Magnepan SMGa

aloutah

I dont know much about these, but have a chance to pick up a pair. I have always heard that magnepans are great speakers, but have no experience with them or this model. I am curious though for sure. What is a good price for these? I have read a bit on how to tell if they are in need of repair, but just wanted some input from the board. Basically what i should know before buying a pair. Opinions, experiences, warnings, etc.. would all be appreciated. Thanks.

aloutah

I have also heard that they are difficult to drive. So any input on an appropriate amp or wattage needed would be helpful as well.

Timothy Smith

I have a pair of MMG's which are kind of a newer version or the SMG.

I love them to death, they are some of the most detailed speakers I have ever heard. When I bought them about 2 -1/2 years ago I heard new things on records or CD's that I have literally listened to 100's of times previously.

Here are a few "quirks":

1. You likely will need an amp rated at least 150 watts in 8 ohms, (200 is better) I think the SMG's are 4 or 6 ohm, and it has to be a high current capable amp.

2. You will probably want to add a subwoofer, and it will have to be a "fast" one to blend.

3. They sound spectacular when you are sitting in one position, move a foot or two to the right or left and you lose the image/soundstage.

4. I think the SMG's are pretty old at this point, the mylar can start to tear or deteriorate, and the wires can pull away.


Best thing to do is to demo this pair, or other Manepan/Magneplanars to see if you like the sound in general (you probably will).

aloutah

Any thoughts on price/value?

Ricardo

I wouldn't pay anything beyond $200 assuming they are in excellent condition and with refurbished panels. It's not a matter of if, but when the wires will start delaminating.

aloutah

Oh also, I was wondering about placement and room size. I have a couple rooms I could use them in, but none are huge.

aloutah

These are stock and have never been serviced or "refurbished". They are single owner and local.

Timothy Smith

One way to try Maneplanars at almost no risk is to order new MMG's directly from Magnepan from their website with a credit card (I think about $600 now).

You can keep them for something like 30 or 60 days and return them for a full refund if you don't like them. You pay return shipping. I think that was $20 for me, but I kept them, or you can trade the MMG's in on more expensive Magneplanars at, I think, 100% trade in value. Either way, they likely get you hooked on the Maggie sound.

You probably can't do this quick enough to act on the used SMG's.

I agree, if those SMG's are original, they will need work soon,even if they were not abused.

If they sound good at a demo at the seller's house, and you can get them for $200 or less, you dont have a lot to lose. You can do the repairs yourself, it just takes some dexterity and patience.

aloutah

When they need to be serviced or refurbished, what are the various procedures or upgrades that need to be done? How much is the approx. cost? Also, I know it can be done at home DIY, but if I wanted a tech to do it, should I look for a local repair, or send to magnepan as I ve heard some people mention. If sending to magnepan, any idea of cost for service and shipping? Thanks.

Timothy Smith

aloutah wrote: »

When they need to be serviced or refurbished, what are the various procedures or upgrades that need to be done? How much is the approx. cost? Also, I know it can be done at home DIY, but if I wanted a tech to do it, should I look for a local repair, or send to magnepan as I ve heard some people mention. If sending to magnepan, any idea of cost for service and shipping? Thanks.

Google "Magnepan repairs" or "Magneplanar repairs" and you will find all kinds of descriptions with pictures and material lists so no need to duplicate here.

Magnepan will even quote you a price to rebuild the SMG's if you contact them through their website.

Repairs are very labor intensive and fussy, so if you judge that you could not or don't want to try the repairs yourself, you could easily double, or triple your original investment paying someone else to do it making them no bargain compared to buying new, or used but less old.

Maybe test the used SMG's, inspect them through the grill cloth with a powerfull lanp to look for tears or loose wires, listen to them with heavy base and listen for "flapping", if that seems OK, buy them as cheaply as you can, and enjoy them until if and when you need repairs, then try to fix them yourself, and if you give up, sell them cheaply to someone who is willing to try.

Where are you at? You are welcome to listen to mine. They are not as good as Polks in some ways, better in others. When I said they revealed things I hadn't heard before on other speakers, that includes several sets of Polk Monitor 10's, RTA-11's, RTA-12's, SDA-2's, SDA-CRS+, SDA SRS 3.1 TL's and more.

If you don't have a lot of power, and don't want to abuse the SMG's, keep a second set of speakers for loud/rap/rock/party use, and save the SMG's for low volume level, critical listening.

aloutah

Timothy Smith wrote: »

Google "Magnepan repairs" or "Magneplanar repairs" and you will find all kinds of descriptions with pictures and material lists so no need to duplicate here.

Magnepan will even quote you a price to rebuild the SMG's if you contact them through their website.

Repairs are very labor intensive and fussy, so if you judge that you could not or don't want to try the repairs yourself, you could easily double, or triple your original investment paying someone else to do it making them no bargain compared to buying new, or used but less old.

Maybe test the used SMG's, inspect them through the grill cloth with a powerfull lanp to look for tears or loose wires, listen to them with heavy base and listen for "flapping", if that seems OK, buy them as cheaply as you can, and enjoy them until if and when you need repairs, then try to fix them yourself, and if you give up, sell them cheaply to someone who is willing to try.

Where are you at? You are welcome to listen to mine. They are not as good as Polks in some ways, better in others. When I said they revealed things I hadn't heard before on other speakers, that includes several sets of Polk Monitor 10's, RTA-11's, RTA-12's, SDA-2's, SDA-CRS+, SDA SRS 3.1 TL's and more.

