Planar Speaker Asylum

Welcome! Need support, you got it. Or share your ideas and experiences.

Return to Planar Speaker Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?

136.61.203.154
Posted on April 7, 2017 at 07:43:55
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 I figured if I can't beat them join them. So I went out and bought a pair of Tympani IVA. I have always wanted a pair of these speakers. Not a stat but incredible none the less.

They were local and for the price I could not say no. I went and looked at them last Saturday. Appear to be in excellent shape overall. Tweeters are intact, no sags or twisting. Everything else works fine. The previous owner messed around with the crossovers and most of the external crossover box is missing. He was bi-amping the speakers. Should be no problem addressing these issues.

The black grille cloth and oak side rails will have to go. I much prefer the look of the off-white with no side rails like the Tympani ID, etc.

Should have them tomorrow. Once I sort out the crossover issues I will have these bad boys running. Can't wait!

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 7, 2017 at 08:18:35
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 Ken
That isn't nuts at all. I miss my Tympani 4As and they were such an improvement over my 1Ds,especially on the top end.I have the Martin Logan CLXs which I use with with a pair of ML Descent subs but I always of stacking Tympani bass panels to use with them.If you have the room for those Tympanis,they sound a lot like ESLs with a good tube amp or two and they image incredibly well.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 7, 2017 at 08:23:36
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 No problem with room. Sound Labs are gone for the moment still trying to decide which pair to buy.

I used I-D bass panels for several years to augment the bottom of stacked original Quads. A wonderful match.

 

Wait a darn second..., posted on April 7, 2017 at 12:13:25
grantv
Manufacturer

Posts: 7729
Location: B.C.
Joined: January 15, 2002
 $341!!?? Really?
Bargain of the year I'd say, even if they need work.

 

RE: Wait a darn second..., posted on April 7, 2017 at 12:20:37
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 That is what I thought. Even if they were trashed they would be worth that kind of money. But they aren't. Beyond the tears in the cloth on the back around the crossovers and the external crossovers are empty boxes the speakers are pretty cherry. Looks like a few legs are missing as well. None of this presents a problem and it will take little money to make them whole again.

All the drivers are in good shape. Side rails although ugly to me are mint.

Always wanted a pair of Tympani IVA but had to wait for a deal. Just never expected this kind of deal!

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 7, 2017 at 15:05:24
neolith
Audiophile

Posts: 4842
Location: Virginia
Joined: February 21, 2002
Contributor
  Since: December 2, 2004
 FWIW, I have a set of legs for a pair of MGIIIa (I think they are the same for TIVa) that I can send you for the cost of shipping. You probably want to make something better but if not just email me.



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

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 7, 2017 at 19:46:41
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 Congrats on a really great purchase. Can't believe you paid so little.

The speakers need those side panels to maintain their stiffness. Do not remove them. You will want to keep the mid/tweet panel separate so you will need 2 legs for each, and each pair of bass panels needs 3 legs. Total is 10 legs, so you can either make 10 legs from Home Depot steel brackets or order the extra 7 you need from Magnepan.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 7, 2017 at 20:05:30
Norman M
 For that price, it's almost like getting them free. If I ever wanted them (and I don't because I have them), I'd have bought them and sent them to White Bear Lake for a refurbish job. (Assuming they have a person to take them on.)

 

RE: Great buy! Well done. Enjoy! nt, posted on April 8, 2017 at 00:39:46
andyr
Manufacturer

Posts: 12551
Location: Melbourne
Joined: September 2, 2000
 .

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 8, 2017 at 03:26:44
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 I cannot stand the look of the side rails I think they distract from what can be a very clean aesthetic. I am going to have figure something out because they do have to go!

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 8, 2017 at 03:50:18
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 I don't think they need any major restoration just some clean-up. The ribbons are in excellent shape. When I replace the socks if I see any problems with the mid/bass drivers I will send them to Magnepan for a restoration.

 

WOW, posted on April 8, 2017 at 04:56:10
Green Lantern
Audiophile

Posts: 16952
Location: San Diego, Ca
Joined: November 12, 2002
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2003
 $50 per panel is mind blowing! X'lent score!









