Telefunken AR-51 Condenser Tube Mic

$1,299.00 Price Tier: High-end

4.5 (2)

1 Review

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1 wishlisted

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Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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5.0 (7)

$1,299.00 8 available Used

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Average Price: $1,299

High-end/Boutique

$100

$401+

Price Tier

In the Condenser Microphones category, Telefunken AR-51 Condenser Tube Mic is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Discover the Telefunken AR-51 Condenser Tube Mic - a studio gem that marries vintage soul with modern versatility. This large-diaphragm microphone is your ticket to capturing sounds with authenticity and depth, whether you're laying down vocals or mic'ing up instruments. Its roots are in the legendary designs of the past, but with a twist that makes it distinctly contemporary. The AR-51’s amplifier draws inspiration from the iconic C12 and ELA M 251, ensuring that your recordings are imbued with a classic warmth, yet it stands apart with its unique ECC81 tube, giving your sound a distinct character. Ideal for the discerning ear of the modern musician and producer, the AR-51 is a testament to Telefunken's commitment to audio excellence, offering a sonic palette that spans genres and generations.

Key Features:

9 selectable polar patterns on the power supply for versatile recording options
Large-diaphragm tube condenser microphone, perfect for both vocals and instruments
Amplifier design inspired by the C12 and ELA M 251
Features an ECC81 tube for a unique sonic character
Dual diaphragm, edge-terminated capsule for detailed sound capture

Product specs

Brand	Telefunken
Model	AR-51 Large Diaphragm Multipattern Tube Condenser Microphone
Finish	Gray
Year	2010s
Made In	United States
Categories	Microphones
Electronics	Analog, Tube
Microphone Type	Large-Diaphragm Condenser
Polar Pattern	Multipattern
Wired/Wireless	Wired

FAQs

What polar patterns does the Telefunken AR-51 offer?: The Telefunken AR-51 features a multipattern design, allowing you to choose between cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8 polar patterns, making it versatile for various recording applications.
Is the Telefunken AR-51 suitable for vocal recording?: Yes, the Telefunken AR-51 is well-suited for vocal recording, offering a warm and detailed sound characteristic due to its tube circuitry and large diaphragm design.
Does the Telefunken AR-51 require a power supply?: Yes, the Telefunken AR-51 is a tube condenser microphone and requires an external power supply, which is typically included with the microphone.
How does the tube circuitry of the Telefunken AR-51 affect its sound?: The tube circuitry in the Telefunken AR-51 adds warmth and richness to the sound, providing a classic and smooth tonal quality that is highly sought after in professional recording environments.
Can the Telefunken AR-51 be used for instrument recording?: Absolutely, the Telefunken AR-51 is versatile enough for recording various instruments, offering clarity and depth that enhance the sound of acoustic guitars, pianos, and more.

Videos

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TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

TELEFUNKEN AR-51

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

Telefunken AR-51 Tube Condenser Microphone Overview - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Telefunken Elektroakustik AR-51 | VintageKing.com

Vintage King

Telefunken AR-51 Unboxing

Loudmouth Recording Studios

Telefunken AR51

KlemmMusicTechnology

Telefunken AR51 - Musikmesse 2010

Sound On Sound magazine

HOW TO: Change a tube in a TELEFUNKEN AR-51 microphone

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Telefunken AR-51 Condenser Tube Mic.

Features and functionality

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The Telefunken AR-51 offers a balanced sound quality with multiple polar patterns, providing versatility for studio recording applications.
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Build quality

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Handle the AR-51 carefully to avoid scratches; it's a high-quality but delicate microphone.
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Comparisons

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A friend compared the C800G's sensitivity to the AR-51, noting its ability to capture every sound detail in a room, though the AR-51 maintains high sound quality.
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Value and pricing

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The AR-51 is seen as a cost-effective alternative to ultra-high-end mics like the C800G, offering professional sound quality without the $10K price tag.
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Use cases and applications

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Ideal for studio recording of vocals and voiceovers, the AR-51 provides album-worthy sound quality in a treated room.
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

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1 star

robin_buckingham

325

almost 9 years ago

Cool mic for the rpice

Honestly. It is as cool as my U87. It just depends on your vocalist.

Let us make one thing clear about "tube mics" and the illusion that tube mics sound warmer or better.

Tube mics use the EC883 Or AT7 tube. These are low drive tubes, use as a function stage for your electronics. You are not loading this down with tone galore. Now you are when you use an AX7, your are driving things, but an AT7 is low gain stage tube.

I want a mic with an AX7!

But really for the cost, the Telefunken AK-47, AR-51 (tube stage), even the less costly CU-29 Copperhead (tube stage) are all really good choices. Perhaps consider your use, and future uses, maybe you might want a second in the future. for a choir, or even overheads! Why not? There really are not rules, do your thing!

jimmarchi1

41029

8 years ago over 8 years ago

many tube mics use EF86 pentodes or similar... no rule on tubes used in the circuit actually. An AT7 is about 20 lower in gain (100 ax7, 80 AT7 give or take) but the AT7, ulike the other 12__7 family of tubes is NOT just a gained down AX. There's military numbered AX variants that provide low noise and about 20 les gain and those behave the way you're thinking, just a weak AX7.... but an AT7 has a different impedance relationship to its amplifier circuit than a 12ax7 so it modest gain actually 'sculpts' your bandwidth differently all other design elements being equal. Different frequency response, especially into distortion and also a different slew rate. Not that tis important when you're just using your ears to ebst flatter a singer with the right mic, but if you wanna get academic about dual triodes, the at7 is the odd duck. So are all its European cousins that were so popular in german tube gear. Incidentally, the power draw is all the same in this pin out so you can swap these tubes around in your mic and try to listen for the differences, though you might experience a noticeable increase in the nosie floor when upping the gain and changing the in and out mpedance of the gain stage... but it shouldn't hurt anything. if you wanna hear the most glorious (in my opinion) AT7 variant, gind some Mullard CV4042 military grade ECC81 ;-) For music applications other than mere playback I think its the best of this type and I have used many old AT7s in my guitar and recording gear of the years.

robin_buckingham

325

8 years ago over 8 years ago

Jim added excellent insight on this topic. I was merely trying to not place such an emphasis or stress on budget studios by not getting too bogged down on the specifications. All of my reviews are decidedly fast & loose. I just notice a lot of people spend more time on analyzing vs using the gear.

But for technical aspects, Jim's spot on. Plus I am going to try his Mullard Tube idea compared to the Groove Tubes I always seem to use. The more views the better! That is why this is an open forum!