Magnepan Sound

[rnatalli]

Hi all,

I decided to give Magnepan a listen as they give you up to 60 days to return the speakers (minus a 20% restocking fee ). I don't know what it is, but they sound like the speakers in my laptop. I tried moving them into different places, changing angles, and anything else I could think of, but they still sound like laptop speakers. My amp pushes 225 watts into 4 Ohms so they played without the amp breaking a sweat. Could it be the long break-in period for Magnepans or am I just not a fan of planar sound?

[avaserfi]

While I don't know too much about planar speakers, as I heard my first pair a couple weeks ago, I do know they need to be at least three feet, a little more is better as the owner of the store said his are seven feet, from a back wall to allow for proper reflections as they play both forward and backward due to design.

When I heard them I thought they were crystal clear and had very natural sounding mids while I felt the highs were a bit harsh, although no one else in the room felt that way so I attributed it to my young age and the fact that my hearing might be more intact than the rest of the group (I was 12 years younger than the next person in the group). Another thing I noticed was these speakers are definitely not designed for HT applications without a woofer. They did pretty well with my musical bass test but left something to be desired in my opinion as they played the notes but it just didn't have the impact I look for.

What do you mean by them sounding like your computer speakers exactly?

[rnatalli]

What I mean by computer speakers is that they sounded mono. Similar to how my VoIP phone sounds. I tried moving them forward from the back wall, up, down, and every other possible position and no noticeable improvement. They did play clear. I'm guessing it's the room or planar sound just isn't for me. I was just curious if anyone else had similar results.

[avaserfi]

I didn't feel that the Mag's sounded mono, but I did notice that while they had a massive soundstage that didn't seem to be as precise as many other speakers. I could see how that could be perceived as mono sound. Since you have them in your home I would suggest playing with them more, but from the sounds of it Mags just aren't for you.

[rnatalli]

I'll give them another try to be sure, but I'm guessing planar sound just isn't for me. Too bad as I love how these speakers look. Thanks!

[mtrycrafts]

Hi all,

I decided to give Magnepan a listen as they give you up to 60 days to return the speakers (minus a 20% restocking fee ). I don't know what it is, but they sound like the speakers in my laptop. I tried moving them into different places, changing angles, and anything else I could think of, but they still sound like laptop speakers. My amp pushes 225 watts into 4 Ohms so they played without the amp breaking a sweat. Could it be the long break-in period for Magnepans or am I just not a fan of planar sound?

Aren't the backs of those also open to the back and you get that soundfield too? If so, it is certainly different from only front firing speakers and that is what you may be experiencing. I don't like those types.

[chris92346]

I am a proud new owner of some maggie 12s. First off there is a very definite break in period. You will need a least a week of solid play before the bass starts coming out. Also you praised your amp but be aware Maggies are VERY revealing of upstream electronics. Another thing to check... are your tweeters on the inside or the outside? Consider changing this. One last consideration some genres of music just don't sound good on them. I guess there is always compromises in Hi-Fi.

I have had them about two months. I liked them when I bought them and have learned to really love them. Give them some time in your home. Listen to them as long as possible before you send them back. They might grow on you. Good luck finding audio bliss!

[dem beats]

One thing I can say is they image so much better than most speakers... but they #1 need lots of room. I don't know why.

[avaserfi]

One thing I can say is they image so much better than most speakers... but they #1 need lots of room. I don't know why.

They need a lot of room because they are massive and are designed to use the walls as reflection points to get a fuller sound. They are a very different breed of speaker.

[rnatalli]

I'm going to hold them for a little while longer. Heck, I've got 60 days anyways so I'll let them break-in and see if the sound better to my ears.

[gmichael]

Planners can have a fantastic sound if done right. But doing it right takes a lot more effort than it does with box speakers. They need room to breath. A nudge here, a nudge there.
They love a lot of Amps.
Also, they do need some break in time. I have hybrids (only the mids and tweeters are planner types). I had to put about 20 hours on them before I really liked their sound. Each day they seem to open up more and more. I have about 70 hours on them so far. A full planner may take even longer to sound their best.
What model did you get?

[The13thGryphon]

rnatalli,

What model Maggies are you trying? The MMG's can do bass down to about 50 hz., which is enough to round out musical instruments, but not truly low bass. Think of them as more of a large bookshelf speaker.

