Maggies or No Maggies?

[safeharbor]

Hi Folks, Newbie Here! I have a decent audio setup, but have been considering purchasing a good pair of Maggies to go with my equipment. I currently have a Rotel RC-1070 Preamp and Threshold S/300 Series II Amplifier hooked up with some other Peripherals to a very good pair of the original Canton Ergo Passive loudspeakers. The S/300 II supplies 150 WPC Stasis Power. Do you think that the Maggies would be worth a listen? Thanks!

[sharper]

Maggies are always worth a listen. You can see for yourself why they're (among) the most popular high-end loudspeakers. Your amp is great and is what Magnepan used to use in their demos at CES, etc. I've never owned Maggies but do like them a lot. I've owned two S/300 II amps as well as the SA/3. I think the S/300 II is one of the best amps of all time - especially when it comes to timbre...a flute, for example, sounds like a real flute with that amp. I remember that amp as the definition of neutral (without being clinical). Just make sure you have the necessary room in your listening space for whichever model you're going to listen to.

[Glen B]

Hi Folks, Newbie Here! I have a decent audio setup, but have been considering purchasing a good pair of Maggies to go with my equipment. I currently have a Rotel RC-1070 Preamp and Threshold S/300 Series II Amplifier hooked up with some other Peripherals to a very good pair of the original Canton Ergo Passive loudspeakers. The S/300 II supplies 150 WPC Stasis Power. Do you think that the Maggies would be worth a listen? Thanks!

If you look just 6 posts below, there is an excellent discussion on Maggies ("Magnepan - Still Good ?"). Maggies are definitely worth a listen. I wish love to own a pair but I just don't have the room for proper placement.

[squeegy200]

If you look just 6 posts below, there is an excellent discussion on Maggies ("Magnepan - Still Good ?"). Maggies are definitely worth a listen. I wish love to own a pair but I just don't have the room for proper placement.

Glen B said it accurately:
I think placement is the real key with Dipole type planar speakers. Your intended environment and their placement within that environment will have a lot of influence on the success of your Magnaplanars. If placed incorrectly, they'll sound horribly. But if placed correctly, they create a realistic 3D soundstage virtually unmatched by any conventional box speaker.

Various Magnapan speakers can be had at bargain prices on the used market too. One of the many appealing qualities of the Magnaplanar speakers is the large owner base and thus a highly developed knowledgebase.Unlike many other planar speakers, Magneplanars, lend themselves to tweeks. They are customizeable, tuneable, and rebuildable for anyone with reasonable DIYskills.

[safeharbor]

Thanks for the advice. How can I determine if my room will suit? My current setup is about 6-7 feet away from listening position and about 2 feet away from the back wall. Do you recommend buying a pair on ebay?

[squeegy200]

Thanks for the advice. How can I determine if my room will suit? My current setup is about 6-7 feet away from listening position and about 2 feet away from the back wall. Do you recommend buying a pair on ebay?

eBay is a great place to start looking and also to gauge used market value. Bare in mind some models are old and will require rebuilding. Audiogon and Audioreview are also have good used market places. The Magneplanar Users Group (MUG) is a great place to research the different weaknesses and attributes of the different models. It will help you to comprehend the differences of the various models up for auction.

You can also purchase brand new Magneplanars directly from Magnepan in Wisconsin. Their smallest model retails for $550 but offers an upgrade discount if you decide you want to go to a bigger model.

Magnepan also offers rebuild services if you opt to get a pre-owned pair from the used marketplace. (Or MUG website will show you how to rebuild yourself if you are a DIYer)

[safeharbor]

Thanks! I just bought a pair of SMGas on ebay for $330. They look to be in excellent condition!

[Florian]

Grats. on the SMGa, if you get a chance listen to a newer pair. They are quite different in the sound.

[squeegy200]

WOW! That was quick!

Start browsing thru the MUG site. You will learn a lot about the speakers and how to upgrade them if you choose. The SMGa is a nice speaker.

They also hold their resale value so if you don't like them, you will likely be able to sell them for your original purchase price.

I've heard of people purchasing multiple SMGs and creating home theater setups exclusively with flat planars.

Let us know what you think of them.

[safeharbor]

I chose the SMGas because my Threshold Amp is only 150 wpc...I was worried that I would not have adequate power for the larger Maggies. The reviews from Audioreview.com were all so positive...Also, the price was right!

[JoeE SP9]

I chose the SMGas because my Threshold Amp is only 150 wpc...I was worried that I would not have adequate power for the larger Maggies. The reviews from Audioreview.com were all so positive...Also, the price was right!

Only 150 wpc! Your only real problem will be trying not to hurt peoples feelings when they ask you how their boxes sound.
I have owned planars of one type or another since 1976. I will never restrict my sound to a box.

[squeegy200]

Here's a great write up from a fellow with the same speakers. He's done several upgrades and this is his detailed account of what he's done.

http://www.indiespinzone.com/other/smga.html

[twochannelsonly]

Agreed, nothing but maggies here as well, except if I could score a pair of the Vintage JBL's like the 4435's or the 4355's or even better a pr of Hartsfields

[slbenz]

Agree here as well. Especially since I have a Magnepan home theater system using IIIas for mains, 1.5s for rears.

[safeharbor]

Thanks! I just bought a pair of SMGas on ebay for $330. They look to be in excellent condition!

UPDATE! Hi Folks...just an update to let you know that the Maggies just didn't sound as great as my Canton Ergo P speakers. The Maggies sounded good, but were no match for the Cantons! Hey, it was worth a try!

[JoeE SP9]

UPDATE! Hi Folks...just an update to let you know that the Maggies just didn't sound as great as my Canton Ergo P speakers. The Maggies sounded good, but were no match for the Cantons! Hey, it was worth a try!

All smaller panels including SMGa's need bass augmentation with a subwoofer a lot more than comparable boxes. Discounting the bass they have a clearer cleaner more open sound that just about any box. If you are not used to the sound of planar speakers, even the larger and more expensive ones initially sound bass shy because there is a lack of cabinet resonance and no boom.
I have heard both the Canton's and the SMGa's. Certainly the SMGa's don't have as much low end as the Cantons. To my ears they walk all over the Cantons in every other way. Admittedly I have a biased opinion as a planar owner. Once you fall for the sound of planars nothing else will do. For me nothing else has done it since 1976.

[safeharbor]

Thanks for the advice and suggestions, but I will never doubt my Canton Ergo Passiv speakers again! I have listened to many speakers along the way, and nothing compares to these rare speakers. Also, no bass supplementation is necessary! Vinyl or CDs, audition a pair and you will want them in your home as well! (If you can find a pair!)