Mbl 120

[m.tonetti]

Originally Posted by m.tonetti

My Nagra VPA (50 watts) will be able to drive the MBL 120 speakers (82 dB sensitivity) in an environment of 16 square meters?

Actually with the Focal Utopia III Diablo (89 db sensitivity) the Load Match Meters of my Nagra VPA never indicate more than 15 watts, even as I turn up the volume to disturb my neighbors!

[bart]

Massimo, what I know from MBL speakers is that they are really power hungry.
I heard different set-ups, always with big amps (MBL, Burmester), and my dealer, and the importer, stressed upon their low sensitivity.
With the right power they do wonderful things with music!

[Still-One]

Massimo,
Bart is correct, MBL's do like power. That being said , your room is not that large and you could probably get by with your Nagra under normal listening conditions. Without having heard a Nagra / MBL combination I just can't be sure of that.

Jim

[m.tonetti]

Bart/Jim, thanks for your suggestions.

I did some calculations and to compensate the loss of 7 db of sensitivity (dB SPL for 1 watt input at 1 meter) I should apply a power multiplied by a factor 5, compared to the power that currently applies!

[if dB = 10 Log(x) then x = Alog(dB/10) where Alog = antilogarithm(base 10)]

Is it correct?

Finally we must consider that we are talking about omnidirectional speakers!
All this is applicable?

[m.tonetti]

I found online this website below for audio conversion.

Sound Studio and Audio Calculations:
Sengpielaudio's Websites - Audio and Acoustics Conversion Engines

Sound Pressure Level and Amplifier Power:
Sengpielaudio's Websites - Loudspeaker Sensitivity Conversion

[Still-One]

Massino
Have you seen the Review of the MBL 101e Mk II's in the Dec 11 issue of The Absolute Sound. Peter Breuninger gave one of the most positive reviews of any product I have ever read. As I have posted, he notes that if you are looking for concert hall realism there is no speaker that does it better. (Except for the Xtreme).

Jim

[m.tonetti]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Massino
Have you seen the Review of the MBL 101e Mk II's in the Dec 11 issue of The Absolute Sound. Peter Breuninger gave one of the most positive reviews of any product I have ever read. As I have posted, he notes that if you are looking for concert hall realism there is no speaker that does it better. (Except for the Xtreme).

Jim

Unfortunately no!

[dude]

Hi Jim,

I've searched far and wide for any forum that have MBL owners.

For background, I have the original 116, a Pass Labs X250.5 amp, the CJ Premier LS 18 pre, and the Cary Audio CD 306 SACD player.

Listening room is 18' wide with the speakers 5' from the back wall, 5.5' from the side walls, and 7' between. Listening chair is 9' from the speaker face.

Have large plants as diffusers on the back wall, which contains a large window. Also use some panels behind and to the sides of the speakers.

My main question is toe in? How much do you use?

From your experience, should I toe in the speakers so they are pointing directly at the center chair or is more toe in / toe out required to optimize performance? My dealer, Bill Parrish / GTT Audio recommended the "pointing directly" approach.

Any input / insight into your experimentation in this area would be most appreciated.

Best,

Gordon

[Still-One]

Gordon

I only have my 111f's set up with very slight toe-in. This was per the suggestion of a MBL dealer that I trust very much.

How you set yours up might depend where yours are pointed. Into furniture, at wall, at your gear, etc.

Jim

[dude]

Hi Jim,

Go figure. Just tried with very little toe out. Major jump in sonics.

Thank you for replying to my post.

Gordon