Giving Magnepan another try

[Geoffcin]

Hi Nightflier, I own a system like your looking to make, so perhaps I can give you some of my findings.

1. The mid-range is great, but the top end is very easy to reach. I'm pretty deaf, but I can easily hear where the speaker ends. Would a super-tweeter help?

I've never added a super tweeter to any speaker, so on that account I'm in the dark. Perhaps yes?

2. Are the MC1s that much better? I can see that the top end would be much improved, but the bottom only adds 20Hz. For more than 3x the price, are they worth it?

The short answer is yes. The MC1's quasi-ribbon tweeter is so good that in some respects it's BETTER than the tweeter in my 3.6's on SOME program material. The MC1's tweeter is always sweet, where the 3.6's true ribbon can get a bit forward with poorly recorded material. (like most HT stuff!)

3. Can I comfortably use a MMG-C in the front with MC1s on the L&R? Or would I then really need to step that up to the CC3 (also at 3x the price)?

I would say ABSOLUTELY, however the CC3 will BLOW the MMG-C away on both resolution in the upper treble, and total output. Worth the upgrade eventually.

4. What are my options for the rear channel(s)? My room is small and these speakers throw a huge sound stage, so two more MMG-Ws in addition to the rears would really be overkill. Would I be able to use a single MMG-C or am I blaspheming with that suggestion?

The MC1's hang with little intrusion into the room in a 5.1 setup. Really they are less intrusive than the old stand mounts I used to use. For a 7.1 setup you will want 4 to 5 feet from rear the speakers to the back of the seating position. I think MMG-W's will be find for surround duty.

5. Due to circumstances, the only multi-channel amp I now have available to me is a 125/180W one. Frankly it can't do the job and peters out with loud effects. Someone suggested the Rotel RMB-1076/1077 since it can dip down to 2 ohms. I'm partial to Class-D and have had several so I don't have doubts about the technology, but it's only a 100/200 watt amp. Has anyone used these amps with Maggies and had good results?

I run a mixed setup amplified wise. The mains are run with class D PS Audio amp, the rears with my receiver (Pioneer Elite), and the center with a Musical Fidelity class A amp. You DON'T need an amp capable of 2 ohms with ANY maggie. They are all a resistive load, so the only problem will be how loud you want to drive them. I get my room PLENY loud and the most powerful amp I use is less than 200 per channel.

I know the higher-end Maggies have substantially greater range, but they are also more expensive, larger, and as I've found out, very heavy too, which makes them a pain to ship. So I really want to stay with the wall hanging speakers. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

As much as I love my 3.6's, I wouldn't be upset with a set of MC1's across the front. As long as you have a sub in the mix you've got a serious setup for both HT and audio.