 

RE: WOW, posted on April 8, 2017 at 06:14:09
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 Well the last thing I probably need in my life is another pair of speakers. And Magnepans?!? I am a stat guy but the heart wants what the heart wants.

 

Nice score Kent! (nt), posted on April 8, 2017 at 08:43:18
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3157
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 nt


"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

How about, posted on April 8, 2017 at 10:18:05
M3 lover
Audiophile

Posts: 6605
Location: SW Mich
Joined: May 29, 2005
Contributor
  Since: July 4, 2007
 fabricating a thin (1/4"?) metal strap painted the same color as the grille cloth in place of the side rails? Possibly that could provide the needed rigidity while not being visually obvious?

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 8, 2017 at 10:18:36
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 How about wrapping the fabric over the entire frame including the side rails?

My T IV panels are wood frames for the bass and MDF for the mid/tweet. The MDF has a steel plate over it. The IVa is all MDF and has no steel plate so relies on the wood rails to keep it from flopping.You can try something else to stiffen the panels, perhaps steel U profile rails?

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 8, 2017 at 10:41:00
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 The wood rails look horrible to me. I like the clean aesthetic of the off-white Tympani I-D or even the black. I had black I-D in the early 80s. Adding the wood rails looks so 1980s and tacky to my eyes.

I might try fabric over the rails but that may rule out socks from Magnepan. Or fabricate some steel U-channels to place down the edges to replace the wood rails.

I will live with them as-is for the moment.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 8, 2017 at 12:10:17
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002



You can turn the U rails into T type legs if you have a welding shop nearby. probably a good idea for the outside rails.

Re legs

This is one of my legs, but you can do it more simply with just one of the steel L brackets on either side without the heavy oak.Those were lots of work and are more trouble than they are worth. The steel brackets are available at Lowes and Home Depot. Their holes just happen to coincide in spacing to the maggie holes.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 8, 2017 at 17:27:03
Norman M
 I've been living with a IV-A (black fabric) for a little over 26 years, and the appearance of their wooden rails never crossed my mind. Before that I owned a Tympani 1C (of course, without rails) with their awful gray socks which yellowed with age, UGLY! My 1Cs were refurbished by Magnepan because of their UV damage and their grey fabric also yellowed, (more ugliness), so the IV-A with its black socks plus wooden rails look beautiful, and like new to my eyes (and weren't ever restored). Good luck and your IV-As should provide much pleasure all around, sound AND appearance.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 9, 2017 at 04:02:42
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 I realize all of this is a matter of ones own personal taste and sense of aesthetic. I prefer clean lines no unnecessary ornamentation or bling. There is really no reason why the side rails need to be there they were added to 'dress up' the look.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 9, 2017 at 11:37:17
Norman M
 I don't want to belabor a point nor beat a dead horse. Nevertheless I think we all recognize 'bling' when we see it. If anything my IV-As with their black socks and oak rails appear 'plain jane' and never even attracted my attention. (If there were oak rails on my MMG, with their black socks they'd nearly look like a smaller IV-A, just no strip separating their tweeter section. Maybe you feel MMGs also got 'bling'?

 

Way cool!, posted on April 9, 2017 at 12:14:40
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37673
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 It was big Tympanis that converted me to the magic of planers. :)

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 9, 2017 at 12:30:17
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 Well the rather plain side rails on the Tympani IVA are about as much bling as you will see from Magnepan!

No problem with the wood trip on the single panel models.. Completely different look from the Tympani.

This is about taste. Some will find the side rails enhance the look. I just happen to think they degrade the look. No right or wrong answer here.

 

RE: Way cool!, posted on April 9, 2017 at 12:31:30
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 My exposure to the SMG, MG-IIB and the Tympani 1-D did it for me. After that cones in boxes would never do.

