Jonathan Valin’s TAS Review of MBL X-Tremes

[Ron Resnick]

“. . . the best loudspeakers I’ve heard in my home — or anyplace else, for that matter.”

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/mbl-101-x-treme-omnidirectional-loudspeaker/

Congratulations to Jürgen Reis and Jeremy Bryan!

 

[XV-1]

Time for all to dump their Wilsons and Magico speakers .

The MBL speakers I heard a few years ago and again last year at the Singapore's distributor showroom was one of the best sounds I ever heard.

 

[Down Under]

They sure are good.
The Extremes need to be set up properly,like anything else of course.
I heard them at the Hong Kong show 18 months ago and was really disappointed.The 101E is a unique speaker and easier to set up obviously.

 

[MasterChief]

I have heard them a couple of times at Audio Concept in Sweden, they are truly amazing. If I had the place and the money I would not hesitate one second. I also think you get pretty much for your money, for example they are 100 k cheaper than the WA XLF.

I wonder how 2 pairs of MSB M500 would make them sound...

 

[jeff1225]

A few years ago I heard an all CAT Audio tube system driving MBL 101E speakers, that system remains in the top 10 of all of the show experiences I've had.

 

[PeterA]

I must be mistaken but I thought Valin reviewed these perhaps three years ago in his house. Is this pair different or am I not remembering things clearly?

 

[MasterChief]

I must be mistaken but I thought Valin reviewed these perhaps three years ago in his house. Is this pair different or am I not remembering things clearly?

Nine years ago:

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/ar...-x-treme-omnidirectional-loudspeaker-tas-189/

 

[PeterA]

Nine years ago:

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/ar...-x-treme-omnidirectional-loudspeaker-tas-189/

Thank you MasterChief. I was not losing my marbles. So, I just skimmed the new review and he explains that things have changed a bit.

 

[Folsom]

They are not for me. If you want a holograph of a performer above all else they are for you.

 

[Bruce B]

These need a big ass room..... Several times I've heard them at shows when Greg was running tape, they were stellar!!

 

[Al M.]

They are not for me. If you want a holograph of a performer above all else they are for you.

The question is if a holograph of a performer is realistic. Live usually performers are not that "carved out".

 

[Folsom]

The question is if a holograph of a performer is realistic. Live usually performers are not that "carved out".

It's a neat trick but doesn't remind me of live sound at all.

 

[Al M.]

It's a neat trick but doesn't remind me of live sound at all.

But Valin describes it as if it were close to the real thing.

I do have to say, a soundstage that is not as dependent on the 'sweet spot' must be nice.

 

[Folsom]

Good for him.

If it's easy for you to think it sounds like live music then you're doing better than a lot of people that don't.

I do the majority of my listening not in a sweet spot. The sweet spot only offers a small percentage more of sound... At least when your stereo portrays things very clear and evident.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Mbls are absolutely amazing and would love to own a pair one day.I have only heard the cheaper models and they sounded awesome.there flagstaff would have to be one of the finest speakers in the world If not the finest.

 

[Gregadd]

I read JV because he reviews his fair share of audios premier products. I would hold on to my wallet. He can be as fickle as a teenage girl in pursuit of boy bands. Lol.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Mbls are absolutely amazing and would love to own a pair one day.I have only heard the cheaper models and they sounded awesome.there flagstaff would have to be one of the finest speakers in the world If not the finest.

I think the 101E Mk. II and the X-Treme do certain things better than any other speaker I've ever heard. I also think it is fair to say they are unusually polarizing.

If an audiophile does not find them to be relentless or fatiguing, then that audiophile may very well consider them the best speaker he/she has ever heard. For people who find the MBL relentless or fatiguing, it is just not the speaker for them.

 

[microstrip]

I think the 101E Mk. II and the X-Treme do certain things better than any other speaker I've ever heard. I also think it is fair to say they are unusually polarizing.

I have found them to be extremely dependent on listening rooms, as could be expected for an omnidirectional speaker. In such speaker the ratio between reflected and direct sound is very high. IMHO it is one of the reasons why reports are so polarizing - they can disappear and fill the soundstage with electrostatic like delicate sound with great dynamics and imaging, but can easily sound edgy and tiresome, without any meat around the bones!

 

[Lagonda]

I have found them to be extremely dependent on listening rooms, as could be expected for an omnidirectional speaker. In such speaker the ratio between reflected and direct sound is very high. IMHO it is one of the reasons why reports are so polarizing - they can disappear and fill the soundstage with electrostatic like delicate sound with great dynamics and imaging, but can easily sound edgy and tiresome, without any meat around the bones!

You are absolutely right Francisco, 101 E's are very hard to get right, OK is easy, but right is definitely a project. The difference between awful and wonderful can be 5 cm of misplacement, or a weak amp. Berlin is only a 4 hour drive from my house, i have to go hear the Extremes one day !

 

[gfroman]

It took me months to get my 101E speakers dialed in to their present position.
But the biggest improvement that really made these gems sing, was adding the REL 212SE subwoofer.
Wow! Completely blew me away with the overall improvement in sound quality and imaging!!