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MBL - USA MBL 101 E MKII
101 E MKII Omni-directional Loudspeaker – the "Radialstrahler"
Its magnificent contours alone tell a story of passion; a tale focused on cutting-edge technology, a transformative way to enjoy music, and the origin of an iconic brand.
Distinguished by its large, melon-shaped aluminum and magnesium alloy radial woofer, the 101 E MKII is a proven, legitimate successor to the original MBL speaker – the legendary MBL 100 – launched in 1979. Known then, and now, as the Radialstrahler (radial emitter), this convention-defying omnidirectional speaker enriched musical playback with revolutionary sound reproduction. The audio world was amazed, first and foremost, by its avant-garde design, then astonished when it evenly distributed the sweetest of harmonics and deepest of bass notes throughout listening rooms. Never before had the realm of hi-fi seen a transducer with such a distinctive shape…or impact!
Countless developments and enhancements over four decades have elevated the capabilities of the Radialstrahler. Like the membrane segments of the melons, known as lamellae, similar construction techniques are found in the midrange and tweeter Radialstrahler drive units, only here deploying light yet rigid carbon fibers. A 12” aluminum cone subwoofer in a separate bandpass enclosure fires downward, venting at the front to align with the other drive units, ensuring fundamental, balanced sound pressure. Even in rooms as large as 80m2 (900 ft2), a pair of 101 E MKII speakers effortlessly delivers and maintains lifelike concert performance levels with absolute authority. Enjoy the built-in options that allow the user to passively fine-tune the treble, mid, and bass frequencies with subtle adjustments to suit the system's electronics, room acoustics, or personal listening preferences.
With unrivalled three-dimensional presence, the MBL legend lives on!
Complete Spatial Immersion
Mesmerizing waves of sound.
Complete Spatial Immersion
Mesmerizing waves of sound.
"MBL’s speakers are the perfect canvas on which - through which - to enjoy this polyphonic masterclass."
Paul Miller, Hifi News, July 2021
Mids and Highs
Tweeters and midrange drivers are the heart of every loudspeaker. Without the critical frequencies they produce, it’s almost impossible to capture the emotional nuances of voices and instruments. This frequency range covers most of the vocal spectrum while allowing listeners to pinpoint the location of players or instruments within the original recording space.
Refined to perfection over the past 45 years, MBL's Radialstrahler technology enables full 360-degree distribution of sound waves to fill entire rooms with concert-hall majesty, creating a truly immersive spatial experience. And this holds true for all listeners, not just one or two individuals located in the sought-after sweet spot or sound apex of two conventional loudspeakers.
MBL’s technology also bests the geometric design challenges of most living rooms, where multi-angled reflective surfaces and protuberances cause reverberation, making it difficult to reproduce lifelike music. Our one-of-a-kind Radialstrahler technology, used in all tweeters and midrange drivers throughout our speaker lineup, smoothly overcomes edges, angles and reflective planes for the ultimate listening enjoyment.
More about MBL's loudspeaker technology
State your preference
MBL loudspeakers are bred for uncompromising neutrality. But instances occur where a listening room is not optimal, the amplifier electronics need adapting, or your own listening preferences demand subtle adjustments to the sound image or timbre. Thanks to the passive jumpers on the back of the loudspeakers, the sound can be delicately yet effectively fine-tuned for the low, mid and high frequencies.
High frequency listening
Three different types of wire connections to the tweeter expand the aural experience. The standard Natural setting uses a high-quality, seven-core copper braided wire to achieve perfect neutral balance. The Fast setting relies on silver-plated copper wire, with dynamic conductivity for high frequencies, to elevate the sound moving through damped rooms or from warm sounding electronics. In the Smooth position the exact opposite occurs; the music signal runs through a thick solid copper wire – the sonic tonic for sharp, nervous highs caused by bright-sounding components or reverberant rooms (e.g. stone floors or large windows).
Midrange Magic
The standard Natural setting delivers music signals to the midrange driver through an air coil that runs neutrally due to the lack of an iron core. With the jumper in Rich mode, the signal runs through an iron powder coil that enriches the lower mid-range with harmonics. Emotive voices and piano strokes get a subtle bump in presence and expressiveness to the benefit of listening rooms and ancillary electronics.
Bass Control
In the Attack position, an additional capacitor in the signal path changes the phase response so the signals arrive fractionally earlier to the melon radiator than to the other drivers. Compared to the Smooth position, the bass sounds drier with more structure – well suited for bass-heavy listening rooms.
