Audiophile @SummitCityStudios Explained the Key Difference between An

Now let's talk about convenience. Not just that sort of how you're going to use it where you're going to use it, but let's focus on connectivity, as you can see the SM7dB model from one of the most famous microphone brand Shure, which is an XLR microphone, and that means you're going to need a USB interface to get the audio picked up by it into your computer. Or if you’re on-the-go or travelling light, something like the Zoom H6 that you can record directly into using a an SD card or micro SD card. It is also the exact method how this video was recorded by the FIFINE K688. 
 
On the other hand you can do the same thing with any XLR mics because of the connectivity. But not every XLR mic comes with the USB connection as a combo. That means those XLR-only mic will lose the capability of being a USB microphone that can plug directly into your computer. It's fairly convenient you can use it wherever you happen to be if you have a computer, and you don't need an interface or an additional piece of equipment. You can plug it directly in now to do that.
 
Because of the USB connection, which can serve as an internal I/O audio interface for the mic itself, you also have the ability with the the FIFINE K688 to adjust your gain on the microphone itself, and the volume in your headphones so that you can monitor directly from this microphone. And it has a mute button right on top, if you're using it USB style, you can use that mute button when you need to cough or speak to somebody off camera or whatever you happen to need to do. Where if it's a XLR-only Shure SM7dB, you're going to need to do that through your interface.
 
In a nut shell, the connectivity is a big difference between these XLR-only and XLR combo USB models, and it’s not just about whether you’re kicking off or experienced, but about the convenience of tackling whatever situation you’re in for.