[ltr317]

Hey guys,

It may not look like a very good review and I certainly do not know the reviewer, but a some of his comments are not without basis.

I had been sent three different models from the M&D line (mostly for repairs). So I know exactly what's inside and how they measure in every way.

Aside from that, I was asked by StereoMojo (when it first started) to measure and test speakers for them that they were reviewing. I had no problem with doing this as I have a standing invitation to take measurements for anyone that sends me speakers so long as they cover the shipping cost each way. I have provided this free service for years.

However, James Darby (editor of StereoMojo) later gave me a title and listed me as a staff member that caused some perceived conflicts of interest for me so I had to resign from being their "technical guru", and have not done anything for them since then.

Now all of that to say that you can get a little more of the story by reading the review that James posted on the StereoMojo site.

http://www.stereomojo.com/Maximus%20Monitor%20Revew/MarkDanielMaximummonitorReview.htm

Maybe what was found then will give some perspective.

Hi Danny,

Like I said in another post, I don't mind Roy's criticisms based on anomalies from a neutral sound, but I do mind that his comments to me were basically opposite of what he wrote.  To me, that's an injustice to the manufacturer. 

Paul

[mpaulsen]

From the review,
"...and the woofer is flat to 50 KHz."

50KHz? that's quite some woofer!

[Zero]

Well folks, in the spirit of 'terrible reviews'...  here's mine!!!   

http://www.sonicflare.com/archives/mark-and-daniel-mini-speaker-review.php

[sbrtoy]

Wow....that is horrible...especially the fact that this clown tries to cover it up with pretty pictures.  I want my money back.... aa

[Zero]

Damn, I've been figured out already.  Oh well, who said there is anything wrong with compensating text with purdy pictures? 

[Danny Richie]

Those look a little different than the Maximus and Ruby models that passed through here last year. And Sean, you write a nice review.

[Zero]

Danny,

I can't comment on the evolution of the Ruby, Topaz, and many other models of the Mark and Daniel line, but the Mini seems' to have its act together.  Oh yeah, thanks for the compliment! 

[Imperial]

The first review wasn't so bad after all...
It would seem that if Roy hadn't been one of those making a fuss about something being amiss...
M&D would not have been improved...
I would say, terribly important , it is terribly important to call it AS YOU HEAR IT!
If you get the attention of the right people they will act!
I'm gonna point to something I think the lot of you didn't catch...
"Break-in was not necessary, as I was advised by Lauren Charles, Director of Mark and Daniel Audio Labs North America that this pair had sufficient time on it to justify critical judgments of its performance."
Say, how old was this speaker then...? was it from the first problematic series, that stereomojo also fidgeted about.
It would explain a lot... and if so, I would give Roy Harris two thumbs up for writing just what he thought of the set.

Imperial

[ltr317]

The first review wasn't so bad after all...
It would seem that if Roy hadn't been one of those making a fuss about something being amiss...
M&D would not have been improved...
I would say, terribly important , it is terribly important to call it AS YOU HEAR IT!
If you get the attention of the right people they will act!
I'm gonna point to something I think the lot of you didn't catch...
"Break-in was not necessary, as I was advised by Lauren Charles, Director of Mark and Daniel Audio Labs North America that this pair had sufficient time on it to justify critical judgments of its performance."
Say, how old was this speaker then...? was it from the first problematic series, that stereomojo also fidgeted about.
It would explain a lot... and if so, I would give Roy Harris two thumbs up for writing just what he thought of the set.

Imperial

Hi.  Let me correct a few things you wrote.  First, M&D was already making changes to the tweeter based on the Stereomojo review (based on Danny's findings) before Roy started on his review of the Maximus monitors.  So, Roy didn't initiate anything on the part of M&D wanting to improve the treble performance.   Second, the particular pair that Roy reviewed was a brand new pair (but w/o the latest factory revisions) and had about 100 hours of break-in time done by Mr Charles.  And last, if you had read my earlier posts on this thread, you would know that after Roy's evaluation time with the speakers, what he told me was different than what he wrote.  After his evaluation, he told me he heard both good and bad qualities from the speaker.  I was totally surprised when I read his review, as it was almost all negative.   Your comment, "I would say, terribly important , it is terribly important to call it AS YOU HEAR IT!" is exactly what Roy didn't do, and that is an injustice to the manufacturer. 

Btw, the vast majority of members of the three audio clubs who heard the Maximus monitors commented favorably about the sound.  The speakers are not everyone's cup of tea, but which speaker is?  Both the Maximus and Topaz monitors have been sold to different club members for what's worth.  I almost bought the Maximus myself but later found another speaker that I preferred more. 

