Anyone have any thoughts as to whether The McIntosh Mono Amps MC1.2KW's @ 1200W per Ch. is a good match for these Speakers? Sure would like to have your opionions?????
NttAudiolab Model 101 MkII Speaker
The 3-way Model 101 MkII incorporates two 15-inch woofers in the rear-ported base, topped by two 6.5-inch Accuton ceramic, inverted-dome midrange drivers in separate, sealed enclosures above and below a Fostex T500AMkII horn-loaded super-tweeter. The midrange and tweeter enclosures can be aimed at the listening position to optimize imaging.
The specified frequency response extends from 15.2Hz to 90kHz (±3dB), well beyond the human hearing range in both directions. Interestingly, the speaker can exhibit a nominal impedance of 8Ω, 4Ω, or 2Ω, which can be manually or automatically set depending on the type of amplifier. For example, any impedance can be used with a pure class A amp, and the sensitivity is rated at 98dB/W/m; with a class AB amp, the sensitivity increases to 115dB/W/m at 8Ω. In any event, the speaker is designed to work with amp power from 10 to 1000W.
Standing six feet tall, the Model 101 MkII weighs in at 1315 pounds, so you'd better have reinforced floors. To complete the picture, it can be finished in any automotive paint color you choose.
Naturally, such a speaker doesn't come cheap—$175,000/pair to be exact, even more than the Wilson Alexandria X-2 to which it bears a striking resemblance. How does it sound? I hope to find out some day by visiting the company in Temecula, California. Until then, I can always dream.
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Comments
Submitted by Ronnie on May 14, 2010 - 1:50pm.
I never thought I would've seen any Wilson Audio Specialties Speakers as a bargain one day but in the case of these speakers one would be nuts to get NttAudiolab Model 101 MkII for $175k while the Wilson Audio Alexandria X2 would cost you ONLY! $158k, $17k SAVINGS for the "originals", maybe enough to buy The Nordost Odin speaker cables or or something similar, what you guys think?
Submitted by Scott Wilkinson on May 14, 2010 - 6:11pm.
Sorry, $17k isn't enough for a 1-meter pair of Nordost Odin speaker cables, which cost $20k. Also, keep in mind that the 101 has wider frequency-response and higher sensitivity specs than the Alexandria, plus you can match its impedance to your amp (the Alexandria is fixed at 4 ohms), and the 101 is over twice as heavy! Is all that worth an extra $17k? Of course, the bottom line is the sound, and no one should buy either model without a serious audition, but at this level, a difference of $17k is not that much, only 10%.
Submitted by K. Reid on May 14, 2010 - 7:49pm.
Such a striking resemblance to Wilson's Alexandria X-2, which I have heard and seen in person. If I were Wilson, I would be contacting counsel to ensure there are no patent violations; then again, how many speaker companies build speakers that look like another company's products. Scott, I will refrain from comment on the Nordost Odin cable. Perhaps Tara Labs "The Omega Gold" ($24k) would be in order!
Submitted by Dr. Matthew Taylor on May 14, 2010 - 8:32pm.
My name is Dr. Matthew Taylor. I own a pair of Alexandra 2 which I had purchased direct from Wilson Audio six months before CES 2009. My wife is very experienced when listening to music. She has complained that the Alexandra 2 sound is below satisfactory. She never goes into an audio room to listen anymore. During CES 2009 we have stayed three days in Las Vegas to visit high-end audios at the Venetian Tower; we walked through floor 29, 30, 31 and 34. We have seen a lot and visited NttAudiolab loudspeaker. We walked inside to look, my wife liked the Nttaudiolab 101s.We sat down and listened over an hour with our music. We liked it so much; the sounds were amazing and 3D sound came out in excellent detail and also had a very sweet base. The next day, we came back to listen again and look over any detail design for over 3 hours. It was been decided the final 101s design looked and sound better than Alexandra 2. Three months later we made a decision to order a 101s from an Nttaudiolab dealer. From Minnesota was a
Submitted by Robert on May 15, 2010 - 1:56pm.
Am I reading correctly here on the comments from viewers? Mr. K. Reid, are you serious? Please do some more research about the design and built of Wilson's Alexandra X-2 speakers, Ntt Audiolab Model 101 MkII speakers, and other similar designs. And Scott is right about the speaker cables subject. And Dr. Matthew Taylor, please, do continue your comment, as the one you started did suddenly cut out because the number of words you used reach its limit. It's nice to hear from people that have first hand experience in listening to these high end speakers, as most of us won't ever have that chance in their lifetime. So to only hear comments from people like you that are true audiophiles (your wife included with an excellent set of ears), is indeed a privilege as much for us to learn from you as it is for you to be able to afford such a magnificent set of high end loudspeakers. Somehow I got the feeling that you also did some serious listening to other high end speakers. Please, do elaborate further
Submitted by Tom Norton on May 16, 2010 - 12:27pm.
Interesting that NttAudiolab, a company I was not aware of (and I get around a bit in A/V circles) is already up to the MkII version of this speaker! The variable impedance feature is interesting, but I don't know how you do that without changing other aspects of a speaker's performance. The claim of 115dB sensitivity in the 8 ohm setting is hard to credit. Accuton makes no drivers rated at over 94dB (Google them), and even if you double up on them there's no way to get to 115dB.
Submitted by Norman,M on May 16, 2010 - 4:07pm.
CES 2009 My boss told me to come to NttAudiolab at the Venetian tower 30-230 to listen to their show. I had come to look at the 101; I was very impressed of the design. It had a very stunning look of an American design. I ask the guy to demonstrate the show to play my cd music. My music had a very special high frequency record that can flow out any tweeter high-end speaker. I played it with any my song and high volume for about 45 minutes. I was very impressed at the 101
Submitted by Dr. Matthew on May 17, 2010 - 9:18pm.
Followed Report From Dr. Matthew From Minnesota was a three weeks to delivery to our home at Newport Beach, California. The next day two men came to setup the 101s and finished in a half hour. We really enjoyed listening to our music again and never have been bored to listen. The 101s has an amazing listening body sound. Alexandra does not have a listen body sound and 3D sound. We had listed for sale the Alexandra for over six months; finally we had an offered sale of $28500.00. We will make a decision to upgrade the 101mk2 soon. Sorry if you are a customer of Alexandra, don
Submitted by Chris Moon - HigherFi.com on May 17, 2010 - 10:12pm.
We at HigherFi.com are the worlds largest online seller of ultra high end audio -we have owned/sold just about every high end speaker out there. When it came time to spend my own money to purchase a speaker for myself, I purchased the NTT 101 Mk 2 ... if you take the time to listen and compare the decision is easy, really. This is why we took on the line ... AFTER we bought them. I could own any speaker as price really isnt an issue since we do this for a living ... this is where we I put my money and I can't think of a better endorsement than that. Happy listening!
Submitted by Michael Arthur on May 27, 2010 - 6:06pm.
"With my listening studio designed and built by the recording studio industry multiple award winner designer John Storyk,whomever wanted to spend time listening I'd charge an entry fee on the starting level of the tickets for major artists arena concerts".
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