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In Reply to: RE: Mini Maggies for rear surrounds? posted by agentutah@gmail.com on November 18, 2014 at 13:20:58
I own Mini Maggies and I actually use them as a center channel. :)
The difficulty in using Mini Maggies for rear surrounds is, Where do you put the DWM? The satellites by themselves don't go down far enough to function effectively as surrounds, IMHO. Surrounds should go down to at least 80Hz and the Mini Maggie satellites don't come close (neither do MMGW's, by the way).
Or, are you saying you're going to separate the Mini Maggie system and use the DWM as part of your CC5 center channel, and use only the satellites for surrounds? All I can say is try it, but I have my doubts due to the lack of low frequency extension of the satellites.
In my home theater I have an all-Magnepan lineup for the front: MMG's left and right and Mini Maggies as center channel. For surrounds, I have Rogers LS3/5A's. It works! I had doubts it would work, but I had the LS3/5A's on hand (since the 1970's really). I think the reason it works is due to the Audyssey room correction software in my receiver, an Integra DHC 80.3. Audyssey makes all my speakers work together.
Which means you could try small, conventional speakers that go down to at least 80Hz for surrounds as long as you have competent room correction software. Below 80Hz your subwoofer can take over.
Follow Ups:
Thanks for the reply.
Well, my plan was to get the CC5 up front with a DWM right below it. I heard that setup creates a very complete center channel. Then a REL T7/9 connected to the front and LFE.
Then for surrounds I was inquiring about using the Mini Maggie setup complete with DWM. So even with the DWM the Mini's won't go down to 80Hz? I also was toying with the idea of getting a REL T5 and hook it up to the rear surrounds to provide that low end. Not sure that would work, but would be nice.
How do you use the Mini system as a center if it doesn't go down to 80Hz? Don't you need full frequency for the center channel?
Thanks again.
I use the Mini Maggie SYSTEM, i.e. two satellites plus DWM, as a center channel speaker. It is a full-range center channel, and by toe-in the satellites, one with wide dispersion.
The Mini-Maggie system DOES go down below 80Hz (to at least 60Hz). It's the satellites, without the DWM, that don't go down to 80Hz.
So, if you use the Mini-Magie as a system for surrounds you are OK with respect to low frequency extension. But where do you put the DWM? In between, directly behind your seating position? If so, your surround sound might be screwed up because the DWM will be radiating sound that is supposed to come from where the satellites are, NOT from directly behind you.
Your idea of using a second DWM for the CC5 center channel is a good one. I does create a complete, full-range center channel. I used a DWM together with a MMGC in that way until I got the Mini Maggie system, including DWM.
Ok, gotcha. With the DWM they are a complete package.
Well, unfortunately my room isn't perfect. I'm trying to create an all Magnepan system. However my room doesn't allow for the rather large Magnepan speakers as surrounds.
My option is to either put wall hanging MMGWs on the side walls (not ideal because the seating position is somewhat recessed), or try and find smaller speakers (Mini Maggie system) and put behind the user. However, I see the dilemma with regards to the DWM.
If I were able to put in a rear sub (REL T5/Zero), I wonder if I could then use the Mini Maggies as satellites with the sub providing the low frequencies. Then with the DWM that comes with the Mini Maggie system I would use up front with the CC5...brilliant! :-)
Thoughts on that configuration?
Also, do you think the Mini Maggie system is a better option than the CC5/DWM system up front? It's certainly less expensive (unless I do the latter and split the Mini Maggie system up: Minis for rears and front for DWM), so just wondering how it would sound comparatively.
Thanks for the discussion!
Substituting a sub for the DWM in the rears has the same problem: some of the frequencies that are supposed to come from the sides (and slightly to the rear) will come from the sub. Besides, it is doubtful that a sub can go high enough to mate well with the Mini Maggie satellites alone, without a DWM, which is really a woofer.
Yes, I think the Mini Maggie system is a better center than a CC5/DWM combination. Better high frequency dispersion for one thing, and the flexibility of "aiming" the satellites. And true ribbon tweeter (vs quasi-ribbon in the CC5) for another.
Using more than one subwoofer has real benefits, but not in the way you propose. Deep bass is uneven in a room. There are hot spots and low spots. Using two subwoofers can even out those highs and lows, and give you greater slam and impact.
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