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Maggie recommendations

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I am looking for some Maggie recommendations.
I currently have a Yamaha M2 Power amp, (350w+350w, .005THD at 4 ohms) and a Yamaha C-4 pre amp, DQ10 speakers.
I am thinking of replacing the DQ10 speakers with maggies, the C4 pre amp with a Yamaha RX-V2600 AV amp (use pre out) and integrating my existing stereo system with a yet to be purchased large plasma TV.
It is not clear how many speakers I want or need, but I would like to use the same speakers for both stereo and home theater.
I currently have a 50” rear projection Toshiba that is almost the size of a fridge and the general plan is that replacing the DQ10’s with white wall mount speakers and the Toshiba with a large plasma so the living room may no longer look like best buy after a bombing.
Magnepan has some inexpensive speakers direct only, would I be happy with them after listening to DQ 10 for 3 decades, or should I go up line for something nicer for equivalent performance?
I also have a Yamaha self powered subwoofer in the room but I never found it desirable or necessary with the DQ-10’s.
Sorry to barge in, forgive the new guy stupid questions, but once every 25-30 years I make a change in my stereo system and I would be grateful for your input,
Thanks in advance,
Buford

Follow Ups:

Re: Maggie recommendations - Avocat 18:48:05 10/11/06 (1)
Regarding the large TV that would be between your speakers, I had a similar issue (large 64-inch HDTV between a pair of 3.6s) and as much as I tried to modify the acoustics by moving things around, the TV obviously affected the Maggie sound. I finally sold the TV and replaced it with a front projection unit that sits on a bookcase and projects a beautiful picture on a 92-inch screen between he two speakers. The sound is definitely improved, and when I'm listening and not watching TV, the pull-down screen can be retracted altogether.
Obviously, the room has to be darkened to get the best picture, but the new projectors are vastly improved. I have a 720p LCD unit costing less than $2,000, including an extra bulb. A plasma would be brighter, but if it's mounted on the wall behind the speakers, the picture looks pretty small unless you move your chair out into the middle of the room.
My conclusion is that the Maggies do need an "open back wall", because of the sound reflected rearwardly. For my room, the front projection TV has worked well. The sound from DVD movies is very realistic, as is dolby surround on HD broadcasts.
As to which Maggie to buy, if you're serious about audio, I would vote for the 3.6's, even if you can't afford ultra high-end amps initially. (They were pretty spectacular on my old Rotel 991 power amp, at $1,000, for example) Supplemented with a sub, I think they are still among the very best anywhere near their price range.
My opinion of course.
Jim
- Re: Maggie recommendations - Buford 07:29:46 10/12/06 (0)
  That is very helpful Jim, always best to learn from the experience of others. I actualy seriously considered a front projection TV. What held me back is not room darkness or cost but TV ads. I use the TV not only as home theater but also just to watch TV. I can't manage "Head on" and "freecreditreports.com" in my face at 120" across.
  I may reconsider, it does help empty a room of clutter. I own my home and a built in drop down screen is very doo able.
  Thank you,
  Tim
Re: Maggie recommendations - audioNeil 19:25:16 09/27/06 (1)
You can check out my system specs -- I use my Maggie 3.6R for 2-channel and HT.
You likely have a smaller budget. If you go with 1.6s, then perhaps a Bryston 3B-SST or 4B-SST amp would be okay. But, don't use the Brystons on the 3.6 or 20.1 Maggies -- they just aren't good enough. I would suggest a second-hand Bel Canto amplifier (an Evo Gen II). They are cheap, and have good reviews with the smaller Maggies. They come in 2 to 6 channel (and you can biamp channels to improve sound even more).
Good luck! Neil.
- Re: Maggie recommendations - Buford 20:23:29 09/27/06 (0)
  I'll go and listen a bit, I suspect even if I can afford 3.6 or 20.1 I don't have the room or comitment it would require to work.
  But I will research and keep an open mind.
  Thanks
  Tim
Re: Maggie recommendations - Atver 13:58:21 09/26/06 (1)
Figure a way to make the Maggies work, like Rico, I have tried several different iterations and I've heard nothing that gives me the enjoyment that the Maggies do. You may want to look at the MG1's too. Wall or stand mount.
- Oops....I meant MC1's - Atver 14:05:02 09/26/06 (0)
  nt
Re: Maggie recommendations - ka7niq 22:01:02 09/25/06 (3)
The SMGA's are by far the most "musical" sounding Maggies I have heard, and they are very efficient and lively too, with good bass.
The MG#a's I owned are very good for home theatre, because they are bright, but I found them too bright for even my fairly large room.
In a really big room, sitting a good ways away, they would be awesome.
In my opinion, the big screen will kill the maggies image, UNLESS you get the speakers way out to the sides of it.
You might be better off finding a used pair of B&W 801 Matrix series 3's,or other good direct radiator speakers like Vandersteen 2CE Signatures.
I have seen used pairs of them for around 900 dollars, and Vandersteen makes a great matching center channel.
I would stay with your old Yamaha pre amp, and simply find a Dolby processor to stick in the tape loop.
Many of these processors have built in amps, or pre outs to power the center and surround speakers.
This way, you get the best of boty worlds, and do not compromise your music by turning every signal into digital!
The big screen rear projection TV is what is stopping you from owning and getting the most out of Maggies.
I have one too, and I lived and learned.
- Agree about the SMGs - hartwerger 10:52:00 09/26/06 (0)
  I just recently heard Peter Gunn's SMGa with his beautifully designed stands and upgraded crossovers and was overwhelmed as to how musical they sounded. A wonderful speaker, especially with PG's handiwork. Definitely some of the most powerful bass of any Maggie I've heard. Bass was more prominent than the 3.6s I used to own, though my sonic memory tells me the 3.6s had slightly better bass definition. The SMGs had a ton of of lower and middle midrange warmth that makes it a very engaging and involving speaker--just sucks you in.
  I am also starting to come to similar conclusions about room size and the 3.6s. They really need some space for the tweeter to blend and sound cohesive. In my room, I always had problems getting them far enough apart (because of size and furniture) and then being able to sit far enough away for proper balance. Still, its a great speaker; string instruments and flutes just sound glorious through that ribbon tweeter.
- Re: Maggie recommendations - Buford 08:35:49 09/26/06 (0)
  That is helpful info thank you. I have a large LR but it is congested. I have always been happywith out surround sound TV.
  General plan was by getting rid of the big box TV for a flat plasma I would get some room back.
  The DQ10’s are in good shape and well cared for, but I could see getting them rebuilt, recovered and updated which could cost more than a set of maggies ($2,000+)
  So I figured, get the speakers off the floor, settle one speaker system for both stereo and TV. Symplify.
  This is not getting simpler. I would need to replace a quality pre amp with a AV amp of less quality. Maggies of any size or price are placement critical.
  This could be an expensive mistake. Alternative is just get a nice plasma, live with built in TV speakers. Maybe get some inexpensive factory direct Maggies to use while the DQ are getting updated.
- Re: Maggie recommendations - Green Lantern 07:34:24 09/26/06 (0)
  I totally like the idea of using B&W's in HT; even the 802 series which run under $2k used..
  
