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Buying first Maggie"s

24.183.50.90
Posted on December 5, 2016 at 07:37:09
dhd
Audiophile

Posts: 4
Joined: December 5, 2016
 I just bought a used Onkyo 3007 HT reciever and have always wanted a set of Maggie's(30 plus yrs). Found some used ones within a 5 hour drive of my home. One set is the MGIIIA. I contacted the seller and asked the questions I have found here. He stated they sound great, no buzzing, have never been rebuilt, has all of the original components and shipping materials. He is asking top money and of course they are in storage. Walk away or offer a realistic amount? What would be a realistic amount?

With the shipping boxes can I take them home in the back of a covered pick up bed?

Is it ok to bridge the receiver channels(3007 is bridgable) for more power with them?

Thanks

 

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RE: Buying first Maggie"s, posted on December 5, 2016 at 08:32:06
Kythyn
Audiophile

Posts: 57
Location: Florida
Joined: February 2, 2015
 Not sure what he is asking, but I wouldn't buy them without hearing them. Ask him to take them out of storage and listen to them with your receiver. I went with the $599 offer on MMGs. I have owned other maggies, including 3.6s and am happy with them in my environment.

Also, what is the current rating on your receiver? Maggies do respond to high power and current levels.

 

RE: Buying first Maggie"s, posted on December 5, 2016 at 08:39:29
dhd
Audiophile

Posts: 4
Joined: December 5, 2016
 Front L/R 140 W + 140 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.05%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
Center 140 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.05%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
Surround L/R 140 W + 140 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.05%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
Surround Back L/R 140 W + 140 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.05%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
Front High/ Wide 140 W + 140 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.05%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
Dynamic Power 320 W (3 ohms, 1 ch)
270 W (4 ohms, 1 ch)
160 W (8 ohms, 1 ch)
THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) 0.05% (Rated power)
Damping Factor 60 (Front, 1 kHz, 8 ohms)

Onkyo specs


 

RE: Buying first Maggie"s, posted on December 5, 2016 at 09:19:07
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 The Onkyo is insufficient to drive an MG3A to good volume. For relatively quiet listening it is sufficient since it is rated well into 4 ohms. Eventually you will want to biamp a 3A.

As far as buying goes, if you are considering an offer on a high $ ask, then you must listen and see it in person. What happened to the speakers in storage is not known to the seller any more than it is to you. So you can't rely on his description as definitive even if he is entirely honest about it

 

RE: Buying first Maggie"s, posted on December 5, 2016 at 09:54:56
dhd
Audiophile

Posts: 4
Joined: December 5, 2016
 Thanks, This is a starting point for a system. So even when bridged still not enough power? I know all power figures are not equal. I can use the 3007 as a pre amp.

If I could get my old Sansui AU717 up and running would it have enough power?

I was going to go in at a very low offer since so many unknown's since I could be spending X amount to bring them back health.

 

RE: Buying first Maggie"s, posted on December 5, 2016 at 10:02:11
neolith
Audiophile

Posts: 4842
Location: Virginia
Joined: February 21, 2002
Contributor
  Since: December 2, 2004
 Beware of Maggies that have been in storage. Just like a fine violin, they need to be played. They could have been in great shape when placed in storage, but Maggie gets depressed when she is neglected. They may have developed issues. B4 you buy, get a good listen at a good volume and preferably do a slow frequency sweep to see if there is any buzz, etc. There are plenty of free frequency sweep apps available for the pc or smart phone. A reasonable price would be $800-900 for MGIIIa in good to excellent condition.
As Satie says, your amp really isn't up to snuff for IIIa's. Look for about 200 wpc or more into 8 ohms with ability to double up (400 into 4) or close to it. If the manufacturer does not quote a figure at 4 ohms, then assume the amp will not drive a 4 ohm load.



"Our head is round in order to allow our thoughts to change direction." Francis Picabia

 

RE: Buying first Maggie"s, posted on December 5, 2016 at 12:00:09
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 I don't think the bridged Onkyo will drive the maggies at all since then its minimum load impedance would be 8 ohms while the maggies are 4.

The receiver is sufficient to tell you if the speaker is working well and to get you started without having to resort to whisper quiet listening..

ultimately you will need a real power amp to drive the bass panels, it does not need to be expensive. A Crown pro audio amp like an XPS 2500 would be enough though SQ could be better with an XTi 2000 or 4000 series (2002/4002 are current models).

