Magico Mini 2 vs Kharma Midi Exquisit vs MBL 101s

Not as full range as 101 but much more musical better midrange airer highs!! The best mini monitor in the world as of now people love to knock #1

Husk01, I'm using the original threaded pit with cones screwed in. This assembly sits on top of a mini jumbo puck. I have 3 sets per speaker.

The difference is night and day.

Lhobby, Which Black Diamond racing products are you using with your 101E's?

I've only heard the Magicos and liked them a lot but they cost too much for something not full range.

MBL and Kharma might have a chance but I have never heard either.

I think I'll throw my two cents in. Until a few months ago I was a perfectly happy Kharma 3.2 Fe owner. All the hype was justified in my mind. Where else can you find a truly full range speaker that is so small and easy to drive? One that has world class imaging and transparency dynamic contrast etc. The only thing missing is ultimate loudness. A two way can only play SO loud after all. But they actually play loud enough to make my ears hurt so, as I said, I was perfectly happy. Sure I've heard the Magico mini and respected them a lot but they are just different. Maybe better, maybe not, mostly just different.
Then I stumbled on a set of articles regarding how we hear music. This led me around the net to read about a professional set up in a European theater where side firing speakers of lower sensitivity ( -6 db)are used to augment the main speakers. I just happened to own a pair of Spendor S3/5s ( 5 db less sensitive than the Kharma)so I gave it a try. I hooked them up to the rear of the mains firing out to the sides, exactly like the QUAD 63 setup at the SME lab. Now I realize I'm adding distortion, but low and behold the rig sounded better, a lot better. Orchestra for sure, I expected that. But what surprised me was how much better solo guitar sounded, much more focused and present. Mind you, the Spendors were barely audible in comparison to the Kharmas, they only contributed to the ambience.
This experience led to a exhaustive search that landed a pair of MBL 101E's. I did as much shopping as I could and I must agree with Dev that a properly set up set of MBL 101s do things that NO box speaker in my experience can do. ( I've heard almost everything in some shape or fashion) Like it or not every speaker lights up the entire room with sound and that sound is reflected back to the listener. All normal box speakers should sound and measure, for example, flat in front but as you walk around them the frequency response changes dramatically and flat becomes ' not-so-flat'. The not-so-flat gets mixed in with the flat and the result is the typical "box speaker" sound. Before I get flamed, I understand that all music is a mix of reflections with various phase shifts. But.... MBL speakers light up the room evenly and I think that makes them special.
People who don't own MBLs like to criticize them for boomy bass. Well that's true but they have internal adjustments, and for the record MBLs actually HAVE bass unlike virtually all the competition ( that's not fair.. change to "most of the competition") so they need to be placed carefully. As a tweak I have mine sitting on about $1000 of Black Diamond products, well into the room. You would swear that mine are light in the bass until you put on something like track 6 from " The Thin Red Line" and you feel like you chair legs are going to break from all the bass energy. Once the bass is delt with The MBLs exibit a transparancy that is on par with my other speakers (Quad 57's)
Unfortunately MBL’s are expensive and hard to drive but if price were not a consideration I have yet to hear their overall equal.

Husk01, to date the MBL 101E's are my favourite speakers and if I was not down sizing this set-up I would not be selling them so I just don't know?

I bought a pair of Magico Mini's on a recommendation that they would work well in my room but unfortunately that just did not happen.

Dev, I see that you are selling your MBL 101E's. What are you replacing them with. Husk

 
I'm curious where Verity - say the Sarastro - fit in this pantheon of transducers.
 

Mark,
I never stopped thinking about that LeGall set, and when I get the room I think I will go in that direction.
If it has some of the things I seem to be drawn to then it's a steal compared to mbl's.
Peter

Pedrillo,based upon your comments,boy would you have loved the LeGall deal/sound!!!...Big time!!

Best

No problem Sirspeedy, yes MBL needs to lower the volume at shows so people truly can experience what the speakers can do but there still would be an issue and that being MBL gear driving them, not a fan of MBL amps.

Roypan I'm a personal user in the hobby and have no hidden agenda only say it the way it is, I never put the Magico's up for sale on Audiogon and you just contacted me out of the blue. You have no feedback and your reply seemed like you were a dealer or had another agenda, didn't really matter to me anyways I already had a buyer if I wanted to sell them within my district. Regarding my MBL's for sale you should read threads prior to this one of mine and it is clearly stated why but then again I was polite enough to have already answered your personal email to me regarding this.

