mbl - is there a problem?

People are certainly going to have mixed opinions on any product. Further (to String's point), I have heard the big MBL sound boomy on a couple of different occasions. I've always thought that they need a very large room for the bass to sound natural and, even when that is optimized, I still find the bottom 2 octaves the speaker's greatest weakness. However,....

IME, the holographic 3D effect that the 101s reproduce is just stunning. It really is in a different league (in this respect) than anything else that I've ever heard, and I've heard a fair number of mega$ loudspeaker systems. (The only meaningful challenge that I recall came from an audition of the original Wilson WAMM, back in the day, and - if memory serves - that wasn't the equal of the 101).

When set-up well, the MBL can really produce a "reach out and touch it" illusion, and I specifically recall an electric guitar (at very high SPL) just hanging in space way in front of the accompanying rhythm section at the LA Stereophile show some years back. Like 'em or not, I have a very hard time believing that anyone could fail to be impressed by that specific aspect of the 101s performance.

The comment regarding "no depth or space at all" suggests to me that there was a real problem with the set-up that String heard.

Marty

String,
Anyone making fun of Vandy5's has no idea what he or she is talking about.
They are excellent, excellent speakers.
I've heard the MBL's sound less than stellar but they never sound 'design flawed' which is kinda the description of what you heard, from your posting.
Again, the omni thing makes for difficult set up...but I can't explain the bass you're hearing...it's just not something I've experienced.

Larry

Onhwy61,
I have NO difficulty believing that someone heard MBL's not sounding great.
Personally, I've heard them not sound great.
I think the issue was, that the inference was that these are 'flawed designs'...that being the case, they cannot sound good.
Neither is true.
They are wonderfully engineered...but can sound bad when not set up correctly.
If they sound bad and the dealer set them up, he did a poor job...THAT is very possible.
I followed some hot shot into a home in which a rather well thought of 'sound guy' set up a system, but the owner was unhappy. He had every right to be...the system sounded really bad.
This guy had used calculations, yada, yada, yada...no, I"m not discounting those calculations, but whatever math he used it didn't work.
I spent 15 minutes listening and moving speakers and it sounded great.
The sad part is, my friend had payed this so called expert a lot of money.
So...dealer set up is not equal to correct necessarily.
The MBL's in my experience can, CAN sound good...they don't always, but then no speaker ALWAYS sounds good.
I heard Sound Labs sound really bad...and that seems impossible, but it happened.
Again, the issue was one of the tenor of the comment...the implication being that they are inherently flawed.

Larry

Echoing Marty's words--the MBL's have that holographic presentation when set up correctly, sounding, to my ears, like real music...

Larry

Stringreen,

I only see one mention of your Vandies and that was mine, so who made fun of them. A little sensitive are we.

Lrsky, I have heard Vandies and they are okay but that's it, would I own a pair as my reference speakers? no. I could get into it but why, that's not what this thread is about, but if an owner such as Stringreen making silly remarks as he has noted towards the MBL's clearly demonstrates to me lack of his credibitly period. All one needs to do is read his silly postings, be it his opinion or not just isn't factual, anyone who has actually heard the MBL's knows this is far from what their sound characteristics and some have already posted above.

It really gets tirersome reading such nonsence.

Hi Ericngo1,

so Albert is referring to listening to your set-up then when he says blah! blah!

My communication back and forth with Albert is exactly that and nothing else, there is nothing wrong to agree to disagree.

But if Albert is hearing what he mentioned and relating to listening to listening to your set-up then something is wrong.

I have to say firstly my preference is not to have these wonderful speakers paired up with MBL amplification, I've been there and done that. You had asked some questions in another thread posted in relation the the 6010d pre which I also owned for numerous years so you can refer to such.

You obviously have heard Albert's system, kindly provide a description listing areas and the differences you hear in comparison to assist.

MBL's paired up with VAC's Sig. MK2a pre and Statement 450 mono blocks is the ultimate combo, nothing I have owned and heard comes close and I have heard and owned allot.

From Boulder 2050's, Karan 1200's, MBL 9008's and 9011's, CAT JL3 Sig MK2's, Bryston Squared 28's just to name a few. I don't know of anyone else who has gone to such extent.

Actually I prefered the Squared 28's over both the 9008's and 9011's BUT paired up with a tube phono, Ref3 is a great match with Bryston. I'm aware of several individuals whom after providing my thoughts tried and agreed and in the end sold off their MBL amps and using that money eslewhere. Most either have a REF3 paired up with the 28's or even some are using the Vac pre.