SE Electronics z5600a

Mic Type Multi-Pattern Tube Condenser Microphone
Polar Pattern(s) Omni, Cardioid, Fig8, plus 6 intermediate
Physical Characteristics
Weight 680g / 23.99oz
Length 222mm / 8.74''
Diameter 62mm / 2.44''
Interface(s) 3-pin XLR male (1)
Electrical Characteristics
Impedance 200 Ω
Max SPL 130 dB
Self-noise 16.0 dB(A)
Transducer Characteristics
Type Condenser
Capsule diameter 0mm
Diaphragm diam. 27mm
Diaph. thickness 0 microns

The Z5600a is the second generation of sE’s previously top-of-the-line Z5600 mic. Both are 9-pattern large-diaphragm tube mics.

What is the difference between the z5600 and z5600a?

The circuit board was redesigned, improving the layout, for the ‘a’ revision. The mic body was changed as well; the new version is powder-coated as a step toward damping resonance.

The tube is either a 12AT7/ECC81, or a 12AX7/ECC83. MusicTech reported seeing a 12AX7; Electronic Musician reported a 12AT7. It seems possible that sE changed the tube without again revising the mic’s model number. It is socketed, rather than hard-wired to the circuit board; users of various audio forums have reported success with tube upgrades to 6072 variants.