Paul

[ltr317]

Damn, I've been figured out already.  Oh well, who said there is anything wrong with compensating text with purdy pictures? 

Thanks Sean for the review.  The sound qualities you described are basically what I heard from the Minis at this year's CES, and it was why I asked Loren to lend me a pair for the NY area audio clubs.


Paul

[Imperial]

I almost bought the Maximus myself but later found another speaker that I preferred more. 
Paul

Ok, this is maybe because of your amp being better able to drive that one then?

---

on a side note here, reading this thread, and thinking of the reviews I already had read about M&D speakers...
It's not that this was some unknown new thing that they were hard to drive and that stuff, I actually thought
when I saw the maximus with the top gizmo thing that that sort of reminded me of the Cliffhanger Audio Bulldog speakers.
You'd have to really pile on the power, but you really got it to sing when you did.

---

What I do like about this "mess" is that seeing the first reaction form the importer was to not gloss over stuff at all.
But say that... we'll work on this right away.
Yes, then reports might suggest that more work could be needed, and people will get a story from a few different angles.

---

For a reader not knowing then ... what age a speaker under review has... there seems to be a lot of different "generations" of
each different models out there, either on the used market or new.

Summing up then:

- Cabinet and drivers work.
- Mods are available, and they improve indeed the situation
- Speakers sold now, HAVE these mods..

Is this then a correct assessment ltr317?

Imperial

[ltr317]

Hi Imperial,

I answered your questions in bold below.

I almost bought the Maximus myself but later found another speaker that I preferred more. 
Paul

Ok, this is maybe because of your amp being better able to drive that one then?


No, both speakers have about the same efficency.  I ended buying a pair of AAD 2001 monitors because they had a smoother treble and mid-range, and the bass went deeper in my system.  Thanks to Mariusz for lending his pair!  I didn't want to buy a subwoofer, but wanted a more or less full range monitor.  Almost impossible, right?  Well the AADs does that in my listening room.  In fact, of the six different speakers I audition in my room the past 6 months, the AAD had the lowest bass and was the smoothest sounding.   

---

on a side note here, reading this thread, and thinking of the reviews I already had read about M&D speakers...
It's not that this was some unknown new thing that they were hard to drive and that stuff, I actually thought
when I saw the maximus with the top gizmo thing that that sort of reminded me of the Cliffhanger Audio Bulldog speakers.
You'd have to really pile on the power, but you really got it to sing when you did.

You're right, both M&D and AAD monitors like a lot of power, the more the better.  Luckily, I was able to drive both speakers with my modded Jolida 302A to fairly loud levels in my 13x18 room.---


What I do like about this "mess" is that seeing the first reaction form the importer was to not gloss over stuff at all.
But say that... we'll work on this right away.
Yes, then reports might suggest that more work could be needed, and people will get a story from a few different angles.

---

I found Loren Charles to be an upright person from all my dealings with him on the loaners.


For a reader not knowing then ... what age a speaker under review has... there seems to be a lot of different "generations" of
each different models out there, either on the used market or new.

Summing up then:

- Cabinet and drivers work.
- Mods are available, and they improve indeed the situation
- Speakers sold now, HAVE these mods..

Is this then a correct assessment ltr317?

Imperial

Both the Maximus and Topaz worked fine in my room, except for a slight grit and brightness on some recordings; though not excessive it was still there.  I have not heard the latest versions with the factory mods, so I can't comment on your assessment.  However, it seems like Sean has heard the latest edition of the Minis, and seem to like them a lot in his review.  Maybe Sean can chime in and elaborate.  When I spoke to Loren last, he seem to indicate that not all models were to get the factory mod at the time, but I may have misheard. 

Cheers,
Paul

[Zero]

After working with Mark and Daniel on two product reviews in just over a year, it’s hard not to tip my hat in respect to the company’s dedication towards improving their craft.  I found them to be extraordinarily open to feedback and have on more than one occasion – modified their product based off of discussion and product reviews (to include one of my own).  Moreover, I appreciate how Loren and the Mark and Daniel crew are very open to criticism and are not opposed to receiving a bad review. All they want is for the reviewer to give their product an honest chance under ideal circumstances. I think thats pretty fair.

As for their speaker line - I honestly cannot comment on how their other products perform because well, I just haven’t heard them.  All I feel qualified to say is that the Mini’s I reviewed is a ‘current production’ product which is in my opinion, how it should be. While their sound won’t appeal to everyone (what does?), the Mini is very well rounded and offers some truly great performance for its size/price. It's the result of not only fine engineering, but also of open mindedness that's unafraid to note feedback from the professional and consumer community.