Elam M 251 Clones

[shady656]

I'm looking into the Soundelux Elux 251 vs Telefunken NA 251. Any experiences/Opinions?

[84K]

Elux 251 sounded thin and a tad harsh in my testing. The E LAM 251E from Tele USA sounds spot on. But MUCH more $$$. I have no experience with the NA version.

[True North]

I have experience with both but I have never had the opportunity to compare them to an Original. The other thing to keep in mind is that there are 2 versions of the Telefunken USA Elam copies - one more expensive (E series) than the other (F series) . I tested out the F series.

84K works/owns a studio that has both original ELAM's and the more expensive Telefinken ELAM copies and swears that Tel USA (E series) has nailed it right on the head with their copy.

A few months ago I went through a pretty rigorous series of blind listening tests on over 20 mics. Both the Telefunken USA F series and the Soundelux 251's were tested. To my ears I really liked the Soudelux better. In fact the Soundelux made the top three for me. If it were a choice between the two (i.e. F Series VS Soundelux) my choice would be with the Soundelux.

If you really want to test both contact a vendor who carries both, I used Jon at Alto Music, give them your credit card number and try out both. Keep the one you like best and return the other for a full credit. That would be my best suggestion, good luck.

[True North]

Originally Posted by 84K

Elux 251 sounded thin and a tad harsh in my testing. The E LAM 251E from Tele USA sounds spot on. But MUCH more $$$. I have no experience with the NA version.

We must have been writing at the same time

[Tetness]

Korby. Nuff said.

[True North]

Originally Posted by Tetness

Korby. Nuff said.

Korby Kat4's were part of the test group as well. The only capsule that really impressed my was their U67 capsule.

[Tetness]

Really? I used to owned a Telefunken Elam 251 USA reissue and I sold it. I am more impressed with my Korby 251 and use it all the time. But I agree, the U67 is great.

[kittonian]

Well, I'm a dealer for them so take it for what it's worth, but the Peluso 22 251 is winning the shootouts. In fact in a TapeOp review over the summer (at least I think that's when it was) the reviewer took the Tele against the Peluso and sent the Tele back and bought the Peluso. We've had nothing but outstanding comments from our customers who purchased one.

[Bat Head Sound]

The Telefunken NA 251 E sounds awesome, one of the best sounding mics I've ever heard. If you have the money, that's a great choice.

[True North]

Originally Posted by Tetness

Really? I used to owned a Telefunken Elam 251 USA reissue and I sold it. I am more impressed with my Korby 251 and use it all the time. But I agree, the U67 is great.

It is interesting that everyone who listens to all 4 heads on the Kat 4 system recognize the U67 head as a stand out.

I have been sitting on these tests for 5 months. I am just compiling them now and editing it down into 2, MP3 files;

File 1 - Mics 1 to 10

File 2 - Mics 11 to 21

I should be able to release the male vox test by tonight. We tested 21 mics. Give it a listen if you get a chance and than maybe you can rejudge. I won't be naming any of the mics. I just need people to pick their top three. I hope I can figure out how to tally up the votes using the Poll option.

The vox are accompanied with Acoustic guitar which were mic'ed with the Korby U67 Head. I wish Korby would just relese their version of the U67 I would snap that up.

Cheers!

[Tetness]

Originally Posted by kittonian

Well, I'm a dealer for them so take it for what it's worth, but the Peluso 22 251 is winning the shootouts. In fact in a TapeOp review over the summer (at least I think that's when it was) the reviewer took the Tele against the Peluso and sent the Tele back and bought the Peluso. We've had nothing but outstanding comments from our customers who purchased one.

I have never heard the Peluso. But I look foward to in the future.

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by True North

I wish Korby would just relese their version of the U67 I would snap that up.

Cheers!

You can just buy the Kat-1 with the 67 head only
thumbsup

[True North]

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

You can just buy the Kat-1 with the 67 head only
thumbsup

True, but at $4500 it is a bit over priced. Might be cheaper to find a good deal on a real U67 and then get tracy to do his MOD. That KAT4 system is a steal if you really like ALL the heads. I think a KAT4 goes for about $7500 - with 4 heads you are essentially getting each mic for about $1875 - NOW that's a steal as far as I am concerned.

