In this comprehensive review, we'll delve into the features, design, and performance of the Sourcepoint 8, MoFi's latest offering in the world of audio electronics. Designed by renowned speaker designer Andrew Jones, the Sourcepoint 8 promises to deliver exceptional sound quality and value for money. Whether you live in an apartment or have limited space, these speakers are tailor-made to provide a remarkable audio experience. Join us as we explore what makes the MoFi Sourcepoint 8 stand out from the crowd.

Company Overview

Established in 1977, Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs (MoFi) entered the scene with a mission to produce recordings that would leverage the advancing capabilities of audio reproduction systems. Recognizing the need for better-quality recordings as home audio technology improved, MoFi quickly established itself as a leader in the recorded music industry. Building on their success, MoFi expanded into the audio electronics business in 2016, starting with a line of exceptional turntables. Their commitment to music and technological innovation has earned them numerous awards, further solidifying their reputation in the industry.

Packaging, Design, & Build Quality

The MoFi Sourcepoint 8 follows in the footsteps of its highly successful sibling, the Sourcepoint 8. The packaging reflects MoFi's commitment to excellence, ensuring that the speakers are well-protected during shipping. Unboxing and setting up the speakers are effortless, and for the best performance, we recommend investing in the matching MoFi stands designed specifically for the Sourcepoint series.

Available in three high-quality finishes, the Sourcepoint 8 seamlessly blends into any room decor. MoFi uses real wood veneer for the cabinets, and the attention to detail and craftsmanship is evident at first sight. The Sourcepoint 8 sports a retro-inspired cabinet design with a modern, sculptured front baffle, giving them a unique and captivating appearance. The speakers also feature magnetic grills, which can be easily removed to reveal the drivers or attached for a more discrete look. With a rear-ported design and high-quality binding posts, the Sourcepoint 8 ensures a solid connection for optimal performance. Rest assured, these speakers are built to last, as evidenced by MoFi's inclusion of a 5-year warranty.

Features & Technology

Andrew, in collaboration with MoFi, set out to create a speaker that would make any connecting amplifier proud while delivering a musical experience that transcends its modest price tag of $2,750.

The key feature in the Sourcepoint 8 is the ingenious concentric design. Unlike most speakers where drivers are mounted separately on the front baffle, the Sourcepoint 8 takes a different approach. By coaxially mounting the tweeter at the center of the woofer cone, it produces a unified sound that emanates from a single driver. This clever setup ensures proper time alignment, exceptional on/off-axis performance, and even allows the woofer to double as a tweeter waveguide. With its twin-drive high-flux neodymium magnet structure, the Sourcepoint 8 achieves a fully symmetrical magnetic field, effectively reducing intermodulation distortion and delivering a more accurate sound reproduction.

The drivers employed in the Sourcepoint 8 are crafted from the same materials as their larger sibling, the Sourcepoint 10. Andrew was determined to find the ideal woofer cone material and, after much testing, arrived at the conclusion that paper was the perfect choice. Not only does it deliver the natural sound and intricate details he sought, but it also exhibits excellent behavior in the upper frequencies before seamlessly handing off the audio baton to the tweeter. Speaking of which, the Sourcepoint 8 shares its 1.25" soft dome tweeter with the Sourcepoint 10, ensuring impeccable driver integration.

The cabinet construction of the Sourcepoint 8 rivals that of its larger counterpart, featuring the same level of bracing and meticulous craftsmanship. Its 2" thick front baffle has been expertly sculpted to eliminate any pesky reflections that could potentially mar the audio performance.

When Andrew Jones set out to design the Sourcepoint 8, his vision was clear: create a speaker that could rival its bigger sibling, the Sourcepoint 10, while excelling in smaller rooms. At Axpona 2023, Andrew unveiled the Sourcepoint 8, shedding light on its impeccable design. He revealed that he essentially took the 10" driver from the Sourcepoint 10 and trimmed it down by 2", resulting in the remarkable driver found in the Sourcepoint 8.

Performance

To evaluate the performance of the MoFi Sourcepoint 8, we paired them with the HiFi Rose RS201E streamer amplifier, a combination that proved to be an excellent match. The Sourcepoint 8 boasts a sensitivity of 87dB, slightly lower than its larger counterpart, the Sourcepoint 10, which measures at 91dB. However, Andrew Jones assured us that the Sourcepoint 8 can work effectively with the same amplifier power requirements, ranging from 30 to 150 watts. This versatility is particularly appealing to music enthusiasts who prefer lower-powered tube amplifiers.

During our listening tests, the Sourcepoint 8 impressively handled a variety of music genres. When playing "Blue Train: The Complete Masters" by John Coltrane, a jazz classic notorious for its demanding sound, these speakers effortlessly captured the essence of the music. The treble remained smooth and detailed, allowing us to appreciate the intricate nuances while avoiding any harshness. The Sourcepoint 8's imaging was precise, accurately placing instruments on the stage and creating a captivating listening experience. The bass, detailed and natural, highlighted the fine details of the stand-up bass without sacrificing its inherent richness. Although there was a slight emphasis in the bass around the 60Hz region, it was minor and didn't detract from the overall performance. Considering the price range, the Sourcepoint 8 truly shines in delivering the music as it deserves to be heard, even though it may lack the soundstage width and refinement found in more expensive speakers.

Moving on to "In Absentia (Remastered)" by Porcupine Tree, a track that demands a speaker's ability to rock and roll, the Sourcepoint 8 once again proved its mettle. The music exhibited drive, with a tight and punchy bass and an open and accurate midrange. The tweeters flawlessly reproduced the cymbals, keeping up with the drum work on the album. Surprisingly, many listeners found the Sourcepoint 8's performance in the demo room to be even better than that of its larger sibling, the Sourcepoint 8. This revelation suggests that the Sourcepoint 8 excels in smaller rooms where the Sourcepoint 8 may be overpowering. The dynamics and room-friendly nature of these speakers garnered praise from attendees, a testament to Andrew Jones' years of loudspeaker design experience.

We further explored the Sourcepoint 8's capabilities with "Trouble" by Ray LaMontagne. This singer-songwriter masterpiece showcased the speaker's soundstage and imaging abilities. Each instrument occupied its own space on the stage, with vocals perfectly positioned center stage and a correct image height. The Sourcepoint 8's concentric driver setup ensured precise time alignment and point source performance, effectively conveying the intricacies of the album. The immersive experience created by these speakers attests to their quality. While the bass remained detailed and natural, we detected a slight emphasis in certain tracks, potentially influenced by the hotel room's acoustics rather than the speakers themselves. To maximize the Sourcepoint 8's performance, we recommend proper room treatment and speaker placement.

Overall Recommendation

Having listened to the MoFi Sourcepoint 10, our expectations for the Sourcepoint 8 were high, and we were not disappointed. While there are more detailed, refined, and dynamic speakers available at higher price points, the Sourcepoint 8 offers exceptional value for its performance. Andrew Jones successfully achieved his goal of creating a smaller version of the Sourcepoint 10 that excels in smaller rooms, making it an excellent choice for apartment dwellers or space-limited enthusiasts. Given the Sourcepoint 8's proper placement and a treated room, these speakers can deliver high-end sound at an affordable price. Additionally, their 8 Ohm load compatibility allows for seamless integration with various tube and solid-state amplifiers. Rare at this price level, the Sourcepoint 8 also boasts an attractive appearance with real wood veneer finishes. We wholeheartedly recommend the MoFi Sourcepoint 8 to anyone seeking an exceptional, affordable high-end speaker for smaller rooms.