MBL’s entry-level omni-directional standmount loudpeaker is designed for rooms of up to 30 square metres as well as multichannel applications, and uses the same Radialstrahler tweeter and midrange drivers as the brand’s mighty £65,000 101E MkII floorstander.

Highly commended by Hi-Fi Plus in the category ‘Cost no object stand-mount loudpeaker of the year’ (£11,670 including stands), the 126 “did all I could ask,” writes reviewer Chris Frankland.

MBL’s unique Radialstrahler loudspeakers were conceived by the company’s founders – Meletsky, Beinicke and Lehrer – who would come home after a live music concert and feel disappointed about having to sit in a single ‘sweet spot’ to experience any kind of comparable soundstage when listening to recordings on a hi-fi system. So, they developed their pioneering omni-directional design with a 360-degree radiation pattern.

The company has since also diversified into preamps, power amps and integrated amplifiers, as well as CD transports and a DAC. “All of which have, over the years, garnered a reputation for greatness,” notes Frankland.

As for the 126 loudspeaker, listening to Luther Vandross’ If Only for One Night, “Instantly the MBLs were sending shivers down my spine as surely one of the greatest vocalists of all time put his all into this wonderful song. The emotion and power of his voice were wonderfully conveyed, keyboards were well separated and that powerful bass line was tight, dynamic and tuneful.”

“I can say with confidence that if you are in the market for a pair of speakers at around £10-12,000, the MBL 126 needs to be on your shortlist.”

Find out more and locate your nearest dealer at www.mbl.de/products/laudspeaker

Read Chris Frankland’s review in full, and discover the full list of 2022 Award winners, in issue 214 of Hi-Fi Plus