If you're trying one of the MC-1 or MMG-W then they are cutting off between 80 hz (MC-1) and 100 hz (MMG-W). In either case they will most likely sound 'thin' and 'tinny', and possibly 'mono' as you describe without a woofer or sub.

These speakers make good surrounds, when the Pre-Pro can route all bass below 80 hz to the main channels or a sub... but they don't do well on their own... at least in my opinion. They can make outstanding main speakers as long as you treat them like a sub-satellite system... but you definately need that dedicated woofer/sub.

[mtrycrafts]

You will need a least a week of solid play before the bass starts coming out.

Are these not regular cone drivers for the bass? If so, break in is just one of those audio myths among many.

[avaserfi]

Are these not regular cone drivers for the bass? If so, break in is just one of those audio myths among many.

While I don't know how break-in affects these. They are not cone drivers....
Check it out. (http://www.magnepan.com/)

[chris92346]

I have read much about "break-in" most research that I read says it is non existent... but also it is based on traditional drivers. I know what I have heard with my maggies... it wasn't even subtle. There was almost NO bass for the first few days. I kept thinking... damn I am gonna have to by a sub. Now after two months with them the only way I think I would "need" a sub is if I wanted to do some serious home theater.

[dem beats]

AV, thanks for that, I thought it may have something to do with that. It's just something I didn't want to comment on without knowing.

I auditioned Maggies loooong and hard for quite some time before deciding to go anouther route. I can say this much, they can make for the best sounds in acoustic music, but extremely punchy music leaves something behind. Bassy rock, electronic(asuming it's bass heavey), R & B sometimes leave you wanting something more usualy. As before mentioned they need a sub to complement them.

I would love a pair in a dedicated listening room with proper acoustics and a nice sub, but otherwise, if I plan to watch movies.... it's just not what I am looking for. The stage is huge though.

On speaker break in... well I think it exists. My speakers sound quite different from day 1. It could be ear break in.. or me sitting better when listening.. adding that 1/8 degree of toe whatever it is... I doubt it though. Speakers use flexable materials, i.e. surrounds. New rubber is stiffer than worked in rubber. A car engine has break in. My crotch rocket really had break in. Anything with mechanical moving parts... I would say has break in. for better or worse. I can't defend my position with more than speculation and heresay, and inductive reasoning, nothing through deduction.

[fmw]

On speaker break in... well I think it exists. My speakers sound quite different from day 1. It could be ear break in.. or me sitting better when listening.. adding that 1/8 degree of toe whatever it is... I doubt it though. Speakers use flexable materials, i.e. surrounds. New rubber is stiffer than worked in rubber. A car engine has break in. My crotch rocket really had break in. Anything with mechanical moving parts... I would say has break in. for better or worse. I can't defend my position with more than speculation and heresay, and inductive reasoning, nothing through deduction.

Your position is pretty weak. Actually, what breaks in is your ears and brain. You simply get accustomed to the sound and we all tend to prefer sound with which we are familiar.

In my experience the planars have strong mid range (a bulge in the frequency response curve) normal highs and very poor bass response. If you combine them with a properly adjusted sub woofer they can sound really good.

[avaserfi]

Here is a very well written article addressing the subject on break in showing that there is such a thing, but it is generally dealt with before the consumer gets their hands on it and it is an extremely short process, not one that takes hours.

http://www.audioholics.com/education/loudspeaker-basics/speaker-break-in-fact-or-fiction?searchterm=speaker+break

[dem beats]

Your position is pretty weak. Actually, what breaks in is your ears and brain. You simply get accustomed to the sound and we all tend to prefer sound with which we are familiar.

In my experience the planars have strong mid range (a bulge in the frequency response curve) normal highs and very poor bass response. If you combine them with a properly adjusted sub woofer they can sound really good.

Hey slick,
Listen your post has about the same merit as mine, only you came off as if it's pure truth given to you by the audio gods. If you have technical evidence, support your statement. I said I didn't AVAS has posted the article and there is a great deal of information here that says it does change. Not to any extent the human ear would probably notice........

Don't come at me with proof positive, by way of your word being truth and chastise me for saying I have no evidence, and that it probably is just me feeling a change. You're arguement didn't even have anything but anecdotal evidence assuming that we all like what we are used to.....

