Official MK - Miller & Kreisel Thread?!? - Page 109

I have an mx-350sfx. Basically a 350mkii with newer superfast drivers. I might have the opportunity to add an mx-125 to my system for a reasonable price. Do you think the mx-125 will integrate into my system well with the 350? Can it keep up and add a little extra low end? These two subs together better than 350 alone?

Yes they will integrate just fine. 2 subs are always better than one. Placement is important as is making sure their output levels are equal. If you have an SPL meter make sure you measure them independently. If you don't have an SPL meter, you need one. I highly emphasize the word need.

I personally did not like mixing these. The MX-350 has way more power and hits lower frequencies. I felt that matching the volumes meant turning down my MX-350 which defeated the purpose. If SPL is what you need I guess go for it. But if you want more of that deep deep MX-350 sound add a second one. Or do what I did and sell the MX-350 and get an MX-5000. I was shocked at how much louder and deeper the 5000 went compared to the 350. In my testing I used B&K reference separates with M&K S-5000 speakers and my room is approximately 3,300 cubic feet.

As far as placement is concerned stack whenever possible.

Definitely invest in a Radio Shack SPL meter.

P.S. Ken is just about to release a modern MX-5000 sub. Mine weighs like 115lbs compared to the 350 which I think is 83lbs. It's a monster.

As always, I'm not disputing anyone else's opinions, just recounting my opinions under the exact circumstances referenced.

A good way to compare it would be:

If you had (3) S-125 speakers in front and you wanted dual centers, would you consider adding a 750-C? If so, get the MX-125.

exactly my thinking. I passed on it. I'll consider dual subs again if I can get the one I'd really want. thanks for input.

Anyone want to part with a pair of ldm 125 stands(short ones). With some additional cash I could offer a trade for ST-1 stands.

I have an old pair of Sony SS-TL3 speakers (24 years) and one of the tweeters was out. I found a pair of M&K 1" dome tweeters online and put them in the Sony's. WOW!!!!!!! Got the tweeters for $15/each and they really have made the SS-TL3's into much much nicer speakers.

I love my MX5000-THX. It's amazing. Although I wish I had two or three of them.

Well I just lost my mind and took a chance on a second MX-350 on ebay. SN is lower than the one I bought new 9 years ago so it should be one of the good ones. The one thing that worries me is my current 350 came with the plain black drivers which were replaced with the newer drivers with the white logo when one of the original started to not sound right.

Will the new older sub blend with my current 350 if they have different drivers? Should I mix the drivers so both subs have one of each?

M&k experts out there. Do you know if they made two versions of the S-125 ?
Have one that weighs only 13lbs and the specs for a S-125 are 17lbs. Dimensions are the same. Thanks.

The only differences I ever saw was in the crossover diagram. The early ones basically said pick a black and pick a red and see what you like. Later they paired them up and called one side normal and the other side bright. I'd be curious if a magnet fell off one of your drivers. I guess a past owner could have then taken it out of the cabinet. You would have to pull them to find out.

Thanks for the response. Just today got this email from M&K:

"The declared weight of your loudspeakers (released in 1995) is their total packaged shipping weight. That explains the discrepancy.

This practice has since been reconsidered, so that current product spex feature net weight of the product.

There has never been an alternative, revised, "light" version of the S-125.

I hope this information helps.

Thanks for your longtime support."

I know that the s125c weighs a couple of pounds more from the abundant use of magnetic shielding.

Bought a pair of S-125's sight unseen. Seller claimed they worked fine. Unboxed them and found one of the Z50 MK 8 ohm mid/woofs is seized. And both Z10 MK 4 ohm tweets were inop. Pulled the tweets and removed the faceplate with the integrated dome. Both voice coils had come unglued and were hanging loose in the motor gap.

Anyone have a decent source for a single Z50 MK / 8 and a pair of Z10 MK / 4's? Don't have to be NOS. Working used is fine with me. And don't necessarily need the whole tweeter, I guess the faceplate with integrated dome and VC would be sufficient. I could align them and seat them into my existing tweeter motors.

Thanks and happy listening,
Larry

There are 2 reasons to get dual or multiple subs. Some people like to stack them for increased SPL. Mostly people get dual subs and locate them in a different parts of the room. The 125 could have been located near field, for instance, since it is smaller than the 350. Hsu Research has a sub specifically designed for this purpose in fact. You will get better bass response throughout the room and only a slight increase in SPL. According to Dennis Erskine, it is impossible to get correct bass response from only one sub. I suppose stacking these 2 subs would defeat the purpose if what you were trying to do was make your system louder. I was speaking about adding a second sub to get flatter bass response. Adding a second center channel and a second sub are very different.
I guess since he passed on the MX-125 this conversation is pointless, however.

