Bock 241

[work2do]

that's why I couldn't find a bock 151. glad I didn't.

[ToddP]

Originally Posted by tapehiss

[I]

Some questions:
- I wonder if this looks identical to the 251? From the description above, it sounds like it will look the same.
- Is the 151 now going to be discontinued? I would assume so, but maybe there are many made that need to sell first.

Yes it looks the same as the 251. You can see it here.

And yes, the 151 is being discontinued. There will be more info after the NAMM show.

Thanks!

[Goliath|Audio]

The 151 was ugly! I know it sounds great, but I could couldn't get around the mental block of dropping that kind of cheddar on a mic when it doesn't look sexy too.

[Silver Sonya]

Well, this is exciting!

- c

[Tube World]

Originally Posted by Goliath|Audio

The 151 was ugly! I know it sounds great, but I could couldn't get around the mental block of dropping that kind of cheddar on a mic when it doesn't look sexy too.

I agree, one reason why I choose the Brauner Valvet over the 151. The new 241 looks a lot better than the 151.

[CJ1973]

Can someone please confirm that this mic is 100% US made or has foreign components? I am referring to the Bock 241.

Thx!

[AB3]

I assume it is not identical to the 251 in cardioid, unless the cardioid pattern which was widened in the 151 has not been narrowed in the 241, and the 251 supposedly goes down to 8 hz whereas the 151 had a cutoff at 30 hz.

So how can the 241 be IDENTICAL in cardioid to the 251 without these two changes as well?

[Goliath|Audio]

Originally Posted by CJ1973

Can someone please confirm that this mic is 100% US made or has foreign components? I am referring to the Bock 241.

Thx!

[sarcasm]Made from Behringer tubes, 797 capsules and digital emulations of transformers. [/sarcasm]

Microphone uses a proprietary BOCK hand made German capsule, a proprietary BOCK hand wound vintage style audio transformer, a NOS tube in the mic amplifier and a BOCK hand built custom outboard power supply.

I guess I won't be buying it with foreign parts.

[work2do]

Originally Posted by Goliath|Audio

[sarcasm]Made from Behringer tubes, 797 capsules and digital emulations of transformers. [/sarcasm]

I guess I won't be buying it with foreign parts.

yeah not with those German foreign parts. Are people really serious. My C800g is made with completely foreign parts but it is the most used and requested mic we have.

[NathanEldred]

Mic looks great, congratulations David.

[Chrisc_o]

Originally Posted by tidepool

Looks like it's Bock to the future!

Boo!

[tapehiss]

Looks nice!

[Schmacko]

Originally Posted by AB3

I received a Bock 151 from Guitar Center. I finally got a working shock mount yesterday. For some reason, I had suspicions about whether the mic was tampered with by Guitar Center, so I opened it up and took a photo of the tube. Is this the tube that will be in the 241? Is it the tube that is suppose to be in the 151? What is it? It is a little tube hard wired in. See photo.

The last revision of the U99 also used the E250's board with a reworked circuit along with the soldered in NOS EF732 tube - I discovered this from opening up my own mics.

[AB3]

I spoke with Trans Audio Group and the tube in the mic is the correct tube for a Bock 151. It is an NOS ef732 which is just great for this mic. David did use ef732s with the 151 and of course, adjusted everything to have it sound great.

And by the way, I tested the mic and it sounds awesome (very quiet too!).

Sorry for any confusion. Carry on about the 241 !

[Silver Sonya]

Can we boil it down to this statement?

The 241 sounds identical to the 251, but is cardioid only.

Is this correct?

- c

[Brad Lunde]

Originally Posted by AB3

I assume it is not identical to the 251 in cardioid, unless the cardioid pattern which was widened in the 151 has not been narrowed in the 241, and the 251 supposedly goes down to 8 hz whereas the 151 had a cutoff at 30 hz.

So how can the 241 be IDENTICAL in cardioid to the 251 without these two changes as well?

It is NOT identical to the 251. It is identical internally to the 151. The 151 and the 241 do sound a bit different, even with identical parts inside. Its acoustic changes the new body/headgrille make. Not surprisingly, the 241 sounds even closer to the 251 as compared to the 151, due to acoustics. We are quite proud of just how good the 241 (and the 151) sound compared to the 251, for 30% less money. Not easy to do!

The 241/151 use a different transformer and different audio (amplifier) compared to the 251. They do use the same capsule.

The 241 uses chinese metal, as compared to American metal on the 151, since this does not contribute to the sound. It was the only way to get the look of the 251 and keep the sound of the 151. American metal is significantly more money and is used on the 251.

