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Hi - this is my first time on this site and I have a question or am looking for opinions on Magenpan MMG speakers. I am thinking of taking the plunge into planars, (I heard some friend's SMGa's and was quite taken by the sound) but I am not looking to spend a lot of money on speakers. (I've already done enough of that in the past) I am looking at the MMGs due to size of speaker, budget, and room size. I am not looking to upgrade in the future - I simply want to buy a pair of speakers and be happy with them. I listen to mainly classical,jazz, light rock and artists such as Diana Krall, Steve Terrell, etc. I've got, what I think are some some decent electronics - a B & K PT 3 pre amp and a B & K ST 2020 amp which is rated at 250 watts @ 4 ohms. Also have a Velodyne sub. Do you think I'd be happy with the MMGs?
Follow Ups:
Hi Charles,You've already heard a bunch of recomendations from others here, and you've heard the "Maggie Magic" on your friends SMG's. So you know the bass is not going to rattle your gut like a jello mold ... judging by the kind of music you like that shouldn't be a problem. There's always a subwoofer, if you find it lacking.
Bear in mind, brand new they will sound aweful! When my 0.6QRs were factory refurbed they were very harsh and non-linear sounding. Break them in! At around 20-30 hours they will start to produce that magic. Another 40-50 hours and they'll be 90%+. Easiest way, is an Fm tuner or CDP set on repeate while you're at work. You're gonna love 'em.
As good of a speaker that the MMG is, like most other Maggies, the factory stands are less than adequate. Holding the panels rigidly in place is key to getting the best out of these speakers and the stock stands simply don't.
You can build your own stands or purchase them but do get some. The only downside is that you'll have a set of factory stands laying around with no use for them.
Next up is room treatments. Think "absorbtion" at the first reflection points on your side walls and "diffusion" behind the speakers. Getting this done means you are hearing the sound of your speakers and not "what your room is doing to " the sound of your speakers. This also aids in finding the best speaker positioning in your room.If you mod the crossover later, you will have the basics already tweaked to perfection. If you don't, you will still have a fine sounding setup.
The MMGs are perfectly adequate $550/pr speakers. I had a pair for a year or two and, well, I got a good resale value for them. But to tell the truth, they aren't all that great and I was glad to see them goVMPS is having a sale of the 626 for $975 a pair. That's an incredible bargain on a speaker that is an enormous step up from the MMG.
interesting; question: how well can they image; seperate. Looks intriguing for a second room.
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Can't answer for the 626s. I have the RM30Ms, and they are the best imaging speakers I've ever heard. IIRC, the mid-panel is the same, which carries most everything from 270-5,000 Hz. The 6.5" mid-woofer and tweeter are somewhat different (and I'd be tempted to spend the extra $200/pr to upgrade the woofers). I reckon that a sub would be needed with the 626, though Brian says the bass is usable to the lower 40s. Also includes the waveguides and cabinet treatment which IMHO are huge improvements.
I recommend you get a pair new from the factory. They have a 60 day trial period in case you change your mind-but I'd wager you won't! They'll even credit the pair if you decide to upgrade (and the thought WILL cross your mind once you hear them).I say grab em'; you won't be disappointed-
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Amen to that. When you hear what the little ones can do, you can easily and joyously get caught up in the upgrade path.The upgrade path for other high end speaker brands is usually quite expensive. You can start with a high quality bookshelf for $1000 to $1500 or so, but to get to audio Nirvana you may gave to upgrade to a $15000 model from the same line. The Maggie upgrade path, including mods, is far less painful to your pocketbook. In addition the cheapest Maggies give you a lot of what the most expensive models have to offer. No matter how you go, Maggies are an absolute audio bargain.
Usually available under $1200. Your amp has plenty of juice for those too.
Used MG 1.6s are more than double the price and are significatly larger than MMGs. Charles made it clear that his budget and the size of the MMGs were important factors in his decision. He said he's not interested in an upgrade path.
I had MMG's with a BK amp and pre and was very happy. Just make sure you can live with the sweet spot (sounds best in only one spot). If you can, they are the best speakers you can buy for the price.
Hi,
You won't be sorry.
I love mine. I have owned many many speakers, including larger Maggie models. The mmg's with powered sub(s) satisfy like nothing else I've owned.
mg16
Hello, TAKE THE PLUNGE! I first owned 1.6`s and really loved them. Had them about 5 years. Last year I bought MMG`s and was blown away. Modded the x-overs ( very simple) I was using a Plinius 8150 /150 per channel on 1.6`s and an Exposure 2010 (50 per) on MMG`s and it sounds awesome! (sold the Plinius and got a 2010S for the 1.6`s) This is a little speaker that has it all , honestly. You could use it for your main system no problem. If you can swing it PLEASE try the Exposure it really has the PRAT that is talked of.
