If you still work from game or game regularly, you might want to get a separate microphone for better performance. The Fifine Ampligame A8 is a great starter option as it retails for just S$66 on Amazon.sg, and can be used for both work and play.
Unboxing
In the box, you’ll find the following:
- Fifine Ampligame A8 USB Microphone
- USB-C cable
- Pop filter
- Pivot adapter for boom arm
- User manual
Build quality and design
Fifine Ampligame A8 comes in three colours – (1) black, (2) white, and (3) pink. The unit I have is the black variant, which I think is the best colour since it matches the detachable pop filter which only comes in black. The body of the Ampligame A8 is constructed largely from plastic, which has a nice matte finish. The microphone comes pre-attached to the stand.
When it comes to controls, you have a single touch-sensitive mute button located on the top of the Ampligame A8. The LED will light up red if it is muted, and green if it is active. At the back, you’ll find a touch button to cycle through the different RGB lighting modes. You can choose from seven static colors or a more interesting 7-color rotation gradient or two-color gradient rotation mode, so those who are a fan of RGB to match desk setups or showcase on streams may find this a nice feature.
For those who prefer a cleaner aesthetic, the RGB can be turned off by holding the button for a few seconds. Lastly, at the base of the Ampligame A8 you’ll find the volume knob along with the 3.5mm port for mic monitoring, as well as the USB-C port. The volume knob can be a little cumbersome to reach as it is at the back
User experience
The Ampligame A8 comes pre-attached to the included base, and is kept suspended on a shock mount. This is a really nice feature to have as the shock mount helps to absorb sounds and vibrations from your desk. For example, if you’re recording keyboard sound tests, the thump of the spacebar won’t carry through from the desk into your recording.
If you prefer your microphone to have more freedom of movement on your desk, you can detach the Ampligame A8 from the base and mount it on any boom arm using the included pivot adapter. It’s nice that you can still keep the Ampligame A8 on the shock mount even when mounting it on a boom arm.
I also like how the mute button is a touch-based one and conveniently located on the top of the microphone. Every time I am done talking, I simply tap the top of the microphone which is way faster than having to accurate press on a physical button.
Recording performance
The overall audio signature leans towards a warm sound. Mid-range is the prominent frequency here with some mid-bass to give depth. Audio is clear and crisp. The Ampligame A8 uses a cardioid pattern so it has no issue picking up your voice as long it is facing you. It does not pickup too much ambient noise as well, especially when I was gaming. I found that my voice sounds the most rich when I am speaking closer to the microphone. I’d recommend getting a boom arm if you have the desk space. As long as the microphone is within 50cm from your mouth, you should still get a optimal pickup.
The shock mount really does a great job at keeping vibrations away from entering the recording. Typing vibrations doesn’t enter the recording, which was something the more expensive Creative Live! Mic M3 was a victim of. Speaking of the Mic M3, it offers slightly richer sound with more low end detail compared to the Ampligame A8. Having said that, the Ampligame A8 performance is still very good especially it its S$66 price point.
Conclusion
The Fifine Ampligame A8 USB microphone delivers quality audio recording, along with design elements that make it a really simple plug-and-play setup. I particularly like how the microphone comes attached to a shock mount and uses a touch-sensitive mute button. For S$66, it is a great budget option for anyone looking to boost their recording quality for work and game.