Magnepan Speaker Project Started

[Acoustic]

I think I have seen a few mention that you are using Magnaplaner speakers. I would like your opinions, pro's, cons, whatever on Magneplanars. I don't know if I mentioned on this forum that last year I got a pair of MGIII's off of CL (my only CL purchase ever) without the external crossovers for $75. Here's a pic of them with one of my Polk Monitor 50's in the middle. These babies are 6 foot tall!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/2653149484_e8e431342a.jpg

When I got them I pursued some answers to get the project started but at that time I went in a different direction with my audio $$$ and now it's time to get these girls humming!! One ribbon tweeter is shot... so tomorrow (day off) I'm calling Magnepan to order the tweeter, approx $120... then I'm corresponding with a guy that has the crossovers to lend me (doesn't want to part with them... but he did go to active crossovers... so they are not being used) so I can further evaluate the condition they are in. From there I'll either pursue getting someone to make me some crossovers (I've got schematics) or go with active crossovers and bi-amp them with two of my CA series Yamaha's. Any input for discussion appreciated! Thanks. *reelspin* *reelspin*

[retrokeeper]

I have a pair of Tympani's I should get around to checking out...when they are set up,it looks like I just bought some office room dividers...they are BIG!! Rob

[hifi_nut]

By all means try them with an active crossover, to start with. Then you can move on to trying to find or build a pair of crossovers following the schematics you already have.

I once owned a pair of 2.5R´s which I truly loved. They look quite similar to those on the pics, but they didn´t have external crossovers, nor bi-ampable ones, for that matter.

Jorge

[BroonsBane]

I've never owned a pair of Maggies but would sure love to give them a try.
TH member wrayman has a pair, hopefully he'll chime in with his impressions.

[Acoustic]

Yeah, I saw that Wrayman has some maggies... not only that... but he also has both the CA2010 and 1010 Yamaha's like I do. Which I am wondering if those are enough 4 ohm power.

I did order the replacement ribbon tweeter today for $128 shipped. I talked to Karen at Magnepan who was knowledgeable and nice. She is checking, though she didn't think they did, to see if they do have some external crossovers.

[Doug_Olitsky]

I bought a pair of IIIa's last summer last summer for $650. They were serviced at the factory and had installed the newer tweeters to the most up to date variant.

Sound nice but need a lot of room and amp to to their thing. I had my fed by a McIntosh MC2600

[joeljoel1947]

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg315/JoelKozlowski_2007/MagneplanarHomeTheater.jpg

Well, I love my Maggies. I have a 7.4 channel surround home theater full of them! 1.6's for front and rears, CC2 center and SS1's for the rear backs.

Their strengths are their open and spacious sound. Very detailed and easy to listen to for long periods.

You do need power though to get them to jump to life, for the ones you posted about I would say a clean 200 watts minimum. 250 or better would be optimum. Also, you need to have the right room for them---they need to breathe.

[Acoustic]

You do need power though to get them to jump to life, for the ones you posted about I would say a clean 200 watts minimum. 250 or better would be optimum. Also, you need to have the right room for them---they need to breathe.

That is a great looking set up!! Some great gear there my friend!*Hi5* And looks like you have lot's of room for the maggies. Well... I don't have that kind of room for them, yet, but plan to in my next move so I want to get them ready and have the amps to run them...if what I have now isn't enough. When you say 200 minimum... do you mean per channel or total of the amp....would 120-140 wpc work? This is at 4 ohms. OR... would this be better... I just ordered an active crossover, a Berhringer CX2310. And what I want to do is bi-amp these babies. I'll use my CA-1010..120 wpc...for the bass panels on both speakers... and the CA-2010..140 wpc... for the mid's and ribbons.... again all specs are at 4 ohms. Of course I'll flip flop the amps to get the best performance.

Also to add for my update on this project... I did order the tweeter from Magnepan yesterday for the blown one. $128 shipped... easy to put in.

So here's where I am at $$. $75 for the speakers, $128 for the ribbon tweeter and $129.92 shipped for the active crossover and balanced XLR connectors. If I don't have to do any repairs to the wires (there was no buzzing last year when I tested the speakers*hope*) this would be excellent.
Any repair to the wires... will cost $50 + shipping from Manepan for the repair kit that will do both speakers... here's the kicker. The kit has a water based glue in it. It's shipped from White Bear lake Minnesota. They do not ship the kits every year after October 15th because of the chance of below freezing temps! So I do have a tight time frame... glad I didn't start any later on this.. or I would have to wait until the Spring thaw!!*headache*

[Acoustic]

I bought a pair of IIIa's last summer last summer for $650. They were serviced at the factory and had installed the newer tweeters to the most up to date variant.

