has served me well over the years!

microphone on brown table with dark blue curtain background

My purpose of buying this microphone: I’m a huge fan of ASMR and sounds in general, so I wanted to have a stereo/binaural microphone to play around with sounds.

I saw this microphone on sale back then so I decided to try it out, and I really wasn’t disappointed!

The Fifine K690 USB microphone features 4 polar patterns, making it suitable for various scenarios such as: podcasts, recording vocals (singing), recording instruments, face-to-face interviews, conference calls and ASMR.

The 4 polar patterns (modes) on the Fifine K690 are: Stereo, Omnidirectional, Cardioid and Bidirectional.

Fifine K690 Polar Patterns (taken from User's Guide)

What’s in the Box…

Well, I bought this 5 years ago so I no longer have the box with me… (nah, I do but I’m using it to store things and it’s somewhere in my house......)

Please don’t mind me for the lack of original packaging! Please refer to the official photo printed on its User Guide.

  • Fifine K690 Microphone
  • USB cable (for power)
  • User's Guide (manual)
  • Mic stand
  • Mic adapter for boom arm

What I love about the Fifine K690

The sound quality is the highlight for me. In my opinion, the sound is clear, and has a good balance of bass and treble; didn’t feel like either was lacking. 

I also love how versatile the Fifine K690 is, as it comes with 4 different modes to use for different purposes. I've used this for making ASMR sounds, voice recording and singing. The audio quality is consistent through all modes.

The two modes that I often use are Stereo and Cardioid. Overall, the sound is clear, and has a good balance of highs and lows. I typically don’t need to fine-tune my audio much - it already sounds great out of the box.

In summary, it’s a beginner friendly microphone that offers results comparable to professional quality.

Headphone jack and USB port at the base of the Fifine K690

The Fifine K690 also comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack to plug in your headphones and monitor the audio. It also has its own stand, which makes it easy to use if you don’t have a mic stand or boom arm.

This was my first USB condenser mic. I really like the convenience of not having to deal with extra cables or an audio interface, unlike my XLR microphones, which require more setup. At this price point, and for a USB microphone, I think the Fifine K690 offers great value.

Key Features of the Fifine K690

  • The mic has a solid metal build
  • Comes with a mic stand - also made of metal
  • USB Connection = Convenient to use and bring around
  • Control knob to switch between polar patterns
  • 3.5mm headphone jack for direct audio monitoring
  • Physical gain knob: to adjust recording volume of the mic
  • Headphone control knob: to adjust monitoring volume


Comparison between the Fifine K690 and Blue Yeti

Before my purchase, I did a bit of research (on YouTube) and was surprised by how similar the Fifine K690 sounded to the famous Blue Yeti. For my purpose, I was deciding between this and the classic Blue Yeti. I eventually went with the Fifine K690 for its lower price point.

These two microphones are very similar in terms of their features and they both have good sound quality.

If you have a keen ear, you would be able to tell that the Blue Yeti has a distinct sound signature which is boosted. It has a boosted low end and despite that, I like its sound profile (for ASMR mainly).

Since budget was an issue, I went with the Fifine K690. The recorded sound on the Fifine K690 sounded more clean, natural and realistic. As a fan of Blue Yeti’s signature sound, I felt that the Fifine K690 was lacking in something at first. But as time went by, I’ve grown to like the Fifine K690’s sound profile more than the Blue Yeti. For ASMR specifically, it delivers a more lifelike sound and it’s less harsh on the ears.

Specs Fifine K690 Blue Yeti
Price US$69 (approx.) US$104 (approx.)
Polar Patterns Stereo, Omnidirectional, Cardioid and Bidirectional Stereo, Omnidirectional, Cardioid and Bidirectional
Sound Impression Tone: Warm | Balanced highs and lows Tone: Slightly bright | Boosted, noticeable bass
Connection USB USB
Colors Black Blue, Black, Silver
This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely believe provide value, and all opinions are my own.

[This post is NOT sponsored]
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Review: Budget Studio Headphones

RATING:  3.5 ★ |  At a glance...  The ATH-M20x offers a treble-heavy sound with slightly subdued highs. Value for money, it's a solid choice for entry-level monitoring headphones.  Quality:  3.5 /5  [Decent entry-level monitoring headphones. Substantial clarity. Lacks bass.]  Value:  5/5  [Value for money, for its quality.]  Comfort:  4/5  [Hardly any discomfort after wearing for long hours.]  Suitability:  Beginners in audio mixing and monitoring. Those on a tight on budget looking for decent quality headphones. Listeners who value clarity over bass. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Flair Pistachio Kunafa Dubai Chocolate Cake Bar Review

RATING:  3 ★ |  At a glance...  "Viral" Dubai Chocolate's distant cousin? The Flair Pistachio Kunafa Chocolate Cake Bar has a fairly average overall flavor, with noticeable notes of pistachio.  Taste:  3 /5  Is it worth it:  No for me. It just feels like an average chocolate cake bar snack with pistachio flavor.
Post a Comment
Read more

Unisoy Nutritious Soy Matcha Review: Great for Matcha Lovers

RATING:  5 ★  Not too sweet and rich in matcha. Soy-based, vegan and healthy.  Taste:   5/5  [Nice texture, noticeable matcha flavor]  [Made from soy, only 5 ingredients; mostly clean and recognizable]  Is it worth it:  I'd say yes, due to health score  [May repurchase when I see it on offer]  Suitability:  When you crave matcha latte, for tea time breaks, when you want to have a fancy treat drink that's more convenient and cheaper than buying from a physical beverage store. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Unisoy Rice Soy Milk Powder Review: Rich and Aromatic

RATING:  4 ★ |  At a glance...  Aromatic and creamy soy milk with a subtle rice note — just the right sweetness and easy to enjoy.  Taste:   5/5  [Rich and creamy texture. Strong scent.]  [Less than 10 ingredients that are mostly recognizable. With additive and flavorings.]  Is it worth it:  Depends on whether you want to have a flavored soy milk. It's a bit pricey, and with the additives, I'd rather just pay more for a fresh cup of soy milk. Suitability:  If you like soy milk with a thick and rich texture, if you want convenience and have something different from a regular soy milk. Great as a breakfast drink or for tea breaks.
Post a Comment
Read more