MBL 101 E MKII User manual

ENGLISH 
DEUTSCH 

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
Dear customer,
We are glad that you decided to become an owner of one
of the world´s best loudspeakers: the MBL Radialstrahler.
This speaker is a handcrafted product made in Germany.
Like all handmade products every speaker has something
special that makes it unique. In production we have taken
care of even the smallest detail to perform a perfect job.
Each system is measured and recorded in all technical de-
tails to fulfill the highest demands on sound quality.
The Radialstrahler is a State-of-the-Art advanced tech-
nology product, which is outstanding in sound quality and
appearance.
This multi-directional speaker is a breakthrough to a new
world of music enjoyment: a 3-dimensional musical ex-
perience.
We are sure you will explore a new dimension of listening
pleasure.
Your MBL Team

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
Scope of Delivery
2x mbl 101 E MKII Radialstrahler
2x speaker covers and 8x screws
8x spikes, spike nuts and brass washers
final production protocol
manual
warranty card
gloves
Important Information!
Attention: Keep the speakers away from high humidity, vibration, excessive
dust and direct sunlight. Excessive heat or cold will aect the speaker´s func-
tionality. The permitted operating temperature is 10°C up to 40°C (50°F up to
104°F). Avoid extreme variations in temperature.
Do not touch the diaphragms of the speaker!
KETI, CE-Marking
This product conforms to the requirements of the EMC directive and low-volt-
age directive. Your MBL component complies with the household power and
safety requirements in your area.
Warranty
Please pay attention to the details given in the warranty card which accompa-
nies the unit. Warranty is only issued, if you send back the warranty card.

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
Page
4 1. Speaker setup
4 1.1 How to test your listening room
4 1.2 General setup tips
4 1.3 Speaker positioning
5 1.4 Listener‘s position
5 1.5 Setup and fine-tuning
6 1.6 Example for speaker setup
7 2. Configuration
8 3. Connecting speaker to power amplifier
8 3.1 Stereo amplifier
9 3.2 Stereo amplifier bi-amping (2 power amplifiers)
10 3.3 Mono amplifier (2 power amplifiers)
11 3.4 Mono amplifier bi-amping (4 power amplifiers)
12 4. Sound optimization and adjustment of the Radialstrahler
13 4.1 Spikes
13 4.2 Placing the speaker cover
14 5. Cleaning the system
15 6. mbl 101 E MKII pictures
17 7. Specifications

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
1. Speaker setup
1.1 How to test your listening room
A simple ”clapping test” will give you important information on the acoustic conditions in your room.
Walk up and down in the area where you want to set up the speakers and clap your hands loudly. Pay
attention to the echoes reflected. If they are either extremely loud or extremely long (flutter eect), the
room´s reverberation is high and it is recommended to work with dampers.
To damp the room use sound absorbing elements like carpets and curtains. Diusers like small-leaved
plants or bookshelves between the corners of the room and the speakers help to improve the acoustic
pattern.
1.2 General setup tips
For best performance the speakers should be set up in front of a solid area of the room (e.g. a solid
wall).
If possible, set up the speakers on the longer wall.
The total high of shelves or hi-fi racks (incl. electronics) located between the speakers (also at the wall)
should not be higher than the midrange driver of the speaker, 80 cm (31”) total height.
1.3 Speaker positioning
Transfer your room dimensions (longer and shorter side of the room) on a handmade drawing (note
the example given on page 6).
Set the position of the speakers into the drawing. To find out the optimal position proceed as follows:
Stereo base (a)
At first define the stereo base, that is the distance between the speakers (a). The stereo base should
not be under 2 meters (80“) or longer than 3.5 meters (140“).
Back wall (b) and side wall (d) distance
The distance between the back wall and the speakers (b) and the distance between the side wall and
the speakers (d) should both be at least 0,8 meters (32’’).
However these two distances should not be the same. A ratio of 1:1,3 is recommended, the speakers
always being closer to the longest wall.

