Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 18 hours ago
The Fifine AM8 is STILL the best $50 microphone you can buy in 2026 —
and it's actually gotten cheaper since it launched.
No XLR interface required. No $400 price tag. Just great sound, straight out
of the box. After years of recommending this mic, I'm putting it to the test
again to see if it holds up — and whether the Shure SM7B is actually worth the
extra $350.
In this video:
✅ Out-of-the-box sound test (USB vs XLR)
✅ AM8 vs Shure SM7B — why the expensive mic loses for most creators
✅ Why mic etiquette matters more than mic price
✅ Budget alternatives in 2026 (K688, Maono PD200X)
✅ Where to get the AM8 for the lowest price
If you're just starting out streaming or content creation and don't want
to waste money on gear you don't need yet — this video is for you.
──────────────────────────────
🔗 LINKS
──────────────────────────────
🎙️ Fifine AM8 → amazon.com/dp/B0C74G9RLH?ref=t_ac_spc_accepted_tile&linkCode=tr1&tag=darkenedcyr06-20&linkId=B0C74G9RLH_1772240453256
🎙️ Fifine K688 → amazon.com/dp/B0B8SNVK5K?ref=t_ac_spc_accepted_tile&linkCode=tr1&tag=darkenedcyr06-20&linkId=B0B8SNVK5K_1772240616689
📺 Original AM8 Review (2023) → youtu.be/bfmxM_5ozgg
#FifineAM8 #BudgetMicrophone #StreamingSetup #FifineReview #BestMic2026
------------------------------------
We are an Elgato Ambassador! Get a discount when you order your favorite Elgato products with my link! elgato.sjv.io/aOdJZR
Are you a Console Streamer? Then you need Lightstream!
golightstream.com/darkenedcyrus
Discount Code: DarkenedCyrus (25% off 3 months!)
We are an AVerMedia Partner! Go check out their AWESOME Inventory and get an exclusive discount with my coupon code!
Code: Cyrus
Link: sdqk.me/bPFV6hdj/9f8lj0GW
------------------------------------
Check out my website to book 1 on 1 Coaching, editing services, and more! https://www.darkenedcyrus.live
Join The Darkness Discord! discord.gg/ftRsYvq
------------------------------------
Check out my website! - darkenedcyrus.com
BRANDS! Here's my Media Kit - https://darkenedcyrus.live/mediakit
------------------------------------
Come Watch My Stream!
Twitch - twitch.tv/darkenedcyrus
------------------------------------
Socials
Twitter - twitter.com/DarkenedCyrus
Instagram - instagram.com/DarkenedCyrus
------------------------------------
Channel Started - 7/12/2019
YouTube Partner Program - 11/7/2020
10k Subs - 7/18/2022
20k Subs - 3/13/2024
Timestamps:
0:00 Fifine AM8 in 2026 — Still the Best $50 Mic?
0:29 Why I Recommend the AM8 Over Expensive Mics
0:42 Fifine AM8 vs Shure SM7B for Beginners
1:17 Raw USB Sound Test (No EQ or Processing)
1:55 What the Fifine AM8 Is Actually Good For
2:34 Why Expensive Microphones Cost So Much
3:18 Can You Hear Background Noise? Real-World Test
3:40 Why the SM7B Needs EQ, Compression, and Setup
4:20 Best Budget Microphones for Streaming
5:02 Add XLR Control Without Replacing Your Mic
5:31 Free Wave Link Software Makes Budget Mics Better
6:49 Why Your Microphone Might Sound Bad
7:16 Proper Microphone Placement and Distance
8:11 Mic Placement Test — Too Far From the Mic
8:30 What Mics Work Out of Frame?
9:04 Final Recommendation: Should You Buy the Fifine AM8?
9:44 Raw AM8 Audio Final Thoughts
The Fifine AM8 is STILL the best $50 microphone you can buy in 2026 —
and it's actually gotten cheaper since it launched.
No XLR interface required. No $400 price tag. Just great sound, straight out
of the box. After years of recommending this mic, I'm putting it to the test
again to see if it holds up — and whether the Shure SM7B is actually worth the
extra $350.
In this video:
✅ Out-of-the-box sound test (USB vs XLR)
✅ AM8 vs Shure SM7B — why the expensive mic loses for most creators
✅ Why mic etiquette matters more than mic price
✅ Budget alternatives in 2026 (K688, Maono PD200X)
✅ Where to get the AM8 for the lowest price
If you're just starting out streaming or content creation and don't want
to waste money on gear you don't need yet — this video is for you.
──────────────────────────────
🔗 LINKS
──────────────────────────────
🎙️ Fifine AM8 → amazon.com/dp/B0C74G9RLH?ref=t_ac_spc_accepted_tile&linkCode=tr1&tag=darkenedcyr06-20&linkId=B0C74G9RLH_1772240453256
🎙️ Fifine K688 → amazon.com/dp/B0B8SNVK5K?ref=t_ac_spc_accepted_tile&linkCode=tr1&tag=darkenedcyr06-20&linkId=B0B8SNVK5K_1772240616689
📺 Original AM8 Review (2023) → youtu.be/bfmxM_5ozgg
#FifineAM8 #BudgetMicrophone #StreamingSetup #FifineReview #BestMic2026
------------------------------------
We are an Elgato Ambassador! Get a discount when you order your favorite Elgato products with my link! elgato.sjv.io/aOdJZR
Are you a Console Streamer? Then you need Lightstream!
golightstream.com/darkenedcyrus
Discount Code: DarkenedCyrus (25% off 3 months!)
We are an AVerMedia Partner! Go check out their AWESOME Inventory and get an exclusive discount with my coupon code!
Code: Cyrus
Link: sdqk.me/bPFV6hdj/9f8lj0GW
------------------------------------
Check out my website to book 1 on 1 Coaching, editing services, and more! https://www.darkenedcyrus.live
Join The Darkness Discord! discord.gg/ftRsYvq
------------------------------------
Check out my website! - darkenedcyrus.com
BRANDS! Here's my Media Kit - https://darkenedcyrus.live/mediakit
------------------------------------
Come Watch My Stream!
Twitch - twitch.tv/darkenedcyrus
------------------------------------
Socials
Twitter - twitter.com/DarkenedCyrus
Instagram - instagram.com/DarkenedCyrus
------------------------------------
Channel Started - 7/12/2019
YouTube Partner Program - 11/7/2020
10k Subs - 7/18/2022
20k Subs - 3/13/2024
Timestamps:
0:00 Fifine AM8 in 2026 — Still the Best $50 Mic?
0:29 Why I Recommend the AM8 Over Expensive Mics
0:42 Fifine AM8 vs Shure SM7B for Beginners
1:17 Raw USB Sound Test (No EQ or Processing)
1:55 What the Fifine AM8 Is Actually Good For
2:34 Why Expensive Microphones Cost So Much
3:18 Can You Hear Background Noise? Real-World Test
3:40 Why the SM7B Needs EQ, Compression, and Setup
4:20 Best Budget Microphones for Streaming
5:02 Add XLR Control Without Replacing Your Mic
5:31 Free Wave Link Software Makes Budget Mics Better
6:49 Why Your Microphone Might Sound Bad
7:16 Proper Microphone Placement and Distance
8:11 Mic Placement Test — Too Far From the Mic
8:30 What Mics Work Out of Frame?
9:04 Final Recommendation: Should You Buy the Fifine AM8?
9:44 Raw AM8 Audio Final Thoughts