If you want a flame war take it elsewhere. I know my argument had little to stand on, it took you to prove you actualy COULD find less to stand on and be more confident in it.

[gmichael]

Your position is pretty weak. Actually, what breaks in is your ears and brain. You simply get accustomed to the sound and we all tend to prefer sound with which we are familiar.


When I first got my speakers, I didn't like their sound. I had heard that planners needed a break in period so I left them on while I went out. When I got home they sounded much better. Are you saying that I got used to them while I was out?

[dem beats]

When I first got my speakers, I didn't like their sound. I had heard that planners needed a break in period so I left them on while I went out. When I got home they sounded much better. Are you saying that I got used to them while I was out?

it's probably more likely that there is no such thing as break in.. it was the speaker gnomes! They came in and scurried around adjusting "micro variables" in your room.

=)

Now thats a good point though g-man!

I think there is a break in... Maybe it's "room-break in"... if you dont' like speaker break in perhaps the repetition of new speakers playing their specific sound signature at a wall adjust the moecules and subtle difference, much liek a magnet alligning the polarity of iron when you stroke a bar of iron with rare earth magnets!!!!

Listen, I don't have evidence. I don't... Why does a brand new computer software have issues running. If I don't update it and the trillions of on and offs in the same position. My engine in my crotch rocket didn't change but the powerband did after 1500 miles. It does exist, do the people who experience drastic changes have anything to stand on.. Nope. I don't even know how it can be measured. A new spring on my pistol is a heck of allot different after a couple tousand rounds. But so is my wrist so is everything else minute around the situation....

I don't care if you disagree.. I admit it's my perception, that there is a change. I don't have deduction on my side as there are too many variables... But when someone in jumps in and says their word is king because it's king... that's a load of cod fish oil and flim flam I say!

lol

This debate will last forever so I digress. I think it's been mentioned. If you are not hapy with the maggies adjust position.. that is the first key. the room will make massive difference too but why start spending on something you are not sure you will be happy with.

see if you can adjust the toe and placement for seating and the speakers, untill you go from doldrum mids and humid and thick syrupy highs to chocolaity mids with a hint of cinnemon and those airey starry highs that speak of lemon lime pizzaz!!

I doubt break in will open up a wonderland of sound, but i beleive there is somethign to it. Placement and the room will make a larger difference.

[jostenmeat]

Ya, I don't see the big deal. Seems to me that break in is not a big deal, and definitely not something to get rude over. It either happens or it doesn't, and you either perceive it or you don't.

Assuming, for just one moment, that break-in does indeed occur, wouldn't the material of the drivers be of at least some importance? (question for anyone).

To take it to a crotch-rocket type tangent, a spruce top guitar takes at least 4x the duration to break in as opposed to a much softer cedar top guitar. I imagine it to be the density of the material. Violins, violas, cellos etc take between one and two years typically. Piano? I have no idea.

[gmichael]

Now, if you were to tell me that my wires need to be broken in, and suggest I buy a $500 gizmo to break them in for me, :rolleyes: I'd have to call foul.

[ParadigmDawg]

All you need is an Easy Bake Oven to cook them until they broken in.

Now, if you were to tell me that my wires need to be broken in, and suggest I buy a $500 gizmo to break them in for me, :rolleyes: I'd have to call foul.

[mtrycrafts]

I have read much about "break-in" most research that I read says it is non existent... but also it is based on traditional drivers. I know what I have heard with my maggies... it wasn't even subtle. There was almost NO bass for the first few days. I kept thinking... damn I am gonna have to by a sub. Now after two months with them the only way I think I would "need" a sub is if I wanted to do some serious home theater.

Yes, what has been tested and measured are with the standard drivers.
What did you hear? How did you really test what you think you heard? There is perception that maybe you rely on in which case, it can be unreliable.

Unless you compared two speakers, one brand new and one with the right amount of time, and under bias controlled condition, your perception is unreliable at best as your memory is unreliable for small details.

Perhaps you have measurements of frequency response when new and broken in?

[mtrycrafts]

I said I didn't AVAS has posted the article and there is a great deal of information here that says it does change. Not to any extent the human ear would probably notice........
.

What's AVAS, have a link?

