Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: MB Quart Alexxa AS-B1 Speakers by NeuGeo

Model:	Alexxa AS-B1
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$1100.
Description:	near-field monitor
Manufacturer URL:	MB Quart
Model Picture:	View

Review by NeuGeo on March 23, 2009 at 14:57:44
IP Address: 71.246.118.181 Add Your Review
for the Alexxa AS-B1

I got the MB's new-in-box on Ebay, $300 for the pair.
These are initial observations, pre burn-in. I will post a follow up review, in greater detail, in a few months. Many audiophiles and audio equipment manufacturers do not endorse the notion of â€œburn-inâ€ for loudspeakers and/or other audio components. Thereâ€™s a link to a survey, at the bottom of the page, that addresses this matter.
I really donâ€™t want to debate the issue.

My current loudspeaker is the Epos M12, (a remarkable â€˜near-fieldâ€™ monitor that has permanently spoiled my hearing.) The MB Quart Alexxa is similar in character to the Epos. The MB bass is just a touch more weighty, but not a lot. MB midrange presence is smooth and effortless, not laid back and not forward or bright, kinda like a clone of the Epos midrange. Some music selections have more midrange projection than others. The recordings that do exhibit this prominence, sound almost compressed, like a late night TV commercial. As I said, it all depends on the recording.
The high frequencies are interesting. I wouldnâ€™t call them airy, like a ribbon or film tweeter, but depending on the recording, the highs are tangible and ethereal, all at once. MB,s titanium dome tweeters render delicate high notes with ease. My aged ears detect something vaguely happening in the upper limits of the acoustic spectrum.
Sort of a ghost-like hi-frequency-extension apparition.
Sparkly, blingy, shimmery, instruments like (cymbals, triangle, chimes, tambourines, bells, wire brush on hi-hats, etc)
sound naturally percussive and occasionally hyper-realistic.

The Epos high-frequency output, while superb sounding, is faintly rationed by comparison. Epos reproduced the attack and decay equally, imparting a unified singular acoustic sensation.
With MB, the attack is prominent (tactile) and the decay is native, the aural schemata bonded together in time.
I donâ€™t know which one sounds more genuine; they both sound accurate.
Soundstage dispersion is extremely wide for both the MB and Epos, each projecting a detailed acoustic field in my listening room.
I expect that my listening impressions of the MB will amend over time and their legitimacy or lack there-of, will be the source of the next installment of this review.

burn-in survey:
http://www.matrixhifi.com/ENG_contenedor_rodajealtavoces.htm

Product Weakness:	midrange coloration with specific recordings.
Product Strengths:	musical sonic propagation (this speaker's got potential)

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Bryston 4B SST
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Conrad Johnson Premier Fourteen
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Dual CS5000 with BenzMicro MC20 E2
Speakers: Epos M12
Cables/Interconnects: Harmonic Technology Truth-Link
Music Used (Genre/Selections): blues, metal, pop, rap, jazz, fusion, indie, classical, country, what-have-you
Room Size (LxWxH): 12 x 18 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: wool felt sheeting
Time Period/Length of Audition: rite-outta-da- box, one week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PS Audio UPC 200
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): of course.

Amplifier:	Bryston 4B SST
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Conrad Johnson Premier Fourteen
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Dual CS5000 with BenzMicro MC20 E2
Speakers:	Epos M12
Cables/Interconnects:	Harmonic Technology Truth-Link
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	blues, metal, pop, rap, jazz, fusion, indie, classical, country, what-have-you
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 18 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	wool felt sheeting
Time Period/Length of Audition:	rite-outta-da- box, one week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS Audio UPC 200
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	of course.