If you don't have a lot of power, and don't want to abuse the SMG's, keep a second set of speakers for loud/rap/rock/party use, and save the SMG's for low volume level, critical listening.

Im in Salt Lake City, Utah actually. They originally wanted 200 for the speakers, I said no and they dropped to 150. So I might even be able to get them for less. Really just curious about them since many rave about them.

Timothy Smith

Wisconsin is a long drive from Salt Lake City.

If you have the $150, that a pretty good price, and low level of risk to try the SMG's especially if they sound and look good during the demo.

If you can wait, the almost zero risk route is to try the MMG demo, return them whether you like them or not. And then wait for a used set to turn up on local Craigslist.

dorokusai

Ricardo wrote: »

I wouldn't pay anything beyond $200 assuming they are in excellent condition and with refurbished panels. It's not a matter of if, but when the wires will start delaminating.

The SMG isn't that old Ricardo and de-lamination would be the last thing I'd worry about. I'm pretty sure they UV'd them...or at least most of the SMG lineup depending on the actual model year,

I'd say $200-225 is a bit more reasonable in reality but I wouldn't pay that either....who pays normal prices? $150 is a good deal. The rest of the logistical issue is up to you.

I would suggest trying the SMG and not waste your time on the MMG demo. It's the tease of the lineup and if you like it you won't keep them anyways. They are very similar in response and tonality, enough that you'll either love or hate them.

Timothy Smith

dorokusai wrote: »

The SMG isn't that old Ricardo and de-lamination would be the last thing I'd worry about. I'm pretty sure they UV'd them...or at least most of the SMG lineup depending on the actual model year,

I'd say $200-225 is a bit more reasonable in reality but I wouldn't pay that either....who pays normal prices? $150 is a good deal. The rest of the logistical issue is up to you.

I would suggest trying the SMG and not waste your time on the MMG demo. It's the tease of the lineup and if you like it you won't keep them anyways. They are very similar in response and tonality, enough that you'll either love or hate them.

Won't keep them?, I still have my MMG's after almost 3-years (which is a long time for me). They are amazing speakers for $550. You have to spend 2 or 3 times as much to step up in the Magneplanar line, unless you find a great deal on used ones.

I am hooked on the "Maggie" sound, but then again I am also hooked on the "Polk" sound, the "Dahlquist" sound, the "ADS" sound, and the "Vandersteen" sound. I could probably sell all of them and use the proceeds to step up to much bigger/better Maggies, but I doubt I would have as much fun as I am having. Variety is good. Like I said, buy the used Maggies to find out if you like them, and use them for critical listening, and maybe have another set of speakers for party time. Not that Maggie's can't rock. One of my favorite MMG demos is to play Iggy and the Stooges "Down on the Street" from the Funhouse album....amazing how visceral, menacing, and real it sounds.

dorokusai

I think the model to start with is the 1.6QR and used it's not hard to get into at all. Have fun with your MMG's and I'm pretty into the sound as well since I've owned about 10 pairs but to each his own.

Ricardo

The difference between the MMG, M12 and 1.6 is only radiating area; same drivers, same resolution. Moving up in the chain is not necessarily an "upgade"; it will depend on your room size.

leroyjr1

Here you go Tim. I know you want them, they're in our area also.:)

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1276795158&/Magnepan-1.6-QR'S-

dorokusai

Ricardo wrote: »

The difference between the MMG, M12 and 1.6 is only radiating area; same drivers, same resolution. Moving up in the chain is not necessarily an "upgade"; it will depend on your room size.

I disagree.

Ricardo

dorokusai wrote: »

I disagree.

Why? Do you think there's any difference in the sound, other than probably more bass (That could or could not be a good thing depending on the room) when you move up?

(I read it on the internet, so must be true...)

http://www.indiespinzone.com/mag/mag14.html

dorokusai

Absolutely.

Timothy Smith

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Here you go Tim. I know you want them, they're in our area also.:)

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1276795158&/Magnepan-1.6-QR'S-

Leroy,

Thanks, but you are a BAAAAAAD influence.

Now I need to find something that you need to spend money on. How about those SRS's in Appleton, I'll drive the truck.

Tim

leroyjr1

Timothy Smith wrote: »

Leroy,

Thanks, but you are a BAAAAAAD influence.

Now I need to find something that you need to spend money on. How about those SRS's in Appleton, I'll drive the truck.

Tim

You are also a very bad influence. My bank account tells me to leave you alone.:)

cstmar01

Timothy Smith wrote: »

Leroy,

Thanks, but you are a BAAAAAAD influence.

Now I need to find something that you need to spend money on. How about those SRS's in Appleton, I'll drive the truck.

Tim

do it! SRS's in Appleton, thats like amazing to me lol.

leroyjr1

cstmar01 wrote: »

do it! SRS's in Appleton, thats like amazing to me lol.

I think I'm done with SDA's

Timothy Smith

leroyjr1 wrote: »

I think I'm done with SDA's

Leroy....deep down inside you know you want them.....

leroyjr1

Timothy Smith wrote: »

Leroy....deep down inside you know you want them.....

Your (our) MMG's are very impressive.:)

If it wasn't for the head size sweet spot I'd definitely own a pair and for the price they're amazing.

Bernal

They are similar to the Quad. Always go well with an amplifier "Sunfire and Velodyne

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