 

RE: Way cool!, posted on April 10, 2017 at 16:21:04
ghost4man
Audiophile

Posts: 85
Joined: February 18, 2016
 Kentjara,

Mate given you got them so cheap why not get some nice quality wooden frames made up and be done with the side trims. You can also do away with the cloth as well.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 10, 2017 at 17:58:56
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 Wow, that price is insane! Even if you didn't want them and just turned around and sold them on Audiogon you'd make out like a bandit.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 10, 2017 at 18:03:28
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 Mine have some delamination towards the end on the woofers and a bit on the midranges. Nothing that requires a full rebuild as opposed to a weekend's spot repairs (which I bashfully admit I still haven't done). OTOH, taking all those staples out was a miserable job!

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 10, 2017 at 18:58:52
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 It is fairly easy to see the driver through the grille cloth and very easy to depress the fabric and feel the driver.

Wires don't seem to have any delam issues. No buzzing, etc., when played.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 10, 2017 at 20:08:34
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 So how are you amping and crossing it over now? how does it sound compared to your prior ESLs?

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 11, 2017 at 05:22:30
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 Just it was steal and even if that had been beat to death. But beyond the crossover issues these speakers are pretty much mint boxes too!

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 11, 2017 at 08:34:01
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 That's really amazing -- they just didn't know what they had. I paid something like $1600 for mine and I gather that they go for over $2000 now -- which is still a steal, if you have the room.

Have you considered doing Satie's Neo 8 mod?

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 11, 2017 at 11:16:34
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 Got them at an on-line estate auction here in KC which made an already incredibly sweet deal even better. They were local.

Don't think I am interested in doing any mods. As incredible as these speakers are I am still a stat guy. One of the reasons I bought them was to potentially use just the bass panels to augment the bottom end of the Quads. I have done this before with 1-D bass panels with excellent results.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 11, 2017 at 11:38:42
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 If I had an infinite amount of space, I've always though that that's the way I would go -- Tympani bass panels with electrostatic mids and highs. There was someone else here who does that, he had Tympani bass panels, Martin-Logans, and a rotary woofer!

However, I hear from everybody that the Neo 8's have almost the transparency of stats, and the Maggie tweeter is still as good as anything out there, so for me it seemed a more practical way to go.

Now if only I had the time to build something from scratch -- it would be a stretched out ESL-63 -- a line source with delayed segments for ideal dispersion and power response -- or a triple ribbon -- tweeter in the center between aluminum barriers, 1" ribbons on either side.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 11, 2017 at 13:17:12
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 Mine plays nicely even with some delam at the edges. I suspect I'm losing some deep bass output because most of the delamination is on the lowest frequency section, so it isn't fully driven. In any case, if there is some, it's easy to fix.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 11, 2017 at 15:38:06
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 Yes I have repaired many Magnepans with delam on the wires or broken tweeter wires. Not a hard job at all just takes some time and patience.

But these show no signs of delam on either the bass or mid panels. They as good as the day they left the factory.

Talked with Magnepan today about the tweeter. They play nicely and don't seem to have any sage but there is some twisting in certain areas. Gary said he would need to talk to Wendall on this one he did not know if this was a problem. At $100 a tweeter to repair it is not a big deal either way.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 11, 2017 at 18:41:42
BDP24
Audiophile

Posts: 1070
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Joined: September 12, 2013
 Kentaja---You could paint the side rails black, they would then almost disappear.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 12, 2017 at 12:21:35
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 I had some subtle delamination on the midrange that I don't think you'd see through the grille cloth, and also some lifted ends on the woofers that I didn't see through the cloth -- which of course doesn't mean that someone else wouldn't have:









Another issue is that the mids seem to have detached from the tape on some of the crosspieces, I stuck the mylar back down and it seems to have stayed. Not really an issue for either of us since we won't be using the mids.

Just checked my ribbons and the RH one looks OK but I noticed what looks like some twisting at the top and bottom of the LH one:





I'll be curious to hear what Wendell says.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 12, 2017 at 13:32:22
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 Much prefer them in the off-white cloth.

The bass panel wire are pretty easy to see through the cloth. And you can feel them quite easily as well. I think they are fine.

The wire on the mids is much finer and harder to see or feel through the cloth. I will know more when I re-sock them.

My tweeter is doing the same twisting. No bad and confined to the top/bottom of the ribbon. Seems to play fine.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 12, 2017 at 13:58:33
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 Norman's are beautiful, though, have you seen his installation?