I first tried the mmg's 10yrs ago with my older B&K st202 (before they started the 2020,3030,etc.) Loved them, but I sent them back only because I had a pair of MG1's (older and $200 less) But very soon I got a used pair of MG.6's (1994 vintage of the new MG12's) and this is where I've been speaker wise for the last 10yrs. The 2020 should drive the mmg's very well and if you have a decent front end, you'll be happy music wise. Any of the smaller maggies would work great with you amp & preamp.
I've owned lots of speakers, and the MMGs are the best I've heard for the price. With a sub they are even better. With simple and relatively inexpensive crossover mods even better. With good stands
even better yet!The amp you have should be just fine.
I listen to acoustic and electric Jazz, Fusion, and Prog-Rock, and they are great for it all IMO. True, they especially shine for acoustic music though.
Thanks to all of you for your comments. You have helped me make up my mind on getting the MMG's. Now, one last question, exactly how do you modify the crossovers? I've seen a bunch of schematics and so forth on this sight and it's Greek to me. Can anyone simply explain what I would need to do to modify the crossover? Thanks.
As others have said, use them for a while before you dive into crossover upgrades. If only so that you can then fully appreciate the difference. There are a lot of ways to go upgrading the crossover: direct component replacement, redesigned crossover, active setup, etc...The simplest route is just to replace the stock capacitors with higher quality items (Jensen, Auri, Hovland) which nets a significant improvement. You'll find lots of info on the MUG site for this, basically you remove the sock, cut the old caps out, and solder the new ones in. This is a simple and cost effective approach with significant improvement.
There's also removal of the fuse and tweeter jumper from the circuit. Not quite as simple as a capacitor upgrade, but free and a nice improvement.
Next is replacement of the inductors, but the increase in size of higher quality inductors means that you need and external crossover box as they won't usually fit under the sock, which means a lot more work than the above upgrade.
An active setup for an MMG is overkill in my opinion, particularly given your parameters. Plus it's more fuss and more to screw up. I definitely wouldn't consider it unless I had 1.6QR's at least.
Maggie Lover is right...wait a bit before tackling the mods.Personally, I would wait until you can get a free pair (after you have sold 3 pairs to friends) that way even if you screw it up, it is no big deal, just take the $550 Magnepan sends you and buy another pair.
I used Taz's tweaks in the archives, and got really good results. FWIW I did 3.1, and if you take a look at my system, you can see actuall pictures of the finished crossovers, and then look at the greek diagrams, and I think it will start to make sense.
BUt, before you go to that trouble, you really should consider going all active, and dumping the passive crossovers all together. For the price of the passive parts, you could be well on your way to a digital crossover, and another amp.
Your response to Charles contains a valid approach, but it caused me to go back to his original request which I've excerpted below,"I am not looking to spend a lot of money on speakers. (I've already done enough of that in the past) I am looking at the MMGs due to size of speaker, budget, and room size. I am not looking to upgrade in the future - I simply want to buy a pair of speakers and be happy with them."
It seems he's not interested in an upgrade path and the need to spend a lot of money on such things as an active crossover and additional amplification. Maybe he will catch the 'bug' once he sees what the Maggies are capable of, but it sounds initially that he's really looking for a 'plug and play' solution. His budget and technical skills may not even permit him to consider mods for a passive crossover. And, if he screws up the crossover, he may have no speakers at all!
Consequently, my recomendation to Charles is to buy the MMGs and enjoy them as is until he decides that he has a combination of the funds, skills, and interest to go farther. Given their sound once broken in, he may be perfectly happy to leave them as is, which after all would not be such a terrible thing:)
Hi ML,Your response to Charles contains a valid approach, but it caused me to go back to his original request which I've excerpted below,
"I am not looking to spend a lot of money on speakers. (I've already done enough of that in the past) I am looking at the MMGs due to size of speaker, budget, and room size. I am not looking to upgrade in the future - I simply want to buy a pair of speakers and be happy with them."Yep, that was the original post. BUt I was trying to help with an additional request, which casts doubt on the first post and the complete desire for a "plug and play" solution:
---Thanks to all of you for your comments. You have helped me make up my mind on getting the MMG's. Now, one last question, exactly how do you modify the crossovers? I've seen a bunch of schematics and so forth on this sight and it's Greek to me. Can anyone simply explain what I would need to do to modify the crossover? Thanks.---
So I tried to help explain what needed to be done. I did a bad job of explaining, but basically, the old crossover would need to be disconnected or removed, and the new crossovers installed, most likely as outboard ones, but the new one depending on components chosen could fit where the stock parts go.
