GG Network

Tech

Fifine K683B, A Reliable Midrange Microphone for Streamers—Review

Posted by Christer de Guia August 11, 2021

The Fifine K683B is a bang-for-the-buck cardioid USB condenser microphone that ticks most boxes that streamers would possibly need. The plug-and-play nature of the microphone grants it the flexibility to record on different platforms, whether it’s your gaming PC or your smartphone (with USB-C).

If you’re willing to look over the very minor build quality issues, the microphone is a must-have for budding streamers, podcasters, or recording artists.

FIFINE K683B Technical Specs

Polar Pattern: Cardioid/Uni-directional

Sensitivity: -43dB ±3dB @ 1kHz

Features: 1/8″ (3.5mm) stereo jack, mute button, microphone gain knob, sturdy desk stand

Frequency Response: 50Hz – 17kHz

Sampling Rate: 192kHz/24bit

Output: USB 2.0 Type-B to USB-A & Type C

Out-of-the-box Functionality

Aside from the brief yet helpful user’s guide, there’s not a lot going on inside the box to help you get started – which is not a huge problem considering the ease of setting everything up.

The microphone comes with a clamp with a 5/8″ that can be mounted on the included heavy desk stand, although you might have to get a 5/8″ to 3/8″ adapter for some microphone arms.

For connectivity, the Fifine K683B comes with a Type-B to Type-A & Type-C cable, which you can plug in directly to your gaming PC, MacBook Pro, and even most modern smartphones! Unusually enough, I first tried the microphone on my Samsung Galaxy S21 and it worked without any hitches.

An understated, but almost essential feature that this microphone has is a 3.5mm audio jack that you can plug your headphones in for zero-latency live monitoring; a handy feature for USB microphones.

Note: The difference between Fifine K683A and K683B is the included stand, in which the former uses a tripod stand while the latter includes a stand with a heavier base.

Bright and Clear Audio Quality

As a musician and an audio junkie, I had low expectations before reviewing the microphone. For its price, the audio quality blew my mind. I’ve had reservations over using condenser microphones due to their sensitivity but the quality can’t be beat, even compared to Shure’s PGA58.

Despite its cardioid polar pattern, it can still pick up the clacks of my Cherry Red switch keyboard, light thumps on the table, and the sound of your neighbor’s beloved rooster/dog. I’d recommend mounting the microphone to a boom arm to minimize noise. As for the included pop filter, the mounting mechanism does nothing to minimize the handling noise.

Pro Looks, Budget Feel

Looks good, sounds good, but what’s the catch?

At around ₱3,000, the build quality of the microphone is not expected to be as rigid as high-end microphones from MXR, Shure, and others. Despite the chassis being decent, the metal grill does not have any give, which is an uncommon trait in microphones at this price point. However, the mute button feels a little flimsy and could use a tactile sound when muting/unmuting.

I did a simple A/B testing on my Rainbow Six: Siege team on Discord and they actually prefer the sound of the Fifine K683B over my own Shure PGA58.

PROS:

+ Great audio quality
+ Has mostly everything you need to get started
+ Competitively priced
+ Premium feel

CONS:

– Subpar pop filter
– No 5/8″ to 3/8″ screw adapter
– Flimsy mute/unmute button

Fifine K683B is a great first microphone for people dipping their toes in podcasting, videogame streaming, or recording their music demos. I absolutely love how the microphone includes a headphone jack for that zero-latency monitoring. You can get this microphone from Lazada for ₱3,140, or even less if you use this discount code.

Disclaimer: This product was freely sent to us by M One Enterprise, a local distributor of Fifine Microphones, for us to review. However, our reviews and opinions remain unbiased and unskewed for the benefit of our readers.

About the Author

Christer de Guia

Christer (Degs) is the Content Head for GG Network based in Mandaluyong City. He has released a full-length album with his high school band, spewed hot takes on Twitter, and wreaked havoc on GG Over Time.

