sE Electronics RN17 Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

This is the world's first pencil microphone with a large-scale, hand-wound, ultra high performance transformer.

The second product of the sE / Rupert Neve collaboration, work on the RN17 began with a discussion between Rupert and Siwei Zou on the merits and problems of small-diaphragm condensers.

With a 15mm diaphragm (the world's smallest production gold-sputtered diaphragm), the transient response of the RN17 is unparalleled.

Such a small capsule reacts extremely quickly, and is therefore adept at picking up the most delicate of high-frequency content.

Made obvious by the unusual chassis shape, the RN17's transformer is substantially larger than the norm. This full-scale transformer was custom-designed by Rupert Neve specifically for this microphone - and nobody has been designing audio transformers longer (or better) than Rupert Neve.

With an audio transformer of this magnitude, the RN17 is able to put out astonishing clarity across ALL frequencies - not just the highs. The midrange is detailed and forward, the lows are full and accurate, and the whole microphone has a balance and headroom never before achieved with a small-capsule microphone.

Technical Specifications

Capsule Type
Hand-Crafted True Condenser
Diaphragm
17.2mm Gold/Mylar
Directional Pattern
Cardioid (omnidirectional capsule available separately)
Frequency Range
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
200 Ohms
Sensitivity
5.96 mV/Pa (-44.5dB)
Sensitivity (Figure-8)
2.51 mV/Pa (-52dB)
Max SPL
131 dB (0.5% THD @ 1kHz)
Signal to Noise Ratio
76 dB
Self Noise
18 dB(A) (cardioid), 15 dB(A) (omni)
Matching Connectors
XLR3F
Power Requirement
48V phantom
Weight
320g / 11.32oz
Weight (Figure-8)
330g / 11.64oz
Diameter
44 mm (transformer), 17mm (capsule)
Length
200 mm