I have had a pair of S80.2's that came with my BM6000 for a while now and I have refoamed them and replaced the capacitors. I was very happy with them and they sounded great. Recently, I got hold of some MC120.2's and have again refoamed and replaced the capacitors and have been listening to them for a couple of days now and they really are superb. I have had / have pentas, bl6000, bl8000 and bl5000 and I think that the mc120's are my favourites. Obviously the BL5 and BL9 would probably sound nicer (I'd bloody hope so) but Im not sure about the other modern speakers. Can anyone compare the BL3 with a pair of mc120's or mc150's powered by a decent amp. If I could find some MS150's I'd love to give them a go but I would need to get a bigger place to live as they look huge!

I suspect Peter's yer man

I use MC120.2s with my BM6000, and Beovox Pentas with my BM8000. All units are in A1 condition. For day to day listening at moderate volumes, I prefer the MC120.2s. However, when I want to listen seriously at decent volumes (that might disturb the neighbours) I would always go for the Pentas and BM8000 - there's no comparison in my opinion.

 

As you know I got both connected to a Beomaster 6000. Recently rebuild as well.

To get a fresh mind I've just pushed PH on the system and the Beogram 6006 plays ZZ top Afterburner side A.

The S80.2 on their own have a lower output and a bit more highend compared to the MC120.2

The S120 (in my case) are louder. The bass a few db louder owerall and to me most of the times not a perfectly balanced speaker.

Combined using a flat eq setting on the Beomaster they even out giving my Beolab 8000 system hard competition in sounds.

 

The Beolab 8000 system can match the sound of the pair of Beovox S with Beovox M150's alone but lack a bit of owerall volume. The M150 on their own are the most balanced speakers I've had to date. I don't have space for more Beovox's at present but I do know that the MS series are just taller than M150 and I'm fine with that. I know a second pair on the Beolab 8000 system would show the system as the king of the two but I'm happy so far.

 

I have MC120.2's too - refoamed & recapped and I prefer them in my living room where I used to have penta's. I run mine through a system 5500 and they are just excellent with that beomaster.

I have moved my penta's into my conservatory and attached them to my system 7000 where they perform brilliantly. I am however half way through refurbishing some mint rosewood MS150's and attached the first completed one to the beomaster 7000 and I may have to rethink whether I really want to keep the penta's now! The only problem with the MS150's is the wife test - she hates the size of them

In conclusion I personally think it is all horses for courses and I absolutely love all 3 of the speakers I've mentioned but for different reasons.

Chris.

Pentas really are good but I think for normal "quiet" listening the MC120's seem to have them beat. That may change as the volume increases but I'm not sure. Bl6000's and Bl8000's definatley have not impressed me as much as the mc120's. As you say though, women tend to prefer the prettier speakers over big old wooden boxes and can imagine more than a few wives being a bit miffed if a pair of M150's turned up.

Oh and if any one has some stands for a pair of MC120's, please let me know. I have some wall brackets but strapping them to the wall would, I expect, not leave me in someones good books!!

beaker:

Pentas really are good but I think for normal "quiet" listening the MC120's seem to have them beat.

Oh and if any one has some stands for a pair of MC120's, please let me know. I have some wall brackets but strapping them to the wall would, I expect, not leave me in someones good books!!

I agree - the MC120.2's beat the penta's at low volumes which is why they are in the living room where everyone can make use of them. I haven't done a side by side comparison test though - and to honest I don't intend to lug my speakers around just to do so - but both perform very very well at louder volumes.

I don't have stands either but with the arrival of grandkids up on the wall they went - pretty pronto. Can you imagine the fun a 3 year & 18 month old would have as soon as they realised the frets simply pull off?

Chris.

S120s are excellent - to get the most from them you should use a good amplifier though - the less powerful ones will distort at higher volumes. MS150s are gigantic in comparison and unless you have a big room are very imposing. They do have more precise bass though. As stated before, I actually prefer M100s both for looks and sound but speaker choice is very personal.

Peter :

MS150s are gigantic in comparison............................

You're not kidding Peter!!!!

When I picked them up I was pretty shocked at the size difference, I really wasn't expecting anything that big even after reading the dimensions in the spec's for them. I have a very strange feeling SWMBO will have them banished as soon as work on them is completed. Having said that she didn't like the penta's when they first appeared but now she loves them, so I live in hope...................

Must confess I don't like the MS150s in appearance. They do sound good though but WAF will always be fairly low!

Perhaps Dillen got a pair of stands?

My S80.2 never had them mounted so I asked him and I was in luck.

As you can see the S80.2 and S120 too have survived pretty well and the covers stays on. Very few of the brackets are broken.

 

I have an Avant and a 7000 linked, with Pentas and 8000s on the Avant, and S120s (and S45s) on the 7000.
Obviously, I can have audio and/or video through either speakers.
I have found that I prefer listening to radio through the S120s, quite amazing speakers!
However, if Chris's Missus banishes his 150s, I would make room for them!

Andy T.

Jandyt:

However, if Chris's Missus banishes his 150s, I would make room for them!

Andy T.

No prob's Andy - just show me the money

Chris.

Medogsfat:

Jandyt:

However, if Chris's Missus banishes his 150s, I would make room for them!

Andy T.

No prob's Andy - just show me the money

Chris.

 And I could help Andy to create space by moving the S120s for him....

 

Simon

Well I've just finished the other MS150 and now have an almost mint fully refurbished pair of monsters. I really don't want to part with these as they are just sublime but SWMBO doesn't share my enthusiasm I'm afraid

Chris.

Are they MS150s or 150.2s Chris?

MS150's - with the single subwoofer in each cabinet.

Ohhh - if you decide to part with them, let me know as I'd be interested to see if they perform better than my Pentas with my BM8000 :)

As far as I am aware, the MS150.2 differs only in having a pair of binding posts compared to the MS150. If you would like to borrow a pair of MS150s, I may be able to help!! They are refoamed and at present residing in Eastbourne!! Could do with some exercise!

Ohhh! 

Seriously - I'd love to hear what they sound like compared to my Pentavoxes. If the MS150s sounded better I would lose the Pentas and try and find some MS150s.

Did you bring yours back from Bellac then Peter? 

Yes, Steve is moving so wanted the space. We will have to work out how to get them up from Eastbourne. Unless someone is going down for the party. I do have quite a bit of stuff to come up so it will be coming sometime!

Peter - you're a gent. I would love borrow them for a short while to have a good listen with the BM8000. I'll drop you a PM in the morning :)

If I can be of help, you both have my phone number.
I am going to the party, and I will have Henry with me. Do bear in mind, it's a Corsa!

I am afraid that I don't think they will fit!! We are talking BIG !!

Yes, I believe I have helped carry them.
Corsa back seat goes flat, I still think they will fit with the stands off.