sE Electronics X1 S condenser microphone: features and spec-based rating

sE Electronics’s X1 S is a cardioid condenser microphone with XLR connection.

A condenser microphone records small sounds in fine detail. It is often used to record singing and narration.

In this article we rate it on 5 criteria using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and show how it ranks among the 32 microphones we compare.

Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.

Figure: SoundBounty

Summary

Among the 32 microphones, X1 S is rank A. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and A is second from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5) gives 3.6.

Strengths

• Quietness (9 dB(A), 4 points): The microphone itself makes little noise, so whispers and quiet songs record cleanly.
• Sensitivity (30 mV/Pa, 5 points): You get a solid level even from a softer voice.
• Features (2 of 3, 4 points): You can adjust to the sound you are recording with switches on the body.

Things to keep in mind

• Lightness (445 g, 2 points): It is on the heavy side, so you need a sturdy microphone stand.

Who it suits: judging from the specifications, it suits people who want to record quiet voices and whispers cleanly; people with a softer voice who still want a solid recording level; people who want to adjust the recording with switches on the body, such as the pad and low-cut.

Main features of X1 S

A handmade 1-inch capsule

It uses a 1-inch capsule (the part that receives the sound) made and tuned by hand, one at a time, at sE Electronics’ factory. As an improved version of the X1, it claims higher sensitivity, more strength against loud sound and greatly reduced self-noise.

Two-step pad and low-cut

You can choose with switches a -10 dB or -20 dB pad (which lowers the incoming level) and an 80 Hz or 160 Hz low-cut (which weakens low sounds). With the pad it handles up to 160 dB SPL, so it can also be used on drums and loud guitar amps. The low-cut can also be used to reduce the proximity effect, the swelling of low sound when you put your mouth close.

High sensitivity

The sensitivity is a high 30 mV/Pa, so the same voice produces a larger signal from the microphone, and you do not need to turn the audio interface knob up too far. A microphone clip and an adapter screw are included, and sets with a shock mount and a pop filter (Vocal Pack and Studio Bundle) are also available.

Video: “Meet the X1 S” (official sE Electronics YouTube channel; narration in English) Watch on YouTube

Where it is useful

• Recording cover songs or narration with little noise
• Recording loud instruments such as drums and guitar amps
• People whose bass tends to get muddy when they record with their mouth close

Rating by criterion

Quietness: 4 / 5

How little of the small hiss the microphone itself makes (self-noise). The smaller the number, the quieter.

X1 S: 9 dB(A). That is a high rating among the products we compared. The microphone itself makes little noise, so whispers and quiet songs record cleanly.

Sensitivity: 5 / 5

How large a signal the same voice produces (sensitivity). The bigger the number, the easier it is to get a good level from a quiet voice.

X1 S: 30 mV/Pa. That is a high rating among the products we compared. You get a solid level even from a softer voice.

Handling of loud sound: 3 / 5

How loud a sound it can record without distortion (maximum SPL).

X1 S: 140 dB. That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

Features: 4 / 5

How many of the pad (lowers loud sound), low-cut (reduces low noise) and pickup-pattern switch it has.

X1 S: 2 of 3. That is a high rating among the products we compared. You can adjust to the sound you are recording with switches on the body.

Lightness: 2 / 5

The weight of the microphone. The lighter it is, the less load on the microphone stand.

X1 S: 445 g. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. It is on the heavy side, so you need a sturdy microphone stand.

The gray marks in the figure below (the dotted line on the pentagon) show the average of the 32 products we compared. Price is not part of the score.

How we score (Microphones)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Quietness	Self-noise	≤7	≤12	≤16	≤20	>20
Sensitivity	Sensitivity	≥25	≥20	≥15	≥10	<10
Handling of loud sound	Maximum SPL (without the pad)	≥148	≥144	≥140	≥135	<135
Features	Pad, low-cut and pickup-pattern switch	All 3	2	1	—	None
Lightness	Weight	≤300	≤350	≤400	≤450	>450

Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer. Price and accessories are not part of the score. Items that are not disclosed are not scored, and the rank is based on the average of the remaining items. Where a model publishes only the signal-to-noise ratio and not the self-noise, the self-noise is converted as "94 minus the signal-to-noise ratio".

X1 S connection and getting started

Connection	XLR (3-pin). Connect it to the microphone input of an audio interface or mixer (it cannot connect to a computer directly by USB)
Power	Phantom power (48 V) is required. Many audio interfaces can supply it with a “48V” button
In the box	Microphone clip and adapter screw (an XLR cable is not included)
Other	There is also the “Vocal Pack” with a shock mount and a pop filter, and the “Studio Bundle”, which adds a sound-absorbing screen to put behind the microphone (Reflexion Filter RF-X) and a 3 m cable

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.

Compared with other microphones

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Before you buy

• It needs phantom power (+48 V). This is an XLR condenser microphone, so connect it to an audio interface or mixer that can supply phantom power.
• Check what comes in the box. The manufacturer lists: Microphone clip and adapter screw (an XLR cable is not included). Anything not on that list (a shock mount, a pop filter, cables and so on) you need to prepare separately.
• It has a pad and low-cut switch. When loud sound would distort, or when you want to reduce low noise (such as an air conditioner), you can adjust it on the microphone itself.

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