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  listen
Re: Maggie recommendations - briano 16:38:48 09/25/06 (1)
are you in upstate NY?
- Re: Maggie recommendations - Buford 17:50:42 09/25/06 (0)
  I am in western PA, must travel to Cincy to listen to Maggie speakers.
Re: Maggie recommendations - gymwear5@hotmail.com 09:24:20 09/25/06 (0)
The DQ10 are actually a bit MORE efficient than the MMG or MG12 - but the bass extention is a little worse... You have to go to the 1.6 to get the same bass, but if you are going home theatre you'll have a sub anyway so the bottom with MMG will not be a problem. If the HT is just for the sweet spot you won't even need a center channel - the MMG's image much tighter than the DQ-10's. The DQ-10's biggest strength was depth of presentation, IMO, you'll have to really play with the MMG (or MG-12 or 1.6) location to optimized their DOP's - After a 50 hour breakin or so - you'll love the Maggies and for a bargain too, since MMG's are about half the price (in 2006$$$) that DQ-10's were in 1976$$$
Re: Maggie recommendations - Norman M 08:07:44 09/25/06 (1)
Why not use the amp that Magnepan themselves uses/used to demo this speaker; a Bryston. A pair of 7B-SST should do job (as it does for the *manufacturer*, hold up well like new and comes with a 20 year (from the date of manufacture) transferable warranty.

http://www.bryston.ca/7bsst_m.html
- Re: Maggie recommendations - Buford 08:28:47 09/25/06 (0)
  Any Idea what a pair of Bryston would set me back? My Dq10's are notoriously inefficient and I rarely require more than 20W per side.
  I am thinking 350W per side from the M4 should exceed any reasonable needs I have.
  Thanks to all for kind and thoughtful answers.
  I have a 14' wall on the short wall of the room (room is 14’x 25’), I plan a pair of Maggies on either side with a 50" or 65" Plasma TV in center stage.
  When I read about the maggies 4-5' off the wall and 4' from the side wall I just can't do that. I am thinking wall mount not room intrude. But I also have a lot of pride for the way my DQ10’s image and are so detailed and transparent. I expect at least that from my new maggies.
  For acoustic jazz, blues, gospel, choir music I listen too I don’t demand the power that playing “Tusk” at performance levels requires.
Re: Maggie recommendations - Green Lantern 07:23:07 09/25/06 (0)
Yes you'd be better off trying the MMG's which are factory direct for $550. If you don't like them in 60 days you can return em'. Win/Win all the way.
One thing you'll find is yourself scratching your head wondering why they sound so darn good for so little.

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listen
Re: Maggie recommendations - rico 07:15:14 09/25/06 (1)
I have used both 4 MMG's and 4 1.6's in the various home theaters I have put together over the years. As you may know, each step up in model gives you increased clarity, definition, bass, and loudness (and, of course, price). Maggies give to home theater a quality that's helps you to suspend disbelief, the main goal of home theater IMHO They do need a good subwoofer and it is difficult to blend them with the sub but with patience it can be done.
- Spencer - Carson 19:06:47 10/30/06 (0)
  http://cladode21.t35.com/link-renova-renova-8bit-co-uk.html

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