I put my Magneplanar MMGs up for sale, I think I have a buyer -- they'll be gone next weekend. My big problem with MMGs is "loudness", that is, their limited ability to deliver realistically loud orchestral crescendos for example. I haven't decided what to replace them with.

Meanwhile I moved my 25 year old B&W DM7's into my main system. The "regression" I'm talking about is this return to those old speakers: I wanted to hear again a speaker that is substantially different from what I've become used to.

The B&W DM7's closest present-day descendant is the 704, though there are differences of curse, including the sound. The DM7 has the typical British/B&W sound of its era: a depressed mid-range and a rather dark, "woody" sound. The DM7s have never sounded better in my main system than now, thanks to my Bel Canto amp. But experiencing them again has reminded me why I replaced them with the MMGs. The latter have all the "air", transparency, and detail that the former lacks.

Speaking of "detail", I assure you I'm not confusing resolution with "etch" or "grain" -- I've been around too long for that. Rather I talking about spatial information and authentic instrument timbre. Detail is, IMO, the vital component of transparency and imaging capability. Interestingly the DM7s, notwithstanding its recessed mid-range, sound more "close up" than the MMGs; this I attribute to the formers lack of convincing spatial information.

I think most people would agree that "detail" is derived from the upper mid range and highs. For example, the distinctive "attack" of the tympani is really a mid-range phenomenon. My conclusion is that detail, as it provides spatial info and instrument timbres, is less a matter of ruler-flat frequency response than it is of speed and freedom from distortion.

"Speed", in more technical terms, is likely transient response or "slewing rate". Speed is realized by the fast and uniform response of the driver's radiating surface. I think the natural advantage here goes to planar and ribbon designs, though there are good dynamic drivers too, which are typically light, rigid, and small.

All this brings me at last to the question of what will replace my MMGs. I think I can rule out small, bookshelf designs for "loudness" reasons. But I do want transparency and speed. Speakers I'm considering are:

- Magneplanar MG 1.6 -- definitely the leading contender
- Totem Hawk
- Thiel CS 1.6
- Von Schweikert VR2
- Gallo Nucleus Reference3, (initially without sub amp)

There a few others that might make the list if I had any prospect of auditioning them; e.g. VMPS, Eminent

Also, I haven't ruled out DIY. Here their are innumerable choices, e.g.

- Accuton tweeter & mid + Seas Excel woofer
- Fountek ribbon + Jordan mid + Excel
- Bohlender-Gerbener R50 planar + Scan Speak woofer
- Newform Reseach RD30 quasi-ribbon + Scan Speak woofer
- HiVi planar + Davis mid + Davis woofer, (a cheaper alternative than most)

Of course, I'm hoping for your suggestions!