The Trusted Sound of sE Electronics, A Brief History

sE Electronics   |   December 28, 2023

posted by: Levi

For over 20 years, sE Electronics has been a trusted brand amongst recording artists, producers, and audio engineers. Founded on a philosophy of no-compromises, sE has built a reputation for quality, innovation, and value across its range of recording microphones, acoustic treatment products, and audio electronics.

From Humble Beginnings in Shanghai

The sE Electronics story begins in Shanghai, China in the late 1990s. Siwei Zou, a talented musician and engineer, had a vision for a new kind of microphone company. Siwei studied music composition at the prestigious Shanghai Conservatory, and was an accomplished bassoon player and conductor. During a visit to the U.S., Siwei saw an opportunity to combine his musical knowledge with his passion for electronics and product design.

Upon returning to Shanghai, Siwei established sE Electronics and began developing the company’s first products – a range of large-diaphragm condenser microphones. The “sE” name pays homage to Siwei’s background in sound engineering, while also referencing the art and science of audio reproduction.

Siwei steadily built up sE’s engineering and production capabilities. Unlike many manufacturers in the region, sE handles every stage of product development in-house, from initial concepts to testing and manufacturing. This tight integration enables sE to maintain extremely high standards of quality control.

Early Success in the Pro Audio Industry

Even as a young company, sE gained quick acceptance among recording professionals thanks to the performance and value of their early microphone models. One of the first breakout hits was the sE2200a II – an affordable large-diaphragm condenser that became a staple of project studios worldwide.

This early success helped fund further product development, and sE continued expanding their microphone lineup throughout the 2000s. New additions like the sE4 small-diaphragm condenser and sE5 matched pair introduced engineers to the signature sE sound.

Throughout this period, Siwei focused on building relationships with artists, producers, dealers, and distributors. He knew that sE’s long-term growth depended on understanding the needs of real users, so their input was critical for guiding sE’s product roadmap.

Expanding the Product Line

By 2010, sE was an established brand in the pro audio market. But Siwei and team had even bigger plans for growth on the horizon.

The company expanded into new product categories like acoustic treatment and microphone accessories. sE’s Reflexion Filter series uses specialized composite materials to improve isolation and reduce room reverberation during recording. Mic accessories like shockmounts and pop filters complement sE’s mics while providing premium protection.

sE also began developing rack-mounted preamplifiers and other electronic products. This enabled producers to utilize sE’s signature sound across full recording chains, from initial sound capture through to mixing and mastering.

New Leadership and Continued Innovation

In 2008, Siwei handed the reigns of the company over to his daughter, Ling. As CEO, Ling directs sE’s strategic vision while overseeing their global marketing, sales, and distribution networks.

Under Ling’s leadership, sE has continued releasing innovative new microphone models across diverse price points. Recent additions like the V7 and V3 leverage state-of-the-art capsule designs to deliver coveted vintage tone at affordable prices.

The company also continues seeking input from their diverse community of artists and industry partners. Getting ongoing feedback and inspiration from actual users remains an essential part of sE’s product development process.

sE Electronics On Sale Now At Tone Tailors

Celebrating 20 Years of the sE Sound

As sE celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2017, the company had established themselves as true innovators in the music technology space. Their catalog spans everything from accessible entry-level mics to elite handcrafted models used in world-class studios.

But throughout sE’s growth and success, some things haven’t changed. The company remains committed to their founding principles of performance, innovation, and customer-inspired design. Sustaining this little-company culture and attention to detail has enabled sE to thrive in the ultra-competitive MI industry.

Thanks to their unique blend of cutting-edge technology and old-fashioned craftsmanship, sE Electronics has secured their status as a trusted audio brand for professionals and amateurs alike. After 20+ years, sE continues pushing boundaries and bringing inspiring new tools to the next generation of content creators.

Learn More about sE Electronics

Achieve Studio-Quality Vocals with sE Reflection Filters

Read Now

Hit Record With The Versatile sE2200 Studio Condenser Microphone

Read Now

Plug and Create Anywhere with the sE NEOM USB Microphone

Read Now

The sE BL8 – Built for Kick Drums and Beyond, Mic Review

Read Now

Back to Top