BTW - I finally managed to get the file posted on those mic comparisons, check it out if you get a chance, cheers!

[Fletcher]

The Soundelux E-250 sounds damn close to the ELA M 251 E I used to own but sold to Longview Farm to keep it close [so I knew where to find it when I needed it].

I've had two of the Telefunken USA "re-issue" mics come through my world... one was absolutely the best "251" I had ever heard... the other was at best a "C-" that couldn't wipe the sweat off the balls of the S'delux E-250 [which leads me to believe that there is a "case by case basis" thing with the T'funk-USA stuff].

The bottom line is that all this rhetoric, scribbling and rambling is all complete bullshit until and unless you try one [all] of these things in your world and determine whether or not it suits your purpose and sense of aesthetic.

Josh says he loves the mic he pimps... the question is whether any of his 20 minutes of experience are relevant to anything anyone else is doing.

I said the E-250 is damn close to my old 251-E that lives at Longview Farm... show of hands, how many people reading this have ever heard that specific example of a 251? I think that particular one is the dog's bollocks... but the point of reference is lost if you've never worked with that mic in that studio... [BTW, I'm not pimping anything here as the E-250 has been removed from the M-A website until S'delux gets some stability in their model offerings... it's a real bitch to have to retrain the staff after lunch becasue S'delux changed their model numbers for the 18th time this semester].

Tetness loves his Korby... when I tried a Korby I thought the thing was broken or one of the worst pieces of shit I'd ever heard... Korby/VK never sent me another one to try so I have no idea if it was indeed broken or just a total piece of shit.

All I'm trying to point out here is that there is a ton of myth and bullshit surrounding this crap and until you actually listen to it in application all of these recommendations have about the same validity as a frat house conversation on how well Suzy Creamcheese can suck a dick... for those who are experiencing their first blowjob it could be heaven on earth... for those that have been getting blown on a regular basis for a while it could be one step better than doing yourself by hand but no where near what a master of the craft might provide.

It's all about perspective.

Peace.

[True North]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

The Soundelux E-250 sounds damn close to the ELA M 251 E I used to own but sold to Longview Farm to keep it close [so I knew where to find it when I needed it].

I've had two of the Telefunken USA "re-issue" mics come through my world... one was absolutely the best "251" I had ever heard... the other was at best a "C-" that couldn't wipe the sweat off the balls of the S'delux E-250 [which leads me to believe that there is a "case by case basis" thing with the T'funk-USA stuff].

The bottom line is that all this rhetoric, scribbling and rambling is all complete bullshit until and unless you try one [all] of these things in your world and determine whether or not it suits your purpose and sense of aesthetic.

Josh says he loves the mic he pimps... the question is whether any of his 20 minutes of experience are relevant to anything anyone else is doing.

I said the E-250 is damn close to my old 251-E that lives at Longview Farm... show of hands, how many people reading this have ever heard that specific example of a 251? I think that particular one is the dog's bollocks... but the point of reference is lost if you've never worked with that mic in that studio... [BTW, I'm not pimping anything here as the E-250 has been removed from the M-A website until S'delux gets some stability in their model offerings... it's a real bitch to have to retrain the staff after lunch becasue S'delux changed their model numbers for the 18th time this semester].

Tetness loves his Korby... when I tried a Korby I thought the thing was broken or one of the worst pieces of shit I'd ever heard... Korby/VK never sent me another one to try so I have no idea if it was indeed broken or just a total piece of shit.

All I'm trying to point out here is that there is a ton of myth and bullshit surrounding this crap and until you actually listen to it in application all of these recommendations have about the same validity as a frat house conversation on how well Suzy Creamcheese can suck a dick... for those who are experiencing their first blowjob it could be heaven on earth... for those that have been getting blown on a regular basis for a while it could be one step better than doing yourself by hand but no where near what a master of the craft might provide.