Hope that helps clear up some things.

Brad

[Schmacko]

Originally Posted by AB3

I spoke with Trans Audio Group and the tube in the mic is the correct tube for a Bock 151. It is an NOS ef732 which is just great for this mic. David did use ef732s with the 151 and of course, adjusted everything to have it sound great.

And by the way, I tested the mic and it sounds awesome (very quiet too!).

Sorry for any confusion. Carry on about the 241 !

Wait a sec. Now I'm super confused! Why does the Bock Audio webpage list the 151 as using a NOS GE 5670? It says the same thing on the downloadable data sheet.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing either though - my two U99's with the EF732 tubes are near the top of the favorite mics I own. Plus they seem to be fairly uncommon... which is slutty

Thanks for clarifying AB3!

[AB3]

Brad - is it also true that the 151 and 241 have a little wider cardioid pattern than the 251, which makes it more singer friendly, as well as that there is a , 30 hz rolloff which once again makes it vocal friendly?

[AMIEL]

I think this is great news!

I always thought that the Bock 251 is one of the most beautiful sounding mics I hear for vocals.....but also I was not so sure if the 151 would sound the same as the 251 in cardioid mode and also the look was like a turn off to me.

I Hope to own one ....

[Brad Lunde]

Originally Posted by Schmacko

Wait a sec. Now I'm super confused! Why does the Bock Audio webpage list the 151 as using a NOS GE 5670? It says the same thing on the downloadable data sheet.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing either though - my two U99's with the EF732 tubes are near the top of the favorite mics I own. Plus they seem to be fairly uncommon... which is slutty

Thanks for clarifying AB3!

EF732 is correct, I checked with David this morning. Its been that way for a while, and I forgot the data sheet says GE5670 so it was our mistake. I'll get that fixed in a day or two!
Brad

[AB3]

My guess is that they started with the Ge 5670s. But the ef732 is probably as good or better tube. It is long lasting, good sounding and quiet. It just needs special bias adjustment, etc. So they probably just failed to keep up with the improvements on their website, which I think they are going to update soon. (See Brad's response above - he obviously knows more than me about this.)

Originally Posted by Schmacko

Wait a sec. Now I'm super confused! Why does the Bock Audio webpage list the 151 as using a NOS GE 5670? It says the same thing on the downloadable data sheet.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing either though - my two U99's with the EF732 tubes are near the top of the favorite mics I own. Plus they seem to be fairly uncommon... which is slutty

Thanks for clarifying AB3!

[Brad Lunde]

Originally Posted by AB3

Brad - is it also true that the 151 and 241 have a little wider cardioid pattern than the 251, which makes it more singer friendly, as well as that there is a , 30 hz rolloff which once again makes it vocal friendly?

I think the body of the 151 made the pattern a bit wider, I'll ask David. Yes the transformers are different and yield a different extreme low end. We have had some problems with people thinking the 251 was/is defective in their home studio because they hear "fluttering". This is subsonics-and a result of poor air conditioning or heating duct design or even trucks driving by shaking the ground. [This explains all the effort commerical studios go thru to design a proper HVAC system and float the floor.] The transformer in the 151/241 rolls off earlier than the 251 transformer to help address this room related issue.

Brad

[youngmain]

This mic seems like a contender. What two words describe the quality of vocal reproduction?

[AB3]

One demo of the mic is worth a thousand words.
Here are my three conclusions about Bock mics:
1. David Bock is a genius.
2. I never met a Bock or Soundelux mic I didn't like. My Bock 151 sounds fantastic. I can only imagine how lucky people will be to get the 241. You want two words: "Smooth" "Beautiful" or how about "Ear Candy" (With the 241 you get ear and eye candy.)
3. The response time by the Trans Audio Group that distributes these mics is top notch. They have been extremely kind to me and they explain everything without any rush. They go the extra mile.

I hope this helps you.

Originally Posted by youngmain

This mic seems like a contender. What two words describe the quality of vocal reproduction?

[youngmain]

I have long been interested in these mics. Appreciated.

[Brad Lunde]

Looks like first units to ship (to dealers) late next week (Feb 10th?)

[themaidsroom]

My soundelux 251's are from the first 100 or so produced and have been amazing since day 1. I would like another. Two is not enough. It is so great
to own something that works perfectly and that you know will never need to
be replaced.



Be well


- Jack

[Saxon-of-a-son]

Great news! I was thinking about a used 251, since I also didn't like the look of the 151. A new 241 is the answer!

[timraye]

Cant wait till mines comes in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!