Anyone Had Extended Listening Experience With MBL?

The 101 at high spl is the most convincing rock n roll loudspeaker I've ever heard.  The spatial presentation is just amazing.  The company demos them VERY LOUD at hi-fi shows, so that's one way to check them out for yourself.  Dealers - provided they have a large enough demo space (not all do) - are better.

Caveat: Both system match (enough output into load) and room match (large) are critical, IMO.

Nice gear, but show demos were excessively LOUD.

Anyone have a sense of how MBL speakers would go with VAC electronics (e.g. Phi 200 amplifiers)

peter s,

I'm sure it depends on which MBL speakers you are talking about - though all are very low sensitivity I *think* they tend to not have crazy impedance.  Given my experience using Conrad Johnson amps on my MBLs I'd guess that VAC amps, especially the Phi 200 or similar, would sound great.

I I've only heard the big MBL's at shows. During those less than extended listening experiences, I found them to be perhaps the best speakers I've ever heard. The individual imagining of recorded performers might not have been as dense as on other speakers, but the soundstage was glorious in an oh so organic way. My biggest concern was a detached, lagging bass that could not be ignored. I can't help but wonder if sealed box bass modules wouldn't be better suited? Still from that point up, perhaps the best I've ever heard. Do wish they would lower the volume levels at shows occasionally. Sure, it's nice to know that they're capable of that, but it can be fatigueing over time.