If you’re looking for an affordable condenser microphone for vocals, podcasts, home recording, or music production, the sE Electronics X1 A and X1 S are two microphones worth considering.
Both come from sE Electronics’ popular X1 series and are designed for home studios and recording applications.
But the X1 S is not simply a cosmetic update. sE Electronics redesigned its electronics and added more control over the microphone’s low-cut filtering and attenuation.
So, what’s actually different between the two?
X1 A vs X1 S: Quick Comparison
Specifications from sE Electronics.
| Feature | sE X1 A | sE X1 S |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone Type | Condenser | True Condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid | Cardioid |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Capsule | 2/3″ Back-Electret Condenser | 1″ Hand-Crafted True Condenser |
| Low-Cut Filter | 100 Hz | 80 Hz / 160 Hz |
| Pad | -20 dB | -10 dB / -20 dB |
| Maximum SPL | 130 dB / 150 dB with pad | 140 dB / 150 dB / 160 dB with pad |
| Equivalent Noise | 16 dB | 9 dB |
| Dynamic Range | 114 dB / 134 dB | 131 dB / 141 dB / 151 dB |
| Phantom Power | 48V | 48V |
| Connection | 3-pin XLR | 3-pin XLR |
| Weight | 390 g | 445 g |
🎤 sE Electronics X1 A
The X1 A is designed as an affordable entry-level condenser microphone while retaining the solid metal construction associated with the X1 series.
It uses a cardioid pickup pattern and has a 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency range.
The X1 A also includes:
- -20 dB attenuation pad
- 100 Hz low-cut filter
- Integrated windscreen
- All-metal housing
- Gold-plated XLR connector
- 48V phantom power
sE Electronics rates the X1 A at up to 150 dB SPL with its attenuation pad engaged.
Where the X1 A Makes Sense
The X1 A can be a great option for:
🎤 Vocals
🎙️ Voiceovers
🎧 Podcasts
🎸 Acoustic guitar
🥁 Drum recording
🎹 Home studio recording
If you find a used X1 A at a good price, it can be an excellent way to get a proper condenser microphone without spending a lot.
🎙️ sE Electronics X1 S
The X1 S takes the X1 concept further with redesigned electronics and a hand-crafted 1-inch true condenser capsule.
One of the biggest changes is the lower self-noise.
The X1 S is rated at 9 dB equivalent noise, compared with 16 dB on the X1 A. It also offers substantially greater dynamic range and SPL handling.
The X1 S includes:
- -10 dB and -20 dB pads
- 80 Hz and 160 Hz low-cut filters
- Hand-crafted 1-inch true condenser capsule
- All-metal housing
- Gold-plated XLR connector
- 48V phantom power
Why the Extra Controls Matter
The two low-cut options give you more flexibility when recording.
The 80 Hz filter can help reduce unwanted low-frequency rumble while retaining more low end.
The 160 Hz filter can be useful when you want a more aggressive reduction of low-frequency information or proximity effect.
The two attenuation settings also give you more flexibility when recording louder sources.
🎤 X1 A vs X1 S for Vocals
Both microphones can be used for vocals, but the X1 S gives you more control over the recording.
For vocals, the X1 S’s:
- Lower self-noise
- Higher sensitivity
- Additional low-cut setting
- Additional -10 dB pad
- Hand-crafted true condenser capsule
make it the more feature-rich microphone.
That doesn’t mean the X1 A is a bad vocal microphone. It’s still designed specifically for applications including vocals and home recording.
🎧 X1 A vs X1 S for Home Studios
If you’re building your first studio, both microphones can work well.
The X1 A keeps things simple.
You get:
Mic → Interface → DAW
The X1 S gives you more control when you start experimenting with different recording sources and microphone techniques.
For someone who is likely to record vocals regularly, the additional controls can be useful.
🎸 What About Instruments?
Both microphones are designed for much more than vocals.
sE Electronics lists applications including:
- Acoustic guitar
- Electric guitar cabinets
- Piano
- Drums
- Overheads
- Brass
- Woodwinds
- Strings
- Room recording
So these are versatile studio microphones rather than microphones designed exclusively for vocals.
🆚 So What’s Actually Different?
The biggest difference isn’t simply that one is “newer.”
The X1 S received a substantial electronics redesign.
X1 A
Simple, affordable and capable.
It gives you the essential controls needed for home recording while keeping the price down.
X1 S
More refined and more flexible.
You get lower self-noise, greater dynamic range, two pad settings and two low-cut settings.
🎯 Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the X1 A if:
✔ You’re looking for an affordable condenser microphone
✔ You’re buying used
✔ You mainly record vocals and basic instruments
✔ You don’t need multiple pad and low-cut options
✔ You find one at a particularly good price
Consider the X1 S if:
✔ You’re recording vocals regularly
✔ You want lower microphone self-noise
✔ You want more control over low frequencies
✔ You record different instruments
✔ You want the more feature-rich version of the X1
🎙️ X1 A vs X1 S: The Bottom Line
The X1 A is a capable, affordable condenser microphone that makes a lot of sense when found at a good used price.
The X1 S takes the same general concept and adds a more advanced capsule and electronics design, lower self-noise, higher dynamic range, additional attenuation and more low-cut options.
For a first home studio, either can be a useful microphone.
But if the price difference between a clean used X1 A and an X1 S is small, the extra features of the X1 S are worth considering.
Looking for Used Studio Equipment?
At Music Needs, we sell quality used and refurbished music equipment, including microphones, audio interfaces, studio monitors, MIDI keyboards and other home studio equipment.
Check our current stock for microphones and studio equipment available in South Africa.
