Price Paid:  $0.00 from NA

Summary:
No, I have not bought the mbl's--no way I could afford them any time soon. But I have heard them several times, in audio salons and, most frequently, in several visits to the mbl room at CES over the years (always my vote for best sounding room). I just want to say that the other two people who posted here are so right--these speakers are like nothing else out there. Let me put it this way, I generally listen to music with my eyes closed but I couldn't really do that with the mbl's; I kept having to look up to see who the hell was talking to me a and moving around the room making noise--only to see that, time and again, it was the actually music from the speakers! They are THAT real, THAT holographic. You cannot but believe that who ever is playing is there with you—not bigger than life, not over-hyped, not in your face, just there. Oh yea, all that other stuff you read about in the audio mags: accuracy of timber, transparency, dynamics, etc. it’s all there, in spades. But who cares? These weird lookin’ pods-from-mars so totally transcend “speakers” they are in a class by themselves. Don't get me wrong, I love my Cal/TacT/Revel/Cardas rig, but I DREAM about having the $$$ to one day own a pair of the mbl's. One note: Although I have played my own disks, that is ones with which I am very familiar, on the mbl’s I have still only listened to small arrangements, which is ok ‘cause that pretty much makes up all of my own listening. I have never heard large scale (e.g. full orchestral) music on them. I have heard that, while omnis are awesome at putting players in the room with you, they are pretty poor at transporting you to the venue where the event was originally recorded b/c the special info. Is overwhelmed by the sound reflecting in your own listening room. While I can confirm the first statement—these ARE awesome—I cannot speak to the latter, so this may remain a legitimate concern for those who demand reproduction of huge recording venues.

Strengths:
Images are papable, real, there in the room with you--like NOTHING elsse I have ever heard... not even close. Also, you needne't be confined to a little "sweet spot" to get great sound.

Weaknesses:
I cannot afford them for the time being. That sucks... a lot. I almost give them 4-stars for value becuse of this, but given that less value means that something elese could do as good a job for less, I am forced to stick with a five star rating. Also need massive amplification (or so I've been told).

Similar Products Used:
Revel Preforma M20, F50, Ariel 10T, several Theil designs, pretty much the whole Linn line, including the Komri's

Price Paid:  $30000.00 from Local dealer

Summary:
This speaker is a test for the rest of your equipment and for your records! I heard it first two years ago at my dealer, and I decided "I must have it" at once. Now after 5 weeks in my own rooms, I can tell: it was the right decision. It is one of the most neutral speakers I ever heard. In the first minutes you will think, the MBL 101 has too less bass. But that depends on your records. If on your CDs are low frequencies the MBL will produce it, and the woofer goes very deep. The MBL 101d allures to hear much louder than with other boxes. Not because you are missing something, but because there is no distortion (fascinating mids and highs), and so you don''t realize how loud it is, you just enjoy, until you talk to your partner and don''t understand him. The reproduction of the room is fantastic. You must not sit in the sweet spot, but can hear your music with your friends, sitting side by side. Don''t believe other people, who tell you a omindirectional speaker will not work. This may be right with other speakers, but it is definitive not with the MBL 101d. Be aware to have a amplifier with at least 200 watt per channel. My McIntosh Monos tell me, they deliver at least 10 watt and up to 100 watt. These is the power consumption for hearing not too loud. If you want to reproduce the Dire Straits or the Doors with real beat you will need much more.

Strengths:
Linear flat bass dowen to app. 25 Hz. No need to sit in a sweet spot.

Weaknesses:
You notice, how many "low quality" discs you name your own! Price high, although worth every Euro. Needs strong amplfiers.

Similar Products Used:
T&A TMR160

Summary:
last time i heard these things had gotten seriously expensive, doubled in price or something like that in the last few years. i heard 'em maybe in several venues, mostly medium sized rooms that didn't have great wall treatements. just the same the mbl sound isn't close to anything else out there. we listened to experimental/ambient music one evening and everyone in the room no matter where they sat felt totally immersed in a sonic environment. it wasn't like "a speaker" as we are generally accustomed to thinking about them... more like super high quality surround sound that could be recreated from two doohickies that look more like sci-fi movie props than furniture. i wonder what these would be capable of in a carefully treated room with the latest generation of digital tone contouring. they seemed maybe a little on the bright/dry side but they were still listenable for long periods. we also tried some classic ben webster and the presence of ben was very strong. however, many speakers that do well with horns and jazz because they emphasize a metallic sound don't fare so well on strings/voices... this may be the case with the mbl, but maybe not. it is inefficient so requires maximum amplifier power, like the big krell 600 watt mono, and it sends sound out in 360 degrees, so you hear a much higher room/direct sound ratio than with other approaches. these would be outstanding for larger groups of people or large listening areas where you didn't want to be tied down to a narrow sweet spot. they are extremely clean in the treble and mids, but don't deliver big bass. the best way to describe them is tight and extraterrestrial. once you've heard them for a few hours other speakers sound sort of shut in and limited. it's a mind opening experience to hear them, for sure.