JM Labs Beryllium

I too was listening to one of the beryllium series at my local dealer recently. I found myself thinking as much about potential health hazards as I did about music. Beryllium is nasty stuff that can cause a lung disease similar to silicosis.

I'm no hazardous materials expert, but I wonder if there are any risks associated with exposure to the beryllium in the speakers?

I have the Mezzo`s I have listened to both the Alto`s and Nova`s with CJ tube`s. I must admit they both sounded very nice. But must also admit they did not sound 10K better a good used pair of mezzo`s are going for 5.8 to 5K. As Ghostrider45 has mentioned about hazardous material each of the 3 seperate encloser`s are lead lined on the Grand Utopia`s, Utopia`s, amd Mezzo`s maybe JM Labs next model will have a plutonium woofer.(Ha Ha). David

I listened (obviously not what you're interested in but good FWIW) to the Mico Be for a very extended listening experience. Up to that time, it was the best damn monitor speaker I have ever heard. That is until I decided on Harmonic Precision's Caravelle. The Micros need a sub, but what monitor doesn't? Well, the Caravelle doesn't. Then, the fella at Singer, took me (upon my request) to listen to the Altos. Hooked up to some very serious electronics. Though, I didn't listen long, I loved the sound, but still thought the speakers overpriced (the Micros as well) and after listening to the Micros for a long time, did not find the soundstage as deep. Andy, the Singer in Singer Audio, is, also, very interested in listening to the Caravelles ab'd, believe it or not, against the Altos. Sould be interesting. This is down the road a bit, but hopefully will happen. Will keep you posted. peace, warren

Jazzdude your right about the new Utopias having a much better damped cabinet making it more rigid.
But I disagree with on the Sound of the Older Utopias.
My friend has the JM Lab Mezzo Utopias on a Conrad Johnson 2500A Amp, Krell KBL preamp. These speakers sound so natural and transparent. The Bass is so perfect. There the best speakers I ever heard in my life. I'm curious to hear the new Utopias line. I heard the new Beryllium tweeter takes awhile for it to break in.

I agree with the comments that anyone interested in the improvements of the new JMlabs line compared to the old should DEFINITELY go and audition them for themselves.

As far as Berylium goes, its effects are far more devastating than silicosis. Be is one of the more toxic substances around. For many years, material scientists/chemists have wavered on whether the myriad improvements(and they are real improvements) outweigh the risks in processing the material.

However, the danger IS IN PROCESSING berylium. It is the dust that can enter a person. Once in a stable state, those around should have no worries AT ALL. Sure, there are some real headbangers around here, but unless you are playing your music so loud that the speakers are being pulverized, and Be dust is forming a cloud in your listening room, you can rest easy.