Heil Sound PL-2T vs sE Electronics RF-X Reflection Filter
A side-by-side look at Heil Sound PL-2T and sE Electronics RF-X Reflection Filter for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
Heil Sound PL-2T
36-inch overhead broadcast boom trusted by radio professionals
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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
| Heil Sound PL-2T | sE Electronics RF-X Reflection Filter | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | See site | See site |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Broadcast-style home studios and podcasters who want an overhead mic position with a clean, cable-managed look | Home studio podcasters and vocalists who record in acoustically untreated rooms and need to reduce room reflections without building a vocal booth |
Key features
Heil Sound PL-2T
- 36-inch reach, fully articulating design
- Internal spring system, factory-balanced
- Removable cover plates for internal cable routing
- Supports up to 2.5 lb of microphone and mount combined
- Standard C-clamp for desks up to 1.5 inches thick
- 5/8-27 thread stud, compatible with standard shock mounts
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
Heil Sound PL-2T
Pros
- Broadcast-grade build quality with decades of radio use behind it
- Internal cable routing is cleaner than external velcro routing
- Overhead position keeps the arm out of camera frame
Cons
- 2.5 lb load limit can be tight with heavy mics plus heavy shock mounts
- Overhead positioning requires more vertical clearance than front-facing arms
- Older design - no integrated XLR cable option
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 Heil Sound PL-2T if
Broadcast-style home studios and podcasters who want an overhead mic position with a clean, cable-managed look.
The PL-2T has been a radio and broadcast staple for decades and transfers well to podcast studios that prioritize an overhead, out-of-frame mic position. The topless cable routing is a genuine practical advantage - the mic cable is hidden inside…
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 →