Omnidirectional speakers like MBLs seem to inspire lots of debate and skepticism. The variables -- room reflections -- that emerge from omni-speakers lead me to wonder whether such a design is worthwhile. Peter Walker, the designer of the original Quad electrostatics, whose opinion I trust... said the best speaker transducer design is a pulsating sphere -- a single omnidirectional point source. It seems this notion has become an obsession for some in the audiophile community. I suppose this makes sense outdoors or in infinite space but does such a design make sense in a room with walls and finite boundaries that can pose issues with regards to reflections. The advantage theoretically is perfect dispersion.
I've never heard a pair of MBL speakers, however it seems the non-skeptical and or ignorant audiophile with deep pockets, unanimously settles on these as the greatest speakers around. My enjoyment of various dipole speakers -- electrostatic speakers and ribbons -- and my observation of many favorable opinions, leads me to believe I would enjoy MBLs. The size -- seemingly an overbuilt implementation of an interesting idea as the compact point-source idea which I envision as a small sphere, is lost in their enormous design -- aesthetic which is not my taste, and high price are frustrating. In addition, the praise that these speakers receive, despite the obvious complex variables that emerge due to room reflections, is also curious and frustrating. Has anyone had a chance to compare these to other omni-directional speakers -- namely the RAAL Eternity, Beolab 90, or something more traditional like a Shahinian Diapason 2? I would think the RAALs may be superior, or does the 'magic' lie in MBLs VBT Vertical Blimp Technology?
I'm lead to wonder, can the same or superior immersive omni-directional experience be achieved through a surround sound implementation -- 5.1 setup with conventional speakers? And furthermore, would a surround sound setup featuring omni-directional speakers like MBLs have advantages over using conventional speakers in said implementation or vice versa. And does a stereo system featuring omni directional speakers have advantages over either aforementioned surround sound systems, for conventional music listening that was recorded for stereo playback?
I'm not a huge fan of the idea of a surround system for music listening as it seems excessive though I'm curious to hear opinions, and experiences, and suggestions as to how to achieve the immersive experience of an MBL system while not succumbing to a product that feels a bit like snake oil, looks ridiculous in my opinion, and is unfortunately expensive.
Smart speakers like the Home Pod, and the not very good Devialet Phantom Reactor (at least in appearance -- not a true omni), provide affordable omni-speakers to mass market. It will be interesting to see how these designs evolve.
I've never heard a pair of MBL speakers, however it seems the non-skeptical and or ignorant audiophile with deep pockets, unanimously settles on these as the greatest speakers around. My enjoyment of various dipole speakers -- electrostatic speakers and ribbons -- and my observation of many favorable opinions, leads me to believe I would enjoy MBLs. The size -- seemingly an overbuilt implementation of an interesting idea as the compact point-source idea which I envision as a small sphere, is lost in their enormous design -- aesthetic which is not my taste, and high price are frustrating. In addition, the praise that these speakers receive, despite the obvious complex variables that emerge due to room reflections, is also curious and frustrating. Has anyone had a chance to compare these to other omni-directional speakers -- namely the RAAL Eternity, Beolab 90, or something more traditional like a Shahinian Diapason 2? I would think the RAALs may be superior, or does the 'magic' lie in MBLs VBT Vertical Blimp Technology?
I'm lead to wonder, can the same or superior immersive omni-directional experience be achieved through a surround sound implementation -- 5.1 setup with conventional speakers? And furthermore, would a surround sound setup featuring omni-directional speakers like MBLs have advantages over using conventional speakers in said implementation or vice versa. And does a stereo system featuring omni directional speakers have advantages over either aforementioned surround sound systems, for conventional music listening that was recorded for stereo playback?
I'm not a huge fan of the idea of a surround system for music listening as it seems excessive though I'm curious to hear opinions, and experiences, and suggestions as to how to achieve the immersive experience of an MBL system while not succumbing to a product that feels a bit like snake oil, looks ridiculous in my opinion, and is unfortunately expensive.
Smart speakers like the Home Pod, and the not very good Devialet Phantom Reactor (at least in appearance -- not a true omni), provide affordable omni-speakers to mass market. It will be interesting to see how these designs evolve.
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