Looking the back of my M&K S1C's and they are set up for bi-wiring. They have Bi-wire Woofer inputs and bi-wire tweeter inputs. It says you can "bi-wire with two amplifiers, you will also run two sets of speaker wires to each speaker, but there will be only one set of wires connected to each amiplifier channel. We recommend against trying this without guidance from your dealer or M&K factory. With two amps, it is critical that the toggle switch located between the terminals is set to BI-WIRE position or amp damage may occur.

Isn't this bi-amping? I was looking at the back of my Pioneer VSX-92TXH and it is set up to be able to bi-amp with the Surround back/B connectors (separate from the Surround connections). You could bi-wire as well, not sure what that really provides since you are connecting both wires to the same speaker output on the back of the reciever. Bi-amping would seem to drive each set of inputs off of a separate amp?

Is there significant benefit for either one of these vs. leaving it hooked up in normal single wire mode?

From reading through this thread, it sounds like I'm among friends. Let's just say I went a little overboard on S-90s back in the day and need to pare down before I move. I've seen a couple of pair on eBay recently and may sell them there. Before I do, I'd like to see if anyone on this forum would prefer to have them as a set. I've got
9 X S-90 BLK
1 X S-90 OAK
2 X 2-80 BLK

These could be configured to make a great S-90/80 LCR, 5, or 7 speaker system. They'd also make great compliments for an existing S-100, S-150, or S-5000 system. All are in good-excellent condition. 2 of them have snags in the grill material. I still have original M&K boxes for 5 of them. I'm thinking ~$150/speaker would be fair to buyer and seller. If you're interested, PM me.

Arlo,
Boulder, CO

P.S. I've been using Parasound 750a amps to drive the S-90s. The amps also need a new home. If anyone's looking for a long sought after M&K piece, the following are all delivering fantastic sound around the house:

Speakers:
2 x S-1C
3 x S-100B
2 x CS35WH
2 x S-1B
2 x LCR750

Subs:
MX-145
MX-80
MX-700
2 x MX-70BWH
2 x MX-70
VX-100
VX-7B
V-125

Need a front tweeter for a SS150. Does anyone know where to get one, I can't seem to find any. It's a Z11MK 4ohm.

Is there any discount places (Saturday Audio/World Wide Stereo types) that sell M&K? VERY interested in these as I am reading more and more about them

Any MK950 owners here? I read a review on AVforums (UK) and the reviewer Russel, claims the speakers produce colouration. Also, a nasal quality to dialog.

Anyone experience that? Some people tell me that they offer almost the same performance to the MK150's. If that's the case I sure would hope they wouldn't produce coloration or have nasal dialogue.

Any views on this?

Another thing. Can the 950 owners please post some pics of their systems? Just want to see how this will look in a typical living room environment. The MK150's are simply too big and deep to fit anywhere and look a bit too...err, industrial for my tastes.

Any pics would be appreciated. Thanks.

No one?

MKs are kindof like that. I got S-5000 for the sound not the look.

Any 950 owners here? I think the 950's are more aesthetically pleasing compared to the S5000 based on pictures, but again it would be nice to see some pics in a lounge setting.

Unless there are no 950 owners in this thread.

