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In Reply to: Re: Magnepan MMG posted by Rod H. on November 24, 2006 at 15:59:14:
Thanks to all of you for your comments. You have helped me make up my mind on getting the MMG's. Now, one last question, exactly how do you modify the crossovers? I've seen a bunch of schematics and so forth on this sight and it's Greek to me. Can anyone simply explain what I would need to do to modify the crossover? Thanks.
Follow Ups:
As others have said, use them for a while before you dive into crossover upgrades. If only so that you can then fully appreciate the difference. There are a lot of ways to go upgrading the crossover: direct component replacement, redesigned crossover, active setup, etc...The simplest route is just to replace the stock capacitors with higher quality items (Jensen, Auri, Hovland) which nets a significant improvement. You'll find lots of info on the MUG site for this, basically you remove the sock, cut the old caps out, and solder the new ones in. This is a simple and cost effective approach with significant improvement.
There's also removal of the fuse and tweeter jumper from the circuit. Not quite as simple as a capacitor upgrade, but free and a nice improvement.
Next is replacement of the inductors, but the increase in size of higher quality inductors means that you need and external crossover box as they won't usually fit under the sock, which means a lot more work than the above upgrade.
An active setup for an MMG is overkill in my opinion, particularly given your parameters. Plus it's more fuss and more to screw up. I definitely wouldn't consider it unless I had 1.6QR's at least.
Maggie Lover is right...wait a bit before tackling the mods.Personally, I would wait until you can get a free pair (after you have sold 3 pairs to friends) that way even if you screw it up, it is no big deal, just take the $550 Magnepan sends you and buy another pair.
I used Taz's tweaks in the archives, and got really good results. FWIW I did 3.1, and if you take a look at my system, you can see actuall pictures of the finished crossovers, and then look at the greek diagrams, and I think it will start to make sense.
BUt, before you go to that trouble, you really should consider going all active, and dumping the passive crossovers all together. For the price of the passive parts, you could be well on your way to a digital crossover, and another amp.
Your response to Charles contains a valid approach, but it caused me to go back to his original request which I've excerpted below,"I am not looking to spend a lot of money on speakers. (I've already done enough of that in the past) I am looking at the MMGs due to size of speaker, budget, and room size. I am not looking to upgrade in the future - I simply want to buy a pair of speakers and be happy with them."
It seems he's not interested in an upgrade path and the need to spend a lot of money on such things as an active crossover and additional amplification. Maybe he will catch the 'bug' once he sees what the Maggies are capable of, but it sounds initially that he's really looking for a 'plug and play' solution. His budget and technical skills may not even permit him to consider mods for a passive crossover. And, if he screws up the crossover, he may have no speakers at all!
Consequently, my recomendation to Charles is to buy the MMGs and enjoy them as is until he decides that he has a combination of the funds, skills, and interest to go farther. Given their sound once broken in, he may be perfectly happy to leave them as is, which after all would not be such a terrible thing:)
Hi ML,Your response to Charles contains a valid approach, but it caused me to go back to his original request which I've excerpted below,
"I am not looking to spend a lot of money on speakers. (I've already done enough of that in the past) I am looking at the MMGs due to size of speaker, budget, and room size. I am not looking to upgrade in the future - I simply want to buy a pair of speakers and be happy with them."Yep, that was the original post. BUt I was trying to help with an additional request, which casts doubt on the first post and the complete desire for a "plug and play" solution:
---Thanks to all of you for your comments. You have helped me make up my mind on getting the MMG's. Now, one last question, exactly how do you modify the crossovers? I've seen a bunch of schematics and so forth on this sight and it's Greek to me. Can anyone simply explain what I would need to do to modify the crossover? Thanks.---
So I tried to help explain what needed to be done. I did a bad job of explaining, but basically, the old crossover would need to be disconnected or removed, and the new crossovers installed, most likely as outboard ones, but the new one depending on components chosen could fit where the stock parts go.
ANyhow, if the original poster does want to modify the crossovers (certainly is asking how to do so), it could cost some big bucks. Mine cost a bit over $200 if memory serves. FOr that kind of money, one could have bought one of the Behringer crossovers ($250 I think) and one of their amps for $179 or found a used B&K for a simiiar price...so for not much more money, and ended up with a much better sounding product...and it wold be easier to do.
But we both agree that waiting is the best option, and if this poster does sell 3 pairs, then with that $550 he would have all that was needed for the equipment to go active.
I agree. Hopefully Charles will have enough info at this point to make a more educated purchase decision.One things is for certain. It's highly unlikely he could find a new pair of speakers from another manufacturer at that price point which will give him as much pleasure as the Maggies will!
Again, thanks to all who gave their opinions. You all really helped a lot.
Remember, modifying the crossover will void the warranty. Wait a few months until the return period is over and the speakers are fully broken in before you attempt a modification. Depending on your room configuation speaker placement and ancillary equipment, the mods may or may not appeal to you.
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