Rode PSA1+ vs sE Electronics RF-X Reflection Filter
A side-by-side look at Rode PSA1+ and sE Electronics RF-X Reflection Filter for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
Rode PSA1+
The broadcast boom arm standard, upgraded with spring damping
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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
| Rode PSA1+ | sE Electronics RF-X Reflection Filter | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | See site | See site |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Permanent desk studio setups with heavy broadcast microphones like the Shure SM7B or Rode PodMic | Home studio podcasters and vocalists who record in acoustically untreated rooms and need to reduce room reflections without building a vocal booth |
Key features
Rode PSA1+
- Supports microphones from 94 g to 1.2 kg weight range
- 37" horizontal reach and 34" vertical travel
- Spring damping for smooth, controlled arm movement
- Fully integrated internal cable management channel
- 360-degree rotation at base and elbow
- Mounts via C-clamp or threaded desk insert (both included)
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
Rode PSA1+
Pros
- Spring damping makes repositioning smooth and precise - clear upgrade over PSA1
- Internal cable routing keeps the desk clean without aftermarket cable clips
- Weight range handles every major broadcast mic including heavy-hitters like SM7B
Cons
- Fixed desk installation - not designed to pack away or travel
- Full extension requires significant desk clearance around the mic position
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 Rode PSA1+ if
Permanent desk studio setups with heavy broadcast microphones like the Shure SM7B or Rode PodMic.
The original PSA1 was already the default choice for serious desk studios, and the PSA1+ genuinely improves on it. The spring damping makes positioning feel deliberate rather than floppy, and the internal cable channel is a real quality-of-life improvement -…
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 →