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OmnidirectionalCardioidTelefunken Elektroakustik Ela M 250 F

Multi-Pattern Tube Condenser Microphone

The Ela M 250 F was the lowest-cost member of Telefunken Elektroakustik’s family of Ela M 250/251 reproduction microphones.

Like the ElaM 250E, the 250F is a multipattern tube condenser, with Cardioid and Omni patterns selectable from a switch below the headbasket.

The primary differences between the ‘E’ and ‘F’ versions are:

  • The 250F has an imported, “modern” power supply, rather than the historically-accurate “lunchbox”-style 250E power supply.
  • The 250F uses the company’s TK-12 capsule, rather than their CK-12 capsule.
  • The 250F’s “no frills” packaging does not include the the vintage-style locking flight case of the 250E.

The amplifier circuit, tube and transformer are identical to the higher-priced Ela M 250 E reproduction — both mics use a GE JAN 6072a tube, a Haufe transformer, and the modular construction technique peculiar to the original AKG-built Telefunken Ela M 250E and Ela M 251E.

Telefunken Elektroakustik manufactures numerous variations of the ElaM 250/251 family of microphones:

ModelCapsuleTubePatternsPSUMSRP (2010)
Ela M 250CK-12AC-701Cardioid, OmniHistorical$13,495
Ela M 251CK-12AC-701Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8Historical$13,995
Ela M 250 ECK-126072aCardioid, OmniHistorical$10,495
Ela M 251 ECK-126072aCardioid, Omni, Figure-8Historical$10,995
Ela M 250 FTK-126072aCardioid, OmniModernn/a
Ela M 251 FTK-126072aCardioid, Omni, Figure-8Modern($5,995)
Ela M 251 TCK-136072aCardioid, Omni, Figure-8Historicaln/a

(MSRP current as of Nov, 2010)

Note the similarity between the ElaM 250F and ElaM 251F — the sole difference is that the 250F has only Cardioid and Omni patterns, whereas the 251F also provides figure-of-8.

Telefunken ElaM 250 FThe ElaM 250 F shipped with a wooden microphone case, a “modern” imported power supply, and a power cable.

Resolution, 2008-02

[I]t’s not the quietest microphone in the world, but certainly not the noisiest either. Specs quote equivalent noise at 16dBA although it somehow sounds a little noisier than that in reality.

There’s a fine line with vocals between detail in the
high end and harshness — some microphones sound very warm but lacking in detail, others give you plenty of detail but can sound very hard, very quickly. The 250 F nails it absolutely.

[O]n acoustic guitar and piano… although there isn’t quite the snap to the strings or hammer sound when compared
to a Neumann M149 or 414, there’s a very solid rounded out sound that is pleasantly lacking in the brittleness around the 3kHz mark that many modern large diaphragm condensers seem to exaggerate.

[Although] I was hugely impressed by the Soundelux ELAM 251, from memory the 250 F sounds just that little bit bigger in every respect.

Permalink: Telefunken Elektroakustik ElaM-250F

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Omnidirectional (12 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)
Cardioid (12 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 25mm
Capsule diameter: 32mm
Diaphragm gauge: 6 microns
200 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 138 dB
Self-noise: 16.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
567g (20.00oz) 216mm (8.50'') 51mm (2.01'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Includes tube power supply

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