Welcome! Need support, you got it. Or share your ideas and experiences.
Return to Planar Speaker Asylum
24.115.199.250
I posted about this earlier but it got deleted. I'm not sure what I said that was verbotten, so until the powers that be tell me here are pics only. Click smaller ones for larger image.
Follow Ups:
Welcome back, it's the nicest Christmas present I got this year :).
I see you are back to mitered joints. It's hard to tell from the picture but are those compound or simple?
Peter --
How did you hold the grille cloth on?
I have read that he just pulls it around an glues it down on the back of the driver.... An you can see in the pic..on the back...this man has done a lot of work on Moding Magnepans...just pull up his post an you can see...this was back in 2007...He may be doing things diff now...goodluck
First, a huge THANKS to all of you that rushed to support me.I wish to report that all is well, an understanding has been reached with the powers that be and all is well. Things will continue as they always have, again, thanks to you. I just now carry an "M", but as I have told others, I don't manufacture anything, I alter them. It should be an "AL" for Alchemist because my goal is to turn lead into gold :^ )
What will happen is as soon as I have some time I will repost the info about this mod here in this thread in detail, and then it will be compiled into one article with pics for the MUG archives.
FYI I start modding my first pair of quasi ribbon MMG's next week. I'm really excited about this because if they can be made to approach the smga it will be a Godsend because they can be had new and cheap and without most of the delam problems of used smga's, which are getting too expensive lately. (which if that is my fault, again, my apologies) Look for that in 2-3 weeks.
Again, THANK YOU ALL!
Honestly, the thanks is to YOU. We who rushed to speak in your support did so partly for selfish reasons (with a healthy dose of more noble intentions as well) - we'd be missing quite a bit without your input. I can't wait to read about your MMG project (and see the photos). I have been having difficulty understanding the "manufacturer" designation - Magnepan is the manufacturer; you're a tuner!
Hey Wazz,Here are the rules:
Hey PG,I hope you can work your magic on the MMGs. I don't doubt that you can.
Isn't the smg crossover similar to the tazimonn capless tweak?
I have never seen an smg schematic to figure it out for my self.
Plus, with the mmgs you can get a 3rd one free...great for the pocketbook.
Back in the day, say 10 years ago when I bought mine, they had this cool program where if youu could sell 3 pairs of mmgs in the 1st year, they gave you your $500 investment back.So I sold 2 to some friends (I turned in their serial numbers to magnepan) and my dad bought a pair which were shipped to me, and I gave him the check when they sent it to me. SO $500 spent, and I had 2 pairs of speakers.
I am guessing by your reaction, that they no longer do that...back then it was called "An offer you can't resist" and I just assumed that since they have that non their website, that they were still doing it.
"Isn't the smg crossover similar to the tazimonn capless tweak?" - I have no idea but it doesn't matter what it is. It won't be that for very long. My feeling is at their core every maggies is identical: Magnets, bailing wire and sandwich wrap. Given that, one would think that there should be an ideal way to drive such a panel and that all of them, regardless of size, would sound their best driven that way.I think that way is the shared 6 dbl 1st order XO of the smga, which is what I will do for this, and what I did to the 1.6 qr. Those babies are just like the smga now, 2 in, 3 out and they sounded far superior that way. (IMHO)
Third one free? Yeah, you'll have to explain that to me too!
Please explain.
Nice job! They look damn good!
Depending on the room they end up in I think the off-white fabric would do them better justice.Jon
Hmmmm, I don't know. They aren't that light (and my living room wall isn't that puke green either :^ ) but it might work. However that's one fabric color I can't get locally and the prices on line per yard are outrageous.I'd also be worried because while they can be changed it's probably beyond most owners and white gets dirty so easy. The drivers unscrew in munites, but you need a power stapler and a special gauge to re-install, it's a bit complicated how the fabric is in, but it requires some special stuff.
Hey, PG, rather than continue with the original but archaic power stapling procedure, what about using Velcro to fasten the socks? Sure would make taking them off the next time a lot easier.