The change measure in the AH article was very small, well below the known thresholds of detection.
When you listened and thought there was a change, that was from memory, not a side by side comparison, right?

[highfihoney]

Hey slick,
Listen your post has about the same merit as mine, only you came off as if it's pure truth given to you by the audio gods. If you have technical evidence, support your statement. I said I didn't AVAS has posted the article and there is a great deal of information here that says it does change. Not to any extent the human ear would probably notice........

Don't come at me with proof positive, by way of your word being truth and chastise me for saying I have no evidence, and that it probably is just me feeling a change. You're arguement didn't even have anything but anecdotal evidence assuming that we all like what we are used to.....

If you want a flame war take it elsewhere. I know my argument had little to stand on, it took you to prove you actualy COULD find less to stand on and be more confident in it.

You'll get used to it but dont bum out too bad,not everybody here subscribes to that line of thought & demands bulk links to white papers from google,the way i look at it is that unless anybody has direct experience with the same gear as you or proff positive that your observations are wrong then they are just a talking head.

BTW,nice post,i too get sick of the audio parrots who quote what they read as the bible instead of relaying personal experience.

[johsti]

This forum is notorious for proving speaker break-in doesn't exist (there's even a sticky on the top of the page!). To some folks break-in is very real and quite noticeable. That is their opinion based on their observations. Some of you need to quit hunting down threads that mention "speaker break in" so you can stand on your soap box and tell everyone that they don't have a clue. This is now another thread that has gone completely off topic so the "anti break in" hounds can once again prove to everyone that it is all in their heads.

Back to the Maggies please....

[mtrycrafts]

This forum is notorious for proving speaker break-in doesn't exist (there's even a sticky on the top of the page!). To some folks break-in is very real and quite noticeable. That is their opinion based on their observations. Some of you need to quit hunting down threads that mention "speaker break in" so you can stand on your soap box and tell everyone that they don't have a clue. This is now another thread that has gone completely off topic so the "anti break in" hounds can once again prove to everyone that it is all in their heads.

Back to the Maggies please....

Why cannot be in their heads? Is that out of the realm of possibilities? If one knows human psychology a bit, hew humans can be fooled, how gullible they can be, why can't it be in ones imagination? Why is it so hard to demonstrate this under bias controlled conditions?
Oh, and just because I observe that steel pipe being bent when I place it in a 5 gallon bucket of water, it must be reality, a fact, or just an illusion?

It would be good to know which is correct so we don't worry about it, or we all break in speakers.

[highfihoney]

This forum is notorious for proving speaker break-in doesn't exist (there's even a sticky on the top of the page!). This is now another thread that has gone completely off topic so the "anti break in" hounds can once again prove to everyone that it is all in their heads.

Back to the Maggies please....

Its not just this forum its all the forums,thing is though that its the same people just on different forums,their hobby is scouring the forums for any thread containing reports of differences being heard in anything but speakers or room accoustics.

[p38]

All I know is that they sounded great from the getgo, and thats why my B&W's are doin jail time in the closet. Their not better or worse, their just a different listening experience.

[dem beats]

I wish I could find this BC cominc.

Everyone seens a flying oyster go over their heads... they alll look upp and someone says"did you see what we just saw"

"yeah must be mass halucination"

optical illusion, audio illusion... what ever who cares. I do know for a fact that the surround of a speaker changes as it's worn in. It changes drasticaly. Flex a peice of rubber of plastic for a few hours, you can see the difference. If you're telling me it make NO CHANGE WHAT SO EVER. Ok prove it with graphs and anything else. I will not disagree with your proven truth.

This thread was hijacked that's true but only because opinions differ.

and G-mike. The propper speaker break in is to put one end... the speaker end in your mouth and suck it as hard as you can. You will allign the copper properly to tune it to you specificaly and it will make sure that it can alter the sound to recognise the difference you need it to to compensate for your DNA and Ear canal impurities.

This is a long time proven method.

[gmichael]

Why cannot be in their heads? Is that out of the realm of possibilities? If one knows human psychology a bit, hew humans can be fooled, how gullible they can be, why can't it be in ones imagination? Why is it so hard to demonstrate this under bias controlled conditions?
Oh, and just because I observe that steel pipe being bent when I place it in a 5 gallon bucket of water, it must be reality, a fact, or just an illusion?

