MBL 'Cost Is No Object' Show at Alpha High End, Feb 24-25, '18

[bart]

[bart]

Mr Furbur explaining me that the current X-Treme speakers are 10 years old now.




One of the next shows: Burmester.






Leben:




Sammy has 3 Alpha High End stores.
Each has at least 6 rooms (in Antwerp there are 10 I believe).
All crazily full with gear.

[bart]

Conclusion

Sammy Feldman again succeeded in bringing a top show.
MBL stole my heart.
It's not better in all aspects than the speakers I usually put into my top 5 (my Vivids are there too).
But the whole package delivers a sound that is so enjoyable, so magnificently true to the music, and so effortless (especially the 2 top systems here), that I can simply not imagine anyone could dislike what these MBLs transduce.

The 101 X-Tremes are a dream system.
Audiophiles shopping in this price category should absolutely hear it.
It is worth travelling to Berlin, where MBL will welcome them warmly.
The price is high, yes indeed.
But so is a pair of Wilson Audio Alexandrias, or the Magico M6s, or the YG Sonjas.
With a system built around each of those, you will also end up with a total of 400-500K of gear in the end.
The MBLs are worthy competitors in this select group.

The 101E Mk2s offer a lot of their bigger brothers, and are within reach of much more 'mere mortals'.
For a little over 100K, you buy a fantastic system.
Finished the urge to upgrade.
No more feverish hunting and tweaking.
A quiet audiophile life... or does this sound a bit boring?
I don't think so.
Not boring, just musical bliss...

[bart]

Originally Posted by Still-One

You guys are making me miss my 111F's.

Jim, a couple of years ago, when you were writing about upgrading your speakers, I was convinced that you would remain in the MBL family.

[bart]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Great pictures Bart! MBL is very "Grandiose" and "Palatial" looking.

Learned a few new words and looking forward to the day when I will be eating a Waffle while listening to vinyl on a Draaitafel!

Serge, don't forget the fries and beer.
The fries are actually not a French, but a Belgian invention.

[bart]

Originally Posted by silversurfer6

Ok I am I crazy to be bothered by the speaker cable entering the speaker from the top? This is an exquisite speaker designed to the highest standards for both sound and aesthetics - there was no way to design the cable connections to be both at the bottom of the speaker so that the cable is not visible behind the speaker?

They must have their reasons.
Maybe they don't want or aren't able to put thick cables in those narrow pillars?!

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by bart

Serge, don't forget the fries and beer.
The fries are actually not a French, but a Belgian invention.

Excellent pictures Bart. Thanks for sharing.

The "cow parade" collectibles is a nice finishing touch and brings memories!

Love Belgian beer by the way, a nice cold Stella Artois would be nice right about now, wouldn't even mind with fries.

[bart]

Originally Posted by PHC1

So what’s your dream MBL system Bart?

Serge, if I would have that much cash to splash, the X-Tremes.
No doubt about it.
They best all I have heard so far.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by bart

Serge, if I would have that much cash to splash, the X-Tremes.
No doubt about it.
They best all I have heard so far.

With the MBL components? Amp/pre? I was very impressed with MBL gear although I have never heard the speakers themselves.

[bart]

Originally Posted by PHC1

With the MBL components? Amp/pre? I was very impressed with MBL gear although I have never heard the speakers themselves.

Serge, yes I would go for synergy.
Jürgen Reis developed all his components to sound good together.
But I'm sure other brands would also drive these beauties well.
I wouldn't choose tubes though.
They are very power hungry.