Telefunken Ela M 251T
The Telefunken Ela M 251T is a real high-end microphone in a class of its own with a special and newly developed capsule CK-13. Based on the classic ELA M 251 models, this model comes with a modern twist.
Ela M 251T uses Alloy 2213 as the membrane material for the CK-13 capsule, which is an amalgam of titanium and aluminum that was originally developed for the aerospace industry. It gives the Ela M 251T a more airy and everything else being equal - accurate reproduction of the high frequencies, without compromising on the depth the classic ELA M 251 models are known for.
Ela M 251T is a true legend
The Ela M 251T is perhaps by far the most coveted microphone in the world and its legendary status does not come without reason. The sound of the Ela M 251T is exceptional and unmatched by any other microphone - it's the ultimate.
Ela M 251T was founded in collaboration with AKG as a replacement in Telefunken's program for the equally legendary U47. Ela M 251T is in many people's opinion the "holy grail" within microphones and its fantastic sound falls in most people's tastes. It can be characterized as soft, detailed and with a very special aura that is able to improve even the most beautiful performance. In other words - probably the most beautiful sounding microphone ever produced.
TELEFUNKEN ELA M 250/251 was originally sold in two variants: the “ELA M 250E / 251E” version used a 6072a tube, while the “ELA M 250/251” version used a TELEFUNKEN AC701 tube. The “non-E-labeled” microphones were built to meet the standardized requirements of the German and Austrian national broadcast systems.
While both versions of these microphones have achieved legendary status in modern studio and recording circles, the path to achieving this legendary status has far from been something that came out of the blue. In 1947, Neumann GmbH made the first U47 microphones. From 1947 to 1958, TELEFUNKEN GmbH used their established global distribution network for the products produced by Neumann GmbH, they were sold under the TELEFUNKEN name with the TELEFUNKEN logo badge.
In 1958, when Neumann GmbH informed TELEFUNKEN GmbH that they had decided not to renew their distribution agreement, TELEFUNKEN went to AKG to get them, if possible, to make a “U47-like” model for TELEFUNKEN. This U47-esque microphone was to become known as the ELA M 250. Like the U47, this new microphone had character choices (kidney and ball). Around 1958, Neumann GmbH launched the U48 microphone, which featured kidney and 8-figure character. TELEFUNKEN ELA M 251 was a mixture of these two microphones, it was able to switch between all three patterns (kidney, sphere, and 8-digit). A legend was born.
Telefunken Ela M251T
Type - Capacitor.
Capsule - CK13, 25mm double-sided Alloy 2213 (alloy) membrane.
Tube - Telefunken ECC801S (NOS).
Transformer - Haufe T14 / 1.
Characteristics - Kidney, sphere, and octopus.
Dimensions - 216mm x 50mm diameter.
weight - 596g