Hi, goneten! I wouldn't call it colouration... I use original lcr851 set (5 identical pcs) and a friend of mine has 950 mksound... Well, what can i say... The sound is outstanding in both systems. But isn't laid back or relaxed, to the contrary they sound well defined, with great punch, very natural and neutral and pin point accurate. I use adcom and mcintosh amps to drive M&K, a friend of mine use Anthem 500 receiver with mca50 amp. As to "colouration"... yes, they can sound a little bit forward ...especially in case of "rough" set up. Metal grill do the work too, as i noticed. Most of time i prefer to have in on.
But when you aligned it properly, they shine! I use classe ssp processor (terrific both for movies and music due to its DACs...for it's price point) and use laser pointer, and radioshak spl for fine tuning. M&Ks disappear in proper setup.This is great set-up for movies. Powerful, neutral, with great punch...and don't look on it's price. The only i was impressed for movies..was Klipsch THX Ultra 2 system. Due to horns they sound VERY big, but sometimes not very natural. I mean sizes of the objects (cars, monsters))...etc.). But this effect helps to create the real big commercial theater experience in your home. It's nice imo). M&Ks are for purists and audiophiles to take the notes off the music...For 2ch music i'd go to another brand. Despite i like 851+svs for some kind of music. But as to the sound...it's sterile, uninvolving, without emotions...it's just right, real i'd say. Just the sound for movies, u'r immersed in the movie sound and "feel" gunshoots, explosions, tiny wind whistles...water drops etc...
I had for a year the set of 3 150. The sound is little smoother due to 3 hf drivers, can hold more power...but the sound or "voice", as u like, is essentialy the same.
Use it or not depends on the room size. 950 imo should be used not far than 10-12` for best results.
As to nasality... more no than yes ))... imo there's a liitle hint of it.
Just drop in your cd or dvd player Erich Kunzel's TOP 20 cd, the first track where cow moos... you can hear a very very slight hint of something like "boxines"... and for comparison you can use another loudspeaker, the big one. You'll see). This effect can vary from one room to another. Different environments can affect it very much, you feel the enchancement or the effect is diminished. The more power you give to MK (crank the volume up i mean) the more pronounced effect you get. So to the dialogs. You can almost completely exclude this effect by using any good calibration system, but imo the sound becomes less lifelike...
just my 2 cents...

S5000 is in another league. Like Klipsch THX Ultra 2... for movies only i perfer Klipsch and M&K for movies and music)...
Have a great day!

Hi MKowner,

Thank you very much for your sharing your experience. I am a little bit concerned about the nasal dialog clarity though. A lot of people are telling me that dialog clarity is one of the big strengths of the 950 system, then there are others who tell me that there is a nasal quality to it. I'm conflicted.

be quite shure you even will not notice some hint of "nasality" if you aren't pointed out).
Really, forget about it. Pay more attention to the quality of content you will listen to or watch..cause M&Ks show every fault of recording. That may distract. They are unforgiving) in this way). I guess why one pole claims and another one is happy with the sound).
The possible reason could be the horsepower they supply M&K.
I advice you to use real 200w per channel or more and you'll be happy i beleive. Separate power amp would be you solution.There are many brands out there.. ADA, Parasound, Adcom.. etc to have very dynamic sound in movies. McIntosh or Sherbourn and amps with the same "voice" are smoother...very nice for multichannel music, not the best choice for movies imo, with M&K i mean. With brighter loudspeakers they are exceptionally good. And don't use standalone receiver..you'll notice inability of it's power supply to handle M&K. Distortions at high volumes... Very fatiguing sound...10 minutes and u'r out....M&K are power hungry beasts).

Are the MK MP-150's still available? Just wondering. Because the normal 150's are just too deep to put them anywhere, especially in a lounge configuration. The MP-150's just might work and the quality of sound I assume is better than the 950's?

hi all, i was wondering if anyone can tell me the sensitivity of my s-5000 speakers.
i want to buy some speaker cable but i need to know the spec. i've googled around and found 87db. my manual doesnt say and google only said 87db once.

i am hoping some other reliable s-5000 owners or anyone who knows can let me know so i can combine the right speaker cables.

thanks so much,
cheers

Height placement for M&K S-150THXs.

I am ready to build the shelves for my 150's, behind what will be an AT screen in my dedicated home theater and was wondering about the center channel height. Since the front of the speaker is angled down (like it was made for above the picture), if it is placed level with the L & R speakers... the sound will not be focused on the same listening position.

So.... should I place a wedge under the front and so, make the front plumb with the room and place it on the same plane as the L & R speakers ???

---OR---

mount the shelf for the center channel higher than the L & R so the speaker is aimed at the primary listening position???

Thanks in advance....

87 dB sounds about right but I'm no expert on S-5000's. I do know that M&K speakers are notoriously power hungry due to the fact that they are not as efficient as say Klipsch. as far as matching a proper speaker cable goes, that is far less important as a high powered amplifier. A 12 gauge speaker wire will more than suffice. Those boutique cables have never been proven to show any sonic improvement ever. An amplifier with anything less than 200 watts per channel, all channels driven, will not do these speakers justice. These are high end speakers and were meant to be paired with big boy amps.

That's an interesting question. I thought only the professional line of speakers had the downward angled center channel. It would seem that M&K would design these home theater speakers knowing that people were going to place them at identical heights. I'm guessing that the angle coupled with the acoustical foam, is part of the design and has something to do with the off axis response of the speaker. I have the 750 THX system and the tweeters are angled on all of those models. M&K speakers have always been known for very good off axis response.