The only receivers I know that will drive a maggie are the Denon 5800 series (the 5805 is a 100 pounder). In the integrated space the Musical Fidelity KW and Nuvista 800 integrateds will do it.

 

RE: Buying first Maggie"s, posted on December 5, 2016 at 12:51:30
66mgb
Audiophile

Posts: 252
Location: Neskowin Oregon
Joined: November 8, 2009
 I would be wary of older maggies that may have delam issues, newer ones solved the problem, look for late manufactured 3.6s or 1.7 and you won't have to worry about the delam problems.

 

RE: Buying first Maggie"s, posted on December 5, 2016 at 14:15:10
grantv
Manufacturer

Posts: 7727
Location: B.C.
Joined: January 15, 2002
 Somewhat backing up others statements...
I would be wary of bridging that Onkyo. Likely throw it into thermal overload or toast comes caps somewhere.
Buying without listening is scary, buying stored speakers is risky. If you can't listen, maybe post here where you live; somebody just might go have a listen for you.
IIRC a fair price for non-rebuilds is around $800 maybe? I might be off.
Lastly, IIIA's are great speakers and a true bargain if they are working properly!
Ensure you have the tweeter shipping magnets if you want to ship them flat.

 

RE: Buying first Maggie"s, posted on December 5, 2016 at 15:21:28
Green Lantern
Audiophile

Posts: 16952
Location: San Diego, Ca
Joined: November 12, 2002
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2003
 I agree with what the others have mentioned above. Regarding specs-I personally read them as if I'm reading a car manufacturer's claim for gas mileage; if I'm not mistaken 270 per channel is generally the manufacturer's 'peak performance' rating and not necessarily it's ability to sustain a cruising speed at that level. I also wouldn't get too comfortable in any amp's 'wattage' rating, Maggies need CURRENT; (the amp's ability to deliver wattage -think of a drinking straw vs garden hose). I have two 500 watt mono block ICEamps that were driving my mids/tweeters sections only on my MG20s and they did ok for a while but felt constrained in the long term.
Conversely I have two 300 watt mono block high current Emotiva's that handle her like a beast on steroids.











 

RE: Buying first Maggie"s, posted on December 5, 2016 at 17:30:22
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 I biamp my 3.6's with two Berning ZH270 tube amps. Each is 100W per side into 4 ohms. Ihave driven the 3.6's with only one amp at 100W per side. Sounds great and plenty loud and dynamic.
Alan

 

size of room?, posted on December 7, 2016 at 20:08:12
farfetched
Audiophile

Posts: 963
Location: Cleveland!
Joined: October 13, 2010
 I own 1.2's and a martin logan sub that I only kick in >45hz and judiciously volumed, and it is one sweet ride. But it also fits my room and my preference of a rather small listening triangle (about 10ft a side)and moderate listening levels.

If you like that kind of intimacy, small maggies can be the way to go.

I feel my 1.2's make a "big" sound merely because, in my set up, the fact maggies are AMAZING just shines through. I find it hard to find fault, especially after I added the sub. Clarity, zero congestion, are my big turn ons, and I think even small maggies give you worldbeating rewards in those areas

but room size and set up and volume preferences makes a huge diff if a given pair will work well for you


/ optimally proportioned triangles are our friends


 

RE: size of room?, posted on December 8, 2016 at 18:33:46
dhd
Audiophile

Posts: 4
Joined: December 5, 2016
 Thanks for all of the advice.

12 x 22 for room size.

I was going to offer between $100 to $200. With the age, unknown aspects and not having been rebuilt.

Is it acceptable on the forum to trade my non audio items for audio items?

Again Thanks

 

RE: size of room?, posted on December 8, 2016 at 19:25:47
farfetched
Audiophile

Posts: 963
Location: Cleveland!
Joined: October 13, 2010
 i would personally pay the modest premium of just dealing with official company directly. best company imho.
/ optimally proportioned triangles are our friends


 

RE: size of room?, posted on December 9, 2016 at 21:31:32
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 What is the offer for? The 3A you were talking about? Even a non-functioning pair would go for $500 so long as they have intact Mylar. So don't expect to get that much off the normal $800 a fully intact 3A goes for.

 

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