Club M&K

[Supernova]

Mk s-150

Nice to find this thread.

I bought these speakers a long time ago as a gift for my father (original MK's). He and my mother went away on vacation and while they were gone I had installed these in their house. It required me to crawl on my belly through the foundation and draw the wires up through the floor. My buddy that helped me saw the hole I was crawling through and thought I was crazy. I had to literally squeeze through some of the foundation and there was only 18 inches from ground to level in many area's.

My mother was furious when she found out I had installed a home theater in my dad's library. However, when she walked in she couldn't immediately see the speakers and when she saw how nice they looked and how everything just blended she was super happy. My parents spent hours listening to music and watching movies in the room. They have since passed on and I inherited them back and they're still in new condition in my new home, but not currently being used. Wonderful speakers.

[Chris D]

Hmmm... sorry, can't help you there. Would only suggest looking on their website and calling corporate if needed.

[phycomp]

Does anyone know of any M&K dealers in the UK? My local Audio T no longer stocks them

[John Holmes]

Ya know Chris, I'm not sure if they really do or not. I may have to pull them back out during the storm and see. :rofl:

Thank you! And yes, I'm going to concur about timbre. I just didn't believe it was the speakers that accounted for so much of it before. I know it may sound a little crazy. However, I was under the belief, the difference in sound was more attributed to, how our ears process sound from behind us. So much for that! ops:

[Chris D]

Now the only thing to do is, decide if I'm going to sell my Fosgate Audionics or, pack them up for a rainy day!

Why... do the Fosgates work better in the rain?

Seriously, congratulations! I think you can see why I am a HUGE advocate of matching a surround speaker system.

[John Holmes]

Well, after about a week of play, I'm very happy and satisfied with my purchase.

A couple of quick notes. First, my rear soundfield is now just an extension of the front. Everthing now has a tonal balance that is so cohesive. I cannot believe I have gone all these years, with side and rear speakers from different manufactures and was content. I guess by now you figured out, the SS-150's and LCR 750's blend very well.

Second, the tri-pole speaker is also an awakening. I am really amazed at how well it does both 5.1 music and movies. It truly gives you that sense of pinpoint accuracy while not calling extra attention to itself. It made me appreciate that a singular surround sound system can truly do both music and movies and yet, not compromise either.

Now the only thing to do is, decide if I'm going to sell my Fosgate Audionics or, pack them up for a rainy day! A very solid speaker in it's own right but, not the best tonal match with M&K. Well, time to get in some quality movies. :T

[John Holmes]

Yesterday, lady luck smiled on me. I came across a pair of SS-150THX speakers. As well as a pair of SS-550THX speakers.

I just couldn't resist the chance to have M&K speakers in seven spots surrounding me! 8) So needless to say, today will be a fun day playing with my new toys.

I'm really curious to see how tripoles will sound, supporting my LCR 750THX front wall. Well... time to play!

[John Holmes]

I hear ya, Sponge! I think everyone on this board appreciates better sound quality. Some might view us as being snobs. :W I prefer to think that we simply know what we like. :T

I actually purchased an Onkyo 8 series receiver about about three years ago. it was a model just before the HD codecs were onboard but, had HDMI inputs.

The Onkyo sound was more than satisfying IMHO. It was great with my M&K's. The only reason I returned it was, it caused my subwoofer to hum. I must have tore the system down 5 or 6 times, trying to identify the issue. I put the Pioneer back in line and no hum... so, I returned the Onkyo. Which was fine... it made me purchase what I really wanted any way.

I think you could be happy with the Onkyo/M&K combo.

[Sponge]

Hard to say what you should get, sound is so subjective. If your a person that believe amps sound different, that is.

Anyway, my bigggest concern would be how well the new piece handles 4 ohm loads. I use an Emotiva LPA-1 with my LCR 750's. It drives them well in my 15X26 room, even at reference levels. Also, before this amp, I drove the same speakers with a Pionner Elite 27tx receiver. The room was smaller ( about 14X18 ) but, I was satisfied with the sound it produced.

I am one of those audio snobs...thanks for the feedback particularly the ohm's part.

[John Holmes]

Hard to say what you should get, sound is so subjective. If your a person that believe amps sound different, that is.

Anyway, my bigggest concern would be how well the new piece handles 4 ohm loads. I use an Emotiva LPA-1 with my LCR 750's. It drives them well in my 15X26 room, even at reference levels. Also, before this amp, I drove the same speakers with a Pionner Elite 27tx receiver. The room was smaller ( about 14X18 ) but, I was satisfied with the sound it produced.