Regarding reviews, shows, and showrooms I do not know which one is worse and if this is how you compare wow!

I must say : We all hear differently!!
That said, I still think mbl is leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else to my ears and my aural memory!
But why??????? Why are there so many speakers and their die-hard fans?
I must admit that I need to revisit the mbl setup. Since hearing them the last time when I was blown away I have done alot of listening and my ability to listen has improved. So now with more experience under my belt I would like to hear them again.
I think the best way to nail this is by doing a direct comparison, live music and then the speaker systems.
I would love to see this done, I would pay to participate.
Now that would be a killer stereo expo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dev,
I did not claim that MY speakers are BIGGER them yours. Quite the contrary. Also, I would not bring credibility to the table here. Perhaps you forget that after reading your comments on the Mini, I had offered to purchase your Minis from you (I have been looking for a used pair for almost a year now). Did not seems like you were too eager to sale them. From your response I got the feeling that you are more than just a bystander and, most likely does not even have a Mini on hand. Perhaps a dealer of some sort. I do see that you have a brand new pair of MBL for sale. So what is your agenda?

HI I use ROWLAND 8T over 250 Watts 8ohms 400 Watts CH 4 ohms!!ARC SP15 Great Nothern Sound MODS!!This is a real AMP over 128 lbs With Many full size Transistors per Side.My room is 12WX20L over 8Ft ceiling.Read about MAGICO MINI 2 and V3 NOT M3 in New Absolute Sound Editors choice AWARDS!!

Hey Dev,have a glass of wine,and relax.Then re-read my first paragraph...Carefully!!There was suposed to be a good dose of humor in my remarks!!

Nobody's "attacking" anyone,and virtually ALL comments made here are someone's opinion....Including "yours"!!

Sorry if you got mad,but there might be some folks who view your statement about the V-3's not being so hot,as just as intimidating,as how you perceived my MBL "opinion".

Yes,you are correct!I've only heard the MBL's at Trade shows.....MANY TIMES,and maybe somebody has to tell MBL to lower the volume and work on that ported bass annoyance,because on virtually every occassion,the suspension of disbelief was not there.I've not once heard articulate bass from them.If I am wrong you "gladly" have my apology!!

Btw,EBM now has as valid a system as any I've heard.With the addition of his new Minis,he can feel worry free,and secure enough to not get peeved every time some hobbyist makes an off base comment.

Best

When I read comments such as "MBL's remind me of two weeks ago,when I was at a gorgeous wedding,but sitting way too close to the band." and "Anyone in an urban environment,and without the vast spaces of the great outdoors will love the Minis....PERIOD!!!....I'm being totally honest...they are really that good,unless you simply have to play Pink Floyd's DARK SIDE OF THE MOON at concert levels....Then I understand some other design." and "I had a great time,but came home with a slight headache."

You obviously have never heard a pair of MBL's in a real world situation which is in someones home set-up properly, your comments are laughable. When I read such it only demonstrates to me credibility issues and then voicing your listening experiences from shows or possibly showroom set-ups and not at any ones home or a personal evaluation come on. We went over this previously and it's okay not to like the MBL's but when you suggest you have to listen to them at concert levels please.

I mentioned before I bought a pair of Magico's and was very disappointed in all the hype scattered here and the price outrages. Magico Mini's are way over priced for a two way and the M3's is nothing to get excited about either, that's my opinion and I actually owned a pair. I went over to the person's home who bought them from me wanting to have another listen as they were being set-up in a much smaller environment. I actually went over with three other individuals who own different speakers than the Magico's and MBL's, they all have really nice set-ups and have heard my set-up many times also. The Mini's sounded okay but still left me scratching my head wondering what all the hype is about. I admit they did sound better than at my place but no way do they come close to the experience of a pair of well set-up MBL 101E's period, the three individuals also agreed along with the actual owner no comparison.

Lastly this is a hobby and these forums are to assist but when personally attacking what someone owns is wrong.

Ebm,
what do you use to drive the magico minis?
I have room that is 20x25x12ft you think this is too big?

I hope all our comments are taken as just hobbyspeak,and remember we(I especially) am expressing only opinion.This based on musical taste,and the various set-ups I've heard,over many years.It's how the particular speaker(we are talking about the transducer here,so my "opinion" is expressed)comes across in a given system....