Sound nice but need a lot of room and amp to to their thing. I had my fed by a McIntosh MC2600

Man oh man... what an amp.*drool* No problem with shortage of watts there! What are the meters reading when your at about 90db... or for average listening.. and not trying to impress anyone!:D

[joeljoel1947]

Hi,
Thanks for the comment on my system. That was nice of you!

Yes, 200 watts per channel total. All depends on the room though and how loud you listen. But, as you state you don't want to do this twice (moving to a bigger place) then I would OVERKILL it for now until you get there. These things eat up watts. I brought them to my Dad's who has a 125 watt per channel solid state amp and the thing actually got so hot it SHUT DOWN. So, the more power, the better. So, if you do the bi-amp thing with the 260 per channel, I think you'll be right in line. Just put the bigger amp on the tweeter panel if those are TRUE ribbons and not QUASI-ribbons (not sure as I'm not familiar with that older model).

BTW, I'm a big Behringer fan (you can see one in the pic of my system there lit up) so you made a great choice there. Mine has nothing to do with the Maggies, it just room corrects the bass (I have 4 subwoofers in the room which makes room correction a necessity) but I am a BIG fan of their stuff----cheap and GOOD.

[Acoustic]

Hi,
Thanks for the comment on my system. That was nice of you!

Yes, 200 watts per channel total. All depends on the room though and how loud you listen. But, as you state you don't want to do this twice (moving to a bigger place) then I would OVERKILL it for now until you get there. These things eat up watts. I brought them to my Dad's who has a 125 watt per channel solid state amp and the thing actually got so hot it SHUT DOWN. So, the more power, the better. So, if you do the bi-amp thing with the 260 per channel, I think you'll be right in line. Just put the bigger amp on the tweeter panel if those are TRUE ribbons and not QUASI-ribbons (not sure as I'm not familiar with that older model).

BTW, I'm a big Behringer fan (you can see one in the pic of my system there lit up) so you made a great choice there. Mine has nothing to do with the Maggies, it just room corrects the bass (I have 4 subwoofers in the room which makes room correction a necessity) but I am a BIG fan of their stuff----cheap and GOOD.

Your welcome! Just checked the manual and these have the true ribbons. Thanks for the tip. The CA-2010 will go on the mid's and ribbons.

The amps I am speaking of are rated at 4 ohms, I've always heard, conservatively. When I got these I read a lot of what was out there on the net about them and the amping was a main barrier of getting into Magnepan's. I also read a few horror stories of amps driven into clipping at relatively low volumes. Just wondering... what amp did your Dad use?

Yes.. I'm a Behringer fan also. I think in your photo you have one of the Ultra Curve products. I have the DEQ2496 Ultra Curve Pro with the M8000 measuring microphone that I use to EQ my room with... that I am sure will help setting up the Maggies!

I'll keep this thread updated in my progress! It's all for and about the music!

[wrayman]

[CODE][I think I have seen a few mention that you are using Magnaplaner speakers. I would like your opinions, pro's, cons, whatever on Magneplanars. /CODE]

Those look GREAT, Acoustic, and only $75 ! You have quite an interesting project on the go.
I have the older Maggie MG-1s, and love them. They're the first panel I've owned, and I don't think I'll go back to box speakers anytime soon. They are a pretty darn good match with the bigger Yamaha integrateds, IMO. They are open, smooth and detailed, and if you are careful about placement, offer excellent imaging.
I don't listen at high volumes in my smaller room, but have never had any issues with the speakers coming to life with barely 20 watts running through them. Very dynamic. Really shine with vinyl and good FM. Yes!
I added a sub a few months ago, and have been very pleased with the results. Lots of differing opinions on doing that though, LOL

[Acoustic]

Those look GREAT, Acoustic, and only $75 ! You have quite an interesting project on the go.
I have the older Maggie MG-1s, and love them. They're the first panel I've owned, and I don't think I'll go back to box speakers anytime soon. They are a pretty darn good match with the bigger Yamaha integrateds, IMO. They are open, smooth and detailed, and if you are careful about placement, offer excellent imaging.
I don't listen at high volumes in my smaller room, but have never had any issues with the speakers coming to life with barely 20 watts running through them. Very dynamic. Really shine with vinyl and good FM. Yes!
I added a sub a few months ago, and have been very pleased with the results. Lots of differing opinions on doing that though, LOL

