Tweakers' Asylum: REVIEW: Maggie's Legs Maggie's Legs Speaker Stands by Duboiz

Model:	Maggie's Legs
Category:	Speaker Stands
Suggested Retail Price:	$150
Description:	Altrnative Speaker Stands for MMG's, SMG and MG12
Manufacturer URL:	Maggie's Legs
Model Picture:	View

Review by Duboiz ( A ) on January 25, 2002 at 22:08:36
IP Address: 63.197.185.56

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After reading reviews of MMG speakers and owning them myself, I agree with all the pros and cons owners write about their MMG's. I will not repeat all the pros because they are well known. I will, however, emphasize the cons because I have a solution to MMG and MG12 owners that will make their little Maggie sound almost as good as the big Maggies.
When comparing the MMG to the 1.6 and above, the main thing you will notice is smaller sound stage. You will also notice that when sitting 12 feet or more from the speakers the high frequency flies as high as 1.5 feet above your head. The reason for both problems is because the MMG are shorter then the 1.6 and they lean back whereas the 1.6 and above stand straight up.
So I went to my computer and designed what I call "Maggie's Legs" . Maggie's Legs are speaker stands specially design for the MMG Maggies and possibly even the MG12. They are 13" tall and will elevate the Maggis from 0" to 8" up off the floor in 2" steps, all at 90º.
Now my review of the MMG with the Maggie's Legs.
Speakers: Magnepan MMG
Stands: Maggie's legs at 8" high
First I put the legs on the right speaker, and sat about 14' from the speakers (my casual listening positioning) and clicked play on the CD remote. The first thing I noticed was that almost the entire sound moved to the right of where the MMG is elevated. The difference was so much that I was sure that the balance on the amp was offset or the interconnect was loose or something. It wasn't. WOW!
I could not wait any longer. I shut down everything and installed the second pair on the left speaker, elevating it 8", the same as the right speaker. I turned everything on, sat down and pushed play on the CD remote. WOW! The sound is now back in the middle but LARGER. You now hear the voice coming from the front and not from the floor, the bass is tighter, pleasant and more accurate. Remember, moving the Maggies from the back wall is a must if you want good and not boomy bass. Moving it up from the floor makes it even better.
As you can see I was very exited about the major improvement I made to the sound of my MMG's; it was by far better than any cable, tube rolling or anything I tried on my system.

Product Weakness: A little bright with a wrong setup
Product Strengths: Elevate the sound stage off the floor, Better BASS response

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Sansui AU11000
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Non
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	B&O TX2
Speakers:	Magnepan MMG
Cables/Interconnects:	Generic
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Vocal, classic
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Over a year
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster 2000
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	A little bright with a wrong setup
Product Strengths:	Elevate the sound stage off the floor, Better BASS response