Beauty, Imaging, Dynamics, Build-Quality, Articulation, Effecient. That justabout sums up all I can say about these beauties. Have done the Magnepan, the Theil's, the Martin Logan's. Save yourself some doubt and look at this beautifuly made speaker. They must be set up with a good match in electronics and cables. Otherwise they may sound somewhat dull, or bright. This speaker definetly sends out what it is sent.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the Mozart speakers for a year or so, I was so thrilled to go to the Beethovens. The bigger, even more sonorous, sound was a wonderful experience. After around two months, however, I began to hear the rattling of what turned out to be a bad bass driver. I was very upset to say the least. My dealer was apologetic and, saying that it must have been a fluke, ordered me a new bass driver. In the interim I had decided that I did not want to accept the new driver, but instead I wanted a new speaker. In the meantime the Beethoven II came out, so I decided that I would just trade for them. However, I was shocked when suddenly one night I heard the same tell-tale sound of a bass driver in the other speaker biting the dust.
After careful appraisal of the situation I decided against trying the new Beethovens. I felt that to have two separate speakers have problems with bass drivers was a bad omen. Even though I loved the quality of music reproduced by these speakers and even though they are beautifully crafted, I bailed out and now am the fortunate owner of Klipsch KLF 30 speakers. I came out about $2200 better off and am truly much happier with the efficiency, clarity, resonance, and especially the strength, durability, and quality control of the KLF 30 speakers.

Having gone through two pairs of OM-6 speakers, I concur with another reviewer that Vienna Acoustics speakers are superior for most applications. I never had one problem with the Mozart speakers, but nevertheless, I must say that the quest for perfection in high end audio is illusionary at best. If one is truly honest the returns that one gets by moving "up" to more and more expensive speakers are often diminishing and disappointing. I will no longer play such a game.

Considering the many good aspects of the Beethoven speakers I feel that a compromise rating is in order.

My system consists of BAT VK5i, BAT VKd5 and BAT VK200, Interconnects are Tara Lab Master Gen II, speaker cables are the Discovery plus 4.

I've had a little bit of everything as far as speakers go (Bose, Polk, Klipsch, B&W, JBL, Magnepan, Innersound, Kef, multible others). I can honestly say this is the best speaker I've ever had. The speed and and transparency of planer transducers, impact of a sub, and the largest soundstage I've ever heard from any persons', or stores' set up. Maybe my room is just the perfect size for these speakers bass response (maybe my house is built very well) but the bass shakes the walls....it is simply incredible. Bela Fleck - Flight of the Cosmic Hippo, Roger Waters - Amused to Death, all ingulphing sound and bass reproduction. I've not heard a sub that could touch these speakers.

The best quality is the reproduction of the piano. From attack to decay....it truely sounds as if there is a real grand piano at the finger tips of Diana Krall.

I look forward to hearing the Vienna Acoustic Mahlers (I don't know if they could be much better, even at double the price)

Excellent sounds reproduction, superior mid range and treble

After listening to multiple speakers for many months, I came across the Vienna Acoustic series. The Beethoven has a tremendous sound field and wonderful midrange and treble. The treble is ideal - not harsh at all yet very clear and detailed. The choice of the highly regarded silk tweeter along with the very even mid range and bass provides the best speaker I have heard. Note that these speakers will reproduce the sound your equipment puts out with no noticable coloration, so make sure you have the right equipment to get the best sound.

Last note. The latest model of the Beethovans is the Mark III point 2, so I was told when I bought mine.

Similar Products Used:

Evaluated various speaker lines including, B&W, M&K, Dynaudio (1.8 and 3.0), Soliloquy, Monitor Audio, and a variety of others

Great bass definition. Smooth and detailed mid and highs with no harshness or irritation. They sound good no matter where you are in the room, no nasty sounds when off axis.

Low bass is weak in large open rooms.

I own 2 pair of Beethoven's, the MK2 and MK3.2. the MK3.2's are slightly larger and use the same drivers as the MK2's. These speakers are incredible sounding. They maintain their tonal balance from very very low volume to very loud. I use the MK3.2's in front and the MK2's for rears. A matching Maestro center is also used. I am more pleased with the sound every time I play them. The other reviewers are correct in saying the treble is just right. I supplement the bass with a sub and when playing pure stereo roll off the front speakers @55hz/6db octave with the sub rolling off at 55hz 12db/octave. The dealer and Sumiko,the US distibutor insist running the Beethovens full range and have the sub fill in below 30hz or so but could not get the mid bass to ever sound right this way. Rolling off the Beethoven's around 55hz using a capacitor at the amps input gave the best results.


equipment: Adcom GFA5500,GFA555II,GFA5200 amps, Sony XA7ES CD player, NAD116 preamp, Sony EP9ES surround preamp, Sony 7700 DVD player

Similar Products Used:

Beethoven MK2, JBL L1, JBL L7, JBL L110, JBL L19.