I suppose it depends on your decor, I haven't decided yet what color my new socks will be but given they're size their kind of overbearing in my undersized listening room so I'm leaning towards white:





Maybe I should Photoshop these to get an idea of how they'll look . . .

The delam on the mids is only on I think three of the dividers, for some reason the wires have not only lifted but stretched a bit so they'll have to take a slightly serpentine path when I glue them back down. I'm not concerned though since the diaphragm barely moves at that point anyway. More concerned with the fact that the Mylar may not be sticking to the tape, which could mess up the resonances. I suppose I could make a thin bar and use it to clamp them from the front.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 12, 2017 at 14:53:57
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001



Great looking set-ups.

In my decor either color would work I just prefer the off-white. Kind of tired of everything being black. I look at black colored Quads all day long.

Finally found a pair of original Quads in mint condition copper. In KC no less. Got them the week before the Tympani.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 12, 2017 at 15:12:52
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 Those look really amazing! I've never seen such a nice-looking pair of Quads.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 12, 2017 at 15:23:42
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 I see black in this kind of condition all the time. I probably have 8 pair in black that look this good.

Copper in this kind of condition is extremely rare. They should shine like a new copper penny. Generally they are all banged up and heavily oxidized.

This pair was built in 1959 has never been touched since they left the factory and everything works. Not like they should any longer there is no real bass any more. The Mylar was gotten stiff over the decades and panel resonance goes sky high killing bottom end. But they do work.

It has been a good couple weeks finding great speakers here in KC.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 12, 2017 at 16:15:33
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 I've seen black ones in nice shape but I've never seen a copper one that wasn't oxidized. I had no idea they were ever shiny like this, figured they always looked dingy.

Does sound like you've had an amazing two weeks! I've been busy selling old equipment on Ebay after putting it off for too many years, and ordered a Benchmark AHB2. That should be an interesting experiment! There's a 30 day trial, so time to see if it's as good as people say. I was originally going to try a NuPrime ST-10 with the Neo 8's in mind, but they were out of stock, so after a month I cancelled my order and switched gears.

 

RE: Way cool!, posted on April 12, 2017 at 20:02:26
Utley1
Audiophile

Posts: 1609
Location: NYC
Joined: July 30, 2010
 In the words of FATS DOMINO: 'I going to Kansas city,Kansas City here I come. Fats would wish you pleasure with these beauties.

 

RE: Way cool!, posted on April 13, 2017 at 07:26:58
Norman M
 After the appearance of any speakers be 'minimized', one might consider stacking heavy pieces of electronics with thick face plates displaying lights, digits and other indicators right smack on the floor between them, not to mention any with lit vacuum tubes. Surely no 'bling' there.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 13, 2017 at 21:32:49
George S. Roland
Audiophile

Posts: 1470
Location: N W Pennsylvania
Joined: March 20, 2004
 Congratulations Kent!

I always like to hear the satisfaction of the phrase, "I have always wanted a ...." Now, you've got 'em!

Hope you enjoy them a lot!

Give us a report when you have fully experienced them. Love to hear your thoughts.

George Roland

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 14, 2017 at 09:57:43
airheadair
Audiophile

Posts: 393
Location: California
Joined: October 18, 2010
 "Now if only I had the time to build something from scratch -- it would be a stretched out ESL-63 -- a line source with delayed segments for ideal dispersion and power response -- or a triple ribbon -- tweeter in the center between aluminum barriers, 1" ribbons on either side."


See if you can get hold of a Stax F81 or F83.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 14, 2017 at 15:03:59
BDP24
Audiophile

Posts: 1070
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Joined: September 12, 2013
 Hey, will the T-IVa side rails fit on the T-IV panels? I rather like the look of the side rails, which my T-IV's of course don't have. Wanna sell 'em?!

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 15, 2017 at 06:07:50
Green Lantern
Audiophile

Posts: 16952
Location: San Diego, Ca
Joined: November 12, 2002
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2003
 incredibly beautiful, wow..