I don't think that's possible. We're dealing with a fabric that stretches and it's impossible to predict how it will need to be drawn taught to look right, so how could one possibly know where to apply said velcro? Also, how would you attach the velcro, sew it? (NO thanks :^ ) Glue it? (it wouldn't hold)And don't forget, getting a nice seamless fit of the panel against the wood frame is the most essential part of it sounding it's best. A wad of velcro in there is not helping that.
I agree it's a nightmare, and it was actually the biggest dilemma of the entire job. I have been encouraged by the response today and when I have time I will repost my deleted post with even more detailed info on what I did and how the rest of you may duplicate it. I will say now the biggest problem with the fabric is the damn steel bracing bars they stick on the front of the maggie drivers. They effect EVERYTHING and are the biggest PITA in regards to the wood frame as well.
How about no socks?One of your SMGa photos appears sockless due to the flash. Not a bad look. Are the exposed pole pieces you've seen pretty well finished? Are they uniformly painted?
I would have preferred that myself, but that's a no can do with the 1.6. On this model magnepan actually took the time to paint the backs of the driver frame black (as can be seen in the pics) but on the front they did a really sloppy job (I can only assume because in their build it was to the back) and it doesn't go all the way to the edges.On top of that there are 2 large "patches" of tape on each speaker. I can only assume they were put there to "tune" the panels, but they look like "bum" patches and make the panels look rather like crap.
Unfortunately socked they must be.
FYI in the past I put a sock over one of my smgas but not the other to see if there was a noticeable soundstage shift. There might have been, but it was so slight as to not be a factor. To me this is one of those cases of trying to squeeze the last drop of milk from the cow when your bucket is already over flowing. I'd say rest easy, and drink the milk you have :^ )
To be honest I only noticed the rug and your creation. I had to look back at the pic to get the 'puke green' part...I was lost for a minute...thinking 'I don't have puke green walls' ;-)I mentioned the off-white, because I recently purchased a pair of Maggies w/ that color fabric and I love 'em!
Regardless, I've seen your posts for quite some time (I usually don't post that often) and I have to say you transformed these 1.6's into another realm...they look great to me. I'd just change the black to off-white depending on the rest of the room decor of course.
Jon
I don't like the old maggie white osnaburg burlap white covers. They deteriorate and are too heavy. The new stuff they use is nice, and in fact one of the pairs of smga's I have here now that belonged to my client that died have that new white fabric on them and I do like it. I'll have 2 identical pairs soon, one in white and one in black with the same wood color. I'll let you know when I post pics and you can judge yourself :^ )For the record too, my first pair of maggies were MG-Ic's and yes, they had the white fabric, even though it was the old nasty stuff. It looked better I thought. (and still do :^ )
Looks, schmoocks. Black disappears better in a darkened listening room, doncha' think?
I'm not a big fan of being visually aware of speakers.
Jesus, it would be pretty hard for these to disappear in a room regardless of sock color I think :^ )I liked white more in my youth, but black is becoming my color of choice anymore, yes. And you are correct that white can be a visual draw when you'd rather have your eyes relax. I don't use it for all those reasons anymore, but I am curious to see how the white pair of smga's I'm almost done with turn out in comparison to their black brothers.
Back in the day....goodlook
yes, let's revive this thread, shall we? Well played tyu, well played.
/ optimally proportioned triangles are our friends
Look at these SMGa....vary cool... who would think this is even the same place...goodluck
That may well be the worst photoshopping I have ever beheld on the internet.
Black does disappear nicely.
Keep up the good work.
And never, ever, answer the fat question.
Regards, : )
Jerry
But, you're going to give all of us who have made our own stands and/or frames inferiority complexes. Then again, who cares? Thanks for posting the photos. I wish I hadn't missed the original post - would love to have read the story.
You didn't miss anything, as it was essentially the info I had posted about the results of making them a few weeks ago, (which is why I thought nothing of posting it) Search the archives or my old posts for it.I fully understand the boards motives, but had my site not been outed I doubt I would have made it public yet. (I am a terrible procrastinator) I am still in the formulating phase on many accounts (what I will or won't do, what I can and can't do, what the prices will be etc...) and I still consider the work of use to DIYers who want to do it themselves, which is why I posted the info. There is very little info in regards to building stands out of wood like this and I feel there should be. When I post it's with that in mind, not to shill my product, and it never has been. I don't want special treatment but some sort of understanding needs to be reached so everyone wins.
