All
Bookshelf Speakers — Mbl 120
Description, images, technical data and specifications
Mbl 120
Image source — © Mbl
The 120 is a compact three-way Radialstrahler from MBL, announced in May 2010 as a speaker that can sit on a shelf or become a floorstander on its matching stand. It carries the brand's omnidirectional tweeter and midrange above a conventional bass section, and it is built in MBL's own factory. At its US introduction the pair cost USD 21,400, with the optional stands at USD 1,630. The current version is the 120 MKII, listed in Germany at EUR 23,900 per pair or EUR 25,720 with stands.
Key specs that matter
For treble MBL fits the Radial HT37, built from unidirectional carbon fibre, and for the midrange the Radial MT50 in woven carbon fibre. Below them, two 165 mm long-throw woofers with aluminium membranes fire sideways from a bass reflex box. The crossover hands over at 650 Hz and 3,500 Hz, and the lowest frequency given by the maker is 61 Hz. Without its stand the speaker weighs 17.5 kg, rising to 28 kg with it. In MKII form the assembled height on the stand is 1,213 mm, with a width of 300 mm and a depth of 386 mm, and the acoustic centre ends up 107 cm above the floor.
Engineering and use context
The radial units have no enclosure behind them - their carbon-fibre segments flex outward and inward to radiate in all horizontal directions. The bass enclosure is pyramid-shaped, holds 20 litres and is tuned to 42 Hz. Its two woofers sit on opposite side walls in a push-push layout, so their recoil forces cancel rather than shake the cabinet, and both are mounted on a solid aluminium block to limit resonance. The chassis use aerodynamic baskets to cut friction losses. A two-pole subsonic filter in the crossover keeps the woofers from over-excursion below port tuning. The stand head plate recesses into the underside of the cabinet, and speaker cable runs internally through the stand. For the MKII, MBL fitted crossovers with Intertechnik parts and new WBT terminals and added two colour options. The first run was offered in black, white and silver piano lacquer, while MKII finishes pair black or white lacquer with chrome or gold trim. MBL covers the model with a warranty of five years.
Pairing
The nominal impedance is 4 ohm, and sensitivity is 82 dB. MBL's room guidance for the 120 is small to medium spaces of up to 35 m2, and the matching stand is sold as an option rather than included.
Alternatives
The MBL 126 is the smaller Radialstrahler stand-mount, with an 11 litre bass cabinet and a lowest frequency of 70 Hz.
Key specs that matter
For treble MBL fits the Radial HT37, built from unidirectional carbon fibre, and for the midrange the Radial MT50 in woven carbon fibre. Below them, two 165 mm long-throw woofers with aluminium membranes fire sideways from a bass reflex box. The crossover hands over at 650 Hz and 3,500 Hz, and the lowest frequency given by the maker is 61 Hz. Without its stand the speaker weighs 17.5 kg, rising to 28 kg with it. In MKII form the assembled height on the stand is 1,213 mm, with a width of 300 mm and a depth of 386 mm, and the acoustic centre ends up 107 cm above the floor.
Engineering and use context
The radial units have no enclosure behind them - their carbon-fibre segments flex outward and inward to radiate in all horizontal directions. The bass enclosure is pyramid-shaped, holds 20 litres and is tuned to 42 Hz. Its two woofers sit on opposite side walls in a push-push layout, so their recoil forces cancel rather than shake the cabinet, and both are mounted on a solid aluminium block to limit resonance. The chassis use aerodynamic baskets to cut friction losses. A two-pole subsonic filter in the crossover keeps the woofers from over-excursion below port tuning. The stand head plate recesses into the underside of the cabinet, and speaker cable runs internally through the stand. For the MKII, MBL fitted crossovers with Intertechnik parts and new WBT terminals and added two colour options. The first run was offered in black, white and silver piano lacquer, while MKII finishes pair black or white lacquer with chrome or gold trim. MBL covers the model with a warranty of five years.
Pairing
The nominal impedance is 4 ohm, and sensitivity is 82 dB. MBL's room guidance for the 120 is small to medium spaces of up to 35 m2, and the matching stand is sold as an option rather than included.
Alternatives
The MBL 126 is the smaller Radialstrahler stand-mount, with an 11 litre bass cabinet and a lowest frequency of 70 Hz.
Specifications
Model name
120
Frequency Response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
61
Frequency Response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Sensitivity (dB at 1 W/1m)
N/A
Impedance (Ohms)
4
Power amplifier requirements (W)
N/A
Has internal amplification
N/A
Internal amplification power (W)
N/A
Size (sm)
N/A
Weight (kg)
17.5
Official link
