|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
Model: | MG2.7QR |
Category: | Speakers |
Suggested Retail Price: | $2000 |
Description: | 3-way quasi-ribbon dipolar 2'x6' panel speaker |
Manufacturer URL: | Magnepan |
Review by Mart on December 17, 2001 at 04:05:42 IP Address: 198.26.119.84 |
Add Your Review for the MG2.7QR |
These MG-2.7/QRs are Magnepans only single-ended 3-way model ever made. Why I purchased this model over the others available was quite simple.
1st, I can't afford Magnepan's flagship MG-20.1s, or the MG-20s which were the model at the time.
I noticed that the Magnepan MG10/QR (not the later & shorter MG-10.1) was astounding as the slim midrange was positioned so close to the adjacent slim tweeter. These two line-sources sounded almost concentric as their centers were less than a ¼-wavelength apart. I fell in love, but it had no bass. No other speaker except MG-2.7?QR had this charm.
Not the MG-1.5/QR, nor the MG-3.5/R. The MG-1.6/QR & MG-3.6/R models are clearly improved from their respective predecessors with their new phase-aligned XO (especially in the eccentric listening position as the tone of the speaker no longer changed, still don't rival that level of the aforementioned holographic sound, stock, IMHO. However, my MG-2.7/QRs did. It was as if someone slapped on a bass panel to the MG10s. The MG-1.5/QRs clearly suffered from a lack of a dedicated midrange, This won't bother anyone who loves instrumentals but anyone who wants tight vocals will notice (especially a cappella). Again, MG-1.6/QRs are much better in this respect but still are incapable of the holography since the mid-treble driver source (center of the driver) is nearly a ½-wavelength away from mid-bass driver's. OTOH, the MG-3.5/Rs had this delightful true-ribbon tweeter but the dynamics of the tweeter only emphasized the compression of the rest of the drivers IMHO. Again, the MG-3.6/R phase-aligned XO has improved the sound of this driver configuration as the dynamics of the tweeter aren’t asked to blend with the compression of the midrange in their XO helps tremendously. However, the increased distance between drivers still poses a problem. IMHO, I wouldn’t recommend critical listening closer than 12’(4m) away.
Is the MG-2.7/QR a be-all or end-all? No.
Is this obsolete planar still a highly recommended speaker in my opinion? Yes, it remains a great bargain IMHO.
Plus, the perceived speed of air-dielectric silver-ribbon cabling seems to compensate for “some” of the compressed dynamics of the single-ended planar magnetic drivers.
FWIW, if you’re into something more forgiving, I do recommend shotgunning NBS:Monitor-IVs with each terminal leg having a coaxial & braided cable. These are made for bi-wiring MG1.6/QRs IMHO.
Product Weakness: | dynamic compression & a hint of cellophane in the comb type planar breakup. Also, speakers adore tons of current. |
Product Strengths: | close proximity of adjacent tall line-source drivers comprised of uniform voice pleasantly devoid of caverous sounds |
Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
Amplifier: | Krell:KAV-1500 w/ Shakti:Stone atop Marigo:Bearfeet |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | EAD:Ovation-Plus w/ Shakti Stone atop Marigo:Gemstone cones |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | CAL:CL-10 w/ 5 Marigo:CD mats atop Aurios |
Speakers: | Magnepan MG-2.7/QRs |
Cables/Interconnects: | Audio-Magic(AM):Sorcerer RCAs & speaker cables - & - AM:Illusion digital w/ Shakti:Online - & - AM:Illusion power w/ AudioPrism:WaveGuides |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | just about everything except stereotypical 90's crap as summarized here |
Room Size (LxWxH): | 21' x 14' x 8' |
Room Comments/Treatments: | eggcrated the entire rearwave of the maggies with an ecapsulating open-ended hemi-cylindrical enclosure as illustrated here |
Time Period/Length of Audition: | 2 years |
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): | Tice:AV Solo w/ 3 BC:NoiseHounds |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Follow Ups:
A much better alternative would be the Newform Research R645. These are the best available planar speakers at the sub $20,000 price point. Also, they can be easily modified to compete with cost no object designs.
Go get him Mike!!!;-}
Oz
I say to everyone give the R645 a try. If you've ever liked Time Windows' you'll love these with a passion. If you don't, you can always send them back for the cost of shipping (nearly $300 in my case).
He's not really wanted here as this is merely a difference in opinion. He may be more useful here
» moderate Mart £ « Planar Asylum
....if you consider NR a 'much better alternative'. I'll stack Magnepan's 1.6 up against an R645 any day (and the 1.6's are cheaper). Sub 20k? Give the 20.1's a listen.
> > Again, MG-1.6/QRs are much better in this respect but still are incapable of the holography since the mid-treble driver source (center of the driver) is nearly a ?-wavelength away from mid-bass driver's.> >hi Mart,
what the heck do you mean? did you ever listen to a pair of
well driven maggies 1.6? also, did you ever see a maggie 1.6 naked?best, paco
Have I heard MG1.6QRs driven by decent amps? If you consider Sunfire systems & Bryston systems decent.Have I seen a naked MG1.6QR in person? No.
Have I examined the through the grill cloth? Yes. The distance between the center of the mid-bass planar panel and the center of the mid-treble panel are about 9” even though the adjacent driver edges are nearly coincident. The centers are the cumulative source of the sound. Thus, the bulk of the integrated sound is perceived to emanate from there. Thus, it is where the perceived reintegration must coalesce. Above ½-wavelength distance interference patterns may develop. Now, while the huge surface area would reduce effects of such subsequent lobbing, it wouldn’t eliminate it all together as one noticed how the MG1.6QR predecessor sounded off axis (different result ... same physics). Below, ¼ wavelength the reintegration remains quite good even at 6’ away. This I don’t recommend anyone do with MG1.6s. So, while MG2.7QRs sound adequate at 6’, by 12’ they sound almost concentric.
Do I know what concentric planars sound like? Yes. That's why I own twin MGCC1s. I stack them with the tweeters meeting in a M?T-T/M configuration for that vary purpose.
» moderate Mart £ « Planar Asylum
Mart,you just haven't heard maggies 1.6 at their full potential yet,
so please stop telling people they can't do the "holography"
thing, whatever this may meanbest, paco
As far as not hearing a MG1.6 under the best light, this is true but I haven't heard *any* Maggie under such conditions. In any event, it would be unfair to compare unequal speakers. If I had got off my but & finally upgraded my MG2.7's XO instead of suffering paralysis from analysis, and compared them to stock MG1.6s, that too would be equally unfair. I have heard these speakers under equivalent light in my review & have given posted my perceived experience as such. This review may be as subjective as any as may be. However, I was intentionally trying to minimize said flaws & post some insight as I saw these speakers weren't reviewed when I updated the [Review] page on the MUG site.
» moderate Mart £ « Planar Asylum
> > If you consider Sunfire systems & Bryston systems decent. < <
Barely.You haven't heard 'em till you hear 'em with tubes.
Oz
Unfortunately, no one sells any tubes locally (save the Sunfire pre amp & a tiny McIntosh amp only capable of only powering a mid-treblw driver) to audition. IE: not a true test.
» moderate Mart £ « Planar Asylum
I would also wonder how good Maggies really sound with a Krell amp (but I have no experience with the KAV).
I did a direct comparison of a stereo KAV500 versus a Bryston 4B on a MGLR1 that I brought to Mt Kisco (It fit in the car). I found that the Krell naturally extends the frequency response beyond that of the Bryston in both directions. It also performs the XO region impeccably with incredible clarity. Plus, I heard less SS grunge on the Krell. The Krell also was quieter.
» moderate Mart £ « Planar Asylum
» moderate Mart £ « Planar Asylum
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: