MoFi SourcePoint 8 Review
Two years ago, MoFi Electronics introduced their first own speaker, the SourcePoint 10. Now, developer Andrew Jones has done it again, with a smaller speaker designed for smaller rooms. Read our MoFi SourcePoint 8 Review.
Perhaps you visited the Central German HiFi Days in Leipzig last fall and had the pleasure of experiencing the MoFi SourcePoint 8 speakers. They alternated in the room from distributor High-Fidelity Studio with the RL 921K from ME Geithain, and we found their sound to be an absolute listening pleasure.
Just as we discovered the GoldenEar T66 at MDHT 2023 and then directly invited it for testing in our listening room, we’re doing the same with the new bookshelf speakers from MoFi.
About MoFi
Most HiFi enthusiasts know MoFi as a turntable brand, but that’s only part of the story. While vinyl plays a crucial role in the company, MoFi stands for Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, founded in 1977 by Brad Miller. The peculiar name comes from Miller’s passion for field recording—capturing environmental sounds and machine noises. He began his career in the 1950s, recording the sounds of steam locomotives and releasing them on LPs through his label, Mobile Fidelity Records. This mobility aspect is the reason behind the name.
In 1965, Miller founded the Mystic Moods Orchestra (also known as Nature’s Mystic Moods), blending machine and environmental sounds with orchestral music. Their sound resembles the modern genre of Lo-Fi Hip-Hop, characterized by calm, slow, and relaxing music, often infused with urban or café atmospheres. It’s fascinating how musical trends often repeat over time.
Over the years, MoFi has established itself as a leader in the field of audiophile recordings. They produce LPs, SACDs, and other media exclusively based on original tapes, using advanced techniques like half-speed mastering to improve the quality. Mobile Fidelity also enhances the vinyl’s composition and coating methods, resulting in a significant improvement in the medium’s overall performance.
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Given their expertise, it was no surprise when MoFi began developing playback systems. They founded MoFi Electronics, bringing in industry experts like Allen Perkins of Spiral Groove, who developed their first turntables, and Michael Latvis of Harmonic Resolution Systems, who designed matching feet. This roster of HiFi specialists ensures that MoFi Electronics delivers audio equipment worthy of the brand’s high-quality recordings.
SourcePoint 8
The SourcePoint 8 is MoFi Electronics’ second speaker model. The numbers 8 and 10 refer to the diameter of the bass driver in inches. The mastermind behind both speakers is Andrew Jones, a legendary designer with a career spanning KEF, Pioneer, TAD Labs, and ELAC. Known for his expertise in coaxial speakers, Jones implemented a similar design in the SourcePoint 8, placing the tweeter in the center of the woofer for a more coherent sound.
This setup ensures that all sound waves come from a single point, enhancing phase coherence and creating a unified sound. The design mimics a “point source,” where both low and high frequencies originate from the same place, making the sound feel more natural.
Drivers
At the heart of the MoFi SourcePoint 8 is the 8-inch (20.3 cm) bass-mid driver. It’s a 2-way system with a rear bass-reflex port, using a paper cone for its light and responsive properties. In the center of the woofer sits the 1.25-inch (3.2 cm) tweeter, designed to minimize movement and distortion, even during intense bass play.
The speaker employs a “Twin Drive” magnet system with neodymium magnets to create a linear, distortion-free driving force. Additional copper sleeves reduce non-linear inductance, enhancing the clarity and precision of the sound.
Technical Details
The two-way crossover in the SourcePoint 8 uses laminated steel core inductors to ensure smooth response on and off-axis. With a frequency range of 47 Hz to 30 kHz, a nominal impedance of 8 ohms, and a sensitivity of 87 dB, these speakers are compatible with most amplifiers. Recommended power ranges from 30 W to 150 W, making them suitable for both small rooms and larger listening environments.
Cabinet
The dimensions of the speaker are 29 cm wide, 45.5 cm high, and 30 cm deep, with a weight of 12.6 kg, ideal for use on a speaker stand. MoFi’s dedicated stands are available for around $630 per pair, with a discount of $210 when purchased with the speakers. The cabinet features a 1.9 cm thick real wood veneer, with an almost 4 cm front panel designed to reduce diffraction errors, enhancing both stability and aesthetics.
Sound Quality
For our first sound test, we used the soundtrack from the classic Atari game “Tempest 2000,” featuring techno and rave tracks. The SourcePoint 8 brought these tracks to life, adding volume and depth that cheaper speakers couldn’t match. Classical music also sounded fantastic, with a clear and realistic representation of instruments and voices.
During Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” we could clearly distinguish the orchestra’s layout, with precise hall effects. Even older recordings revealed their subtle flaws, making the listening experience feel genuine and authentic.
Voice clarity was superb when testing with radio dramas like “Cheap Dreams.” Natural sounds were equally impressive, showcasing MoFi’s dedication to high-fidelity sound. With a price of around $3,150, the SourcePoint 8 delivers exceptional value for true audiophiles.
The rear of the SourcePoint 8 features high-quality connections and bass-reflex ports.
The rubber surround is designed to improve linear excursion, minimizing tweeter wave distortion.
The tweeter sits in the center of the woofer, powered by the Twin Drive magnet system.
The MoFi covers are tailored to fit the speaker’s unique shape, enhancing its futuristic look.
Specifications
General Information
- Device Class: Compact Speaker
- Price Category: Mid-range
- Manufacturer: MoFi
- Model: SourcePoint 8
- Price (RRP): $3,150 (per pair)
- Dimensions (W/H/D): 29 x 45.5 x 30 cm
- Weight: 12.6 kg
Technical Data (according to manufacturer)
- Design: 2-way bass-reflex
- Frequency Range: 47 Hz – 30 kHz
- Sensitivity: 87 dB/2.83 V/m
- Room Recommendation: 15–30 m²
- Individual Sound Tuning: No
- Connections: 1x Pair of Terminals/Banana
Evaluation
- Bass Reproduction: 19.5/20
- Midrange Reproduction: 20/20
- Treble Reproduction: 20/20
- Spatial Sound: 10/10
- Playback Quality: 69.5/70
- Build Quality/Finish: 9/10
- User-Friendliness: 9/10
- Deductions: None
- Interim Score: 87.5 out of 90 points
- Price/Performance Ratio: Very good, 8.5/10
Verdict
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Is this REALLY an ANDREW JONES Speaker? SourcePoint 8 Review
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