This mic is a real winner for anyone wishing to record a guitar amp, drum OH or use it as a room mic.
Decision was to give this product a try over a cheap alternatives, as well as expensive mics in the range of several hundred euros or even more.
I have to confess that although have not much expierence with proven "industry standards" as Royer or Coles, SE X1R will be perfectly OK for my small project studio needs. It has nice push in the highs, therefore covers more applications IMHO. Also, lower frequencies are nicely balanced with highs, which gives perfect rounded full sonic picture achievable ony by ribbon mic, at least to my ears. That is especially noticeable in overhead or room mic application. Cymbals with fullnes of toms is just a bliss to hear! Warmth of a ribbon is retained, but as i said, slight push in highs (around 5-6kHz), just cuts through and makes this mic super all-rounder.... Recording a guitar amp gives a "neutral guitar signature" especially in comparison with SM57 which lacks some low frequencies. Here, lows are very musically balanced and show "fulness" of a guitar sound. Joy to hear "rounded distortion".
Pros&cons: this mic is a phantom protected, which is a great news for all of us concerned not to damage a ribbon mic. Please note that mic has a figure of 8 pattern and will accept reflections from a room.
Place for improvement is for sure lack of a pouch to keep the mic (you get a paper box with acoustic foam cutout). Therefore deduction of one star for features.
All in all no regrets, happy to have a ribbon in my collection :))
