Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 5 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (8)
$12,995.00
Guitar Center
$12,995.00
Reverb
5.0 (2)
$11,995.00 New
$12,000.00 Used
Thomann
5.0 (2)
$14,990.00
Vintage King
5.0 (4)
$12,995.00

Average Price: $12,995

High-end/Boutique

$100

$401+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Telefunken ELA M 251 E". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Experience the legendary sound of the Telefunken ELA M 251 E, a meticulously crafted masterpiece that embodies the pinnacle of vintage microphone engineering. Born from a rich history of audio excellence, this condenser microphone seamlessly merges classic design with contemporary precision, making it an essential tool for studio professionals and artists alike.

Originally designed in collaboration with AKG, the ELA M 251 E stands out with its unique blend of the C 12 microphone's core elements, reimagined with distinct refinements. It offers three selectable polar patterns—cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-of-eight—providing versatility for a wide range of recording scenarios. The microphone's head assembly is crafted to maximize acoustic performance, delivering an unparalleled richness in sound.

The ELA M 251 E employs a NOS GE 6072 tube, offering a warm, authentic tone that has been cherished by musicians and producers for decades. With its flipped tube orientation and minimal wiring between the capsule and tube, this microphone ensures a clean, detailed audio capture. The cathode bias and grid coupling provide a refined frequency response, while the unique head basket design enhances its sonic character, setting it apart from other vintage-inspired models.

Whether you're capturing the delicate nuances of a vocal performance or the intricate details of an acoustic instrument, the Telefunken ELA M 251 E promises to deliver exceptional clarity and depth, making it a timeless addition to any studio setup.

Key Features:

  • Three selectable polar patterns: cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-of-eight
  • NOS GE 6072 vacuum tube for vintage warmth
  • Unique head basket design for distinct acoustics
  • Flipped tube orientation for minimal wiring interference
  • Handcrafted in South Windsor, CT, honoring classic microphone heritage

Product specs

Brand Telefunken
Model ELA M 251E Multipattern Tube Condenser Microphone
Finish Mint Green
Year 2010s
Made In United States
Categories Microphones
Electronics Analog, Tube
Microphone Type Large-Diaphragm Condenser
Polar Pattern Multipattern
Wired/Wireless Wired

FAQs

What is the primary use of the Telefunken ELA M 251E microphone?

The Telefunken ELA M 251E is primarily used for recording vocals and acoustic instruments, offering a rich low end, detailed mid-range, and a silky top end.

What polar patterns does the Telefunken ELA M 251E support?

The Telefunken ELA M 251E is a multipattern microphone, offering cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8 polar patterns for versatile recording options.

How does the tube design of the Telefunken ELA M 251E affect its sound?

The tube design of the Telefunken ELA M 251E provides a warm, natural sound with a smooth top end, making it ideal for capturing vocals and instruments with a classic, vintage character.

Is the Telefunken ELA M 251E suitable for professional studio recording?

Yes, the Telefunken ELA M 251E is highly regarded in professional studios for its exceptional sound quality and versatility, making it a preferred choice for high-end vocal and instrument recordings.

What are the standout features of the Telefunken ELA M 251E's sound?

The Telefunken ELA M 251E is known for its extended low end, detailed mid-range, and silky high frequencies, providing a balanced and musical sound ideal for a variety of recording applications.

Vintage King

Vintage King

VK Shootout: ELA M 251-Style Microphones

Video thumbnail for VK Shootout: ELA M 251-Style Microphones by Vintage King

VK Shootout: ELA M 251-Style Microphones

Vintage King

Vintage King

Video thumbnail for TELEFUNKEN ELA M 251E microphone Male Vocal POP by TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

TELEFUNKEN ELA M 251E microphone Male Vocal POP

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

Video thumbnail for Blind Testing Vocal & Guitar Mics:  Telefunken U47 vs ELA M 251E | Royer R121 vs Shure Sm57 by Produce Like A Pro

Blind Testing Vocal & Guitar Mics: Telefunken U47 vs ELA M 251E | Royer R121 vs Shure Sm57

Produce Like A Pro

Produce Like A Pro

Video thumbnail for TELEFUNKEN ELA M 251E microphone Male Vocal JAZZ by TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

TELEFUNKEN ELA M 251E microphone Male Vocal JAZZ

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

Video thumbnail for Telefunken ELA M 251E Tube Condenser Microphone Overview - Sweetwater Sound by Sweetwater

Telefunken ELA M 251E Tube Condenser Microphone Overview - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Telefunken ELA M 251E | Unboxing & Review Powered by You by Audio Test Kitchen

Telefunken ELA M 251E | Unboxing & Review Powered by You

Audio Test Kitchen

Audio Test Kitchen

Video thumbnail for TELEFUNKEN ELA M 251E on ACOUSTIC guitar by TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

TELEFUNKEN ELA M 251E on ACOUSTIC guitar

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Telefunken ELA M 251 E.

Comparisons

  • The Upton 251 is described as visually identical to the Telefunken, with a slightly more strident top end, while the Telefunken is noted for its low-mid push.

    Source
  • The Bock 251 variant is characterized as softer and "pillowy," providing a smooth, full sound with presence.

    Source
  • The stereo version of the ELA M 251E, known as the Elam 270, is noted for its rarity and unique presence in high-end studios like Blackbird.

    Source
  • The Beyerdynamic M69 is preferred over the SM57 for guitar cabs and live vocals due to its forward midrange, offering a different tonal character in comparison.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Telefunken 251 is praised for making vocals sound "ALIVE and 3-dimensional," ideal for vocal recording.

    Source
  • The ELA M 251E is considered the best vocal mic ever made, with the original models preferred over newer versions due to consistency in performance.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • An RCA OP-6 tube pre, modified by Stephen Sank, is noted for enhanced performance and tone when paired with the 251.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The Upton 251 is considered a great alternative at half the price of the Telefunken, with revoiced smoother top end for improved sound.