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
1.4 Listener´s position
Eventually find out about the optimal listener’s position.
The distance between the listener’s position and each speaker should be the same as the distance be-
tween the two speakers (a), i.e. the listener sits at the top of an equilateral triangle.
The distance from the rear wall to the listener‘s position (c) should be at least 0,8 meters (32’’).
1.5 Setup and fine-tuning
After you figured out the speaker´s position, install your hi-fi system and set up the speakers.
For a fine-tuning slightly move the speakers symmetrically around the initial position and/or play with
the toe-in angle.
If you have chosen the optimal configuration, you can screw the spikes in the speaker, depending on
what type of floor you have (see 4.1 Spikes).
Run the speakers for at least 100 hours and do another fine-tuning, if necessary.

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
1.6 Example for speaker setup
a
b
c
d
c (c >b)
a: 2 - 3,5 m
d: >0,8 m
b: >0,8 m
Diuser Diuser
Listener‘s
Position
Loudspeaker Loudspeaker
d
d: >0,8 m
a
a

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
2. Configuration
For best sound performance of the mbl 101 E MKII Radialstrahler it is necessary to use MBL Reference
Line electronic components.
Note: We recommend to use the power amplifiers mbl 9011 or mbl 9008 A in mono mode for best
performance.
mbl 1621 A
CD Transport
mbl 1611 F
D/A Converter
mbl 6010 D
Preamplifier
mbl 9011
Power Amplifier
mbl 101 E MKII
Radialstrahler

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
3. Connecting speaker to power amplifier
3.1 Stereo amplifier
If you want to connect your mbl 101 E MKII Radialstrahler to one power amplifier use the STEREO con-
nectors on the rear side of the power amplifier. Connect both minus terminals (WOOFER and SYSTEM)
of your speaker with the respective ground connector ( ) of the power amplifier. Connect the two plus
terminals to the two respective plus connectors (STEREO) of the power amplifier.
Attention: bi-wiring is recommended.
left speaker right speaker
power amplifier
stereo
WOOFER
terminals
SYSTEM
terminals
WOOFER
terminals
SYSTEM
terminals

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
3.2 Stereo amplifier bi-amping (2 power amplifiers)
If you want to connect your mbl 101 E MKII Radialstrahler to 2 power amplifiers in stereo mode, use the
STEREO connectors of the power amplifiers. Connect the plus terminals (WOOFER and SYSTEM) to the
respective plus connectors and the minus terminals to the minus connectors.
left speaker right speaker
stereo power amplifier
left
stereo power amplifier
right
WOOFER
terminals
SYSTEM
terminals
WOOFER
terminals
SYSTEM
terminals

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
3.3 Mono amplifier (2 power amplifiers)
If you want to connect your mbl 101 E MKII Radialstrahler to 2 power amplifiers in mono mode, use the
MONO connectors of the power amplifiers. Connect the plus terminals (WOOFER and SYSTEM) to the
respective plus connectors and the minus terminals to the minus connectors.
Attention: bi-wiring is recommended.
left speaker right speaker
mono power amplifier
left
mono power amplifier
right
WOOFER
terminals
SYSTEM
terminals
WOOFER
terminals
SYSTEM
terminals

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
3.4 Mono amplifier bi-amping (4 power amplifiers)
If you want to connect your mbl 101E MKII Radialstrahler to 4 power amplifiers, connect SYSTEM and
WOOFER seperatly to each power amplifier. Use the MONO connectors of the power amplifier. Con-
nect the minus terminal to the respective minus connector and the plus terminal to the respective plus
connector.
left speaker right speaker
left power amplifier
WOOFER
left power amplifier
SYSTEM
right power amplifier
WOOFER
right power amplifier
SYSTEM
WOOFER
terminals
SYSTEM
terminals
WOOFER
terminals
SYSTEM
terminals

