Martin Logan ESL

[JoeE SP9]

Several people have said comparing Maggy's to ESL's is like comparing apples to oranges. I don't really agree with that. Comparing any dipolar transducer to any "monkey coffin" is where the apples to oranges analogy should apply. IMO comparing ESL's to planar magnetics to ribbons is comparing apples to apples to apples. There is an almost infinite (well 7500+ varieties) number of apple varieties. They are all apples. Just as any planar transducer is dipolar.

When I heard my first Maggy's in 1976 it was the dipolar sound that sold me. I could get used to Maggy's (again), Eminent Technology LFT's or any planar. To me they are just different versions of "apples". The same applies to ESL's and ribbons including my Acoustats, E-Stats Sound Lab's and Florians Apogees.

ESL's to my ears have more (less?) of that dipolar sound. Everyone has to listen and decide for themselves exactly what they want. There is one thing for certain. If you like the sound of a planar of any construction type "monkey coffins" will never satisfy you.

[poppachubby]

Several people have said comparing Maggy's to ESL's is like comparing apples to oranges. I don't really agree with that. Comparing any dipolar transducer to any "monkey coffin" is where the apples to oranges analogy should apply. IMO comparing ESL's to planar magnetics to ribbons is comparing apples to apples to apples. There is an almost infinite (well 7500+ varieties) number of apple varieties. They are all apples. Just as any planar transducer is dipolar.

When I heard my first Maggy's in 1976 it was the dipolar sound that sold me. I could get used to Maggy's (again), Eminent Technology LFT's or any planar. To me they are just different versions of "apples". The same applies to ESL's and ribbons including my Acoustats, E-Stats Sound Lab's and Florians Apogees.

ESL's to my ears have more (less?) of that dipolar sound. Everyone has to listen and decide for themselves exactly what they want. There is one thing for certain. If you like the sound of a planar of any construction type "monkey coffins" will never satisfy you.

Funny you should say Joe. Not having the benefit of experiencing the full range of planars available, I can't say too much. I was quite shocked though at the idea that MMG's would be so far off the path from the ML's.

Of course, critical listening and acoustic measurements would reveal differences, but I have a feeling that Joe is right about this. It's that whole dipole/bipole vibe that would be shared amongst all of these speakers. And when put against a typical ported box, fuhgedaboudit...

I have been chatting with a fellow inmate for a few weeks now via email. Met him in the Speaker Asylum. He owns a Golden Tube SE-40 and runs Maggie's with it. He's quite certain he'll never need anything else.

Feanor owns the 1.6, and I'm quite certain that Him and I will get together at some point. This will give me a good test run for the GT. If I like what I hear, I think I'll blindly buy the MMG's. They have a 60 day return policy right now, which is nuts!! For the cost, it seems crazy to buy used.

Aside from that, the bulk of these speakers are out of my price range or out of my amp's league. If the planar route ends up a deadend, I will build a pair of frugal horns or open baffle. Oh who am I kidding, I'll probably build them anyways...

[JoeE SP9]

Let your own ears decide PC. MMG's are designed by Magnepan to get you in the "door". That's why they have the liberal return and upgrade policy. I think they realize, if you like the MMG's you'll like the bigger and more expensive Maggy's even more.

For me the 3.6R's are the ones to get. The Ribbon tweeter and size of the bass/mid panel get it right to my ears. Even then, if you listen to real world music a sub (or two) is recommended.

With all that said, once the reviews come out on the 1.7's there will be a boatload of 1.6's for sale. The next couple of months will be the time to get a pair of used 1.6's. Were I in the market I would jump. The 1.7's being better than 1.6's and still less than $2K are gonna be really popular.

Hey PC! Go on and get the MMG's. You know you wanna try em'. You got nothing to loose.

[poppachubby]

Hey PC! Go on and get the MMG's. You know you wanna try em'. You got nothing to loose.

It's looking like a 80% possibility. I have cleared a budget with my wife of approx. $800. Obviously, I don't want to spend it all if I don't have to. Yet another reason the MMG's are callin'. The return policy is another. If I buy used, realise for whatever reason I don't want them, and sell them, I'd be in hot water with my wife.

I've basically told her this would be it for '10. Having to possibly take a loss on my purchase and then go back into the market would make her nuts. With Magnepan's policy, I would be out very little in relative terms, and still have enough of my budget to buy something decent.

Lot's to think about. Of course, once I buy the MMG's, I will be sure to include you in my speech Joe.

"...to thank God. But even more important than God, I'd like to thank Joe for showing me the path to audio greatness. I'm forever grateful. This is for you Joe!"

Not sure what award that would be, but you're in the speech ok? BTW, check the box for some stuff. Just picked up Mingus Sextett w/Dolphy live in 64. Real energetic performance although the recording wanders back and forth from great to average. I'll be ripping it later...

[hifitommy]

pop,

the great part of this speaker (aside from its xlnt sound for the bux) is that there are eager buyers waiting in the wings to take them off your hands. another thing is that if you diecide to go BIG maggies in the front, the MMGs will serve nicely as rear speakers.

as it is, i use them in front on stands that raise them up seven inches and sets them verticaly rather than canted back plus a hsu sub and in the rear of the dynaquad surround setup, ratshack minimus 7s. the mix of planar and coned dynamics isnt distracting.

they are an easy load for most amps unlike electrostats. early on i found that they will cause certain amps to shut down. my friends ML reQuests worked very well with the adcoms like the 5400 and 5500 which are high current amps. anthony cordesman used a 555 to drive apogee scintillas (quite well) which are a ONE OHM load !