I felt the need to comment on this thread. My Dad was a Fried dealer back in the 70s through the mid-90s when MARS began. He stopped dealing with them at that time, as he didn't believe in that system.
He bought the "kit" version of these speakers, and built them himself. He is a fantastic woodworker, and braced them very well. I was a little kid at that time, and remember them fondly. They took up the greater part of his living room at the time, but sounded fantastic. Very clean and neutral. He eventually sold them to a friend who still has them today and loves them. This version uses a Kef "Dextrene" woofer, and a fantastic Dynaudio tweeter. If you look closely, you'll see the tweeter is kind of "horn loaded", to increase efficiency. I have the original B monitors, which use the same drivers. The tweeter is detailed for the time, and very smooth sounding, with excellent power handling. The mid-woofer is a little sluggish and veiled sounding by today's standards- kind of "east coast" sound if you will. Still, a fantastic speaker for the time.
The only reason he sold them was to build their successors- the C/3L + O/4 set, which is what I have now. This version has a re-configured subwoofer cabinet, that is only about 14" wide, but is deep instead. My Dad continually followed Fried's driver upgrade program, concluding with a 3/4" Hiquophon tweeter and 6" Focal Kevlar midwoofer, and a 10" Woofer (can't remember the brand right now). I believe this last driver upgrade was done in the mid 90's. So, technically, mine would be more like a C/4L or C/5L, not sure. This design solved all the shortcomings of the first version. No more sluggish midrange, and excellent treble detail. The 3/4" tweeter is one of the best I've ever heard. It's one of the most detailed tweeters I've come across that can still remain musical.
The transmission line bass must be heard to be experienced. It is very clean, extended, and non-resonant. Also, the transmission line configuration results in some very stiff, non-resonant cabinets. Between the bracing, and sound-dampening, and lead applied, my O/4 cabs weigh about 200 pounds each!
My super-monitors are even cleaner, more detailed, and extended than the first generation, and are absolutely state of the art. I would put them up against a set of Wilson/Puppies any day, they are that good!
They were a gift to me when I moved into my own apartment, and are far away my most treasured possession. It's taken a while to get a front end worthy of what they can deliver.
My point to all this is to illustrate the value and quality of these speakers. Quite frankly, I'm very tempted to try to figure out how I can drum up that kind of money myself! Hmm, anyone want to buy a Mesa guitar amp? LOL.
-Jon
