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In Reply to: Magnepan Magneplanar MG3.5R Speakers posted by jimmyjames on March 20, 2003 at 11:58:28:
some points from another 3.5 owner (have had them for 9 months now, gone through several amps, wires, tweaks since then)I have 3.5R's and have blown fuses and even broken a tweeter (probably a mechanical issue not current from the amp). However, the more power I put into amplification, the less often I blew fuses. Since I moved to Odyssey mono blocks, I have not blown a fuse yet. IU assume the most common reason for blown fuses is a clipping amp.
In my case, the size of the sound stage seems to go with speaker placement more than amplifier changes. Even the position of equipment on the rack I have between the speakers is critical. I am about to move the speakers even further off the wall, add some sound DIY sound lenses behind them, just to get rid of the occasional "one sidedness" that was discussed in the forum a few days ago.
Note, I only have a 13" TV and a few smaller components on a steel rack, so there's not really that much stuff that can affect the back wave deflection, but it still seems to matter. HT is not an issue for me - perhaps I'll get a bigger TV once I move the speakers further off the wall, but I'll keep them in the current room. the 2-channel reproduction of movie sound tracks on the 3.5Rs is simply outstanding (that soundstage again!)I may get a subwoofer one of these days - there's clearly a problem with very low frequencies and the panels (which somebody on the forum confirmed to still be part of the 3.6Rs as well). I'll probably do this subwoofer addition at the same time I move on to active bi-amping to get rid of the external crossover of the 3.5Rs. I expect to find even better sound from the 3.5Rs by going that route, and given the cost of new 3.6Rs or even 20.1s, I think my 3.5Rs with some tweaks will hold up quite well at a much better price/performance ratio
Peter
Follow Ups:
I enjoyed the review as well.I think you make a good point of the amplifier problem. With 100WPC tube power (oh, it's SO different, isn't it?) on each mid-ribbon and woofer panel (400 total) I was still blowing the fuses AND the ribbons. With 600WPC (one amp) I don't do that anymore.
Screw Home Theater. It has nothing to do with good sound and all to do with sedating you after work. If I want sedation, I'll have a few bourbons and some good music, and it still sounds good.
Be-Bop and Mahler
How loud are you guys plain' it. I listen to a lot of loud rock, rap and techno music, and I have yet to blow a fuse. That seems strange to me.
I have a pair of MG3.5/R with a sunfire subwoofer. I was running a pair of B&K M200 monoblocks and I would blow fuses every once in awhile. I recently upgraded to the two Channel Sunfire and have had no blown fuses at all. I am currently concidering upgrading the external crossover with Jensen or Solens parts. Have any of you tried the external crossover upgrade?
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