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New Speakers

Yamaha B-2

Yamaha B-2

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Was over on the Musical Direct website surfing the Mobile Fidelity items for a new LP cleaning brush and ran across their close-out on the MoFi OML-1 2-way monitors. I have to return the Sony SS-M3s to the LR system and sold the Krells a couple of weeks ago, so ask to buy the set they have in rosewood. Unfortunately, only thing left was either sycamore (very blonde) or polished walnut, a $200 option. I told them I would take the walnut set if they would throw in the option $$. The boss (in the background) said, Hmmmm, and then caved. So got this new, with boxes, etc., $1500 set for $599 plus $23 shipping. Listened to a set at the show in NYC last May and were very nice. However, were in the same room with the Wilson Watt/Puppy 8s, so my attention was elsewhere as soon as they fired up the Wilson system. Will be great fun to do an A/B with the Sonys, which are really very nice. Should have in the system for a weekend of listening (supposed to have light snow - good time to listen). The loser (if there can be one) goes back upstairs.

Pic is rosewood. The one for the polished walnut (all are real wood veneer) would not open.
 

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Those look very nice. I do love a good two-way monitor.

Look forward to your listening impressions.:thmbsp:
 
Thanks. Those do look pretty nice. Maybe I got a deal. But......the truth will be in how they sound. My short memory from the show was favorable and the reviews I've looked at are also pretty upbeat. Won't be long. As you mention, a good 2-way monitor is about as good as it gets to my ears. And, I'll biwire these as that also seems to help, even though many pooh-pooh such things.

Edit: Just got off the MoFi website. These are their current speakers and the walnut is a $500 option, not the $200 that I originally thought. Not surprised their manager had to hmmm and haw before caving on my offer. Lucky me.
 
They will be going back and forth from the B-2 to MC2102 until I decide if the MC2102 is a keeper. I've had four (4) pieces of other new Mc gear in here in the past few months and all have moved on. Not that I did not like them, but none was better than the B-2. The MC275 is the best and very close to the B-2 in enjoyable sound. Something to be said for the liquid mid-range of tubes and the MC275 does a wonderful job. That is why I got the MC2102. See if it goes that little extra bit. It gets here tomorrow. Rest of the system is a BAT VK-30 balanced tube preamp, Yamaha PX-2 with various cartridges, Yamaha T-2 & CT-7000 tuners, Philips DVD963SA SACDP (my new CD-S2000 won't be delivered until Feb :thumbsdn:). Lots of Sony bits (FM tuners, preamps, amps, TT, etc.) that make it into the system as the mood strikes. Am sure you know of what I speak. In the end it all adds up to :music:.
 
New OML-1s arrived today. A bit of a run-around, as I actually had to pick them up as the numb-skull who took my order didn't bother to update my delivery address. So had to run down to our old house to gather them. Not all bad, got another $50 off from Music Direct for my troubles for a 25 mile RT.

The speakers are beautiful. I can see why this finish is a $500 option. Stunning. The picture doesn't do it justice by any means. You can get some idea of the finish. Those are the MC2102 meters reflected in picture. One of the oiled cherry Sony SS-M3s is behind the OML-1.

Other than the first-rate cosmetics, first impression of the speakers is that they are about as crystal clear a non-electrostatic speaker as I've heard. Provides seamless sound in the mid-range, which means a well design crossover and well matched drivers. The obviously need some time to sound their best and for me to decide what they sound like and how they compare to the SS-M3s.

DSCN0498.jpg
 
They sure are pretty... very nice cabinet finish, but not as pretty as the MC2102 (I want one, when I am rich, one day :D )
 
As much as I like the Sony SS-M3s they took the place of, the OML-1s sound enough better at the start that the Sonys are headed back upstairs to the LR system. These are the best sounding 2-way monitors I've owned. Didn't take a whole lot of listening to hear how good they are. This is forcing me to spring for a proper set of stands.

Stoffie said:
They sure are pretty... very nice cabinet finish, but not as pretty as the MC2102 (I want one, when I am rich, one day :D )
Click to expand...
OK......how's this? MC2012s are peanuts over here.

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Here you are. When Music Direct called to tell me about the screw-up on shipping they told me that they had a couple more pairs in the polished walnut (and one in sycamore) and would ship me a pair overnight at their expense if these had disappeared. Pretty good customer service.

I will be building additional speaker cables this weekend and try the biwire thing next.

The yellow across the back edge of the top is the reflection from a ceiling light fixture. Very tough to get a decent shot without reflections with this finish (and my great inability to take a decent photo).

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