MAGNEPLANAR TYMPANI III

97.100.157.113

Posted on October 30, 2009 at 09:28:13

jeffer
Audiophile

Posts: 9
Location: space coast, Fla
Joined: August 13, 2006

Hi all,
What are my chances of finding a set of Tympani III mid/ tweeter screens?
I have the bass panels-- but no mid/tweet screens.
Also, i have in storage a set of Maggie 1D's and Tympani IV's.

If I were to restore one of these sets-- which should I choose?
Thx, jpb

http://l-n.com/bourne/home%20audio/

Choose the MAGNEPLANAR TYMPANI IV

Satie

16:16:30 11/06/09

RE: MAGNEPLANAR TYMPANI III

12:30:56 10/31/09

RE: MAGNEPLANAR TYMPANI III

jeffer

19:14:25 11/02/09

IMO, the T-IVs ... as they have a true-ribbon. :-)) nt

andyr

15:01:19 10/30/09

Choose the MAGNEPLANAR TYMPANI IV, posted on November 6, 2009 at 16:16:30

Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 98
Joined: July 6, 2002

First are you handy as a DIY guy?

Having so many parts available creates some opportunities many of us would only dream of.

E.g.
doubling up the bass panels into push pull configuration.
Creating two pairs of "isobaric" bass panels.

Doubling up the midrange panels into push pull (assuming you have matching pairs of mid drivers)

As to the question at hand,
I would easily take the IV since its true ribbon is simply a tremendous transducer.

My main nit with the Tympani series is the slightly thick midrange. It really should have been done as push - pull. When my Tympani IV midrange broke, I replaced it with a line source of BG Neo 8 drivers. Their BG Radia RD50 are a good acoustic and electrical match for the Tympani mids and easily outdo them. The RD75 has better power handling and can go down further, it can be crossed over at 200 Hz.

If you want to use a Radia driver as mid and tweeter you can take the BG RD-75 and match it with any of the Tympani bass panels you have. Just note that the Radia series do not do extended highs like the maggie ribbons. But their midrange is superb, and lower treble is very good.

RD75 at Parts Express

RE: MAGNEPLANAR TYMPANI III, posted on October 31, 2009 at 12:30:56

monk1

Over the past decade or so, I've seen Tympani III mid/tweeter panels (usually sold as Tympani II) only a couple of times. I think the Tympani III is already a very rare speaker to begin with (as with all Tymps), but finding one that has separated mid/tweeter panels and a owner willing to sell would be a challenge.

When I purchased my T-1D's in the late 90's, I was also offered a set of T-IV from the same vendor. I chose the former mainly based on slightly lower cost and that I was more familiar with its sonic qualities from previous listening experiences. The T-IV's ribbon tweeter may offer a slightly better hf extension but the push-pull tweeter in the T-1D is no slouch either, and very capable of delivering excellent tonal balance as a result of seamless blending with the bass drivers.

Which one you would prefer to listen to in the long run would probably boil down to subjective preferences. Since you already have both speakers in storage, you are in the better position to compare them, assuming both are still working properly. There are several Tympani owners that frequent this forum and I do not get a sense there is any distinct preference for one over the other. Both speakers are well admired for their overall sonic qualities which are mostly positive.

RE: MAGNEPLANAR TYMPANI III, posted on November 2, 2009 at 19:14:25
jeffer Audiophile Posts: 9 Location: space coast, Fla Joined: August 13, 2006	Thanks for the info ! Both my 1D's and IV 's-need restoration and a person has been asking me to sell him my IV's. Called Magnepan and I am thinking of using proceeds from sale of the IV's to help pay for resto of the 1D's.Shipping and boxes are a killer tho........

IMO, the T-IVs ... as they have a true-ribbon. :-)) nt, posted on October 30, 2009 at 15:01:19
andyr Audiophile Posts: 6555 Location: Melbourne Joined: September 2, 2000	.

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MAGNEPLANAR TYMPANI III

97.100.157.113