In fact, I never made this business, YOU people did. I just used to post here showing what I was doing, and some of you started asking if I'd do it for you too. I said "I guess so" and the ball started rolling. I never saw it coming or asked for it... I'm probably the only person in high end forced by his own consumers into being :^ ) It isn't even the money either (but that is nice of course) but the notion that I sent someone something that gives them so much pleasure which I enjoy. It's a good feeling. I also don't wish to stop sharing here either.
In that light I will retell one bit of info which helps me not and in fact gives secrets away. The tweeters needed a resistor and I'd tried Mills but wasn't thrilled, and then tried the pricey new Duelund resistors. (from Denmark I think, parts connection sells them) Worth every penny. As I told someone in an email, the Mills sound like they cut the top off, (the cutting point determined by the amount used obviously) but the Duelunds sound like the highs end there naturally, if that makes any sense. I recommend them to anyone building their own XO.
The value I used, I won't say :^ )
But, I don't recall your ever posting anything that I'd calling shilling. Yes, you offer to build what others can't if they ask about it, but that's a different thing entirely. What you've posted for us to see could be construed as advertising your handiwork, but I (and I'm sure plenty others do as well) see it as, "Here's what *can* be done (with skill and the right tools)." That is called sharing, and I am very grateful to you for that.On a side note, and in line with the statement above, you have freely given me (and others) advice on how to build my very own frames. That is absolutely consistent with the premise of this board, and is not done in the hawking of your wares - in fact, it is just the opposite. I'm glad it makes you feel good, and it's comforting that such people (as you) exist.
Thanks for the micro review of the Duelund resistors. As you stated, this is just another example of the information you *give* away. PLEASE don't stop sharing just because you were forced into "M" status. Besides, you often say things in hilarious ways - fun to read.
...
what kind of wood is the crossover top?
The boxes on this were made in a sort of oriental style, out of Makore (the wood the speakers are made from) as well as Oak and Poplar. The tops are Poplar which is "bug streaked". (when they get a boring beetle in them it leaves long blackish purple flames thru the wood)The XO boxes are my only chance to be creative, (as everything else has to be built to "specs") so it's likely every pair I make will be different in future which I like because it personalizes that pair as well.
Thanks for the info about "bug streaked" - really interesting (had no idea). Concerning the XO boxes, I trust you'll get my meaning when I say they are doozies - although I am curious about how many different ways you could build them.
Lets not take the plaudits too far, my head will swell... :^ ) (but I do appreciate it)Not all wood shows the effects of them. Oak for example generally does nothing but deteriorate. Maple and birches can get dark brown streaks, but they can also become what is called "spalted" which is a condition similar to the oak and in this case they get a greyish streaking.
In the past no cabinetmaker worth his salt would ever consider using such wood. In todays world with lumber at a premium nothing goes to waste, and high end cabinetmakers started selling "spalted" wood like it was special like figured wood, when in reality it's wood with one foot in the grave :^ )
Poplar is actually interesting as it can be found naturally streaked with hues of green and purple, which contrast sharply with it's natural bone white color. I don't know why it gets ignored so much, and it's about the cheapest hardwood one can get. (works very nicely too, the only drawback being it's fuzzy nature which requires extra sanding)
I'm glad you liked the boxes. How many ways could one build them? Well, we're only limited to the imagination of man, or in this case one middle aged Polak. :^ ) The only sad part is in general use they never get seen. Maybe I should reverse the stands and put them in front :^ )
PG, congratulations on the new twins! (the speakers, NOT the "wide spread" stereo girl and the CES greeter girl)
nt
.
Be-Bop and Mahler
Hi Peter,Short on time so forgive the brevity ... here's the problem: Ads are not allowed. According to your previous post, you are selling mods. You also did not register as an industry member, as required. Have questions? Please review the rules.
Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum, et cetera, et cetera...
