Mic Archive
Telefunken ELA M 251E
Photo: TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik, from its catalog, p. 3.

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

Telefunken ELA M 251E

Large-diaphragm tube condenser (6072A), CK12-type capsule, omni, cardioid and figure-8; a reissue of the 1959 Telefunken/AKG ELA M 251

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Omni / cardioid / figure-8
Sensitivity
−35.4 dBV/Pa computed
Self-noise
9 dB(A)
Max SPL
130 dB SPL
Impedance
200 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the manual, p. 11. Audio Precision plot without a title, "RMS Level -> Normalize (dB)", all curves at 0 dB at 1 kHz. Distance, room and smoothing not stated. Legend: "Cardioid".

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

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All specs

From the manual
CapsuleTELEFUNKEN CK12, edge-terminated large dual diaphragm, gold-sputtered. "TELEFUNKEN CK12 – Edge Terminated Large Diaphragm"; "edge-terminated, dual diaphragm design", made in the USA (p. 10); "the traditional CK12 capsule is sputtered with gold" (p. 9).p. 11
Sensitivity−35.4 dBV/Pa (17 mV/Pa). Not stated by the manufacturer: From 17 mV/Pa: 20·log10(0.017).
Self-noise9 dB(A), amplifier. "Self-Noise (Amplifier) 9 dBA".
Max SPL130 dB SPL, 1% THD. "Maximum SPL (for 1% THD) 130 dB".
Signal-to-noise ratio85 dB, A-weighted. "S/N Ratio 85 dBA".
Output impedance200 ohm
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz, ±3 dB. "20 Hz - 20 kHz, ±3 dB".
PoweringM 950E external power supply (115 or 230 V mains). "External Power Supply"; the M 950E is set to 115 V or 230 V (quick start, p. 4).
Connectorvintage-style swivel stand-mount connector at the mic; 7-pin XLR at the supply; XLR-3 output on the supply. M 850E cable: "historically accurate swivel stand mount connector on the microphone end and a premium Neutrik 7-pin XLR connector on the power supply end" (p. 2); a standard 3-pin mic cable from the supply to the preamp (p. 4).p. 2
Weight596 gp. 11
Dimensions216 × 50 mm. "216 mm L x 50 mm Dia" (length × diameter).
Supplied accessoriesM 950E power supply; M 850E tube mic cable (10 m); M 751 Rycote shock mount; FC50 flight case; WB50 wooden box. "What's In The Box" (pp. 2-3) and the system table (p. 14).p. 14
TubeTELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik 6072A (dual triode), self-biasedp. 11
TransformerHaufe T14/1
THD (amplifier)< 0.2% at 1 kHz, 1 Pa
Capsule polarisationBoth diaphragms between -60 and +60 V (the C12 grounds the front and varies the back from 0 to 120 V)p. 8
Power supplyM 950E: fully regulated; heater voltage ramps up over 20 seconds; warm up 10 minutes before usep. 2
History (Telefunken)Designed by AKG for Telefunken after 1958; about 2,000 made 1959-1963 in four versions: 250 (omni, cardioid) and 251 (plus figure-8) with the AC701K tube, and the export 250E and 251E with the 6072Ap. 9
From the manual (Recording Hacks copy)
Original (1959-1963): sensitivityOmni approx. 0.9 mV, cardioid approx. 1.2 mV, figure-8 approx. 0.9 mV per dyne/cm² (9, 12 and 9 mV/Pa) on open circuit, 200 ohm ±10%p. 6
Original (1959-1963): frequency range40-15,000 cps; within ±2 dB of the standard curves from 40 to 7,000 cycles, ±3 dB from 7,000 to 13,000
Original (1959-1963): noise and distortionResidual noise ≤ 20 phons (DIN 5045, curve 3); distortion ≤ 0.5% at 100 dyne/cm² (1,000 cycles, 1,000 ohm load)
Original (1959-1963): front-to-back ratio≥ 20 dB at 1,000 cycles in cardioid (0°-180°) and figure-8 (0°-90°)
Original (1959-1963): tubesM 250 / M 251: TELEFUNKEN AC 701 sub-miniature tube, soldered in; M 250 E / M 251 E: twin triode 6072 in a socket
Original (1959-1963): size and weightLength 215 mm, maximum diameter 52 mm; 960 g; output 200 or 50 ohm (by resoldering)

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on telefunken-elektroakustik.comRecording Hacks

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