The 101 E MKII at a glance
- Sophisticated MBL Radial drivers HT37 tweeter, MT50 midrange, TT100 woofer
- Radial speaker technology delivering immersive, natural sound reproduction
- 4-way loudspeaker, 12 in (30 cm) twin-layered aluminium sandwich subwoofer in a down-firing bandpass enclosure
- For rooms up to approx. 80m² (900 ft²)
- Crossover frequencies of 105 Hz, 600 Hz, 3500 Hz
- Separate speaker taps allowing for bi-wiring and bi-amping configurations
- Wide choice of customizable finishes
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Professional Reviews 92/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
96/100
Build Quality
82/100
Value for Money
85/100
The MBL 101 E MKII envelops listeners in a 360-degree soundstage, pairing through-the-floor bass with shimmering, grain-free treble and strikingly lifelike presence. Jonathan Valin found its Radialstrahler design exceptionally open, coherent and dynamically fearless, retaining a broad, layered image even well off axis. It is a spectacularly immersive high-end statement for listeners who prize scale, air and musical realism.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptionally deep, powerful bass with major scale, slam and lifelike dynamic impact at appropriate playback levels.
Expansive, layered soundstage remains convincing off axis, with unusual width, depth, height and wraparound immersion.
Open, natural and highly coherent tonal presentation, with airy treble detail free from typical sting or smear.
Handles very high levels cleanly and coherently, with exceptionally convincing transient speed and dynamics.
&
Cons
Omnidirectional radiation makes room treatment, placement, listener height and listening distance especially critical.
Low 82dB sensitivity demands exceptionally powerful amplification, and the speaker requires bi-wiring.
Optional mesh grilles introduce audible diffraction and should be removed for critical listening.
Center images are larger and less sharply focused than with well-designed direct-radiating speakers.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 96/100
The review portrays an exceptionally open, coherent omnidirectional speaker that can make recorded performances feel unusually present and free of box coloration. Its most striking strengths are its deep, high-impact low end, expansive wraparound stage, natural tonal color, and unusual composure at high playback levels.
Bass
97/100
Jonathan Valin describes the bass as extraordinarily deep, naturally full, dynamic, and lifelike when the speakers are played at appropriate levels. The radial woofer and 12-inch subwoofer are said to deliver through-the-floor extension and startling slam from relatively compact enclosures.
Mid
94/100
The midrange is described as convincingly natural in tonal color and realistic enough to create the impression of real musicians or vocalists in the room. The review also praises the speaker's top-to-bottom coherence at moderate to loud levels, supporting a seamless presentation through the crossover regions.
Treble
96/100
The omni tweeter is praised for reproducing instrumental detail, surrounding air, shimmer, and decay with unusual completeness. Importantly, this openness is reported without the sting or smear often associated with highly revealing treble reproduction.
Soundstage Imaging
96/100
The speaker produces fantastic width, depth, and height, at times creating a wraparound spatial effect. It also maintains a wide, layered stage well off axis, with less image shift toward the listener's position than conventional direct-radiating or dipole designs.
Dynamics
97/100
The review calls the MBL exceptionally clean, coherent, and non-irritating at very high volumes, with dynamic ability surpassed only by horns in the reviewer's experience. It is also singled out for unusually convincing transient starts and stops at moderate-to-loud levels.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
82/100
The 101 E is presented as a striking, avant-garde object, with substantial rear jumpers that make its selectable internal wiring options easy to use. However, the optional tall mesh grilles are reported to create audible diffraction and should be removed for critical listening; the review says little about long-term durability or internal cabinet construction.
Value for Money
85/100
At a stated price range of roughly $46,882 to $95,100, the 101 E sits firmly in the luxury high-end market. The reviewer calls it one of the best loudspeakers he has heard, but does not directly compare its asking price with competing speakers or make a clear value-for-money claim.
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- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- American Sound — in-store — Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Audio Gallery — online and in-store — Las Rozas de Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain (website)
- Audio Solutions — online and in-store — Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (website)
- AUDIO VIDEO PASSION — online and in-store — Perpignan, Occitanie, France (website)
- Dubai Audio — online and in-store — Al Wasl, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (website)
- Elektra High End — in-store — Chamartín, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain (website)
- Engulf audio — in-store — Mobile, Alabama, United States (website)
- Excel Audio — in-store — Newport Beach, California, United States (website)
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