Hey thanks.... since you list the 2010 and 1010 which one do you use? Have you (or do you) bi-amp the MG-1's with both? What you said about these amps having 'enough' is what I wanted to hear. I, too, don't listen to thunderous volumes or have a lot of room for them, at this time. But I already have a sub... and I'll no doubt stay with it as part of the system with the IIIa's. Since I worked today, I got the 'notice on the door' from UPS and don't have the time to pick up the tweeter.. so I guess I'll get it and the active crossover by Tuesday.... a day off for me... to get the set up goin'. *reelspin*

[joeljoel1947]

My Dad's amp was a RAM 510 from the early 80's. In its hey-day it was one of the best solid state amps out there. But it obviously didn't like the 4 ohm load of the maggies. Just like you mentioned, even at low volumes it had problems. That's good that your amps are good into 4 ohms, that will be a huge help!

I've used a wide assortment of amps on my maggies over the years and I've never had one shut down again. I think todays more modern amps have the necessary slew rate and damping factor to take care of them pretty well. Obviously, no receiver from Best Buy need apply!!!!

You got a great deal on those Maggies and they look perfect. Keep us posted!

[gamve]

If Anyone is looking for a good (cheap) amplifier (monoblocks) to drive a pair of Maggies this kit item would be worth a look. 200wpc into 4 Ohms ultra low distortion. I thought this looked like a top unit.
http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_110854/article.html
I have the magazines if anyone wants a scan. Can also get these kits locally.
For US you would just need 120V primaries on the Torroids.

[wrayman]

[QUOTE][/QHey thanks.... since you list the 2010 and 1010 which one do you use? Have you (or do you) bi-amp the MG-1's with both? UOTE]

I use the 2010 mainly, and the 1010 gets a run every so often. The 2010 has such a good phono stage, and the extra bit of power seems to help to my ear. It also has the extra power in Class A mode.

I put my 50 watt CR-800 receiver on the Maggies yesterday after it got home after a repair and it did very well, even at good volume. It never ran out of gas and didn't get hot.

You should be fine if your room is smaller and concert levels aren't needed.

I've never tried bi amping, but am curious to see how your attempt works out. :)

Isn't UPS open for pickup on Saturdays ?

[Acoustic]

Isn't UPS open for pickup on Saturdays ?

I called this morning.. since I thought so also... but noooooo.*fit* Since I work also Monday... I scheduled the items to be there when i get off work to pick them up myself. I'm off Tuesday... so... hopefully that is when my testing begins. Here's a pic of the Behringer CX2310 crossover that's coming. And as you can see, in the middle, has a Subwoofer out section:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/2932156372_4ce52ef2e9_b.jpg

Your amp and receiver power comments ease my mind on having enough power to do what it takes with the maggies with my needs.

[wrayman]

I called this morning.. since I thought so also... but noooooo.

What a drag ! It's tough to wait that long for new toys. Monday's a holiday in Canada for Thanksgiving, so it would be even worse if you lived up here ! *headache*

[stuwee]

Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends to the north!!

joeljoel1947, schweet set up *Hi5*

Andy, how fun for ya to have Maggies up and running soon, you'll be *omg* amazed with one of the most heavenly midranges to be heard! You'll be grabbin' music as fast as you can to hear anew *drool*y. Not that there is anything wrong with your current B & W's mind you, the sound is very different, I hope your new place(you're moving still, right?) has room not just to place the Maggies properly but, to have a second system built around the B & W's as well, you can never have too many stereo's in the house says "the stuwster" *hypnot**devil*. Please do a pic gallery on the entire process of the rebuild!!

And what an amazing crossover unit too. I wish I had that luxury with my 'Logans, alas mine are not bi-wireable, ampable, etc... I'm thinking great thoughts for ya, buddy!

Craig

[Acoustic]

Stu, Just to set the story straight...it's Polks that I am using now and I am moving but that won't be for a while. The economy has a lot more say so in it than I do!!*hypnot*

Got all the mentioned items here now... replacement ribbon, crossover and interconnects... and I am going to dive in right now to start. I think it will take more than one evening. With working and all... I hope to have working bi-amped Maggies by Sunday afternoon.*hope*

And when that is done Sunday.... I will have three stereo systems and a two channel home theater going... in a one bedroom apartment!!*Spin* *Spin* *Spin* *Spin*

[stuwee]

Andy, forgive me *old* on the speaks you're using now, I'm a doh! Thanks for setting me straight :DYes!:p