sE Electronics X1a Review / Test (vs. AT2020, LCT240, NT1)

Today i review the sE Electronics X1a, a budget studio condenser microphone. This offers a cardioid polar pattern, -20dB pad, and 100hz high pass filter. The sound is more on the neutral side compared to its direct competition with extension into the bass, neutral clear mids, and a slight bump in the treble and air frequencies. At the time of review the mic costs $100 and at this price it offers a tamer top end than its competition.

RECORDING SETTINGS:
• Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen
• Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
• Gain: ~12:30
• Boosted in Post: +8dB

SPECS:
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz
• Sensitivity: -34dB
• Self Noise: 16B
• Max SPL: 150dB (with pad)
• Impedance: 50 Ohms

Buy the sE X1a (Affiliate Link)

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:23 - What’s in the Box
00:40 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:18 - Specifications
01:29 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:45 - Plosive Test
01:59 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:19 - Background Noise Test
02:36 - Untreated Room Test
02:55 - Shock Rejection Test
03:12 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:28 - High Pass Filter Test
03:51 - Pad Test
04:18 - MXL 990 Comparison
04:39 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
04:59 - Lewitt LCT440 Comparison
05:20 - Avantone CK6 Comparison
05:44 - Neat King Bee v2 Comparison
06:09 - Earthworks Sr117 Comparison
06:36 - sE Electronics X1 Comparison
06:59 - Rode NT1 5th Gen Comparison
07:24 - sE Electronics sE2200a II C Comparison
07:54 - sE Electronics sE4400a Comparison
08:27 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
09:01 - Music Test
10:53 - Pros & Cons
12:30 - Overall Thoughts
13:38 - Recommendation

#Studio #Condenser #MicReview

Check Out This Stuff TOO:

[bivanzone]

May I say, we are really lucky to have a creator like you who has been reviewing mics so consistently for so many years. I genuinely cannot justify a single purchase without these videos. Thank you!

[danmagoo]

Awesome mic, the best-sounding "new" mic review I've heard for a long time. And thanks for the bizarre comedy relief at 10:54.

[Alexandra-Rex]

Happy to see some sE Electronics stuff again. Hoping for the T2 as well at some point :D

[scooba]

I feel like a lot of content creators sleep on the SE Electronics mics in general. I honestly don't think I've ever seen a Twitch streamer use one. IMO the X1S vocal pack at its new reduced price is the best value mic purchase right now. It comes with a shock mount and pop filter and sounds way better than it should, with a full bass, no mud and a nice airy top end without being harsh like the AT2020 or the Lewitts.

[MoeThermodynamics]

I use this mic as my daily driver for any type of vocals and acoustic guitar. I love the fact it's not as bright as other entry-level condensers, might even use it for drum overheads without any issue

[ivanzu]

Came for the mic reviews stayed for the pallet and ear hole cleansing.

[Old_SnakeTwitch]

Sounds 2-3 times it's price, this has become my fav budget condensor.
Also that sE4400a still sounds incredible

[theglobalzrecordingproject]

I bought a pair of these when they first came out - 2018-ish? What stands out in my mind are the following: 1 - the mic is pretty diverse, I would say falling into the 'Workhorse' category. 2 - it has really nice clarity. 3 - the top end is tolerable. 4 - the price for what you get is impressive. Regarding the switch, I wholly agree - not only are they flimsy, but they also don't solidly 'lock' into their detents. As a result, they are easy to bump into a setting you do not intend to use. sE uses the same switch on their entire X1 line, (X1 A, X1 S, X1 R) and frankly, all of their X1 line is quite good if you can overlook the switches. They used to have a X1 D which I liked as well, but it is discontinued. Back to the X1 A... for another mere 80 Samolians, you can purchase the X1 S. The S is a superior mic in my opinion. Same body, same icky switches, but the tonal qualities are quite nice. Using an analogy, the quality bump you would get going from the X1 A to the X1 S is similar to the bump you get by going from the sE7 to the sE8.

[adrianomoreira]

Incredible for the price.

Another one that has a great price, and is as natural or more natural as this one, is the Tak55 from the Chinese company Takstar. Plus extra functions and accessories. Oh, the construction and the look are great too.

[meistudiony]

They certainly cheaped out on the clip. That looks like the worst brittle plastic clip that comes with mxl's. The phase shift on the rotation test was pretty wild, almost like a flanger sound. For $100 thats definitely someones daily driver. The dook dook resonance sound of the mic i found amusing for some reason lol. Its nice, bright but not overly bright like the 2020, i would certainly go for the X1a over the 2020, the 240. Very close to the original sound. Music test is a A++ as always.

[thebreakfastmenu]

I say "Hello, Neumann" along with you every time.

[DeepFriedHallelujah]

I won’t be recording for the next year but I still watch your videos. Your process, humor, and musical arrangements are just plain comforting, having watched probably 70% of the videos you’ve ever made.

I would also like to applaud the evolution of the composition of your music tests. Nobody wants bland music for a mic review so you delivering interesting progressions and melodies is appreciated.

[tombuck]

I got the red version and it really is awesome overall (not sure that the color affects sound quality, but yeah).

[caseyholford]

I had the X1 for a while. Pretty good mic!

[Oddzey]

Picked one up recently, honestly I'm kinda glad they cheaped out on the accessories, the mic punches above and beyond it's price bracket. You pay for everything you get in a box of electronics so them putting all that money into the mic itself is nice, especially since most people are gonna get a shock mount for it anyway

[pml]

original composition ? I love that you have this music intermezzo in your reviews. Great review as usually.

[DannyBrownPodcasts]

This is a great sounding mic, and at the price point could be a solid introduction to someone buying their first condenser mic, or an existing creator looking to add to their set-up.

[winteryama]

I always go to your channel before a buy a new microphone for my voice work.

[BamPlan]

guys he finally did it. I can stop commenting now!

[flexile]

i don't even need a mic now, but i enjoy watching this so much :D