Review: Fulaim F1000 wireless mic vs X5 system

Review sample provided by Fulaim

This product shares some similar features with the Fulaim X5 wireless mic I've reviewed recently so I will be duplicate parts of that review here.

The Fulaim F1000 wireless microphone system is made recording with mirrorless cameras, phones, tablets and even computer. These mics are good for vlogging and interviews as there's dual channel recording. For event coverage, a directional mic will be better. The mic is available from Fulaim online store and Amazon USA with the following prices:

• 1x receiver and 1x transmitter - USD 159
• 1x receiver and 2x transmitter - USD 209

Price is inclusive of shipping.

This mic competes with the following products:

• USD 369 DJI Mic
• USD 299 Rode Wireless GO II
• USD 259 Saramonic Blink 500 Pro (Lighting and USB-C adapters sold separately)
• USD 149 Fulaim X5
• USD 149 Hollyland Lark M1 (Lighting and USB-C adapters sold separately)

Just for reference, the mics that I personally use are:

• Sennheiser MKE 400 - For outdoor use, event coverage
• Rode lavalier mic - For indoor use
• Sennheiser SK100 G3 with ME 2 clip-on mic - For outdoor use, vlogging, interviews
• Saramonic Blink 500 (gen 1) with USB-C, Lightning and 3.5mm connectors - For outdoor use, vlogging, interviews

Bottom line

The Fulaim F1000 is a compact and convenient wireless mic system that from my testing records better audio quality with phones than with mirrorless cameras. There's a display to show connection modes and battery life which is quite long at 6 hours. All adapters and cables are included for working with cameras, phones and/or tablets. The box is big enough to fit the adapter cables.

The Fulaim X5 is actually smaller and more compact. I prefer the Fulaim X5 more because the receiver and transmitter powers on automatically whenever you take them out of the charging box. The Fulaim X5 is also cheaper but that's probably because Fulaim F100 includes better cable adapters, lavalier mic(s) and a soft carrying pouch to hold everything.

At USD 209, the pricing is still competitive compared to the other competing products mentioned above.

Vs Fulaim X5

Here are the differences between Fulaim F1000 and X5.

F1000 has Normal mode, Low cut mode, DSP mode and KTV mode. X5 only has noise cancelling.

Specs

• Frequency range: 2400 - 2480 Mhz
• Modulation: GFSK
• Transmit power: 18 dBm
• Low cut: 120Hz
• DSP noise cancelling: -6 dB
• Power supply: 3.7V (built-in Li battery)
• Charging input: 5V = 1A
• Charging period: 2 hours
• Operating time: 7 hours
• Power managerment: Auto power off after 5-10 of inactivity, or shut down automatically in the box
• Operating temperature: 0 to 55 degrees Celsius
• Storage temperature: -20 to +55 degrees Celsius
• Dimensions: 44 x 43 x 14mm (TX), 56 x 43 18mm (RX)
• Net weight: 26g (TX), 40g (RX)

User manual: Download link

Storage box

• Type C charging input: 5V = 2A
• Wireless charging input: 5V = 1A (electromagnetic induction)
• Power supply: 3.7V / 3000 mAh (built-in Li-battery)
• Dimensions: 121 x 61 x 59 mm
• Net weight: 188g
• Operating temperature: 0 to 55 degrees Celsius
• Storage temperature: -20 to +55 degrees Celsius

Things included

• Charging case
• 2x transmitters
• 1x receiver
• USB-C to USB-C cable adapter
• Lightning to USB-C cable adapter
• 2x windshield
• 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable
• 2x lavalier mic
• USB-A to USB-C charging cable
• Soft carrying pouch
• Quick start guide

All the adapters required to record audio to difference devices are included. There are also wired lavaliers included for better isolated voice recordings.

The charging box of the Fulaim F1000 is noticeably bigger than the X5 box.

The empty area inside the box is just enough space to store only one adapter cable.

The charging case takes 2 hours to fully charge the mics. There's a total of 21 hours of charge stored in the charging case, meaning you can actually use the mics three times.

The case has to be switched on (single press of power button) or connected to power in order to charge the receiver and transmitters. This is unlike other products that where charging will start automatically. But it's easy to remember to charge the mics so this is a non-issue. While charging the receiver and transmitters will power down automatically.