[Sponge]

Well the Marantz SR96 is dying...well at least I want it to be....technology has passed it bye along time ago!

Any recommendations for my MK's juice? My MK dealer was pointing me to the Onkyo TxSR806

Claiming that Onkyo is what MK is using now in house for testing and such?

I have always been a Rotel guy and wanted to get a Rotel next but for the price of this Onkyo its hard to pass up...I may get a new MK sub too for the cost savings...time to retire the B&W ASW1000

I have MK S150THX up front and the in walls for rears :B

[John Holmes]

A review is posted compairing the old and the new. Read it hear: http://www.laaudiofile.com/mksound_s150.html

[John Holmes]

Thanks for the info, Chris!

I hope they aren't going down the road Ken did, with too many models. What made things bad (IMO) about this, there just wasn't a large enough difference between most of them to matter. Let's hope the new 950's actually are a nice step up form the 750's.

[Chris D]

A few new items from M&K this year, including some new mid-level speakers and a new subwoofer coming out. Seems the guys are doing well!

[John Holmes]

Yes, I am. I never thought the mid-west would be a place I called, home! :E But to my surprise, it's a lot nicer than I ever imagined. The last time I was in this general area, was in 1983 (When I was stationed at Ft. Riley). Omaha is larger and more developed than I expected. And the people as a whole are really down to earth.

I hope you have a safe trip. It would be great if you could find out anything on MK at CEDIA. But, I'd understand if you don't. There will be a lot to see and do. And we all know, time passes before you know it at those events.

[Chris D]

Ah, John in Husker country now! I didn't know that. (Go Buffs) I'm in the airport, literally on my way to CEDIA, so I'll see if there's anything interesting about M&K there this year.

[John Holmes]

Sorry guys, I know it's been some time since I said I'd go back and demo MCH sound with the MK Sound speakers. Unfortunately, it isn't going to happen.

My family has moved from San Antonio. As such, the drive is just too long for a demo. :P Sadly, there isn't an MK Sound dealer in close proximity to me in Omaha.

[John Holmes]

ChetK,

Sorry, I didn't mention it.

I only did a music test with CD's. Stereo only. They were two of my own so, I was very familiar with their sound.

The speakers were powered with the current Denon flagship AVR (don't recall the model #). The source was a Sony DVD player. Not the best setup, but, more than enough for a basic evaluation.

I plan to go back to listen to MCH.

[Chetk]

John,

What was the source material and source equipment? Was it a lossless track that stayed lossless all the way to the speakers?

Thanks for the review.

[John Holmes]

Well, got a chance yesterday to hear the "New" MK SOUND speakers. My dealer finally has them.

I'll keep it short and to the point. I heard no difference between the new 750's and my old school one's. If it's there, I could not hear it.

I also ckecked out the 150's. I haven't listened to a set of 150's in ten years. So, I really can't compare the old vs. new sound. What I can tell you, ten years ago, I didn't think the sound between the 750's vs. 150's was that great. Not true today.

The 150's had what I would classify as a "studio" sound. While the 750's seem more "open", like you are at a venue where the artist is playing. The 150 sound is darker and more controlled. I have no clue which is closer to being correct, but, I'm leaning towards the 150's.

I listened to both speaker systems, in the same room. With the same equipment driving them. With and without the MX-250 sub.

BTW, the MX-250 is a beast! Huge imposing look. And very deep, clear, detailed sound. It never called attention to itself but, when it was off, you knew it was missing.

I was plesantly surprised. MK SOUND seems to have done the legend proud.

[John Holmes]

I'm not aware of any other U.S.A. distributors. The dealer that I purchased my B&K from, here in San Antonio, was an M&K dealer.

A few months ago, I was speaking with their buyer about the then new B&K Reference 70. He knows I am an M&K fan/owner. He also knows that I still need/want to replace my current back speakers with M&K speakers. So he tells me during the course of conversation, " You know...we are currently talking with MKSound about being and M&K dealer again". And that was the last I heard of that.

That talk was around late Oct or early Nov last year. Doesn't seem like it went well at this stage. As I've seen no product.

Yup, Barry is a great guy too. Just like you said, more than willing to go the extra yard to help.

[AvFan]

Other than ABT do you know of anyone else in the US selling MKSound products? Funny, the last time I looked at ABT's website the MKSound offerings appeared to be a combo of the two companies speakers.