It would be good to know which is correct so we don't worry about it, or we all break in speakers.




It's a little hard for me to turn back the hands of time so I could test my speakers when they were new vs now. But I do have more than one system. When I first got these speakers I could easily tell that one system had much more high end than the other. This is no longer the case. Measured or not, it's not my imagination. You can chose not to believe, but I urge anyone else reading this to at least consider that I might know that what I'm saying is true.
As another poster has written, back to the Maggies. Rnatalli, are you enjoying the sound yet? Any updates?

[gmichael]

and G-mike. The propper WIRE break in is to put one end... the speaker end in your mouth and suck it as hard as you can. You will allign the copper properly to tune it to you specificaly and it will make sure that it can alter the sound to recognise the difference you need it to to compensate for your DNA and Ear canal impurities.

This is a long time proven method.

Won't this make my teeth tingle? Can you prove that my teeth will not tingle?
Have tests been done?

[rnatalli]

Well, I've been playing them the last several days. Whether the speakers are breaking in, my ears breaking in, neither, or both, they still sound terrible to me. I've moved them into every possible position, nudged them, and everything else and still nothing. Once I get back from my trip to FL, they're gone. And what is up with the way you have to wire these? They should use regular plates for speaker wires.

BTW, this is the MMG-W model.

[gmichael]

Well, I've been playing them the last several days. Whether the speakers are breaking in, my ears breaking in, neither, or both, they still sound terrible to me. I've moved them into every possible position, nudged them, and everything else and still nothing. Once I get back from my trip to FL, they're gone. And what is up with the way you have to wire these? They should use regular plates for speaker wires.

BTW, this is the MMG-W model.



Oh yeah. Those have no base below 100htz. They are made more for surround. Even with a sub I wouldn't like them as mains.

[WmAx]

The Maggies at least, will have no real cabinet resonances, unlike most other speakers(which have enclosed backs) seem to suffer from(this coloration can be avoided with enclosed systems, but it tends to be very costly to avoid, and as a result, usually ends up being a feature of only very expensive closed systems). Of course, they can still have resonances inherent of the drivers, while having no substantial enclosure resonance. The speakers require substantial space, as you refer to it, probably because (1) you require at least a 5-6 msec direct vs. rear reflection delay(this means spacing the speaker a minimum of 3' from the rear wall, ideally about 4'-4.5'). In addition, while I have not seen the off axis response of the particular model to which you refer, I expect it to be dismal. This means that if you place it far from a side wall, and relative close in proportion to listening position, that the non-matching off axis response will be heard to a lesser extent(poor off axis response does not typically result in positive results when allowed to contribute substantially). You can render this a non issue and place the speakers close to side walls by using large broad band absorption panels at the 1st side reflection points. In any case, substantial room treatments are really needed with speakers that have poor off axis response, as credible perceptual research has demonstrated time and time again. If you add a subwoofer, be certain to use an active filter on both the main speakers(to cutoff LF) and the subwoofer unit. Some recievers have adequate control and type of crossovers built in. But better results are usually had with external processing(usually only possible if you are using seperate amplifier/pre-amp units where you can get access to the line signal between devices).

-Chris

[emorphien]

The MMG-W are not meant to be played on their own/full range. They need a sub, and even then the regular MMGs are probably a better choice since the MMG-Ws are more of a side/surround speaker.

[p38]

Go to the "Planar Speaker Asylum" site, those people are the ones to talk to. The W's were designed to be surround speakers, wall mounted. Their bass extension is not that of their bigger brothers. I've heard them and they do not compare to their entry level MMG's imho. They need to be mounted as near or onto the wall to develope better acoustics. Not to mention that they have a relatively small footprint due to the fact that their considerably smaller then the MMG's, which are 48 by 14.5. Hence a smaller sweet spot. Do not get discouraged by the Maggies. If you have the opportunity to pick up a pair of MMG"s give them one more try. They offer a unique sound if you are seated properly, their imaging suffers as one moves about the room, unlike the conventional box speaker, which are a little more forgiving in that respect. I donot believe that you will have a hard time unloading them, if you decide to. Keep in mind that the electrastats are a whole different animal. Check out the "Planar Speaker Asylum".

