Not much discussion around MBL

@prof 

I appreciate the further details. I do also appreciate they are subjective, but I do sense we probably like many of the same finer points of the MBL gear and certainly that includes the timbrel texture and realism, it just makes them sing so convincingly. I've never been in an MBL room I wanted to leave, some better than others, yes, but always that MBL siren-song calling you to listen just a little longer.

I've heard the big MBL loudspeakers a number of times and have always enjoyed them.  They remind me a lot of the Linkwitz LX521, which you can build for about $3000/pair.

(...backing up to audiotroys' comments...)

Well...yes, omnis Do Require some careful consideration and care when setting them up in any space.  One way to view it is to consider how one might build a stage for performances in a given space for a live venue...like a nightclub.  But one of the concerns is that you're not going to be able to have 'active re-enforcement' (think 'PA stacks') due to some arcane city regulation....noise, volume, etc.

So you have to consider 'reflections' and make them work for you.

Agreed, an oversized soundstage is to be avoided.  The old "901 20ft. wide pianos" were amusing only because we were trying to blast the plaster off the wall in the process...

As for the speakers under discussion....

MBL = Ferrari; if you can afford them, you'd better know how to drive them...and don't complain about the cost of tires, maintenance, etc.

You don't see a lot of Ferraris' on the freeways as a general rule, either.

Car or speaker, I admire and appreciate the technology and the craftsmanship....from afar....where I don't miss it...;)

I've only heard them at a few different shows, where each time they played them too loudly. Only once did I think they might have been placed too far apart; with soundstage and imaging somewhat out of proportion and vague. Imaging might not be quite as specific as some, but is still very convincing. The bass region which to my ears consistently didn't sound coherently attached, but rather lagging the rest of the spectrum. But that rest of the spectrum is as good, if not better than anything else I've ever heard. Transients and decay appear and disappear with extreme delicacy that reminds me of the way a really fine balsamic dances on one's tongue.

I'd also add, as I believe I've mentioned before on the forum:

Understandably, especially given the very low sensitivity of the MBL speakers, they are regularly paired with huge current heavy SS amps.

But a number of folks have found success with tubes.  Best I ever heard the MBLs were at Michael Gindi's with tube amps (CAT if I remember).
Some have had success with VAC too, I believe.

In my case my CJ Premier 12s at 140w side have actually driven the MBL 121s splendidly.  (Though I don't listen at concert levels).

But I actually found one of the most magical combinations to be the 121s driven by my classic Eico HF-81, from the 60's, a mere 14W side of integrated amp tube glory.  The midrange, warmth and sparkle of the sound is mesmerizing, and the bass, while not quite as tight, goes deeper and the impression I get is the 121s becoming a sonically even larger speaker.

It's always fun to experiment.