MB QUART VS05BE bookshelf speakers - My take and Impressions

[Adam]

Ahhhh, sold out. I no longer need to be tempted.

 

[zieglj01]

They are not using the same drivers from what I can tell on their website so I doubt they sound as good as the Vera's and being only $50 cheaper I don't know if I want to take the plunge on them.

I did read the review by audioholics and they might be worth it but not sure.

Thanks for chiming in with your thoughts.

Here is another review - they seem to be really nice
REVIEW: MB Quart Alexxa AS-B1 Speakers - NeuGeo - Speaker Asylum

 

[zieglj01]

Ahhhh, sold out. I no longer need to be tempted.

Maybe I can get them to double check their stock!

 

[Adam]

Maybe I can get them to double check their stock!

Why you...

 

[Lulimet]

These are nice: Amazon.com : VideoSecu 2 Heavy duty PA DJ Club Adjustable Satellite Speaker Stand MS07B M99 : Home Speaker Stands : Electronics

I am not sure I would trust those stands.

I want these for $92 shipped.

 

[zieglj01]

Whoever buys stands, make sure the speakers will be near head level
when you sit down - sturdy stands are recommended, such as the ones
from Parts Express (steel), plus VTI stands >>
VTI Speaker Stands | Wayfair

 

[GeneC]

I'm in earthquake country so I need something really stable. I use some 4 post plant stands for my larger bookshelves. Bought them at an unfinished furniture store many years ago (also on close-out) for about $60/pr. Strong enough to sit on.

 

[zieglj01]

I'm in earthquake country so I need something really stable. I use some 4 post plant stands for my larger bookshelves. Bought them at an unfinished furniture store many years ago (also on close-out) for about $60/pr. Strong enough to sit on.

Interesting stands - not bad - also looks like the Infinity Beta 20
However, the Beta will fall short of the Vera (to put it politely)!

 

[GeneC]

Yes, the MB's ought to be considerably better. But the Beta 20's are an excellent speaker for the going price on the used market ($100-$125). I bought this mint pair off CL a while back for $30! I love it when a guy get's thrown out of the house and the ex sells off his stuff.

 

[zieglj01]

the Beta 20's are an excellent speaker for the going price on the used market ($100-$125). I bought this mint pair off CL a while back for $30! I love it when a guy get's thrown out of the house and the ex sells off his stuff.

I have owned the Beta 20, and I prefer them over their Primus series. I did not
pay full price for the Beta 20 - I could not live with them long term. > However,
they are still a decent speaker, if you can get them for a good used price.

 

[afterlife2]

I'm in earthquake country so I need something really stable. I use some 4 post plant stands for my larger bookshelves. Bought them at an unfinished furniture store many years ago (also on close-out) for about $60/pr. Strong enough to sit on.

Are you regulating these to surrounds?

 

[GeneC]

To be honest with you, I have no idea what I'm going to do with them. I should have bought another pair of 05's and the matching center when they were still available (Sunday) but like a few others around here I just wasn't able to pull the trigger on the 5 piece set. It was the "only returnable if un-opened" part I think. But in hind-sight that shouldn't have stopped me. But it did.

Anyway, I already have two 5.1 setups and don't really have the room for an additional 2.0/2.1. I could return them un-opened and lose the $+/- $125 shipping fee's but that would be silly (stupid, really). I could sell them (after a re-sale value has been established). I could wait for another pair and the center to appear on the used market but who knows how long that will take. I could put them in the closet with the other stuff I have but can't really use.

Come to think of it...it looks like I am kind of stupid . Oh well. I've never had a speaker in this league/category/quality/whatever so I'll move my LSi25's out of the way and listen too some good stereo music for a while. Then I'll decide what to do.

 

[afterlife2]

^That was a very honest answer. I hope you enjoy them and leave them out of the closet.

 

[zieglj01]

^That was a very honest answer. I hope you enjoy them and leave them out of the closet.

One would need good composure, and/or control to keep them in the closet un-open.

One thing for sure, it will be an interesting first impression, based on one owning the
LSi25 speakers, the tweeters will be different for sure - it may take a few more dates
to get adjusted. However, once you get use to the sonic character of the Vera, it can
be hard to walk away, or walk on by.

