Omni Speaker Options

The Gallo Reference series are nearly an omni with their CDT emitting sound in 330 degrees. I love mine.

These, similar to the Ohms, also look interesting...

http://www.decware.com/newsite/Radials.htm

but I haven't heard them or the Ohms.

add the shahinian hawk or diapason and the ohm 5000 to your shortlist of end-all omnis, though there many other non omnis that will go head to head with the mbl as well.

The MBL speakers are pretty distinctive sounding, even among the omni class (as fas as I've heard examples of the class). The Ohms that I own couldn't sound more different from MBL if the designer made a point of trying. I've auditioned 4 models pretty extensively. The 121 w/sub, the 111, the 116 and the 101. The octave to octave balance of all the MBLs struck me as really distinctive with lots of energy in the mid bass and presence region. Not particularly neutral to my ear, but reasonably balanced overall. YMMV.

The 101 is a "knock your socks off" design and IMHO in a different league than the others, each of which does, however, have some real strengths.

I would add that the model 111 you're looking at has disappointing low end extension (I want to say mid to high 30hz range IIRC)for a speaker at that price point. Bass is very powerful to that point, but the lowest frequencies are MIA. Depending on your taste in program material, this may not matter a whit, but I thought it worth bringing to your attention, anyway. IMO, the MBLs are very exciting designs: what they do well, they do uniquely well (IME). Overall, however, I'm not sure I could live with them over the long haul.

Good Luck

Marty

I'd like to please keep this conversation alive for a little while longer. I do not forsee being able to audition the MBLs in my home prior to any purchase; therefore, I relish everyones considered feedback--especially those that have extensively auditioned MBLs like Marty. Although I am heavily considering the MBLs for purchase, the deal is not sealed and I am open to suggestions about omnis and non-omnis that can "compete with" or "replace" MBLs. This is a long term investment and I do not want to continue the switch components in and out game any longer_-I am too old and too tired to do so again.

My library of music is comprised of vinyl and cds (not alot of SACDs) that total several thousand. The preponderance of music is comprised of small groups and vocalists within the genres of: bebop jazz, jazz fusion, smooth jazz, Brazilian jazz, deep house, ambient house, global chill, r & b, blues, & raggae. And I am not blasting the roof off of the house with this collection; rather I'm trying to maximize the transparency, resolution and dynamics of what I have collected over the decades.

With this in mind, some have made reference to speakers that should be part of the consideration set. I looked at Verity but auditioned only the Lenores and Parsifal Ovations and while I liked them, they just didn't quite capture what I am looking for musically and for the size of my room. Perhaps I should look at the Sarastro and above in the Verity line.

Had thought of Magico too, as suggested, but in my location I don't have anyway of auditioning them and at that price point(even for their monitors) this would have to be a must. Never heard of Symposiums but would be interested in any feedback from the community about them.

I know that at the end of the day, this most important decision has to rest with my ears; nonetheless, those that have some thoughtful suggestions like Marty, Pedrillo, and Mlsstl, among others, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all

I would stick with mbl's myself if I were looking in this price point.
On a side note I like to experiment and think outside the box, something I have considered for a while is to purchase two pairs of 121's and set them up mirror image one above the other like the extremes and get some good subs like the fanthoms. What I read about the extremes really fascinated me. Just a thought, if I had the money I would be there, just remember more amps are needed.