CES 2004: Mobile Fidelity Plans 3rd Surround SACD i Loudspeakers [HFR]

CES 2004: As December draws to a close, audio firms are preparing for the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to be held in Las Vegas on January 8 – 11, 2004. First out of the gate with CES 2004 show announcements is audiophile record label Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs. They have announced that they will discuss their plans for a third Surround Sound SACD release as well as the debut of two Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs branded Loudspeakers at the show.

A New Surround Sound Release from Mobile Fidelity
Mobile Fidelity has received warm praise for their first two Surround Sound SACD releases: Ravel: Bolero and Assorted Works by Stanislaw Skrowaczewski conducting the Minnesota Orchestra (Mobile Fidelity UDSACD 4002) and Prokofiev: Ivan The Terrible by Leonard Slatkin conducting the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (Mobile Fidelity UDSACD 4003). Both of these albums were taken from the original 4 channel surround sound analog master tapes on the Vox Turnabout label recordings of the 1970’s.

Continuing in that vein, Mobile Fidelity tells me that they will announce their third album in their SACD Surround Sound Series at the CES 2004 show in Las Vegas. The new album in the series will be entitled “Mussorgsky Orchestral Works”. It will feature performances of Pictures at an Exhibition, Night at Bald Mountain and Khovanshchina by Leonard Slatkin conducting the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (Mobile Fidelity UDSACD 4004).

The disc is slated for release on February 10, 2004. This is the same day that Mobile Fidelity plans to release their Hybrid Stereo SACD editions of Blood, Sweat & Tears 3 (Mobile Fidelity UDSACD 2013) and Jim Hall’s Concierto album (Mobile Fidelity UDSACD 2012).

Mobile Fidelity Brings Custom Speakers to Audiophile Market
In addition to the new Surround Series album, Mobile Fidelity also plans to announce their entry into the loudspeaker market at CES. The new loudspeakers will carry the name of “Original Master Loudspeaker” and are said to be the result of Mobile Fidelity’s work in developing their own custom loudspeakers for use in mastering high resolution CD, SACD and Vinyl LP releases.

According to a statement from Mobile Fidelity “Drawing upon critical insight derived from several decades of practical application and achievement within the field of sound reproduction, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFSL) is proud to announce the release of its debut speaker line. Designed initially for use in Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab’s world acclaimed mastering facilities, the company soon came upon the realization that their R&D efforts had yielded a promising price/performance value ideally suited for the home entertainment, pro audio, and audiophile hardware markets. Utilizing proprietary custom made drivers, crossovers, cabinets, and hardware, the Original Master Loudspeaker (OML) series exhibit superior dispersion characteristics, spectacular imaging and depth, extended dynamic range, natural tonality, and extremely accurate frequency response at an incredible value oriented price.”

The Mobile Fidelity loudspeakers will be available in two models: the OML-1 Monitor (suggested retail price of $1,500 per pair) and the OML-2 Tower (suggested retail price of $3,000 per pair). The new Mobile Fidelity speakers will be shown during the CES show at a booth at the Alexis Park and will initially be available for purchase from Mobile Fidelity’s parent company Music Direct.