I never had the chance to speak with Ken Kreisel but I spoke with some of his folks (e.g. Barry Ober) starting in about 2004. They were always very gracious and went the extra distance to help me as I entered this hobby/affliction. If the folks I spoke with reflected Ken's approach to customer service I'm sure he is, as you say, a stand up guy.

If Ken is getting back into the speaker business he will have to develop a new speaker line without too many similarities to his old products. I hope we see how creative he can be.

[John Holmes]

AvFan,

You'll find no arguement from me! Too much of the same. Yes, I do applaud the new company for moving forward...eh, uh, well sort-of. But, I honestly do not understand why we would need a speaker like the 950 either.

And yes, I would love to read a more detailed comparison of the two company's products as well.

What is even more interesting, Ken plans to enter the race again. So what do the M&K diehards (like myself) do then? How much can his new venture ressemble the sound of old? I mean, he did have to sell the Intellectual Property, yes?

I for one think, Ken Kriesel has been a stand up guy. He has always returned emails promptly. And taken great time to explain the answer to any question I've posed to him. So, I really want to wait and see what he pulls out of his hat. Hopefully it will be this year, like his website says.

In the end, I am glad that, the "M&K" name lives on.

[AvFan]

I find it interesting that the "new" M&K is following in the "old" M&K's footsteps. That is good but also potentially bad. I always thought a new product lineup based upon the most popular M&K models was the key to early success for MKSound. The new 950s seem to fall in the same slot as my 850s. The 850 is a fine 2 1/2 way speaker and is more like the 150s than the 750s but it has limited appeal over the very capable 750. So why would MKSound add a speaker to their lineup that is similar to one that was not one of the best sellers from the old days? IMHO they may be repeating one of the problems of the past: too many models that created support and production problems.

I've only read a couple of posts around the various forums from folks that have purchased MKSound speakers. They were very happy but could not offer any comparisons (e.g. new vs old 150s). I've read comments from a former M&K engineer and he has offered some spotty comparisons on the components in the new speakers compared to what he designed. I continue to look forward to someone with a keen M&K history and the technical ability to review speakers to do a comparison between old and new versions of M&K models. I continue to have hope MKSound will first, survive and then flourish.

[John Holmes]

Well, it seems that MK Sound has new speakers coming!

The "950 THX Select", a system designed to fill between the 750 and 150 speaker systems.

Also the "MX350MKII THX Ultra2". The "MX250 subwoofer" will be offered with the 950 system.

THX cert. is pending on both.


Interestings times are ahead. :T www.mksoundsystem.com/default_2.htm

[Isaac]

I have a M&K V-1250THX Subwoofer in my HT room. I also have a B&W ASW825 in my dedicated stereo room. The M&K V-1250THX just kills the B&W on movies. It has way deeper bass and can take a beating, gives you bass you can feel in you bones. Sure wish the original M&K company never left us.

[John Holmes]

Ive enjoyed my M&K speakers ss150.s f,r and center and the M&K 350 sub and the bi polar rears for 8 or 9 years now.
The center speaker blew and even after the warranty was out they replaced the speaker with only a phone call and shipping to them.
Ive found placement tuning a must but they still sound great. I am impressed with dts music even on favorite music i listen to on my dedecated stereo setup. For instance Steely Dans goucho is tight as hell up front with cymbal shots and horn licks coming from the rear channel. They give music a different dimention which really is fun to listen to.
Any way i love em.
Rick

Welcome to the Guide, Mpowered!

Cool story. I too still get giddy, after 9 years of ownership. The M&K's are wonderful speakers.

I have that same Steely Dan DTS CD. I concur with your thought's on it's sound. A sweet disc indeed.

[Mpowered]

M&K owner for 8 years

Ive enjoyed my M&K speakers ss150.s f,r and center and the M&K 350 sub and the bi polar rears for 8 or 9 years now.
The center speaker blew and even after the warranty was out they replaced the speaker with only a phone call and shipping to them.
Ive found placement tuning a must but they still sound great. I am impressed with dts music even on favorite music i listen to on my dedecated stereo setup. For instance Steely Dans goucho is tight as hell up front with cymbal shots and horn licks coming from the rear channel. They give music a different dimention which really is fun to listen to.
Any way i love em.
Rick

[Chris D]

M&K was at CEDIA a few months ago. I talked to the guys there a bit. Not about anything worthwhile, but seems like good people.

[John Holmes]

You're welcome.

Roddy Piper said it in "They Live".

[Allegiance]

Thanks for the info.

Where is your sig from? Duke Nukem says something similar which is "It's time to kick ass and chew bubble gum, but I'm all out of gum"

[John Holmes]

Oh, almost forgot, they also changed the foam type and design used on the new speakers.