 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 15, 2017 at 08:15:14
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 Isn't it? I think Norman's is the nicest looking Maggie installation I've ever seen.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 15, 2017 at 08:34:05
Green Lantern
Audiophile

Posts: 16952
Location: San Diego, Ca
Joined: November 12, 2002
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2003
 Both sets, incredible-









 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 15, 2017 at 09:11:09
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 Mine still need some work, although they look surprisingly good without the socks. I touched up a few spots where the spray didn't reach, but it isn't a perfect paint job, you'd have to take them apart and spray the baffles to do that. I'm still not sure whether I'll end up putting socks on them or not. If I do, I'll probably use velcro, because taking all those staples out is a bear!

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 15, 2017 at 10:29:27
Roger Gustavsson
Audiophile

Posts: 2058
Location: Huskvarna
Joined: February 12, 2010
 The IVa side rails will fit the IV. The panels themselves are same size.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 15, 2017 at 11:37:52
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 Interesting, I see they did use a delay. Didn't Acoustat use delay as well in the Spectra? Doesn't look though like there are enough elements in the Stax, dispersion seems to be poor above about 2 kHz (in the F81, anyway). You really need about two segments per wavelength, though the ear will tolerate some spatial aliasing at high frequencies so maybe not quite that.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on April 15, 2017 at 12:40:48
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 My music teacher's quads started out coppery in 1978 but were looking increasingly drab so were painted eggshell white. So that finish didn't really last long as the speakers were just a bit older than I was and those were my high school years.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 15, 2017 at 14:02:12
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 Wonder why this one is in such good shape, and if the finish can be restored.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 15, 2017 at 15:13:45
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 It is funny that of all things it was the finish on the grills that went first on speakers nearing 20 years of service. I really don't understand how this pair survived looking so youthful. Maybe someone lacquered them early on?

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 15, 2017 at 18:24:27
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 Or found a way to polish them?

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 16, 2017 at 03:59:12
Roger Gustavsson
Audiophile

Posts: 2058
Location: Huskvarna
Joined: February 12, 2010
 This is the external crossover. Low pass, 18dB/octave at about 250 Hz. High pass, 12dB/octave at about 400 Hz. I prefer to use an active crossover, at least for the low pass section.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 16, 2017 at 04:25:00
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 Does anyone have a copy of the schematic for the external box?

I have reached out to Magnepan for the schematic and they have been very kind supplying documents. Unfortunately they keep sending everything except the Tympani IVA schematic!

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 16, 2017 at 04:40:54
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 Email me, I'll send it on.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 16, 2017 at 04:52:45
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 Thanks for the offer. I see you don't accept email from the Asylum.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 16, 2017 at 05:00:49
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 Really? Sorry about that, that was supposed to be turned on. I'll go change it. (Not sure if it's intentional but your profile said doesn't accept mail too, which is why I didn't just send it to you.)

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 16, 2017 at 05:05:10
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 OK, should be fixed.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 16, 2017 at 05:14:57
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 Weird. I thought mine was set to on.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 16, 2017 at 05:17:22
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 Looks like we're both in the same boat -- a glitch in the Asylum software? Because people have never had trouble emailing me in the past and I know I didn't turn it off.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 16, 2017 at 05:18:29
kentaja
Manufacturer

Posts: 4614
Joined: March 26, 2001
 Yes must be some sort of glitch. Just changed mine.

I usually get quite a bit of email from the Asylum. Had not seen any lately now I know why!

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 16, 2017 at 05:29:17
Roger Gustavsson
Audiophile

Posts: 2058
Location: Huskvarna
Joined: February 12, 2010
 You can find it here, http://www.integracoustics.com/MUG/MUG/tweaks/mikebarney/Tympani-4a_xo.gif

I placed a link to a picture one of my own crossoverboxes in the other thread. Any more information you need? I have a pair of T-IVa that is the procees of modifying.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 16, 2017 at 08:42:29
airheadair
Audiophile

Posts: 393
Location: California
Joined: October 18, 2010
 Dispersion in the Stax is not great. But imaging and focus are fantastic.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on April 18, 2017 at 09:56:17
josh358
Industry Professional

Posts: 12332
Joined: February 9, 2010
 For once, exactly what I'd expect from the design. :-)

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on May 14, 2017 at 16:59:42
BDP24
Audiophile

Posts: 1070
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Joined: September 12, 2013
 Ya'll may recognize my PSA moniker in relation to my many questions about the Tympani IV's a acquired a while back; questions about positioning them in my smaller-than-optimum room, bi-amping them, replacing the stock terminals and ridding them of their ferrous parts, etc.

