MBL Akustikgeräte of Germany pushes the envelope of both sound and experience. Often regarded as one of the most luxurious brands in high-end home audio. Partnering with United Home Audio, (re)maker of high-end Reel-to-Reel tape players, the experience we had during our listening sessions with MBL and friends was unique in presentation and represented the core of what we expect high-end home audio (and luxury) to be.
Reporting by Eric Franklin Shook
Showing their new MBL C41 Network Player at the helm of the digital front-end of the system, we took note of its easy to use integrated features. Such as volume control, digital-to-analog conversion (that’s what DACs do) with state-of-the-art proprietary technologies like MBL TruePeak. More features include 24-Bit/192kHz and DSD64 compatible playback, ROON Ready, UPNP, and service to just about every music streaming service worth its weight, along with Airplay and Shairport.
What makes the 101 E MKII omni-directional loudspeaker – the “Radialstrahler” — a unique expression of music and space? Everything.
The MBL loudspeaker is not just an avant-garde design, it’s large curves and panels of aluminum-magnesium are cutting-edge technology, and have been throughout MBL history. The Radialstrahler (radial emitter), is a convention-defying omnidirectional speaker array that sends full-range music in all directions, using room boundaries to play a significant part of the story of sound it portrays. Creating a sonic image that mimics large concert halls and studio venues with ease. The MBL design has been under constant scrutiny and development over the now four decades of the company’s reign.
Details of the technology employed throughout the loudspeaker are vast, and include state-of-the-art materials and system tuning features. Once dialed in, the sound is purely magical.
MBL Akustikgeräte
C41 Network Player – $11,100 USD
9011 Mono Amplifier – $64,000 USD ea
101 E MkII Loudspeaker – $91,000 USD pr
WireWorld Platinum Eclipse, Series 8 cabling throughout the system, prices vary.