[rnatalli]

I had a subwoofer going when I hook these up as I knew they cut out at 100 Hz and they had plenty of space to breath. Like a good audiophile, I compare speakers without a sub and I definitely didn't like what I heard when compared to closed speakers. Sorry Maggie fans, I tried to like these but they didn't win me over :(

[cornelius]

Did you hang them on the wall? I always understood this model was designed to be close to a wall to sound their best. All of the floorstanders have to be far from the back wall - you might want to try the MMGs. I've only heard the 1.6 and a larger model above the 1.6 - and they were pretty impressive sounding. You need a really big room, and the sweet spot is rather small - so I passed. But during my audition, I went into the (more expensive) cone 'n dome room and everything sounded lifeless, coming from a sad little box...

[emorphien]

I had a subwoofer going when I hook these up as I knew they cut out at 100 Hz and they had plenty of space to breath. Like a good audiophile, I compare speakers without a sub and I definitely didn't like what I heard when compared to closed speakers. Sorry Maggie fans, I tried to like these but they didn't win me over :(

Well you may not like the planar sound, it is entirely possible, however you chose the wrong maggies to try for the kind of listening you're doing. If I were in your shoes I might be disappointed but I would know I had made a mistake.

[mtrycrafts]

It's a little hard for me to turn back the hands of time so I could test my speakers when they were new vs now. But I do have more than one system. When I first got these speakers I could easily tell that one system had much more high end than the other. This is no longer the case. Measured or not, it's not my imagination. You can chose not to believe, but I urge anyone else reading this to at least consider that I might know that what I'm saying is true.
?

You have no idea what it sounded exactly when it was new and today. Your memory is not that accurate on such small changes. By the way, tweeters and small midrange is not the issue as they change even less than the 10", 12" or bigger drivers. AH measure them with barely a tick of differences on those big drivers.
So, no one knows for sure if it is your imagination or not as the two conditions were not compared properly. My money is on no audible change.

[gmichael]

You have no idea what it sounded exactly when it was new and today. Your memory is not that accurate on such small changes. By the way, tweeters and small midrange is not the issue as they change even less than the 10", 12" or bigger drivers. AH measure them with barely a tick of differences on those big drivers.
So, no one knows for sure if it is your imagination or not as the two conditions were not compared properly. My money is on no audible change.

Sinse I was there, and can still walk from one room to the other, I'll put my money on, yes, there was an audible change.

[gmichael]

I had a subwoofer going when I hook these up as I knew they cut out at 100 Hz and they had plenty of space to breath. Like a good audiophile, I compare speakers without a sub and I definitely didn't like what I heard when compared to closed speakers. Sorry Maggie fans, I tried to like these but they didn't win me over :(

So much for the Maggies. What's next on your list to try? I heard Totems the same day I heard my first Maggie (3.6's). A totally different sound, but very nice IMO. The ones in the same $300 range as the Maggies you have would need a sub as well, but went much lower than 100 htz.

Happy listening.

[The13thGryphon]

I had a subwoofer going when I hook these up as I knew they cut out at 100 Hz and they had plenty of space to breath. Like a good audiophile, I compare speakers without a sub and I definitely didn't like what I heard when compared to closed speakers. Sorry Maggie fans, I tried to like these but they didn't win me over :(

Don't feel bad rnatalli... I had a similar reaction to the MC1, which is also primarily a surround speaker and goes down to 80 Hz. I need to point out that I absolutely LOVE the Magnepan MG 1.6QR and MG 3.6R speakers. I have been a fan of electrostatic and planar speakers for years, and finally decided to bite the bullet and get a Maggie theater/music system.

I decided to get a pair of the MC1 speakers and try them out in my den along with my Onyx Rocket UFW-10 sub to see if they would also make a decent 'sat-sub' system that way. I figured that since I liked the Maggie sound, a system of this nature might be just what the doctor ordered for my 2-channel den system. Besides, the owner of Definitive Audio-Video in Seattle says he has just such a system and loves it.

Anyway, I also got a temporary mounting kit so I could move them around and try different locations. My wife and I spent weeks trying them on the front wall (closer together, farther apart, closer and farther from the corner, etc.) as well as on the side wall (again, closer to the corner and farther out into the room), and in all locations we pushed them back flatter to the wall and pulled them out so there was more of an angle created... all with very disapointing results.

The clarity was fantastic, and vocals could be dialed in fairly well depending on the speaker location and angle to the side or back wall. However, no matter where we tried them or how we adjusted or located the sub to mate with them there was always a glaring 'suck-out' in the upper bass/lower mids. Male vocalists just plain lost something. We just couldn't get them to sound right no matter what we tried. And without the sub they were tinny and had no bass. I'm not even sure I'd say they went down to their claimed 80 Hz. I have a pair of Baby Advent II's that we still use in the wifes craft room, and they don't go much below 80 Hz. (if any), and they sounded significantly better in the bass. Both lower and more pronounced (again, no sub in use).

Frankly, I'm now wondering whether a Maggie surround system is really a good idea? Like I said, I love the bigger Magnepan speakers on their own. For 2-channel I don't think there's a better speaker (for my tastes anyway)... but after this experience I'm left disapointed and confused.

[dem beats]

13thgryph

You came across the same issue I did. I could not justify the cost vs return. I think for accoustic music the maggies are flat out the best when it comes to imaging/clarity/stage... But the price in dollars is high as anything other than the big boys just can't handle what needs to be there. Take that into account and the fact that they are so particular about placement... I just can't justify them for much at my current price point. Also the power they need(i'm havign the same issue with my energy but for quite A BIT less in the original $$ investment). I would love to have them in a single room for accoustic music to be played... I didnt' think they handled heavier rock music, and even some classical at louder levels was leaving a bit out somewhere... But voices came through sooooo well. I would love to see a planar/ribon tweet/cone mid/sub system sometime... I think it could be a winning combo... but i'm sure would cost 5k a pair =/

[The13thGryphon]

13thgryph

I would love to see a planar/ribon tweet/cone mid/sub system sometime... I think it could be a winning combo... but i'm sure would cost 5k a pair.


Actually, there is a planar tweeter/mid, cone mid-bass, powered bass system that is generating lots of discussion on the forums, as well as having received some pretty favorable press and reviews... the Strata Mini.

http://http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=speakers&brand=54

And it's only 40% of the price you indicated - $2,000.

I have an Onyx Rocket UFW-10 sub from AV123, so I know their build quality and trust the company. However, I do want to hear the Strata Mini's before I order them. There are two guys in Seattle who own the Mini's and would probably allow me to visit to hear them... so I'm going to see if I can set something up next time I'm on that side of the state.

[rnatalli]

I decided to stick with the Mordaunt-Short Premiere system. I'm going to pick up a pair of MS908's for mains next month as well. There are some really good deals out there right now for Mordaunts and they're great speakers. Slightly forward but not overly bright or harsh and very detailed. They also look good so pretty high on WAF.

[dorokusai]

LOVE Magnepan :) I miss my 3.5R's very much but will get around to another pair eventually. Anything lower than a Magnepan that's taller than you is just a tease, period. However, the MMG is a great way to figure out if you even like the speaker in the first place.

I demo'd a Magnepan On-Wall 5.1 setup at a local hifi shop and liked it alot. He ran a newer REL T series subwoofer I believe. Will it replace what I have now? No, but is was a great demo.

I read all kinds of comments, mainly from non-Magnepan owners, about placement issues and bass issues. I've NEVER had an issue getting them setup so I have no idea what these folks are experiencing. I've owned about 6 pairs of varying height and age. In response to the bass, sure, it's not a rap speaker or kettle drum monitor but they are solid on alot of material found in most libraries. You have to realize its a different kind of bass. I augmented my Magnepans for the lower octave with an SVS cylinder and it worked fantastic. I've had some Carver Amazings for awhile with 8 12" woofers and the bass response in them was just right. Again, a different kind of bass.

Anyways, sorry to ramble. I'm off to look at my dangling speaker wires since I have had no speakers for a few months. I might be going thru withdrawl.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

[jaxvon]

I would have to say that the Maggies would be pretty poor for home theater, for one reason: dispersion. Magnepan speakers have very poor off axis response (as WmAx mentioned earlier), and thus do not lend themselves well to HT use. In an HT, you need to create a good sounding zone, something that requires speakers of at least decent off axis performance. This is something the Maggies just don't have. They can sound great in the sweet spot, but that's it. Everywhere else just isn't gonna cut it.