Well, about a week ago I was doing my morning perusal of Audiogon, when I came upon a new listing for a pair of.....Tympani IVa's. The listing included a couple of pics, and a very thorough description of the speakers. The sellers location was in Kansas City, MO, and a phone number was provided for questions. I called to ask about the cost to ship them to the West Coast, but the seller was driving in his car, and he told me he would call with the estimate when he arrived home. I gave him my number, and went back to the listing. I thought to myself, even though I am the first to contact the seller about the T-IVa's, if someone else hits the Buy It Now button that won't matter. So I hit it. Boom, I just bought them.

Yup, I now own both T-IV's and T-IVa's. What a glutton! The seller shortly thereafter called with the shipping info---$400. Ouch! Oh well, since the speakers were priced right (I ain't sayin'!), the deal was still not bad. The seller and I had a nice long chat, during which I was given a very complete description of the IVa's. The backing plates were mia, the former owner soldering his speaker cable directly to the speakers' interior wires; no connectors of any kind, no fuses, no nothin'. Fine, saves me the trouble of removing all that---I'll just get some plates from Magnepan (if they still offer them. If not, I'll just make some), and mount some Cardas binding posts onto them. No soldering speaker cables onto interior Tympani wires for me! The exterior x/o boxes are gutted, needing to be completely rebuilt. As I will be bi-amping the T-IVa's, about that I do not care. The seller obviously knew all about Maggies, assuring me their was no evidence of wire delamination, and that all drivers are working fine and sounding great. The speakers are in excellent cosmetic condition, about which I DO care. Plus, they have black socks, which I greatly prefer to the off-white on my T-IV's.

I paid for the speakers over the phone, and arranged for shipment---the speakers in their factory cartons, strapped to a pallet. During our conversation I learned that the seller is Kent of Electrostatic Solutions, very well known and respected as a restorer of QUAD ESL's. After we hung up, I remembered this thread, and came to look at it. Yup, it is THIS pair of T-IVa's I just bought! I didn't connect the poster of this thread with the seller on the phone, but they are one in the same, and a very swell guy to do business with. Kent, if you see this, thanks!---Eric.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on May 15, 2017 at 07:22:44
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 Congrats to you in turn.

Wonder what you could do with two sets of TIV bass panels.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on May 15, 2017 at 13:30:37
BDP24
Audiophile

Posts: 1070
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Joined: September 12, 2013
 Damn, eight Tympani bass panels (two per channel from both the T-IV and T-IVa) would put out some serious low end! Unfortunately, I barely have the room for just the four.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on June 3, 2017 at 12:04:32
rufusen
Audiophile

Posts: 44
Location: italy
Joined: May 1, 2005
 I just bought a pair of IV's and I have found also an original Magnepan XO -1 crossover, BUT on the little black box is written: crossover freq. 210 pfd, speaker model T-1D amp. imput impedence 470K. So it seems this one is not good for biamping my IV. Please help, thanks.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on June 3, 2017 at 12:10:53
Roger Gustavsson
Audiophile

Posts: 2058
Location: Huskvarna
Joined: February 12, 2010
 The XO-1 is not a true crossover, it is just a volume control for the bass. The bass driver need to keep its coil. The tweeter section can have its capacitor at line level right at the input of its power amplifier.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on June 3, 2017 at 13:52:45
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 The XO-1 is intended for passive biamping. Some have installed inside a high pass capacitor matched to the input impedance of the amp driving the mid/tweeter section. The markings on the one you have are indicating that it is intended for an ARC tube amp to drive the tweeter of the T 1D. That means the box was likely back from the day when ARC did the marketing for Magnepan.