 

[GeneC]

One would need good composure, and/or control to keep them in the closet un-open.

One thing for sure, it will be an interesting first impression, based on one owning the
LSi25 speakers, the tweeters will be different for sure - it may take a few more dates
to get adjusted. However, once you get use to the sonic character of the Vera, it can
be hard to walk away, or walk on by.

Composure . Control . If I either of those two attributes I wouldn't have gotton myself into this mess in the first place! . But if they spend any time in the closet at all they won't be in there un-opened .

I prefer a softer, warmer sound, hence my fondness of the Beta 20's, and really like the Vifa Ring Radiating tweeter. Most metal tweeters I've listened to are just bit on the brite side to me, which is better for movies/tv imo, but a bit much for music. The Mordaunt-Short Avant 902's have a nice tonal quality about them while a pair of Paradigm Studio 20's V1 are also a bit on the bright side. Of course, room acoustics, speaker placement, a listeners ears and the lump of mass between them, yada-yada-yada also play a part in what we like. But it will be interesting to see/hear the tonal quality of the 05's.

 

[zieglj01]

I prefer a softer, warmer sound, hence my fondness of the Beta 20's, and really like the Vifa Ring Radiating tweeter. Most metal tweeters I've listened to are just bit on the brite side to me, which is better for movies/tv imo, but a bit much for music.

If you like a softer warmer sound - then the Vera 05 may not be right for you,
however they do not have a blaring, bright like nature.

That is interesting, since I do not consider the Beta 20 on the warm side.

Depending on the source - the Vera can reveal some vividness/shine - however,
there is no treble rise to me.

One owner of the Vera who also has an older Studio 20 - does prefer the detail
and definition of the Vera 05. However, he is still going through an adjustment
with the Vera speakers, due to the revealing tweeter.

For me, the Vera can handle all types of music, even the soft pleasant type >
where one would want to rest, relax and meditate - and the speaker does not
shine a flash-light at me. For me, it plays back the source as recorded. While
it is not so-called perfect - the Vera is closer to the real thing for me.

Have fun with the adventure - all ears are not the same.

 

[Lulimet]

The VS01C center and the elsberry pair of the VS05Bs are here. I have to say that the elsberry finish is so freaking beautiful. Maybe I should have ordered all of them in that finish. Also, the VS01C is pretty damn big and heavy. I am very impressed with the build quality of these speakers.
I will re-run Audyssey tomorrow and listen for an hour or two.

 

[zieglj01]

The VS01C center and the elsberry pair of the VS05Bs are here. I have to say that the elsberry finish is so freaking beautiful. Maybe I should have ordered all of them in that finish. Also, the VS01C is pretty damn big and heavy. I am very impressed with the build quality of these speakers.
I will re-run Audyssey tomorrow and listen for an hour or two.

Set them up - then enjoy them - the elsberry is nice - they do have
real good high-end build to them.

They got another big positive review from a member at AVS - some
people sure did miss out, on a serious good deal here.

 

[Lulimet]

Can you post a link to the AVS review? I can't find it on there.

 

[zieglj01]

Can you post a link to the AVS review? I can't find it on there.

This is it >>

Originally Posted by brandtlj

I got my Vera bookshelf speakers on Friday and I've had all weekend to play with them. I'm using them in a nearfield 2.1 setup with a ML dynamo sub crossed over at 70hz and a 20w/ch Indeed T-amp (really more like 7-9w in reality)....

these speakers are incredible. At first, I didn't quite understand some of the things I was hearing, i.e. the speakers are so accurate/precise they were producing everything picked up on any particular recording. Recording quality is paramount to hearing what these speakers can do. Yes, higher resolution recordings definitely help, but I've found that even lower-res tracks recorded well are sounding like live music!

This could possibly be the speaker deal of the decade...$524 for speakers that sound like you're listening to live music....keep in mind I'm using a $60 amp, a $50 DAC (hifimediy sabre) and generic 14ga speaker wire.

I can't wait to try the new Indeed amp when it finally comes in to see what these speakers can do with some more power...but so far the TA2020 Indeed amp sounds great for nearfield listening. Thanks Jim!

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1514029/boston-acoustics-e60-and-ascent-cbm-170-se-which-can-be-listened-to-quietly/120#post_24493191