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
4. Sound optimization and adjustment of the Radialstrahler
You can adjust the tweeter, midrange and lowrange of the Radialstrahler to dierent hi-fi components
and to rooms with dicult acoustic conditions.
On the back of the Radialstrahler you find jumpers for sound-adjustment.
CAUTION: The electrical data of the cross-over network is the same in dierent positions, only the mo-
lecular microstructure of its signal path is changed. This is due to the use of dierent materials.
Tweeter
SMOOTH: This setting is recommended when the sound character in high frequency is too harsh.
Sometimes necessary for solid state electronics.
NATURAL (factory setting): Use this setting for electronic components and cables with neutral sound
character.
FAST: This setting is recommended when you need more high frequency. Sometimes necessary for
tube electronics.
Midrange (midrange low)
NATURAL (factory setting): Use this setting for electronic components and cables with neutral sound
character.
RICH: This setting emphasizes the chest note range so that the sound becomes more colored. To be
recommended for amplifiers and cables tending to sound dead.
Lowrange (bass reproduction)
SMOOTH (factory setting): This setting is recommended for acoustically neutral rooms.
ATTACK: Recommended for rooms in which the bass tends to boom or seems to be too powerful.

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
spikes
screw nuts
brass washers
4.2 Placing the speaker cover
Carefully set the cover on the speaker.
Caution:One side of the cover is shorter. This side
must be on the back of the speaker.
Insert the 4 allen head screws (M4 x 50) in the
holes of the lower golden edges and slightly tight-
en them.
It is possible to use the cover without screws. Then,
no lateral force must be aected onto the cover.
cut-out on the back
4.1 Spikes
To adjust the bass response to your room you can
use the enclosed spikes.
If you prefer a strong bass, place the systems di-
rectly on a solid ground without using spikes.
To achieve a tighter bass with more impact,
screw the spikes into the speaker´s feet, so that
the speaker stands on the spikes. To protect your
floor it is recommended to use the enclosed brass
washers.
In case that the floor is covered with a thick car-
pet, the speaker does not stand firmly. Due to this
reason the bass may sound uncontrolled without
definition. Use the spikes to avoid this.

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
5. Cleaning the system
How to clean the speaker:
Tweeter and Midrange
To clean the magnet housing of the tweeter and the midrange driver use a soft cloth or shaving brush.
Woofer
It is possible to unplug the acrylic lamellas by pulling them upwards. Use a soft cloth or shaving brush
for cleaning.
Cabinet
Clean the piano finish cabinet with a gentle suds, then dry with a soft cloth.
Speaker cover and cover top
Clean the speaker cover and the cover top with a soft shaving brush.
Gold/Chrome edges
To clean the gold/chrome edges use a special cleaning cloth for gold and silver (available in jeweler’s
shops). Do not rub intensively.

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
6. mbl 101 E MKII Pictures
gold/chrome edge
allen head screw
cabinet with integra-
ted subwoofer
brass feet
thread for spikes
(4x)
cover top
speaker cover
vent opening

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
tweeter HT 37
midrange driver MT 50
woofer TT 100
acrylic lamellas
magnet housing HT
magnet housing MT

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
7. mbl 101 E MKII Specifications
System 4-way
Frequency range 24 Hz to 40,000Hz
Impedance 4 Ohms
SPL sound pressure level 82 dB/W/m (2.83V/ 2pi)
linear max. 106 dB
Crossover frequencies 105 Hz, 600 Hz, 3500 Hz
Linkwitz-Riley, 4th order
Acoustic center 119 cm / 47“
Continuous power 320 W / 500 W
Peak power 2200 W
Subwoofer 300 mm, 12“ Aluminium
Woofer Radial TT100 (MBL)
Midrange high Radial MT50, CFRP (MBL)
Tweeter Radial HT37/E, CFRP (MBL)
Dimensions (WxHxD) 450 x 1230 x 500 mm
H (incl. cover) = 1550 mm
116 x 48 (61) x 18“
Weight 80 kg, 176 lbs
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
MBL Reference Line High End Audio Components
For best performance we recommend the High End Audio components of the MBL Reference Line. Your MBL dealer will
help you to choose the optimal components for your perfect High End Audio system.
mbl 1621 A CD Transport mbl 1611 F D/A Converter
mbl 101 E MKII Radialstrahler
mbl 6010 D Preamplier
mbl 9007 Mono/Stereo Power Amplier
mbl 101 X-treme Radialstrahler System
mbl 9011 Mono/Stereo Power Amplier
mbl 9008 A Mono/Stereo Power Amplier

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unique high end audio
mbl 101 E MKII
mbl 101 E MKII Radialstrahler
Bedienungsanleitung