Since several people are interested and some are waiting for my take - well, this is
my subjective layman insight. Also, somebody dropped by and began to ask some
questions.
Well, I gave a demo any way.
(1) Are they for real?
Yes they are, MB Quart can make some nice home speakers, even Audioholics did a
review on the Alexxa (mid-level) line. The Vera is their former flagship line. They
even build their own drivers.
(2) Is the company MB Quart (Maxxsonics) easy to order from?
Yes, they are - and they even have PayPal. They ship same day. Customer service
even called to make sure that I understood about the color I was getting. They do
use UPS for shipping.
Home Audio, Vera, Bookshelf*| MB Quart
(3) Do they have good packaging?
Yes, they came double boxed - if you buy them, be ready to spend a little time un-
boxing them. The outer box is taped real well - and the origional box has the heavy
staples. The speaker and grills are packed separate in the same box - and the grill
is placed in its own carton
(4) How do they look, and the size, plus the weight?
They look first rate and high-end > the elsberry looks much better in person. The photo
does not do real justice. Elsberry to me looks like a color between light and dark cherry.
The bookshelves are about 15" H x 9" W x 11-1/2 D and weigh about 26 lbs. So. for me
they do not qualify as a white van speaker.
A picture from forum member rojo - and that is real metal
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/general-av-discussions/86935-what-new-stuff-have-you-bought-if-you-care-share-thead-64.html#post1021632
(5) Are they really built well?
Well yes, the cabinets are 1 inch thick on all sides - the diameter on the poly caps of the
crossover, is about the size of a quarter, they use what looks to be big (long) metal oxide
resistors. The crossover looks to be 2nd order, with 2 coils, 2 big poly caps and 4 resistors.
The cabinet is lined with foam, and also stuffed with gray fiber-glass like material. I could
only look from the back-side in - the woofer looks different from any woofer that I have seen
and is heavy duty. It does not seem to have the typical magnet, spider or vented pole piece.
I do not like the strange connection terminal, you have to use a hex wrench - which they do
supply to un-screw the terminal to put your wire in. I can fit the banana plugs in and screw
them down tight - you just need wire that is flexable.
(6) Why such a cheap price?
Good question, I do not know. They did have poor marketing in the USA, and the origional
prices do seem a little steep. They seem to want to clear the inventory and may have some
type of tax write off. However, this is a good deal for the consumer.
(7) Why is the shipping expensive?
Good question - however based on the build and sound quality - still a solid deal.
(8) Do they sound like $500 speakers?
No, they do not.
(9) Do they sound like $1000 speakers?
No, they do not.
(10) Do they sound like $1500 speakers?
For me they tend to have a sound resolution with-in a $1500 to $1800 range.
(11) How do they sound?
Different for sure, I have not heard a sound quite like this - and they do not favor any speaker
that I know of.
(12) So, they do not sound like garbage?
No, they are not white van?
(13) Well the word is that the Alexxa can sound sort of bright - so, what about the Vera?
They do not sound bright to me. There does not seem to be any lift in the treble up to the
15 khz range. There may be something after 15 khz - however, my ears can not hear past
that. Past measurements of the Vera bigger bookshelf, shows no real boost before 15 khz.
Their titanium dome tweeter, is not a slap in your face and ears tweeter.
(14) Do they have nice bass?
Yes however, there is no Dr. Mushy Boom medicine inside and also no Dr Thumper. The bass
is tight and controlled and articulate - and no bass bump for an illusion. My test sweeps shows
usable bass down to 42 hz. One thing to note - the bass balances with the midrange and highs,
so it will not be as punchy or generous as some other speakers. The speaker is subwoofer friendly.
(15) Do they have a mellow or lush midrange?
Mercy no, what is a lush midrange anyway? A good speaker does not have a so-called personality.
However, some people do look and think of their speakers as an idol!
If you are looking for a
mellow-yellow sound or polite laid back sound - then move on. Maybe call Dr White Van and get
one of his speakers with no real detail, definition or depth. However, I do understand that they will
have some low resolution speakers.
With the Vera bookshelf, they do tend to sound realistic and life-like. The resolution is really nice.
Their is no Mr. Dark Shadow to help cover and hide poor, and nasty/ugly recordings. Some singers
with a somewhat natural and raspy voice, will come across that way. Poor sources with distortion
will be exposed. >> Old recordings with a boosted treble, and new compressed and loudness war
recordings will be brought to light.
(16) Do they have good imaging with realistic soundstage presentation?
Yes, they do. However, it will not really be like you are on a Star Trek holo-deck. However, their
imaging and soundstage presentation is really nice - it is forward, wide and deep > and no treble
rise to help with the off-axis response, as far as I can tell. They also do really well with a precise
central image - which is nice/good.
(17) OK, how do they sound now?
What are you getting tired? That is a strange question. However, I will answer this way. I was a
little thrown off when I first heard them. They do sound different from any thing that I have heard.
I have owned many, that is many speakers - and these are really transparent and resolve low and
high level detail real well. I am picking up good layers, texture and depth to voices and instruments.
The speaker is cohesive and holds together, from low to mid and high volumes.
What threw me off in the beginning is they are so transparent, so the poor and ugly sources can and
do come to light and can tend to be offensive sounding. It has taken me a couple of days to get use
to this, and get more adjusted - I needed to be broken in some. > However, the bass is starting to
sound a little better after a couple of days. However, keep that to yourself.
One thing to note - the speakers do a good job with drums, cymbals, guitar sounds really good. The
piano really tends to stand out, as well as trumpet and other instruments. If you like to hear some
of the instruments vibrate - then this is it.
***Now I will give you one last question
(18) Should people really listen to you?
Man, that is a strong question
No not really, my ears may be filled with wax - and I am not young
anymore. Remember, audio is subjective and I can not promise or guarantee anything - however for
me, these are some nice speakers and should be considered. Need to note, they are on move-out and
close-out pricing > so no real 30 trial, you can only return if not opened or a defect with-in 30 days.
The warranty is only 30 days. However, need to remember - that speakers tend to hold up well and for
a long time - also a lot of people do buy used and from Ebay and Audiogon with no warranty. And some
buy form Audioholics and AVS classifieds. So, this is still really a good deal and they are new.
Now I am getting tired.
(19) Wait, wait, I have one more question. How are they with home theater?
OK, you got me - Well they are dynamic and really good and can play Loud (they can take it).
Good with all movie sources and not offensive. Play Man of Steel and Star Trek Into Darkness,
that can ring your bell. They are not only dynamic - they also have good movie midrange sound.
(XX) Now I ask the stranger a question: What do you think?
And the stranger answers:
You are wasting your money, and spending too much! You do not need all that wood and metal,
and you do not need thick boxes and a lot of crossover parts. Why spend money on wood veneer
and double boxes and even pay extra shipping?
"I know a company that will deliver for free, and we have expensive speakers with some wood and
no need for bracing or fancy crossovers. The quality is in the drivers, not crossovers or fancy wood.
They are good drivers and do not need large magnets. This company gives good discounts on their
speakers that would sell for $3000. I even have a pair that I will sell you for for $200!"
Now I under stand who you are
You are from the famous White Van company, checking on the
competition. It is strange because you drove up in a blue van. >> The only reason I let you in is
because you looked hungry and I wanted to show off some good speakers.
Gee, you almost tricked me.