ANyhow, if the original poster does want to modify the crossovers (certainly is asking how to do so), it could cost some big bucks. Mine cost a bit over $200 if memory serves. FOr that kind of money, one could have bought one of the Behringer crossovers ($250 I think) and one of their amps for $179 or found a used B&K for a simiiar price...so for not much more money, and ended up with a much better sounding product...and it wold be easier to do.
But we both agree that waiting is the best option, and if this poster does sell 3 pairs, then with that $550 he would have all that was needed for the equipment to go active.
I agree. Hopefully Charles will have enough info at this point to make a more educated purchase decision.One things is for certain. It's highly unlikely he could find a new pair of speakers from another manufacturer at that price point which will give him as much pleasure as the Maggies will!
Again, thanks to all who gave their opinions. You all really helped a lot.
Remember, modifying the crossover will void the warranty. Wait a few months until the return period is over and the speakers are fully broken in before you attempt a modification. Depending on your room configuation speaker placement and ancillary equipment, the mods may or may not appeal to you.
I have had the MMGs as my main speaker for over 8 years. It wasn't until I severely upgraded my source that I thought the speakers were the weak link.GIven my experience with the crossover mods, I would say if you can jump up to the MG-12s do so....or mod the MMGs with a MG-12 like crossover.
CLick on the A by my moniker to get a sense of the system I have.
Bottom line, the MMGS are a fantastic speaker and compare favorable with many more expensive models...especially if you don't mind a little surgery.
I've never owned a pair of MMGs, however I still have my SMGa's from 1986 in my basement system and MG1.6 QR in my main system.Although they'll play anything :), Maggies are generally at their best on classical, small ensemble, jazz and vocals. Like any other speaker, you should try to audtion before you buy, but with a 60 day money back guaranty, you don't have much to lose. The overall musical picture a planar speaker provides is very different than a dynamic box speaker. Some people do not care from this type of presentation.
Maggies need to be broken in, so they won't sound their best out of the box. They also need space around them. At least 3-4 feet from the rear wall and 2 1/2 feet from the side walls. For the best imaging and soundstaging, these speakers have a relatively small sweet spot. Although they'll sound 'nice' from anywhere in your room, they sound best in their sweet spot. If you search this site there are a number of set up procedures people go through to get the best from these speakers.
Set up at their best in a room that complments them, Maggies will display a tall, wide and deep soundstage, with the images extending to the side walls and beyond. On well miked recordings there is a stong sense of the ensemble in a 3 dimentional space in from of you.
Although its the baby Maggie, the MMG has a very credible amount of bass. I'm not sure how well it will integrate with your sub, or if the sub will have a negative impact on the soundstage. Perhaps others can comment.
Without knowing much about your room and where you will place them, its hard to be sure if you'll like them. But given your musical tastes and the experience with an SMGa, I'd say go gfor it.
You get posts like this saying, 'you need AT LEAST three to four feet from the back and sides walls', then on the other hand you get people saying they had 1.6's in their 10x13 room and it sounded great.I'm not commenting either way on the reality of it. It's just interesting the wide disparity of comments in the forum on maggies space requirements.
You can run them flat up against a wall and they'll work. I'm also sure that people who use MG 1.6s in 10x13 rooms are getting great pleasure from them.My point was only that with approrpiate placement (depending on room size and shape) is one likely to reap all the sonic benefits Maggies can provide including stronger bass and a wider, deeper, more holographic soundstage.
IMHO, when Maggies are too close to rear and side walls, the bass may suffer and first reflections may limit the sound stage depth, often significantly. I find it hard to see how large Maggies can perform at their best in small rooms, i.e 10x13. I'm guessing the results may be quite pleasant, but not the best theae speakers are capable of. Their owners may not even realize what these speakers are capable of in a larger space.
In my case, I wish my main listening room was 2-3 feet wider which would allow me to increase the distance from the side walls. The Cardas setup formulas for panels indicates the rear wall should be around 5 feet behind the speakers. That's hard to do in a room only 13 feet long.
I seci=ond everything that maggielover wrote. Go for it; you've got the amp to drive them ok.
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