Calculating from the values, The crossover was a 500hz so is a fit for the T IV rather than the T-1D If you have a tube amp to power the top end it might match the input impedance if it is around 500K. SS amps are rarely that high and most commonly at 10-50k.

You can modify this XO-1 to either allow passive biamping by shorting out the capacitor inside with a wire, or switching it with a value that matches your power amp for the top drivers. e.g. 6nF or 0.006uF for a 50K input impedance or 30nF or 0.03uF for a 10K input impedance.

When bypassing the internal XO-1 cap you use the separate biamp markings on the passive speaker level box via the diagram on the crossover box if you have the one with two sets of input connections like the MG3.x box. If you have the box with a single set of connectors then you should use the internal capacitor option. .

When using the capacitor (the one appropriate to your amp) you do not connect the top amp via the speaker's crossover box, just the bass amp will go through it.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on June 10, 2017 at 13:31:15
BDP24
Audiophile

Posts: 1070
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Joined: September 12, 2013
 Does anyone know the threading size of the screws that hold the terminal plates onto the back of the Tympanis? I'll call Magnepan on Monday to ask, but if someone knows I can mount them this weekend. I received a complete set of the plates (with matching serial numbers) yesterday.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on June 17, 2017 at 14:05:17
rufusen
Audiophile

Posts: 44
Location: italy
Joined: May 1, 2005
 Many Thanks Satie, I would like to use my IV-A with 2 ADCOM GFA 555.Do you have the manual of the XO-1? It seems impossibile to find. Thanks again.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on June 17, 2017 at 17:27:24
BDP24
Audiophile

Posts: 1070
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Joined: September 12, 2013
 For anyone else needing to know the size wood screw Magnepan used to attach the terminal plate to the back of the Tympani speaker, it's standard #6. I bought some 3/4" brass screws of that size, and an equal number (16) of aluminum 1/4" spacers just large enough in diameter for the screws to pass through, and mounted the plates to the back of my Tympanis. This was required because of the 1/8" greater depth of the Cardas binding posts I installed in place of the stock Magnepan speaker terminals. Why on earth does Magnepan persist in using those?!

Here's a thought on bracing Maggies, Tympanis in particular: Satie has suggested and recommended attaching dowels or other strips of wood to the back of the speaker panels, the other end to the wall behind them. This is to remedy the tendency of the 6' tall panels to slightly sway front-to-back. The Mye stands address and remedy that tendency, as well as that of the MDF panels themselves to flex. Looking at the tweeter/midrange panels of my Tympanis, which I positioned 5' from the wall behind them, it occurred to me that another way to firmly anchor the Maggie panels in space would be to secure them to, instead of the wall behind them, the ceiling above them! In my room, that distance is only 2', rather than 5'.

The thought of those spring-loaded shower curtain rods came to mind; some kind of rod that allows it's length to be adjusted. Or, just a dowel with a threaded foot installed on the end going against the ceiling. Put between the top of the panel and the ceiling, and adjusted until the coupling is firm, the panels would then be held securely in place, not able to sway to-and-fro in response to the drivers excursion. Thoughts on this idea, anyone?

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on June 17, 2017 at 23:56:17
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 You would still need to provide some sort of latch or hook to fix the ends so that neither direction has play. Someone else has done just that with his T IV making use of his exposed rafters.

 

RE: A warning from Magnepan, posted on June 18, 2017 at 00:22:29
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 The 555's 22k ohms input impedance requires 0.0144uF so either a 0.014 or 0.015 uF will do.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on June 18, 2017 at 15:57:59
BDP24
Audiophile

Posts: 1070
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Joined: September 12, 2013
 Satie, like a "U" shape piece of metal or wood, slipped over the top of the panel, one attached to the speaker end of each brace? I could manage that.

 

RE: Magnepan Tympani IVA......Am I Nuts?!?, posted on June 18, 2017 at 21:18:37
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 Something like that

I use L brackets
Standing up on the wall end
inverted on the speaker end to snugly clamp the top of the speaker to the dowel's flat end.

 

Page processed in 0.050 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]