[John Holmes]

Hi Guys,

What is the story with M&K at the moment? I have always been interested in a 150 THX system but the company seems to be non-existent.

Well, if you want the original 150's, you'll have to get them used. This is because the M&K folded. The new company "MK Sound" sells the the 150's with a few differences.

While they claim the crossover's are the same as the originals, they have changed the drivers. Also, no more angled front cabinets.

So, if I were a betting man, I'd venture to say, the new speakers will sound different. To some, maybe better, to others...

[Allegiance]

Hi Guys,

What is the story with M&K at the moment? I have always been interested in a 150 THX system but the company seems to be non-existent.

[John Holmes]

hello-
i'm replying to this post, although old, as my first because you might steer me in the right direction. I'm looking for some s-150 cabinets and was wondering who you got them from. 100 pallets is alot, maybe they have them. any info that anyone can provide will be much appreciated. thanks in advance. mrleafy

Welcome to the Guide, mrleafy!

You best shot for them, are the usual auction sites.

[mrleafy]

hello-
i'm replying to this post, although old, as my first because you might steer me in the right direction. I'm looking for some s-150 cabinets and was wondering who you got them from. 100 pallets is alot, maybe they have them. any info that anyone can provide will be much appreciated. thanks in advance. mrleafy

[John Holmes]

I too saw the new site and thought i would be able finish my set up, but this is what Ken wrote back!
The MK logo was purchased by the people at www.mksoundsystem.com. They are making M&K type product in China under the name MK SOUND, not M&K SOUND. I have heard they might provide service and parts for some M&K products. I do not have anything to do with that company so I only know their plans from their website and press releases and have no idea about the quality or performance of their products.

I do plan to launch a new speaker company soon and certainly will keep you updated about future product availability as well as parts and service on M&K products. I do plan to have a speaker very close to the S-150's but with updated drivers which will match your S-150's perfectly.

In the meantime,

GOOD SOUND TO YOU.....ALWAYS,

KEN KREISEL

This is very interesting, isis!

I didn't know that Ken had plans to get back into the game anytime soon. If true (not doubting you however, things change), this would truly shake things up in the M&K enthusiasts world. Not to mention, what impact it may have on MK Sound.

There is no doubt, Ken Kreisel can make a fine speaker. I do wonder if he could rebound from losing his company though??? There were a lot of things that made M&K great. Not just great product but exceptional service. However, the last year or so of the companies's existance, not being able to get product to the customer in a timley manner (if at all), may have tarnished some fans.

As for the current MK Sound product...I have only read two different user reports on them. One for the 150's and one on the 750's. Both individuals seemed very pleased with their respective speakers. As with all things, I guess time will tell.

[isis]

I too saw the new site and thought i would be able finish my set up, but this is what Ken wrote back!
The MK logo was purchased by the people at www.mksoundsystem.com. They are making M&K type product in China under the name MK SOUND, not M&K SOUND. I have heard they might provide service and parts for some M&K products. I do not have anything to do with that company so I only know their plans from their website and press releases and have no idea about the quality or performance of their products.

I do plan to launch a new speaker company soon and certainly will keep you updated about future product availability as well as parts and service on M&K products. I do plan to have a speaker very close to the S-150's but with updated drivers which will match your S-150's perfectly.

In the meantime,

GOOD SOUND TO YOU.....ALWAYS,

KEN KREISEL

[John Holmes]

just purchased a usedm&k mx-70 online. wanting to know the specs and opinions. i plan to use it for ht

I don't know the specs. However, it has been reviewed a few times so I'm sure you could find it in a google search.

As for my opinion on it's use for HT, I've never heard the unit myself.

[John Holmes]

Cool... are they putting out new product yet?

MKSound has been for a few months now. There just wasn't a US distributor.

[artv4]

just purchased a usedm&k mx-70 online. wanting to know the specs and opinions. i plan to use it for ht

[Chris D]

Cool... are they putting out new product yet?

[John Holmes]

Finally! MK Sound has a USA distributor!!! :T Check out MKsounds website.

[AvFan]

Yes, a little love here in the US and some comparison reviews from owners of existing M&K products to know if the new M&K is for real. We can only hope!

[John Holmes]

Interesting news

It would appear, a gentlemen in Sweden, has actually received a new set of speakers from the new M&K Sound! I read this on another forum. And he actually posted pictures of his new speakers. He seemed very satisfied with them.

So, it would look to be light at the end of the tunnel. Now, if we could just get some love, here in the states!