Cloudlifter CL-1 vs sE Electronics RF-X Reflection Filter
A side-by-side look at Cloudlifter CL-1 and sE Electronics RF-X Reflection Filter for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
Cloudlifter CL-1
Up to 25 dB of transparent gain for passive dynamic and ribbon mics
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sE Electronics RF-X Reflection Filter
Four-layer portable isolation shield for home studio vocals
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Check price on AmazonAt a glance
| Cloudlifter CL-1 | sE Electronics RF-X Reflection Filter | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | See site | See site |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Podcasters running low-output dynamic mics like the Shure SM7B, Electro-Voice RE20, or any ribbon mic into an interface or recorder with weak preamps | Home studio podcasters and vocalists who record in acoustically untreated rooms and need to reduce room reflections without building a vocal booth |
Key features
Cloudlifter CL-1
- Up to +25 dB of gain for passive microphones
- Draws power from standard 48V phantom power
- Does not pass phantom voltage to the mic - ribbon-safe
- 3 kohm input impedance, Class A JFET circuit
- Rugged solid steel chassis with XLR in/out
- Handcrafted in Tucson, Arizona; limited lifetime warranty
sE Electronics RF-X Reflection Filter
- Four-layer acoustic design: composite panel, wool, air gap, acoustic foam
- Dimensions: 410 x 310 x 200 mm
- Weight: approx. 1.6 kg
- Mounts on any standard mic stand via included thread adapter
- US and European thread adapter included
- Hand-assembled at sE's factory
Pros and cons
Cloudlifter CL-1
Pros
- Essential fix for low-output dynamics like the SM7B on underpowered preamps
- Ribbon-safe - blocks phantom power from reaching the capsule
- Transparent gain character with no audible coloration
Cons
- Requires 48V phantom power from the downstream device
- Single-channel only - two mics need two units
- Adds an extra XLR connection in the signal chain
sE Electronics RF-X Reflection Filter
Pros
- Multi-layer design absorbs and diffuses more evenly than foam-only alternatives
- Portable solution for recording in non-treated rooms
- Compatible with any standard mic stand
Cons
- Adds significant weight to the mic stand - ensure the stand is stable
- Does not replace room treatment for full-spectrum acoustic control
- Bulky to store when not in use
The verdict
Choose Cloudlifter CL-1 if
Podcasters running low-output dynamic mics like the Shure SM7B, Electro-Voice RE20, or any ribbon mic into an interface or recorder with weak preamps.
The Cloudlifter CL-1 solves a specific problem cleanly: the Shure SM7B and similar broadcast dynamics need roughly 60 dB of clean gain to hit a healthy recording level, and many interfaces and portable recorders cannot deliver that without audible noise.…
Choose sE Electronics RF-X Reflection Filter if
Home studio podcasters and vocalists who record in acoustically untreated rooms and need to reduce room reflections without building a vocal booth.
The RF-X is the entry-level product in sE's Reflexion Filter line and it earns its place by solving a real problem at a reasonable cost. The four-layer design addresses a genuine weakness in cheaper foam-only alternatives: the combination of materials…
Read the full sE Electronics RF-X Reflection Filter review →