    Source

User experience

  • Studios with extensive microphone collections, such as Blackbird and Abbey Road, often feature multiple ELA M 251E mics, highlighting their professional preference and high regard.

    Source
  • Waldorf KX5L mics and their microdine stereo cages are praised for their warmth, often compared favorably against vintage models like the AKG C12 for certain tonal qualities.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Kanye West uses Telefunken ELA M 251 E

Kanye West

Rapper, Music Producer

Kids See Ghosts

...
Verified via Gearslutz

My source for this is a comment from a thread called " what mic(s) does Kanye use" by the gearslutz user "PettyCash".

Everyone has at least 1 U87 so that's automatic. C800G, ELA M251.... mics that are probably too expensive for you to consider.

See how Billie Eilish uses Telefunken ELA M 251 E

Billie Eilish

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this Mix with the Masters Webinar, Finnea's updates us with Billies new microphone chain. A Telefunken 251 into a Rupert Neve Designs 5211 2-Channel Microphone Preamplifier. Timestamp 9:35

See how Mac Miller uses Telefunken ELA M 251 E

Mac Miller

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

At 2:18 you can see it the first time, but it is visible in numerous b roll shots throughout the video.

See how Ariana Grande uses Telefunken ELA M 251 E

Ariana Grande

Singer

Victorious Cast

...
Verified via Photo

Ariana posted a video of her recording “Positions” on the studio with a Telefunken ELA M 251 E.

See how Stevie Wonder uses Telefunken ELA M 251 E

Stevie Wonder

Singer, Drummer

U.S.A. for Africa

...
Verified via YouTube

In this YouTube excerpt or any footage of Spike Lee's 'Bad' Movie showing the actual Behind The Scenes Studio Sessions of the Bad Album especially here with Michael Jackson & Stevie Wonder collaborating & recording keep-able vocals on "Just Good Friends" recorded in 1987 - Stevie Wonder can be seen here Singing into one of Bruce Swedien's Telefunken ELA M 251 E Microphones

See how Michael Jackson uses Telefunken ELA M 251 E

Michael Jackson

Singer, Composer

The Jackson 5

...
Verified via YouTube

Michael Jackson frequently used the Telefunken ELA M 251 E microphone for lead vocals, including on "We Are the World" and "Another Part of Me." In the "Bad Sessions" footage, Bruce Swedien's vintage Telefunken 251 E is shown, highlighting its use by various artists, including Stevie Wonder and Jackson himself.

See how Rosé (Blackpink) uses Telefunken ELA M 251 E

Rosé (Blackpink)

Singer, Guitarist

Blackpink

...
Verified via YouTube

Rosé (Blackpink) used the Telefunken ELA M 251 E microphone on a stand with a pop filter to record the hit "APT" with Bruno Mars. This is confirmed by a YouTube video from Berry🍒 B@ngpink stan, which shows Rosé recording the intro for "APT" on November 7, 2023.

See how Halsey uses Telefunken ELA M 251 E

Halsey

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used on "Closer", as stated by producer DJ Swivel in this February 2017 Sound on Sound interview.

I recorded Halsey’s vocals at Westlake Studios, in Production Suite 1, using a Telefunken ELA M251E, going into a Neve 1073 mic pre and a Tube Tech CL1-B compressor, which is a classic female vocal chain.

See how Luke Bryan uses Telefunken ELA M 251 E

Luke Bryan

Singer, Guitarist

Artists of Then, Now & Forever

...
Verified via YouTube

In this YouTube Video at 0:31, you can see a 251E

See how Frank Sinatra uses Telefunken ELA M 251 E

Frank Sinatra

Singer

Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra

...
Verified via 11fifty

Used for Sinatra's Swingin' Session!!!, as is visible in the album artwork (which is a photo of one of the album's sessions) and this photo. Despite the front of the microphone (which can be used to tell the 251 and 250 apart, let alone the E and non-E versions) not being visible, testimony to the microphone being a 251 E is given in this October 20, 2015 Recording.org forum post by user DonnyThompson.

I've actually had the fortune to have used an original early 60's ELA-M 251 E ... Once.

I was called in as a hired-gun engineer to work a recording session at a studio in Youngstown, Ohio a few years ago, ( Peppermint Recording - they'd been around for YEARS... I don't know if it's even there anymore, but when I was there it was like I was walking back into 1975 - yellow shag carpet, bean bag chairs, day-glo posters and all - LOL - it had definitely seen better days, though) and the owner of the studio had two ELAM's, both 251-E's.

When I asked him how he got them, he told me that he had purchased them in the mid 70's from Capitol Records Recording Studios in L.A. - for next to nothing - he mentioned paying something ridiculous, like $800 for BOTH. ( So...how come I can't ever run across incredible deals like that??? ).

With one of the mics, the mic itself worked fine, but the PS was fried, but the other one he had was fully operational with both the mic and the PS.

The owner had a picture hanging in his control room of an early 1960's Frank Sinatra singing into an ELA-M. ( He told me that he had been told by one of the older engineers at Capitol that the mic in the photo was one of the ones he purchased... although there's no actual way to prove that...but I suppose it's possible).

See how Dolly Parton uses Telefunken ELA M 251 E

Dolly Parton

Singer, Guitarist

♀♀♀♀: The Collaboration

...
Verified via YouTube

In This YouTube Video, Dolly and the Orchestra can be seen with Telefunken ELA M 251E's

See how KARRA uses Telefunken ELA M 251 E

KARRA

Singer, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

The Telefunken ELA M 251 E can be seen at 1:31 into the video.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Telefunken ELA M 251 E, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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