Firstly,I know EBM quite well.In all honesty he's had quite a few systems over the years....

Speakers from big Maggies to pretty big Kharmas.He is addicted to "music",has the monetary resources to support his passion,and is willing to take criticism(actually asks for it,as a learning exercise) in order to get to his goal,so his expressions come from real experience....

Yet....I've truly never been overwhelmed with the sound he's been able to get(in the past)....mainly due to room restrictions....which is understandable,since he lives with a "damn understanding wife"!The room just happens to support "real-world living quarters",which is EXACTLY where the Magico Mini RULES!!!

IT FITS IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF MODERN LIVING SITUATIONS!!!

Anyone in an urban environment,and without the vast spaces of the great outdoors will love the Minis....PERIOD!!!....I'm being totally honest...they are really that good,unless you simply have to play Pink Floyd's DARK SIDE OF THE MOON at concert levels....Then I understand some other design.

There are other superb speakers(obviously)and I totally agree with Roypan about the MBL's!I've never understood how anyone could believe they do "music as opposed to good sound"!

To me,there is a big difference.The Magico's do music(to my taste),and the MBL's remind me of two weeks ago,when I was at a gorgeous wedding,but sitting way too close to the band.

I had a great time,but came home with a slight headache.

Best.

Wow! what a statement, MBL's are "A fun system indeed but not for any serious listening" Making such only demonstrates you obviously don't like MBL's which is okay but doing so is an insult to any MBL owners such as myself and clearly demonstrates your lack of credibility. There is no best out there, all speakers have their strengths and weakness as do your M3's. M3's aren't all that and I personally have no desire to own a pair.

The way MBL reproduces sound is a gimmick. Noble perhaps, but yet a gimmick. Music is not captured in an omnidirectional way and, for sake of accuracy and fidelity, should not be reproduce this way. A fun system indeed but not for any serious listening.

Magico Mini 2 more open more musical it draws you into the event more. In a small room it works wonders with the right amp preamp etc.MBL better in LARGE room!!

IMHO No speaker equals the mbl's.
The only one thing that makes me say that is that of all the rooms I entered at the shows, non made an impression of sounding life-like as did the mbl's.
But we all hear differently, and that's why we have so many brands to choose from.
Bottom line: find what works for you.

By effects, I guess I was referring to bass with no pitch... like the hall rumbling after the hammer strikes in Mahler Sixth. I find Timpanni to be fine... but perhaps not a bass drum (again, no pitch)...64 ft pipe organ, dont know about this one, dont have much organ music.

Wslam, what is "Effect-range bass"? Are you talking about home theatre sound effects, or ability to feel the full impact of a 30-inch kettle drum, and a 64-ft pipe organ?

Music range Mini II is plenty. not just plenty, but tuneful and very well defined.

Effect-range bass... a sub would help.

All I know is I've heard extremely satisfying "low" bass,from the Mini.This in a room about 21 x12.5x8.

No,I did not actually measure exactly how low it was....

Why?....because I was totally satisfied with the numerous reference discs we played,and if the bass was sufficient on these superb discs,I/we were totally happy.

I know how much low frequency material is on these discs,and have heard them on many set-ups(some with multiple driver/woofers,also very well set up).The Mini "Maxxed" them out.

Maybe not good enough for the technically oriented crowd,but very convincing to me.All anyone should really be concerned with is if the music "sounds" convincing.

In the right room,it certainly does.One reason,I suspect,it's so popular....If the room is a cavernous one,obviously common sense dictates one use a different speaker.

The Mini goes low enough to say..."who cares"?It's that good,when well driven,in a room of appropriate volume(which is common).

Best

Roypan, pardon my ignorance and I don't know what "Fs" mean. But your earlier assertion about "nothing" seems misleading by itself.
When I said low bass, i meant circa 20-25hz. In the orginal poster (Husk 01)'s room of 16' x 22', do you think Mini II' single 7" driver can deliver that?

How low a system can go is a function of many things. Driver size is not one of them. All things being equal, system with 10 X 15” woofers with an Fs of 45Hz will not go as low as a system with one 7” with an Fs of 33Hz (Mini). The 10 x 15” system will be capable of much more air displacement but at higher freq. It is important not to confuse 60-100Hz energy with low bass.

