Opinions on MBL 121's

Hi Conservi:
I just received my MBL 121 speakers this week and am very happy with them. As mentioned above though, they need oodles of power, which I do not have just now. I will be upgrading amplifier shortly though. I have a key candidate in mind, but I'd prefer to keep my choice under wraps until I receive it (hopefully used, if/when one comes up).

I heard the full MBL 101E system at THE show in LA at the end of '06 and was blown away. I couldn't agree less with Stringreen - these speakers breathe so much life. My friend and I were literally laughing at how good the sound was - effortless, open, everything I could want. It was one of the three best rooms in the show for me, if not the best.

I like the idea of adding a sub or two later. This is likely not easily done, having experimented with subs in previous years. But I suspect two Fathom F112s or 113s could work very well, perhaps with an outboard crossover like the Bryston. I intend to try that eventually.

Good luck with the 121s if you get them - they are a treat and so beautiful, but like all aspects of MBL - beauty is in the eye/ear of the beholder. Happy listening

Hi Outlier:

Just to let you know, I heard the 121's on a moded Jolida 801 intergrated, but my choice will be the Jolida JD 1000 RC for that extra power and the EL 34 tubes which should enhance the detail and soundstage even more. I am just trying to figure out how to pay for it while I am salivating at the idea of listen to Pink Floyd and when that gets old a little Diana Krall or Miles.

Bruce

I have MBL 111e's; powered by MBL 8011 monoblock amps. I also have a DD15 sub; and my system sounds great. clear; open; fantastic base on both the main speakers; but the sub helps with home theater presense. The mbl sound is a matter of taste; but in the right set up they are truly magical. If you check on the virtual system links here on the 'gon; there are several owner's comments on the mbl systems; their demand for power is overblown; many people are running them with good tubes; but I think they sound better with ss. They are worth considering for evaluation of high end systems.

Conservi,

I have MBL111 in the study room 1/3 the size of your 40'x24'. Your room is not small and I would say too big for 121 with pink floyd. You need a 111 or better 101 to fill the room with good quality bass.

I listen to rock and classical to volume tend to be larger than normal.

Find a retailer that allow you to test drive it and exchange for upper model within the test drive period. That will be safer.

Jeff

Conservi,

Your room sounds like a good space for MBLs of any stripe.

If you're going to pass on the sub, I would only note that the 121 is very expensive for a speaker with that low-end rolloff point. That seems like it may not be very important to you, though.

Funny thing is that I heard the MBL line in the same LA demo room as Outlier and can see why he loved 'em and why Stringreen hated 'em. A crushing loud electric guitar solo sounded as 3D, reach out and touch it, in the room real as I've ever heard from a stereo. OTOH, mid-bass was considerably overblown to my ear. The classic 2 sides of the coin.

Marty