FIFINE AmpliGame AM8PROT Mic Kit review

While we’ve had a few companies like Elgato become commonplace among content creators, it’s rare to hear about any of their competition. FIFINE, an up-and-coming production brand, has been making a splash, showing us that you don’t always have to pay a premium to enjoy premium products. Enter the AM8PROT, a dynamic microphone intended to compete with the Wave 3 and similar-tier mics at a fraction of the cost.

First, let’s discuss the niche this microphone is intended to fill. There’s no denying that the industry standard is the Elgato Wave 3. It’s traditionally been the most usable, high-quality USB microphone widely available, and a ton of folks, myself included, probably have at least one if they’re producing video or streaming content at home. I typically record my voiceover work for GamingTrend with said Wave 3. I was happy to discover that the FIFINE AmpliGame AM8PROT feels like it was designed to fill the same gap as the Wave 3. Given how prolific Elgato’s products are, I’d say that’s a lofty target, but I was surprised to see that, while it may not push Elgato out, the AM8PROT has the chops to stand on its own as an excellent competitor. When you factor in some of its added feature set at a fraction of the price, it’s set up to carve its own place in the market.

From the moment you open the AM8PROT, you can see FIFINE’s quality at work. A lot of lower-end competition is made of cheap plastic, and they just feel poorly made. Seeing them in action can leave a lot to be desired, and the lack of features kind of shoehorns them into a single-use item you’ll quickly want to replace. The AM8PROT, conversely, feels like a solid piece of hardware. The built-in base is a smooth, matte metal. The microphone itself is high-quality plastic, with a built-in multi-function knob that feels lightly clicky to turn and satisfying to press. Like the Wave 3, pressing the knob will let you alternate between gain, headset volume, and the balance between the two. It’s all easily readable via a colored LED panel. They also built in a capacitive-touch mute button that turns the LED red so you can tell at a glance.

If that weren’t enough, the AM8PROT has some nice extra features for you to play with. There’s an RGB ring around the bottom of the mic. On the base of the unit, there’s an RGB button you can press to cycle through options. FIFINE has its own software suite, called Genie, that gives you greater control over your lighting options. The Genie software also lets you mix your system sound (à la Elgato Wave Link or SteelSeries Sonar) and adjust the Equalization, should you want to mess with it. Genie also gives you access to turn on the AM8PROT’s built-in noise reduction so your voice is given top billing.

If you still aren’t sure about the AM8PROT’s quality, you’ll be happy to know our video review of the microphone was recorded using the AM8PROT. We’ve been comparing it to the Wave 3, though, so it only seems fair to get some side-by-sides, so be sure to check those out now:

Will have an audio clip in the written article showing examples of both, or baked right into the video review.

FIFINE AM8PROT - Elgato Wave3 comparison

0:00

/28.398005

1×

Unlike its competition, with the AM8PROT, you aren’t restricted to using your microphone via USB. If you like having physical control, you can use the AM8PROT with an XLR mixer. The choice really is up to you.

Given that it’s part of the kit, I’d be remiss if I didn’t discuss the packed-in boom arm. Without a boom arm, you’ll have to deal with a mic stand on your desk, which inevitably leads to unwelcome noise when you accidentally bump your desk or move things around. With the included boom arm, you can set the mic where you want, elevated off your desk, and move it aside when you’re not using it. I was actually familiar with FIFINE microphones before this, so I had a good idea of what I’d be getting with the AM8PROT, but I’ve had some terrible experiences with inexpensive boom arms. A lot are cheaply made and use springs that creak in motion or can’t properly sustain the weight of a microphone, which leads to a frustrating experience. To my pleasant surprise, the boom arm included with the AM8PROT is wonderfully sturdy, staying right where I put it with no muss or fuss. It does as good a job as my RODE mic stand, which itself typically runs $100-$150. FIFINE’s mic stand comes with a feature I wasn’t expecting, too. Using USB power, you can utilize a variety of RGB lighting options on the boom arm, too. If I’m being honest, it can feel a little excessive at times, but it’s fun that you get the option for free.

FIFINE’s AM8PROT mic kit feels like an incredible deal. My RODE boom arm and Elgato Wave 3 cost nearly $300 combined. FIFINE’s kit gives you a comparable experience for under $100 with a few extra bells and whistles. If you’re looking for a quality microphone to upgrade or start your journey, this AM8PROT kit is an excellent choice - especially if you’re in the market for the boom arm too. Just beware the mic is end-addressing, so you’ll lose some audio if you aren’t speaking directly into it. It otherwise offers a similar experience to high-end USB mics with the option to use an XLR mixer. FIFINE’s Genie suite gives you plenty of ways to personalize the experience or tweak your EQ and mix, too.