We have scarcely scratched the surface on exotic metals yet.
We have scarcely scratched the surface on exotic metals yet.
If we knew what the hell we were doing, we wouldn't call it research would we.
All kidding aside, we saw (and heard) some high end monsters at the July 2011 Audio Fest -
These MBL speakers were lush extremely detailed and very exotic looking as well ...
Like Daleks on parade ...
beautiful lacquer paint jobs on the speakers and amps,
gorgeous gold accents on the massive monoblock amps
...but no billet horns
http://www.mbl-usa.com/Browse.aspx/389/Reference-Line
2ch: WiiM Pro; Topping E30 II DAC; Oppo, Acurus RL-11, Acurus A200, JBL Dynamics Project - Offline: L212-TwinStack, VonSchweikert VR-4
7: TIVO, Oppo BDP103D, B&K, 2pr UREI 809A, TF600, JBL B460
These cabs remind me of this guy......
I've been curious to hear the sound MBL speakers produce using that omni-directional array.
...Though I haven't been to a hi-fi show since 1990! I remember hearing my first "hi-end" set of speakers...Mission 767's. They were placed in an open space and when I walked through the on-axis point it actually made me stop in my tracks. That was a truly an ear-opening experience. I couldn't believe I was hearing something so clear. Though I don't know how well they'd hold up to some of today's products, at the time I hadn't heard anything as melodious or in that price bracket. The memories are fond.
Last edited by RedCoat23; 12-30-2011 at 01:30 PM. Reason: Grammar
Well, it was my first experience with an Audio Fest like that, and that was the first room we went into ...
and they were initially playing music I was unfamiliar with.
There were 3 gentlemen in the front row and they were listening to some African-sounding drum music when we arrived.
Very dynamic percussion pieces - perhaps audiophile specialty stuff,
but I wasn't familiar with that music to have a basis of comparison.
The MBL demo folks had everything on digital files 96/24 ...
I did ask for something by Steely Dan, they didn't have Aja but played something off another older album ...
It was very nice, room filling sound - but I didn't get the gob-smacked experience
I would have expected from such bespoke gear. (est > $150k)
I think Mr Widget was right about the exponential nature of upgrade$ ...
2ch: WiiM Pro; Topping E30 II DAC; Oppo, Acurus RL-11, Acurus A200, JBL Dynamics Project - Offline: L212-TwinStack, VonSchweikert VR-4
7: TIVO, Oppo BDP103D, B&K, 2pr UREI 809A, TF600, JBL B460
I have spoken to this designer....." they need a sub" his words . There is nothing below 45 Hrtz ; above that - very special . He was running them in his show room with 2 x 2242's .
Beautifully crafted, no expense spared ,but in the battle of Form v Function ... the former prevailed . The last time I spoke to Kevin there was a job to be had travelling around the globe setting these things up .... Designing a sub and EQing the room is beyond my skill level,but I'm sure there are some audio dealers/designers that will be desperate enough for the work, especially in this climate .
Rich
Sounds like a fun job ... for awhile
No question of the craft and effort put into these... they do appear as though
they would be quite at home in a 100M$ yacht.
They will probably be on higherfi.com for $100k in a few months.
Maybe those who actually fabricate and construct things can comment on whether that is a good estimate.
The maker is a ship wright . Everything is hand made and hand finished . All the timber is selected and machined.The bronze horns are cast and then machined by the same guy .
I think you need to see and hear one before you could debate the worth . A Gerhard Richter painting sells for twice that price .
Besides, they were never designed for anyone that actually carries cash on them or even counts a bank balance in any unit under 6 0's . The boats these go in are a million pounds per lineal metre.
Cost and worth ..... ? depends if you really like something I guess . Either way , they are not the most expensive speaker on the market . I'd wager some Westlake customs are not far off that price ... and I know they are not built as beautifully .
This is what happens when you conjecture the price of art !
Rich
Maybe someone was a big Flash Gordon fan.......
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