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Just got MGIIIs - something's not right.

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Posted on November 17, 2016 at 23:28:32
peaveygtr
Audiophile

Posts: 2
Location: Milwaukee
Joined: November 17, 2016
 I got a pair of MGIIIs with the crossovers. I hooked them up to my primary Counterpoint SA-12, and the sound is barely audible. The treble is at least working - but hard to tell how many panels I have to replace. Any sure way to tell what panel replacement kit I need?

And if anybody has replaced panels, is it worth the time/effort? I'm in a small space and debating just getting some new .7s with bass panels.

 

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RE: Just got MGIIIs - something's not right. , posted on November 18, 2016 at 07:15:09
Roger Gustavsson
Audiophile

Posts: 2058
Location: Huskvarna
Joined: February 12, 2010
 Strange, either there is sound or not. Can you measure the resistance of the bass without the external crossover? It should read about 4 Ohm. If not, you have a bad connection inside the speaker (more than 4 Ohm) or the wire on the driver is broken (zero Ohm). Do the same on the connections of the midrange driver. You do not replace the panels, you can rewire them or let Magnepan do it (many Dollars). Bass and mid is on the same driver (one in each speaker).

 

RE: Just got MGIIIs - something's not right. , posted on November 18, 2016 at 12:02:43
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 In addition to testing as Roger suggested also check if the fuses are conducting and the reistance across the fuse terminals.

Roger, if you intended "zero ohm" for a broken wire (disconnect) then I think you have a typo.

 

RE: Just got MGIIIs - something's not right. , posted on November 19, 2016 at 01:21:14
Roger Gustavsson
Audiophile

Posts: 2058
Location: Huskvarna
Joined: February 12, 2010
 @ Satie,

Yes! Should read infinite.

 

RE: Just got MGIIIs - something's not right. , posted on November 19, 2016 at 15:54:55
peaveygtr
Audiophile

Posts: 2
Location: Milwaukee
Joined: November 17, 2016
 Thanks, I'll try using the multi-meter to measure the ohm resistance. If you have any tips let me know - I haven't had to use one for speaker troubleshooting ever, but this could be a good project this Thanksgiving weekend.

I did check the fuzes, they're okay - they'll allow sound to come out of these things when in, and not when out. Other than that, I'm not sure how to check for an optimal connection - it seems plugged in all the way and there is no visible corrosion.

As for the sound I hear - it's very tinny, almost like it's missing either bass or midrange, and not very loud. At the level I'll have to crank it to, my primary speakers would be making windows shake. I haven't "taken off the sock" yet to check loose wires, but anticipating this, I did get a rewire kit from magnepan which is what I was referring to.

 

RE: Just got MGIIIs - something's not right. , posted on November 20, 2016 at 18:57:39
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 Are you sure you got the wiring to the crossovers right?

 

RE: Just got MGIIIs - something's not right. , posted on November 20, 2016 at 20:44:55
Cory M.
Audiophile

Posts: 1172
Location: Midwest
Joined: April 10, 2005
 Congrats on getting some great speakers. Also, bummer they are not working correctly! Hope you get that sorted out soon.

So, you have a tinny sound from both speakers? It is possible that there's a problem with the bass wiring on both, but that would be a distant coincidence. The bass wires' normal failure mode is lifting off of the panels, causing a buzzing sound. It's pretty robust magnet wire, and would take an awful lot to corrode or burn them open. Mid and ribbon wiring is more apt to fail open.

You have the amp connected to the outboard crossover boxes, and then two pairs of "jumper" wires (one for mid/tweet, one for woofer) on each connected to the panels?

You can definitely tell if the bass panel is working or not. I'd open a crossover box first, before you take the socks off of the panels. It's possible that someone modified it for biamping.

Just a reminder too, be extra careful when you're troubleshooting- you don't want to smoke the output MOSFETs on your Counterpoint! They are very finicky. I use Counterpoint SA amps too, and rest assured they do sound awesome with Maggies.




Cory


 

RE: Just got MGIIIs - something's not right. , posted on November 20, 2016 at 22:18:11
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 Josh suggested 'wiring the crossovers correctly'
I'd hope maybe a PHOTO from somebody who has it right might help the OP?

I'd bet 0.50$ CASH MONEY that the cure is somewhere down that line of thought.
Too much is never enough

 

That occurred to me too ..., posted on November 21, 2016 at 17:11:59
andyr
Manufacturer

Posts: 12551
Location: Melbourne
Joined: September 2, 2000
 Check that the bass panel output wires from the external XO are going into the bass panel connectors on the panel and the mid+ribbon panel output wires from the external XO are going into the mid+ribbon panel connectors.

Andy

 

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