"The Bock 241 is an update of the beautiful Bock 151, but now an unquestionably exacting equivalent to the Bock 251 in cardioid mode because of refinements to the head-grille and mic body.

The Bock 241 is the same mic, same capsule, same amplifier, same HF +/- switch, and same power supply as was the 151, BUT with all new cosmetics and some acoustic head-grille tweaks. It is now the SAME sound as the 251 in cardioid mode."

From Bock:
“Some folks felt the 151 was slightly different from the 251, even though it was the same capsule. We also wanted to improve the “look” of the 151. We feel this new 241 looks the equal of the 251.”

--- Taken from Vintage King
___________________________________________________________

Sells For $3.2K

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.

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

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!

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.

Well, this is exciting!

- c

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

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

Thx!

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?

[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. heh Are people really serious. My C800g is made with completely foreign parts but it is the most used and requested mic we have.

Mic looks great, congratulations David.

Boo!

Looks nice!

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.

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 !

Can we boil it down to this statement?

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

Is this correct?

- c

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

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 heh

Thanks for clarifying 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 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 ....

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

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.)

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

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

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.

I have long been interested in these mics. Appreciated.

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

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

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!

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