Anyone have Magnepans?

[moggi1964]

Given that most modern receivers adjust the levels automatically, differences in efficiency would not be likely to cause any trouble.

However, they would not be "voice matched," and it is likely that it would not be satisfactory for that reason. I personally would not recommend that combination, and would probably prefer to use no center to that, though one would need to try it to find out if one liked it or not.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

You know, I had forgotten how could a "ghost center" can sound until I moved the equipment to another room the other week (flood) and only set up the L&R.

So maybe a set of MMG in front with the Polks in back and no center channel might work until I can afford a Magnepan center.

Hmm! I'll keep you appraised!

 

[Hocky]

Phantom center works fine as long as you're the only person listening and sitting in the sweet spot chair. Otherwise, you lose the location of the center channel dialog/sound.

 

[darien87]

I had a buddy that had some "Mangeplanars" back in the early 80's. Are they the same speaker? The look similar to the MMG's but were taller, I'd say about 6 feet tall, (I'm going from memory). They had wood sides and had black fabric covering the ribbons. He powered them with a big-*** Nakamichi amp. Just like everyone else here, I remember them sounding awesome with jazz and stuff, just didn't have the bass that normal cone speakers give you.

I remember seeing a speaker years back that had a planar uppersection mounted to a cabinet with a woofer at the bottom. I would think that this arrangement would be the best of both worlds.

By the way, isn't it Planar, not Planner?

 

[Below10hz]

Lack of Support?

I found this disclamer on their web site:

"Please be patient. For many years, we have had a reputation of excellent technical and consumer support. We regret to say that we are currently understaffed and are not able to live up to that reputation. A veteran employee that has been answering your inquiries for 35 years has retired and we are feeling the loss. However, we will do our best to help you. "

I am strongly considering Magnepans for my 2-channel set up. I wonder why companies such as this rely on a dealer network (all they do is raise the price)? Please, Magnepan, offer your speakers over the internet!!!

 

[digicidal]

I am strongly considering Magnepans for my 2-channel set up. I wonder why companies such as this rely on a dealer network (all they do is raise the price)? Please, Magnepan, offer your speakers over the internet!!!

They do sell their lowest end (read "gateway drug") factory-direct with very, very good pricing - the MMGs that are in munroe's post.

I think the biggest reason that they use a dealer network is exactly the reason specified in that disclaimer you quoted... they do not have the facilities to handle a full-scale direct distribution operation and support it. Add in the fact that Maggies are notoriously watt-hungry speakers and the fact that what looks "pretty big but manageable" in the brochure translates to "my wife took one look at the 'doors' that I put in the living room and said hell no!" after the purchase and I think it makes sense.

If you've auditioned them at the dealer then you are fully aware of just how large they are... and probably of just how much better they sound when driven by 1000W monoblocks as opposed to a 120W AVR... and you wind up with at least 1/10th of the returns and frustrated consumers.

Of course, they might just like it relatively 'quiet' (except for the music) around their factory and don't want to change that even if it meant more sales and better margins.

 

[Theresa]

IF (and it is a IF) I was to get a set of the MMG and I coupled them with a Polk CS20 center, would the sound be rubbish for HT?

I can't afford the pair of centers for a while.

Thanks.

I have to say that Maggies are some of the best speakers I've heard while the Polk is at best ordinary. I would skip the center and just have a phantom center. This will work when there's two or less watching. At least that is my experience. So much of the sound comes from the center in movies that the Polk would be the predominant determiner of the sound quality and would not let the Maggies shine.