Vienna Acoustics Mahlers - just got a pair

[dwmann]

I recently purchased a pair of Vienna Acoustics Mahlers as an upgrade to the Klipschorns I've had for over 20 years. I had NEVER heard the Mahlers. (Believe it or not, Houston TX is not a great place for finding hi-end equipment in the showroom unless you're a B&W fan.) I had read all the reviews of every speaker I could find in this price range, narrowed things down to the Mahlers or the Sonus Faber Cremonas. I DID listen to a pair of Beethovens and a pair of Grand Pianos at a local Tweeter. I based the final decision on appearance - my furniture is olivewood, and rosewood is a great match. I got a very good deal on these, and figured that since I'd probably never get to audition a pair (or the SFs either) I'd just buy them and re-sell them if I didn't like them.

I've never heard any other speakers in this price range, except the B&Ws (which I've never liked much), but these are INCREDIBLE speakers. I can't imagine ANYTHING sounding better than this. Steve's discs now sound like you-are-there live music and everything else sounds better than Steve's discs used to sound thru the Khorns. Even discs I could never stand to listen to sound good.

I've been listening to the speakers with different types of music for a couple of days. Perhaps I'm still caught in the glow of something new, but they just seem to sound better and better, and I haven't yet found anything they don't do well, and I'm TRYING to be critical. Everyone who's walked into my house in the past few days has had a dose of these things, and I can only describe the reaction as something close to awe. Common comments are "I didn't know a stereo could sound like that" and "This sounds better than a concert."

I've always used "Purple Rain" as a demo piece - with 540WPC cranking through the Khorns the whole HOUSE rattled. The Mahlers don't crank quite as LOUD, but the sound they put out is so smooth and effortless it seems that if I had ANOTHER 540WPC I could KEEP cranking the volume until I ran out of power and they would STILL sound smooth and effortless - if they didn't implode. And the whoo-hoo-hoo-hoos at the end make your spine tingle.

If anyone is in the market for a pair of speakers in this price range, PLEASE audition the Mahlers, even if you have to drive to another city to do so. I think they are THAT good.

[John B]

Congratulations on the great buy dw. Can't beat the rush of a major upgrade.

[Metralla]

Great looking speakers, and a design that I like, being somewhat similar to my Coincident Super Eclipses.

The "Stereophile" review indicated that the bass output was quite massive, and somewhat difficult to optimize in the room used. Do you experience any overloading of your room?

The Mahlers have a reputation for smoothness at high levels, as I'm sure you know, so it sounds like you have a good match with your listening style.

Regards,
Geoff

[dwmann]

The "Stereophile" review indicated that the bass output was quite massive, and somewhat difficult to optimize in the room used. Do you experience any overloading of your room?

I haven't experienced ANY bass problems, even at extremly high levels - and by HIGH, I mean with the "Power Gaurd" circuit on my Mac amps kicking in at 540W. I read that review - JA didn't find anything in the measurements that would cause a bass peak - and I think perhaps the reviewer just has a screwy room. (My room has a 22' vaulted ceiling and spills into three other rooms, which does a lot to break up any standing waves.)

The Mahlers have a reputation for smoothness at high levels

They are the smoothest speakers I have ever heard. Some might consider them TOO smooth, but after the honkiness/vocal sibilance of my KHorns, I find that that smoothness is a great relief.

[michael w]

dwmann;

JEEZUS H KRIST !!!

You mean to say you bought a $9K+ pair of speakers without listening to them first ???

You must have either extremely deep pockets or an unshakeable faith in reviews.


:eek:

[Jeffrey]

Originally posted by michael w
dwmann;

JEEZUS H KRIST !!!

You mean to say you bought a $9K+ pair of speakers without listening to them first ???

You must have either extremely deep pockets or an unshakeable faith in reviews.


:eek:

Hi,

If you live in a place (and i do :)) where you cannot audition anything in person whatelse are you gonna do???

-Jeffrey

[dwmann]

dwmann;
JEEZUS H KRIST !!!

You mean to say you bought a $9K+ pair of speakers without listening to them first ???

You must have either extremely deep pockets or an unshakeable faith in reviews.

Hi,

If you live in a place (and i do ) where you cannot audition anything in person whatelse are you gonna do???

-Jeffrey

michael,

I don't have extremely deep pockets, nor do I have a lot of faith in reviews. I don't have much faith in dealer demo rooms either. The equipment never sounds like that when you get it home. The only way to REALLY know how something is going to sound is to listen to it in your system, which unless you live in an area with a lot of high end dealers with excellent return policies is very hard to do, as Jeffery pointed out. However, I've been reading reviews for over 30 years, and kind of know what to look for.

After living with KHorns for 20 years, I needed something with a big sound and low bass extension. (I do not believe in sub/satellite combos - they NEVER sound the same as a true full-range speaker.) I also wanted something that could play LOUD and still sound silky smooth. ALL the reviews of the Mahlers seemed to indicate they fit the bill. (Not a lot of speakers DO.) Stereophile warned of a possible bass peak, but this didn't show up in the measurements, and that is the ONLY criticism I could FIND. I listened to the Beethovens at a local Tweeter, and liked the basic TONE of the Viennas. But the only way I was EVER going to hear a pair of Mahlers in my home was to buy a pair.

I didn't just rush out and order a set. It took me four months to find a pair that was almost but not quite new at a price I knew I could get back if they didn't work out, and I had one deal fall through at the last moment. Getting these speakers took a lot of work, and the process was very frustrating at times. But if it hadn't worked out, I was prepared to go thru the hassle of reselling the Mahlers and starting over. And I think that is the secret to putting together an exceptional system, unless you ARE rich.

[michael w]

Originally posted by Jeffrey


Hi,

If you live in a place (and i do :)) where you cannot audition anything in person whatelse are you gonna do???

-Jeffrey


Hiya Jeffrey & dwmann,

I'm in NZ, similar situation to you guys where all the good stuff is not local to me.

My first choice is to find a good dealer who will allow you to have the equipment on home demo, fortunately in NZ, most of the high end dealers here do allow that privilege with no obligation to buy, the only cost to me is returm freight.

:D


If home demo was a no go, then I would be prepared to travel to the nearest dealer for a demo. Prior arrangements would be made to ensure a good demo.

I feel at this level of expenditure ($9k+ USD), either of the above options would be most prudent before writing the cheque, with the home demo being most preferred.


cheerio

[Jeffrey]

Hi Michael,

I :agree: that a home demo would be best BUT sometimes no dealers or only the highest priced dealers are willing to offer that service. :( I'm not sure i would recommend spending money on airline tix, rental cars, hotels, etc. to go for an out of town dealer demo that may produce a completely different sonic signature than what you will ultimately experience in your own home. So, i sometimes buy sight unseen, after negotiating the best price possible, with the willingness to later peddle the item on Ebay if it doesn't float my boat. :)

-Jeffrey

[dwmann]

I that a home demo would be best BUT sometimes no dealers or only the highest priced dealers are willing to offer that service. I'm not sure i would recommend spending money on airline tix, rental cars, hotels, etc. to go for an out of town dealer demo that may produce a completely different sonic signature than what you will ultimately experience in your own home. So, i sometimes buy sight unseen, after negotiating the best price possible, with the willingness to later peddle the item on Ebay if it doesn't float my boat.

Agreed!