It's all about perspective.

Peace.

And a MERRY F'in Christmas to you sir!

I was wondering what had happened to you. I thought we were beginning to see the dawn of a newer, kinder Fletcher. All of the knowledge, none of the bombastic attitude (but what fun wud that be). It would be a lot easier to give you a hard time for your consistently harsh criticisms of these threads - if you would just stop making sense on some of your points.

The 20 mins comment was a wee bit harsh.

If someone goes out and buys a $3000 ++++ mic without at least attempting to objectively listen first, than that person might need a good smack. However, if you can use these threads as the starting point of your research than I think there is nothing wrong with these discussions.

BTW, I was really dissapointed with the Korby as well, but I thought the U67 sounded pretty good.

[True North]

BTW, if anyone is interested here are links to two of three files I am posting on some Male vocal mic tests we did a while ago.

I am not naming mics, except to say that many of the 'better' 251 copies were used in the tests, check it out if you get a chance;

Test File #1 - Mics 1 through to 10
******//gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=53107

Test File #2 - Mics 11 through to 16
******//gearslutz.com/board/showthread.php3?t=53131

Test File #3 - Mics 17 through to 21
COMING SOON!

Cheers!

[Doublehelix]

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned the Blue Bottle with the B0 capsule.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

The Soundelux E-250 sounds damn close to the ELA M 251 E I used to own but sold to Longview Farm to keep it close [so I knew where to find it when I needed it].

I've had two of the Telefunken USA "re-issue" mics come through my world... one was absolutely the best "251" I had ever heard... the other was at best a "C-" that couldn't wipe the sweat off the balls of the S'delux E-250 [which leads me to believe that there is a "case by case basis" thing with the T'funk-USA stuff].

The bottom line is that all this rhetoric, scribbling and rambling is all complete bullshit until and unless you try one [all] of these things in your world and determine whether or not it suits your purpose and sense of aesthetic.

Josh says he loves the mic he pimps... the question is whether any of his 20 minutes of experience are relevant to anything anyone else is doing.

I said the E-250 is damn close to my old 251-E that lives at Longview Farm... show of hands, how many people reading this have ever heard that specific example of a 251? I think that particular one is the dog's bollocks... but the point of reference is lost if you've never worked with that mic in that studio... [BTW, I'm not pimping anything here as the E-250 has been removed from the M-A website until S'delux gets some stability in their model offerings... it's a real bitch to have to retrain the staff after lunch becasue S'delux changed their model numbers for the 18th time this semester].

Tetness loves his Korby... when I tried a Korby I thought the thing was broken or one of the worst pieces of shit I'd ever heard... Korby/VK never sent me another one to try so I have no idea if it was indeed broken or just a total piece of shit.

All I'm trying to point out here is that there is a ton of myth and bullshit surrounding this crap and until you actually listen to it in application all of these recommendations have about the same validity as a frat house conversation on how well Suzy Creamcheese can suck a dick... for those who are experiencing their first blowjob it could be heaven on earth... for those that have been getting blown on a regular basis for a while it could be one step better than doing yourself by hand but no where near what a master of the craft might provide.

It's all about perspective.

Peace.

i truly hope you never stop posting!
now to get this coffee out of my keyboard.

[84K]

Definitely try whatever you can afford and whatever you can get a demo of. I have used the Korby. It is a great mic, with a nice tone (with all the capsules), but (in my brief use) it is not as detailed as the respective "originals." Maybe it is the tube he is using (could cause limitations). In the example of the 251, the Tele USA E LAM 251E has more detail. I have not tried the Soundelux elux in years, maybe it has improved. Maybe the Korby would be great for you, the detail difference is marginal, and not the kind of thing I would call a deal breaker. Korby makes a mighty fine mic.

[woods]

True North did you have the new Soundelux 47 in your 20 mics?

Fletcher you mention Soundelux is changing alot lately - what's going on with them? WHAT is the new Soundelux 47 like compared to the old Soundelux 47?