Memo bis punitor delicatum! It's all there, black and white,
clear as crystal! Blah, blah, and so on and so forth ...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
He's not a manufacturer or dealer, he's a hobbyist who is responding to a demand from people (mostly people from this forum) for his services.I enjoy reading about his projects and progress more than other topic on this forum. I'd hate to see that information curtailed because he felt the need to be super-careful about breaking forum rules.
The forum is for the people who use it, right? And I'd say they like hearing about Peter's work!
Where's the proxy? I'll sign it!The true power of a law is in its spirit, not its letters - too bad our judicial system is forgetting this (let's not let it happen here too).
Cheers
Hi "Bored",Whilst I appreciate you need to establish some basic rules governing Forum posting, I suggest you - as the Moderator - need to "interpret" these rules from time to time.
We (the MUG members) don't want unwanted people flogging to us but (AFAIAC) we do want to learn about things that will improve the sound we get from our Maggies. Certainly having "M" after our moniker is a good thing to warn people where someone is coming from - and maybe you wouldn't have come down so hard on PG if he'd bothered to change his status - but I certainly value input from, say, Grant V ... even though he's classified as an "M"!! :-))
I appreciate that some uptight individuals might've written to you saying "why is that obviously commercial member PG able to get away with advertising his Maggie frame rebuilds on the MUG Forum" but, given the overwhelmingly positive response from MUG members who posted responses to his posts about his new solid-wood frames, I would've thought you would be doing a service to us Maggie owners by letting him post ... as long as he references his website, where the commercial side is dealt with (rather than directly posting prices on MUG).
After all, this is the Maggie owners' home ... people who want to improve the sound of their Maggies visit here (and there are plenty of Maggie owners who *never* visit here because they are not the kind of people who want to improve their Maggies ... they just simply live with them until another make grabs their fancy - and their wallet!). :-))
Just my 2c worth! :-))
Regards,
As I noted in a post above, I only exist doing this because you people made me do it! I was just like anybody and used to post what I was up to when some of you started asking me to do it for you as well. I never saw that coming.For whatever reason I have always had an intuitive knack when it came to maggies. I "understand" them, if that makes sense. And I was always very happy to share what I was doing here (and also very grateful to others sharing their knowledge and experience in matters beyond me, which is much and many, thank you :^ )
Ironically, it seems my sin was one of omission: Not getting my M and posting a link to my site in every post so people "know who I am" etc... To me however, THAT sounds like shilling which is why I didn't do it! I'm like any of you. When I do something that works, I want to share it so others can benefit.
All I'd like is clarity. As I said in the other post I am not looking for special treatment, but since this "business" of mine exists by the will of this board (quite literally) the continual posting of what I am doing and how I do it seems to be adding valuable knowledge here for the DIYer or prospective maggie owner.
I didn't post about the 1.6 to sell it. It's already sold. I just wanted to show that the model can be taken an entirely different way, and that many may very well prefer that way sonically (and aesthetically) and that I am quite willing to help them achieve it themselves. I'd like to know that I am still welcome to post this information. I would never post an ad, or that I'm having a "sale" or just a blurb to interject the name etc...
I think since you people are responsible for me you need to talk to the board and decide what to do with me. I'm your Frankenstein, you made me. I don't want to do what you all asked and then find I'm in trouble for doing what I always did, share knowledge.
I also understand this is awkward, but our community isn't like the rest of the audio world (thank God). I like it here :^ )
Thank you.
SorryI wasn't selling it specifically so I didn't think of it as an "ad", plus it was a prototype I didn't even know would work out which people knew I was trying and there was some interest. On top of that I shared a good bit of info that I felt would have been of interest to those wishing to do it themselves.
Technically I should have had a different letter after my name to begin with because of my involvement in the music industry and my website. How do I log in to change that? I recently told someone else how to do it and damn if I didn't forget myself now.
Again, I apologise for all my recent turbulence.
Hi Peter,We don't sense any ill-will on your part. You've been a long-term, all-'round-good-guy, contributor to the boards. We just need to dot the "i" and cross the "t."
You can "login" on any post on any board (it doesn't have to be one of yours) and get in to manage your account.
Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum, et cetera, et cetera...