Roypan, why nothing? Isn't it physics that a single 7" driver cannot deliver low bass?

Ck your physics again. Size has nothing to do with how low can you go.

If you need low bass, and you have a largish room, Mini II can't deliver. It is physics.

I am using a Torus (however, just one) with my Mini II, but honestly, the Mini II really don't need a sub unless you are looking for 'effects'. Musically speaking, the Mini II alone is all you will need.

Avalon Ascent MK-II's...Tri-wired,into two heavy external crossovers/seales 175 lb enclosure(speaker)....crossovers weigh 55lbs each....constsnt 6 ohm load/88 db sensitivity.

Beautiful Tropical Olivewood.A superb design,easily competitive with much of today's better dynamic designs(assuming the room is of correct volume).

I also use a REL Stentor(very judisciously)for extreme bottom "weigt".,since I have the speakers out about 8 feet,to take advantage of the soundstage abilities,yet this loses a bit of impact.Hence the sub..-:)

Hopes this helps

Sirspeedy, so what speakers are u using?

Dynaudio C1 is a very nice option. with great bass

Emailists,I agree with you totally.Even though I have a superb(time has proven it to be even better than it's "original great press")three way floor mount design(Sealed enclosure/massive external crossovers),I DO feel a speaker with less cabinet,and fairly full range, will sound more "au'natural"!

Fortunately my own choice has a smallish footprint.

Best

I think there is just something about a stand mounted small monitor (in my opinion a sub usually is needed) that works incredibly well.

The small surface area of the monitor with space all around allows a disappearing and imaging act that is hard to improve upon.

My current speakers are this kind of configuration. They can use their subwoofer cabinet as a stand, but getting them off and onto Sistrum stands just took the whole system to another level. Having the ability to position the woofers separately is also a bonus I think.

My current monitors are sealed as well (the separate subs are vented.)

If money were no object, I think I'd try the magico mini 2's with a pair of the Torus subs. About 8 times the cost of what I'm listening to now and probably a great match for my room size.

Actually hold it - the Scaena 3.2's I recently listened to pretty much topped everything I have heard. (I have not heard Kharma;s but have heard Marten's, 101E, Magico, etc)

WSLAM....TAD replied to my E-mail in one day.

Expect a superb design to be available for the consumer fairly soon.

Btw,one thing I like about the MINI II,is the ability to hold superb resolution at very low volumes.This is a very good attribute,as there will inevitably be times the music will not be played loudly,but you still want a high level of resolution.

My current speaker is a master at this,and is also a sealed design,with separate crossovers.One reason why I just cannot part with them.

Best

Hi SirSpeedy,

Indeed... it is a common assumption that smaller-sized speakers cannot deliver the deep bass compare to larger speakers. I used to belong to this camp as well, until I listened to the MM II. I guess when a speaker is properly designed and executed to achieve close to its theoretical ideals, even smaller sized speakers can trump much larger speakers that are built to a lower standard.

There are, of course, ported designs that are truly exceptional in having tuneful, meaningful bass. However, Wilson is certainly NOT one of them...neither is VS. They may do well with kick bass drum, but throw them a large orchestral piece with contrapuntal bass lines and it becomes quite a mess.

Having said that, I would love to hear the TAD. They seem to have no distribution whatsoever, at least internationally... I have emailed them several times but they never replied to my emails. Very strange...

More stand mounted monitor competition:

Focal Diablo Utopia

Wslam,I've enjoyed your posts,on the Valin discussion site.Though I usually find J.V. to be a bit over the top,he pretty much got this speaker "right" in his opinion piece!

I convinced my friend to be open to the "mini-monitor" approach(that "mini" word scared him originally)and he subsecuently bought the Mini II's.He has a room size around 12 x 20,with 8 foot ceilings.These mate far better than his previous big three way.

The new speaker likes his Rowland 8t incredibly much(300 wpc),and he has a superb sense of scale,and more importantly,a superb tonal range.To hear the superb original pressing Mercury LP's,and a vast array of killer discs in such gorgeous/convincing fashion has altered my way of listening at "his" place.Gotta love it!

In his room,with good program material,the low bass can "easily" shake the walls and retain proper scale,and it is HERE that we know it is a good room match,because he is set against a sub.Not needed here!