Cheers

Woods

[Fletcher]

Originally Posted by woods

Fletcher you mention Soundelux is changing alot lately - what's going on with them? WHAT is the new Soundelux 47 like compared to the old Soundelux 47?

No clue.

We pared down what M-A carries Soundelux wise to the U-99; E-49 and U-195 because we know what those mics are all about. We dropped the iFet-7 because it's not as good a mic as the U-195 and has the highest breakage ratio of any piece of equipment we carry... it frankly just isn't worth the pain in the ass.

As far as the rest of the Soundelux stuff goes... if they want to send units over for evaluation... great, we'll evaluate them. If they don't feel like sending them over for evaluation then we're not going to carry them.

Soundelux seems to change model numbers and prices more often than I cut my hair... it's damn near impossible to keep track with what the hell is going on with that line. In the last year they've announced so many changes that we threw up our hands and moved back to square one [which is "send them in for evaluation and we'll start over like you're a new manufacturer we're considering as a potential roster addition"].

David Bock is one of the best and most detail oriented microphone designers I know. I'm sure the new stuff is great... but we have no idea how to describe it nor any idea of what applications they're best suited. It's a whole new line with all new designs and we don't buy shit blind... so they need to send the stuff over to the "Methods and Applications Laboratory" so we can do a proper evaluation and figure how they fit in with what we're doing.

[True North]

Originally Posted by woods

True North did you have the new Soundelux 47 in your 20 mics?

Fletcher you mention Soundelux is changing alot lately - what's going on with them? WHAT is the new Soundelux 47 like compared to the old Soundelux 47?

Cheers

Woods

No we did not get a chance to test the Soundelux 47 - but plenty of other great mics were tested. Cheers

[Mark Warren]

Originally Posted by True North

And a MERRY F'in Christmas to you sir!

That made me laugh, hard.

[woods]

True North where did you get the mics you tried out. What suppliers?

I'd like to talk to them about buying.

Thanks,

Woods

[BradD]

I sure wish someone would send Fletcher a working Korby. I have one with all four heads and I love it. The heads are very versatile and really complement each other. Unlike many of you though, I haven't had the opportunity to use a bunch of other high end mics.

[GYang]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

... when I tried a Korby I thought the thing was broken or one of the worst pieces of shit I'd ever heard... Korby/VK never sent me another one to try so I have no idea if it was indeed broken or just a total piece of shit.

If Korby's mics are piece of shit I'll seriously doubt your unbiased attitude (and that's what makes your opinion valuable).

I guess that Korby was broken and such behaviour (not sending new one to improve impression) is typical for Nadine and Tracy, they don't have time to reply even to customer (I had to write them many times before they delivered).

I can assure U67, U 47, but also 251 and C12 are exceptionally good microphones, it doesn't matter if they come 90%, 95%, 99% or 99,99999% close to originals. They are great and much better than most of originals I heard in my life simple due to fact that good original is so rare that it's not worth mention it.

I have no restrictions to add Soundelux, Peluso, Lawson or Neumanns if they would give me anything more, but in same departement Korby just offered a lot of versality in top quality and if I talk about other really distinct microphones I consider Brauner KHE, Sony, Blue, DPA.

[zarembo]

has anyone considered or have thoughts on the Lawson L251?

[whitepapagold]

Originally Posted by BradD

I sure wish someone would send Fletcher a working Korby. I have one with all four heads and I love it. The heads are very versatile and really complement each other. Unlike many of you though, I haven't had the opportunity to use a bunch of other high end mics.

I think he may need a hug more than a Korby! JK!

[RoundBadge]

The Korby rocks..I've used the 67 head in leu of an original many times..
Fletcher must've had a bad one ..
"piece of sh*t is not a statement I'd remotely associate with this mic

[84K]

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

The Korby rocks..I've used the 67 head in leu of an original many times..
Fletcher must've had a bad one ..
"piece of sh*t is not a statement I'd remotely associate with this mic

It didn't knock me out, but it defintely didn't suck.