RECORDING March 2023 - 46

REVIEW
sE Electronics
4400
An old friend returns with
a new and better build
REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR.
wo months ago, in our January issue, we looked at the new and
improved T2 from sE Electronics. In that review, we mentioned that
the company had concurrently released an updated version of its
popular sE 4400a. Now known as the sE 4400, the latest version retains
the sound and features of the original, and much like the updated T2, it
offers an improved build and finish.
Options
The sE 4400a was initially released in
2008. Unlike most common cylindrical
microphone designs, the sE 4400a featured
a flat, rectangular look with gently
rounded sides in what you might call the
" 414 " school of design. As mentioned,
the new sE 4400 is visually and functionally
the same as the original, built
with higher-grade materials.
If parts of this review bear an uncanny
resemblance to January's T2 review, it's
worth noting that the sE 4400 and the T2
are housed in the same body, offer the
same controls and feature set, similar specs
and come with the same accessories.
The New 4400
The sE 4400 is a multipattern
transformerless FET mic. It features a
gold-sputtered, center terminated, dual
1 " large-diaphragm true condenser capsule--note
that the capsule on the T2 is
sputtered with titanium.
The flat, rectangular sE 4400 measures
5.75 " H x 2.32 " W x 1.10 " D
with a black finish. Like the T2, the
body construction is its most significant
improvement. It
is now made of diecast
metal with a dent-proof finish and
it sports a new reinforced spring steel
wire mesh grille. The fit and finish are
fantastic, and the mic is as rugged as
they come.
46 RECORDING March 2023
There are four all-metal mechanical
toggle switches on the body of the mic.
A pair of 3-position switches engage
a -10/-20dB pad and a 40 or 80 Hz,
6dB/Oct low cut filter.
The remaining pair of switches select
between four polar patterns. A left-located
3-position switch selects between Omni
and Fig. 8, while its center setting shifts
control to the 2-position switch on the right
with cardioid and hypercardioid options.
Accessories
Included with sE 4400 is a redesigned
low-profile, open-front shock mount. This is
similar to past sE offerings but is a slender,
compact design that helps get the mic even
closer to the action. It also boasts a larger
adjustable thumbscrew, an improved rubber
base and a snug-fitting compression
clamp to hold the mic in place. The bottom
line is this shock mount is a quality upgrade
to similar overseas offerings.
The sE 4400 is available singularly
or in a factory-matched pair. Both
come with the above shock mount and a
compact aluminum briefcase. The stereo
set also includes a stereo mounting bar.
By the Numbers
The sE 4400 is voiced with a gently tapered
low-end and a flat midrange. The
upper mids and highs have a broad yet
minimal 1-2dB peak from 5 to 20 kHz
in cardioid mode, which is similar yet
tighter in the hypercardioid pattern with
a gentle 6 kHz dip.
Fig. 8 mode offers the boldest presence
boost from 2 to 10 kHz, followed
by a sharp roll-off. Omni mode extends
to 18 kHz while shifting the central peak
to 8 to 10 kHz.
As mentioned previously, the sE 4400
and T2 frequencies look almost identical
side-by-side, yet both mics sound
nothing alike.
The Sound of the 4400
Tonally the sE 4400 is clean and neutral,
with a gently forward presence and
clarity. Nothing in the lows or mids is
thrust forward or hyped. The upper mid
and high-end capture of the mic does
Frequency Range: ....................................................................... 20 Hz-20 kHz
Sensitivity: .........................................................................25 mV / Pa (-32dBV)
Max SPL: ..................................................................... 137dB SPL (- 0.5% THD)
Equivalent Noise Level: ....................................................................... 13dB(A)
Signal to Noise Ratio: ...............................................................................81dB
T
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