Now Reading: Fifine K683B, A Reliable Midrange Microphone for Streamers—Review

Privacy Statement

Our Privacy Commitment

TV5 Network Inc. values and respects your privacy. We are committed to safeguarding your personal data in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

We have developed a Privacy Policy that adopts and observes appropriate standards for personal data protection. While our Privacy Policy sets out the general principles governing the collection, use, and disclosure of our users’ personal information, our Privacy Commitment seeks to inform you more about TV5’s privacy practices.

Why do we collect your personal information (as applicable)?

We may collect and maintain basic information about you as site user of TV5 sites for the following purposes:

To provide you relevant content;
To promote the latest updates on esports, games, and technologies;
To share livestreams of esports competitions;
To understand our viewers’ needs and preferences;
To meet legal and regulatory requirements; and
To perform other processes or disclosures that are required to comply with pertinent laws, rules, or regulations.

Where do we get your personal information?

There are several ways we collect your personal information.

Information that you personally provided.

Most of the personal information we have are those that you have provided us when you:
- Register to our services;
- Inquired, filed a complaint or requested for our services;
- Took part in our research and surveys.

Information we collect during your engagement with us

We also collect information as you use our products and services, like:
- Using our network, facilities and services;
- Activities that are being tracked by our website cookies;
- Calling our hotline;
- Using our apps, websites, and self-service channels and portals;
- Joining our promos, prize raffles, or rewards and loyalty programs.

Information we collect from other sources

Other means of collection of information may be through:
- Our market research initiatives;
- When you visit and use our websites and mobile application;
- Subsidiaries, affiliates, and third-party business partners to whom you have; given consent to share your information to us.

When do we disclose personal information?

There may be instances when we are required to share the information you provided us. In such cases, we ensure that your personal information will be disclosed on a confidential manner, through secure channels and in compliance with the Data Privacy Act and other privacy laws.

We will never share, rent, or sell your personal information to third parties outside of TV5 except in special cases where you have given consent, and in cases described in our privacy policy.

In some instances, we may be required to disclose your personal information to our agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, business partners and other third-party agencies and service providers as part of our regular business operations and for the provision of our programs and services. This means we might share your information with our service providers, contractors, and professional advisers who help us provide our services.

How we protect your personal information

The integrity, confidentiality, and security of your information is important to us. We have implemented technical, organizational, and physical security measures that are designed to protect your information from unauthorized or fraudulent access, alteration, disclosure, misuse, and other unlawful activities.

We also put in effect the following safeguards:

We keep and protect your information using a secured server behind a firewall, encryption and security controls;
We keep your information only for as long as it is necessary for us to (a) provide our services, (b) for our legitimate business purposes, (c) to comply with pertinent laws, and (d) for special cases that will require the exercise or defense of legal claims;
We limit the access to your information only to qualified and authorized personnel who are trained to handle your information with strict confidentiality;
We undergo regular audits and rigorous testing of our infrastructure’s security protocols to ensure your data is always protected;
We promptly notify you and the National Privacy Commission when sensitive personal information that may, under the circumstances, be used to enable identity fraud are reasonably believed to have been acquired by an unauthorized person;
We let you update your information securely to keep our records accurate.

TV5 will not collect, use, or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than those identified in this Commitment, your Service Agreement or our Terms of Service, and any other purpose that you may have given your consent for.

What are your choices?

We make sure that we have your consent to continue to collect, use, and disclose your personal information for the purposes that we have identified. We want you to know that you may object or withdraw your consent and/or edit your consent preferences at any time.

If you wish to have access to the personal information in our custody or if you think that the personal information you provided is incomplete, or otherwise inaccurate, you may get in touch with our Data Protection Officer through the contact details provided below. In some instances, we may request for supporting documents or proof before we effect requested changes.

Data Protection Officer
TV5 Network Inc.
Reliance corner Sheridan Streets
Mandaluyong City
tv5dataprivacy@tv5.com.ph

What happens when there are changes in our Policy?

From time to time, we may update our privacy policy and practices to comply with changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements, adapt to new technologies and protocols, and align with the best practices of the industry.

You will be provided notices if the changes are significant and, if we are required by law, we will obtain your updated consent.

FIFINE K683B Technical Specs

Out-of-the-box Functionality

Bright and Clear Audio Quality

Pro Looks, Budget Feel

IBA sa 5 Station ID

Privacy Statement