Memo bis punitor delicatum! It's all there, black and white,
clear as crystal! Blah, blah, and so on and so forth ...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Peter is in sort of a unique position - what he's doing is in my estimation exactly what this board is all about; namely, getting the most out of Maggies. He's a hobbyist whose mods have attracted requests. Apparently some people think highly enough of his modifications that they've asked for his time and labor on their behalf. That he charges for performing his mods is inevitable - he can't be expected to do them for free.I would hate to see Peter's participation reigned in. In my opinion that would not serve the interests of people here, nor the spirit of this board. I bet more than one Mugger been inspired by Peter's work to roll up their sleeves and get busy. And obviously more than one has chosen to ask that Peter do the work.
It would be a real shame to punish Peter with a muzzle for having done what this board is all about to the extent that people are willing to pay him to do the same for them. The people on this board have become his friends, and now he's probably wondering whether he has to choose between being able to participate on this board as a friend and fellow hobbyist on the one hand, and having a small business on the other.
I cast my token vote in favor of inviting Peter to continue participating as he has in the past - as an enthusiastic hobbyist, only now with the letter "M" there so that the appropriate tees are dotted and eyes are crossed.
But it's like you give me extra credit or something, maybe because there's a "D" after my moniker that seemingly invites somewhat lower-than-normal expectations.Hmmmm.... Peter suggested that "M" might stand for "Miscreant". If so, well... what does "D" stand for?
Eh??
I knew it! Shame on you!!
;o)
over to the speaker asylum to see it done wrongly by one- bobby p. Always shilling for his product.
I think Duke addressed the feelings of many in his post. There is one thing that keeps bugging me about this business/revenue thing.
It seems a bit hypocritical to me to pursue PG on those lines in this forum. To my knowledge, and please correct me if I'm wrong, the Planar Speaker Asylum is funded soley by it's readers or out of Mart's own pocket. That was the agreement to let it branch out on it's own. Well damn, everytime I look over to the right I see pop up commercial banners to click onto. Does Google do this w/o being charged? Isn't there some type of revenue sharing if a PSA reader makes a purchase off one of those links? So the bored benefits from this exchange at low or NO cost. Even The Donald would admire that condition.
so I'll be subtle. Should we be calling you Dr.Duke? (Think about it.)I certainly share your views about PG and this forum - very well stated.
.
"Live life as if you'll die tomorrow... -Gandhi
Learn life as if you'll live forever..."
Stupidity at times, but never ill will, yes. :^ )Doing it was actually more complex than you stated (unless it's because I'm using 98se :^ ) but I made the changes you requested and am now an "M". (would that be miscreant in my case?)
I suppose I just didn't consider myself in that light yet, which is why I hadn't done it. The whole thing is essentially in the building block phases yet.
And I promise no more girlie photos for at least 3 months...
Hey ... nice "M" ya' got there. Thanks, Peter.> > And I promise no more girlie photos for at least 3 months...
We reviewed the rules (and several *ahem* magazines) and find no issues with that. Carry on, but sensibly ;-)
Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum, et cetera, et cetera...
Memo bis punitor delicatum! It's all there, black and white,
clear as crystal! Blah, blah, and so on and so forth ...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I thought the Elle Macpherson shot the other day was quite sensible (at least that's what Andy R keeps telling me) but that got yanked only after poor jharris got busted by his wife.I think you're safer keeping a lid on me with this :^ )
How's this for a start? It's "wide spread" stereo.....they say it's the finest.
"no more girlie photos"
I feel your pain brother....This is as far as we're allowed to go....This was the "greeter girl" at last years CES. I'm not sure of the guy, is that Matthew Polk?
.
Be-Bop and Mahler
?!? Female Sumo?!?
Not what you said but it was my questions and opinions that the moderator said not for me to ask. you shoud know.
wow....
If I had the extra money I'd pick up a used pair of 1.6s on audiogon and send them to you for a full workover.
Good intentions.....The maggie driver frame is a steel sandwich laminated over mdf. I drill thru it and screw the driver right to the wood.
.
"Live life as if you'll die tomorrow... -Gandhi
Learn life as if you'll live forever..."
nt
| ||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: