Planar Speaker Asylum

Welcome! Need support, you got it. Or share your ideas and experiences.

Planar Speaker Asylum

RE: Magnapan Quasi Vs. True Ribbon

194.233.96.37

In Reply to: RE: Magnapan Quasi Vs. True Ribbon posted by PaulF70 on April 18, 2024 at 18:28:18

The moving mass of Magnepan's Magneplanar type of bass drivers is about 40 gram for most models. Tympani IVa mids are about 0.9-1 gram for its largest section. Tympani ID tweeters are about 0.9-1 gram. Quad ESL is almost massless in comparsion! Maybe 0.5 gram for each section.

Follow Ups:

RE: Magnapan Quasi Vs. True Ribbon - PaulF70 16:08:00 04/20/24 (3)
Again, are you talking about planar-magnetic drivers at 40g, or the quasi-ribbons that all Maggies now use for bass?

I'd be amazed if one of those weighed 40g but maybe.
- RE: Magnapan Quasi Vs. True Ribbon - Roger Gustavsson 00:13:35 04/21/24 (2)
  The Mylar is about 17 gram/m2. The aluminium is AWG 23 (bass), about .7 gram/m. Depending on model this will sum up to 40 gram. Now, most of them have the diaphragm clamped in places (tie-downs, buttons), splitting the mass into various sized areas. Some dedicated bass drivers is just a single piece of 30-40 gram moving.
  - RE: Magnapan Quasi Vs. True Ribbon - Roger Gustavsson 00:26:12 04/21/24 (1)
    For lower frequencies mass is not a problem. Higher frequencies can profit from lower mass. Lower mass results in less stored energy.
    - RE: Magnapan Quasi Vs. True Ribbon - PaulF70 05:23:45 04/21/24 (0)
      Indeed it does (see my comment regarding mass-spring-damper systems below).
      
      I have to say that, on paper, this is a very large advantage for the ESL.
      
      My .7s are out for delivery as I type. Soon I will be comparing them to my restored Quad 63s.
RE: Magnapan Quasi Vs. True Ribbon - hahax@verizon.net 19:23:53 04/19/24 (3)
Mass matters when starting and stopping. But why do these discussions only measure mass. Years ago I described a drag race between a VW Beetle and a Chevrolet 409(1960s guys). And, of course the VW won because it was so much lighter!!! It's power to weight ratio too.
- RE: Magnapan Quasi Vs. True Ribbon - PaulF70 16:09:29 04/20/24 (2)
  But the heavier the moving mass, the more the system behaves like a mass-spring-damper system - meaning detail is thrown away.
  
  All dynamic drivers are examples of such systems.
  
  ESLs definitely are not because the diaphragm is much lighter than the air that damps it.
  
  I am not sure if the same is true of Maggie quasi-ribbons.
  - RE: Magnapan Quasi Vs. True Ribbon - hahax@verizon.net 20:53:50 04/21/24 (1)
    Since this discussion is going on I'll add to it. First a quasi is just that quasi. It's a planar. Second most Maggie planars panels are single ended, magnets on just one side. This means as the move further there is less control and as they move further they have to move non linearly and move less than they should given the change in input. This adds up to higher distortion and to noticeable compression. Planar drivers should be push/pull with magnets on both sides for Maggies and their ilk and also for electrostatics(for which I know of no current single ended ones)
    - RE: Magnapan Quasi Vs. True Ribbon - PaulF70 18:21:36 04/22/24 (0)
      I think I agree with everything you've said.
      
      Also, my old Quad 63s demolished the Magnepans.

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Kimber Kable