Of course there are those,in our club,who cannot bring themselves to accept the "fact" that such a "somewhat" small speaker is doing ALL of this "gorgeous music",and they look for little things to pick on(like not enough overblown bass....yes a port cannot match a correctly designed sealed system....IF THE SEALED DESIGN IS PROPERLY ROOM LOADED).

I myself just have to laugh at the contrarians,because though the speaker is getting a bit too costly,it is STILL superb in almost every way!As you know,you have to hear it well set-up to understand -:)

BTW,I believe there is going to be a goodly amount of high ticket competition in the NEW "mini-market",now that Magico has put this speaker on the audio table....

I am anxious to see/hear from TAD,who is going to release their own monitor design,possibly as soon as the RMAF,but no later than Vegas,from what they have told me.That should be "serious" competition for the Magico Mini,and it will be a coaxial mid/tweet,with an 8 inch woof(yet it IS vented,hmm).....Not cheap,at over thirty grand,but Magico needs the competition....No?

Good luck

I am a Mini II owner, so I guess you know what I am going to say as my preference.

I have listened to the Kharma, MBL etc mentioned in the thread. I too would rule Sonus Faber out immediately as they are very colored and are clearly 'voiced' after some specific tastes and preferences.

A few things about the Mini II.

1) The Mini II are essentially new speakers compare to the Mini (Original). Diff crossover, diff woofers.

2) The Mini II are considerably 'warmer' then the original Mini. The minor problem with the original Mini has to do with the breakup frequency of the woofer... which has been rectified by the new nanotec driver (which is really nano-tubes mixed with Rohacell).

3) I am completely addicted to the sound from a properly sealed enclosure. All port speakers now sound 'wrong' to me... when the sound reaches the port tuning frequency in a ported design, it alsmot feels like the speaker is 'giving up' and just sort of puff out sound... kinda disgusting.

4) While I am well aware of the limitations of a 2 way speaker, I have a soft spot in my heart for them. I have yet listened to a >2 way speaker that offers the same kind of 'intimacy' as a properly executed 2 way speaker like the Mini II. I do not mean they sound 'close' by using the word intimacy, but a way the music communicates with the listener.

I hope one day I will find a larger speaker with the finesse and proper execution of the Mini II but in a 'larger scale' version... perhaps the upcoming Magico M5?

Husk,

Clearly, you need to go hear them for yourself!

Dev,your point is well stated....My friend's room is 12.5 x 21 ft x 8 ft.He uses a "fabulous for the given task" Rowland 8t.Not a hint of SS "supposed" problems,with beautiful timbral tinges,and real impact when needed!A great mating!

Btw,the Mini "needs" alot of power from the amp!The Dartzeel is a fabulous design,but from what I've been "told" from a Mini/Dart owner,it falls a bit short in low freq weight,on some musical passages.Just a point of interest,as you probably know already....

Anyway good luck on "the quest" -:)

Hi Sirspeedy it's okay I don't take it personally, but these forums are to help each other out and when someone responds as you did it needs to be addressed.

Just to let you know I bought the Magico Mini 2's recently looking at downsizing the current set-up in which the MBL's are present and was told these speakers would be a perfect fit along with also looking at buying the Dartzeel amp and pre to go along with the set-up to make it very simple. If you go to for sale items and type in MBL 101E's you will see my set-up and that I have already sold the CATs.

What size is your friends room? and what associated gear is hooked up?

If you read read my threads I don't believe I was kicking them very hard as you put it but just giving my own over all opinion with out going into great detail as I own both MBL and Magico.

I agree with you both are crazy priced but look at the the technology in the MBL's and then look at the Magico Mini 2's and how much they cost, wow! It just does not make any sense.

If you look at the title of this thread "Magico Mini 2 vs Kharma Midi Exquisit vs MBL 101s" I was responding to it.

If you also read I say the Magico Mini 2's are a good 2-way but no way can you compare them to the MBL 101E's and along with this you will see I refer to them needing to be used in a smaller room which I believe sums it all up.

Regarding the MBL's, you are most defiantly open to your own opinion but you have never heard my set-up. No room is perfect even if it is built to spec. and the room my MBL's are in is not my designated room. No speaker is perfect either and all have faults some with less and some with more.

In closing when you said;

"Not a fair fight,and I have no doubts you will be happier with what you own(yes,I may have gone a bit overboard in my MBL knock...sorry)!"

sums what I was trying to convey all along.

This question is sightly off-topic, but I have Piega C40s, which to my ears are very good indeed. I wonder if any of you have compared the Piegas with the other speakers in this list.

Dev,since your comments were obviously directed at me let me clarify.Also,of course these are just opinions and should not cause animosity!

I cannot see how "anyone" could make a "meaningful" comparison between the Minis and MBL's as these two speakers are SO unrelated(in terms of room demands)...

The MBL needs a very large space to breathe,and the MINI will work best with "room reinforcement" to get the best out of them....The volume of space you (most likely)have your MBL's in will not show off the Minis to their best....

Also,the Mini has the advantage(and it is a BIG one,but not really understood in this HYPED up hobby)of being a sealed design,which gives a "truer" portrayel of pitch perfect bass response.Many folks don't actually know what pitch perfect bass sounds like,because most mfgrs don't "do" this correctly!!I am NOT accusing you of this!...

Of course you prefer "your" speaker!!You have set up them to optimize their potential,but if one has a "correct" MBL room "volume",the MINI will NOT hold up,unless a sub is employed to fill out the missing bass,due to the (should be) far larger room the MBL's require,which will diminish the Mini's performance envelope!...Hmm!

Not a fair fight,and I have no doubts you will be happier with what you own(yes,I may have gone a bit overboard in my MBL knock...sorry)!

Personally,I believe the Minis are WAY overpriced,but you have been kicking them a little too hard in some of your comments(which you have every right to do,btw).You simply must understand that different designs will show off under the conditions best suited to each of them....

Actually I am taking the liberty of assuming(dangerous)you have compared side by side,which favors your MBL's.

If I am wrong,and you truly put the Minis in the correct "volume of space" needed to show off their best,you have my apology!

My friend owns the MINI II,and I set them up with him....IMO his room is absolutely perfect in size and dimensions...

We have measured his bass output,which extends to 31 hz!...CLEAN!!!...Articulate,and not the boomy bass I have heard from virtually every MBL set-up in the past(far less accurate ported designs,both on paper,and to my ear)...

I have not put MBL's in my room(you've got me on that one),but have made it my business to hear "well set up" systems with them on "numerous" occassions(I'd say a dozen occassions)!...So I think I have a good fix on their presentation.....They too,are not so cheap in price!

Like you said we all have different tastes -:)

Best

Nothing personal but the comments made regarding MBL 101E speakers is laughable and so far off it's ridiculous but that's okay as we all have our own opinions.

Regarding the Magico Mini 2's, I have to say by far they are the biggest disappointment to date I have had in this audio hobby. I actually own a pair do you own MBL 101E's or ever had them in your own system? I'm sure you haven't, I have nothing to gain but to only share with others of my findings. Every person so far who has heard them in my place has had the same opinion which is left us all scratching our heads wondering what is all the hype about and what are you guys hearing. I'm not saying they are not good two ways but come on they no way compete with MBL 101E's, I could go in to detail but why? In addition the list price for these only being a two way is ridiculous! and no way worth it.

Direct comparisons were done only swapping out the speakers using the following gear; ARC REF3 pre., CAT JL3 Sig. MK2 mono blocks, Accustic Arts Hybrid dac, Oracle 2000 transport, cables SP's Stealth Dream, IC's Stealth Indra's, PC's Stealth Dream. DC's Stealth Sextet

Well I hate to be contrary,but to my ears the MBL speakers are a perfect example of excessive "disco sound"....Many folks like this!Not a hint of realism,and for those who like to be seated on top of the band,when at a catered affair,like weddings etc.

I have heard the 101's many times,and always leave with a slight head ache.Whew!!

There "is" a very nice open sound,but not a hint of bass coherence.AND the bass is always overblown!

The Magico Mini MUST be set up in a medium sized room,to "get it" with these little gems!Otherwise yes,a sub will aid in a large room....

To me,they are more involving than the "overwhelmingly unrealistic" 101's.....

Far more coherent,and involving......Long term listenable,which the 101's are not...

Unless one is the type to like a BIG "auto-sound system" when driving around town,and annoying all who stops closely to your car...then yes,the 101's are for you!

Sorry,just my personal observation,from hearing both speakers....ALOT!

Best

If you are looking for a smaller speaker that can play loud without strain and is detailed and musical you might want to check out the new Von Schweikert Unifield 3.

Blessings, Bob