Opening the case does not power on the receiver and transmitters so you will have to power them manually with the power button.

The Fulaim F1000 transmitter weighs 26g and receiver is 40g. The Fulaim X5 transmitter and receiver are 18g and 21g.

The F1000 system is still considered compact and portable even if it's bigger and heavier compared to the Fulaim X5.

The extra transmitter weight of 26g vs 18g may not seem like but but it can still pull down the fabric of clothes.

Here's a comparison of the X5 transmitter, microSD card, F1000 transmitter and two AA batteries.

Here's a comparison of the X5 receiver, microSD card, F1000 receiver and three AAA batteries.

And the larger size makes the transmitter more noticeable. With the X5, you can still hide the transmitter behind the shirt due to the magnetic clip design.

The blue light on the left shows connection status, and the right shows battery status which will flash with low batt.

The omnidirectional mic is located on the top of the transmitter. An omnidirectional mic will capture sound for all directions and in this case the closer your mouth is to the mic, the better the audio quality. But don't have your mouth too close as loud volume will clip.

There is a 3.5mm jack that gives you the option to use the included lavalier mic for even better audio quality, voice isolation, or if you want to hide the transmitter somewhere else. When recording outdoors, I use the lavalier because the weight of the transmitter will pull down the front of my shirt.

Quick press of the power button enables mute, a long press will power down the transmitter.

The receiver has a clip that can be installed onto the hotshoe of the camera.

The display faces the side instead of upwards to the sky.

The display shows information for connection status, battery life, recording mode, volume,

Button on the side of the receiver can adjust volume and change recording modes: Low cut, DSP active noise cancelling and KTV (echo).

Press and hold the two buttons for 2 seconds will switch the output mode from mixed to stereo to Ms (safe track mode) where right channel is 6 dB lower. KTV (echo) mode is not available with stereo recording.

Most recording should be done in mixed mode instead of stereo mode unless you specifically want stereo mode.

On the other side there's a USB-C port for charging and OTG connection. This can connect to the phone, tablet or computer. There's a 3.5mm TRS audio out to the camera, and 3.5mm jack for audio monitoring.

Installing the furry windshield to the transmitter requires a twist and it's quite secure with low risk of it falling out.

Audio quality

The audio from the video above is all from the Fulaim F1000 recorded to an iPhone. The sound quality is pretty good and quite clean for outdoor recording even without the use of noise cancelling. I did not use noise cancelling because that will add distortion to the audio recorded. I had reduce the volume on the transmitter all the way down or the audio recording will be too loud and have too much popping.

I've also tried recording to my computer and the audio sounds good too.

To hear the audio samples recorded on other devices, watch this video review:

Conclusion

I'm not sure why but there is a difference between the audio quality between the Fulaim X5 and F1000 depending on the device connected.

If you are recording mostly with mirrorless cameras, I recommend the Fulaim X5 but this does not come with lavaliers which are actually very useful.

If you are recording mostly with phones, tablets or computers, I recommend the Fulaim F1000.

Pros and cons at a glance
+ Competitive price
+ Solid build quality
+ Compact, lightweight
+ Includes adapters to work with all devices
+ Includes lavalier
+ Can be used with cameras and phones
+ Good audio quality with decent filter for background noise
+ Noise cancelling is available as an option
+ Dual channel recording ideal for interviews
+ Two transmitters included means one can be used as backup
+ Transmitter has 3.5mm audio jack for use with included lavalier mic
+ Receiver has 3.5mm audio jack for audio monitoring
+ Receiver has 3.5mm audio OUT for use with other audio devices
+ 7 hours battery life for single session recording is decent
+ Charging case provides a total of 21 hours battery life
+ Charging will automatically power down the receiver and transmitters
+ Has status display to show battery life, recording mode, connection
+ Windshield has minimal risk of falling off
- No internal storage for audio recording
- Charging case is kinda big
- Charging case needs to be powered on for charging
- Receiver and transmitters do not power on automatically when you take them out of the charging case

Availability

You can buy the Fulaim F1000 from Fulaim online store.