I have emailed with no response for weeks, keep calling the 480 # and is always "busy", there is an 888 number for dealer location and some chap picked it up saying it's the warehouse and directs me back to the 480 #... anyone know what's going on with MBL USA? Did they attend CES?
Yes, they did have a hotel suite where they showed old and new products. There was some reorganization since the founder, Wolfgang Meletsky, has separated from MBL and was represented separately with his MCAudio line.
MBL America also shows 949-331-3147.
If you go to Audiogon, a dealer called GTT is claiming to be the distributor now. It seems like MBL America is trying to dump their inventory at cost on Audiogon, but is claiming to be the importer.
Nice communication from a company selling gear that costs more than a home! Only a genius would purchase their products until the mess is clarified.
I don't mean to split legal hairs, but I believe that MBL North America is a fully owned subsidiary of the parent company in Germany, rather than a distributor. Having a subsidiary would mean that Corporate would be able to exercise much more control than having a distributor, who could turn out to be a loose cannon.
Based on my dealings with Bill Parrish / GTT Audio, I don't believe he was a loose canon. He never shared exactly what was coming down in December 2010 (nor did I ask) when I visited him and bought my MBL 116's but it didn't sound simple (read possible lawsuit).
I believe he picked up the Soulution / YG Acoustics lines as a result of this issue. Not a bad outcome.
GG
PS: Question for ack. I noticed in the recent Stereophile review of the 101E MKII, it stated that there were eight US dealers. Do you know if that's true or not?
Based on my dealings with Bill Parrish / GTT Audio, I don't believe he was a loose canon. He never shared exactly what was coming down in December 2010 (nor did I ask) when I visited him and bought my MBL 116's but it didn't sound simple (read possible lawsuit).
I believe he picked up the Soulution / YG Acoustics lines as a result of this issue. Not a bad outcome.
?
I meant that as a figure of speech rather than a matter of fact. I do not know any of the players involved. Obviously, MBL parent company wants iron grip control over their US operation for whatever reason by having a subsidiary rather than a distributor.
Also, I thought MBL of America was located near LA?
Bill was the MBL "distributor" for Canada, Mexico, and the US as indicated in the MBL Reference Line catalog. His house / office is in New Jersey, about 90 miles west of NYC.
PS: Question for ack. I noticed in the recent Stereophile review of the 101E MKII, it stated that there were eight US dealers. Do you know if that's true or not?
Not many off the top of my head. Greg Beron down in Annapolis Junction, MD has them set up (he's as previously mentioned the East Coast distributor). I was also under the impression that MBL has at one time a showroom in NYC? Other than that no.
MBL is alive and well at United Home Audio.
We have lots of MBL gear here for audition in our showrooms three different model Radialstrahler speakers, amps, preamps, from the least expensive up to the Reference gear.
We are open six days a week for audition, let me know if I can help with anything.
Greg Beron
540-295-8313 greg@unitedhomeaudio.com