Magnepan MG-12's

falconcry72

Thoughts?

I have the chance to pick up a local pair for a good deal. They're less than a year old and supposedly in immaculate condition.

I would be using these as the main speakers in my 2-channel system, so they'd be replacing a pair of SDA-1C's which I love. Would these be a step up? I'm thinking it will be more of a lateral move to a different sound that's not necessarilly better. Hmm. I know the bass won't compare, but I have a good fast sub on the way that I can use to supplement the Maggies. It's a Mirage BPS-150i that uses two opposite facing 8 inch drivers and is flat down to 22hz.

Should I jump on them?

Ricardo

You should give them a try if it's a good deal. Maybe you get hooked

falconcry72

Ricardo wrote: »

You should give them a try if it's a good deal. Maybe you get hooked

What would you consider a good deal on these? I haven't been paying attention to the used Maggy market.

BTW, I mainly listen to jazz, followed closely by rock.

ViperZ

Maggies are awesome for jazz. I listen to rock on mine all the time too. A lot of people claim that you need tons of power to drive Maggies properly, but I have to disagree. I was able to drive my MGII speakers with a single Dynaco ST-70 with great results. Now I'm using Jolida JD-801 (75 Watts RMS per channel tube amp), and also dual ST-70 (~60-70 W/Ch RMS), and they sound wonderful.
I don't think I'll ever use the box speakers in my 2-Ch system again. It's not a step up, it's a completely different experience. Properly positioned (they are very position and angle sensitive), you'll be amazed with the image these speakers give. Also, out of personal experience, even though Magnepan claims that these speakers are full-range, you may need a subwoofer, especially for bass guitar, bass (violin type) and other low-frequency instruments reproduction. I added Velodyne ULD-15 with active Paradigm crossover to the system and it matched perfectly.

falconcry72

They should do pretty well with the Parasound HCA-2200ii I'm using; it's pretty high current (50 amperes continuous, 90 peak) and will put 385 watts per channel into the 4ohm load of those maggies.

I think I'm gonna try'em out.

xj4094dg

falconcry72 wrote: »

They should do pretty well with the Parasound HCA-2200ii I'm using; it's pretty high current (50 amperes continuous, 90 peak) and will put 385 watts per channel into the 4ohm load of those maggies.

I think I'm gonna try'em out.

I use that same amp for my Maggie SMGa's. You're going to love it.

Timothy Smith

I think you will really like the Maggies.

I had MG-II's and MMG's and recently sold the MMG's. I told the guy who bought them that if he ever changed his mind I would buy them back for what he paid me.

I wouldn't sell the 1C's first though, if you have the cash, keep them both for a while. The Maggies were very revealing, and I heard nuances on recordings that I have probably listened to 100's of times before.

The thing that bugged me most about the Maggies is that there was a sweet spot to sit about 2' wide, move to either side and the imaging magic fell apart.
OK for critical listening by one person though.

nooshinjohn

I am on the hunt for Maggies as well for two channel, hopefully a minty set of Tympani mkIV's... SDA's will stay with the HT rig, but at least I will have the flexibilty of going between the two.

falconcry72

Well I just got the maggies home. They have the natural off-white colored socks and are quite pretty. The guy I got them from lost the feet screws, so I can't play them yet, but Magnepan customer service was excellent, and they are sending me a set for free, plus they told methe exact size, so hopefully I'll find some at the local hardware store while I'm waiting for the originals in the mail.

I will post my impressions once they're set up.

Oh, and the 1C's aren't going anywhere.

dkg999

As stated previously, two very different presentations of music. I've always found Magnepan's to have the big soundstage that I liked about my SDA's along with a more natural presentation. JMHO and what my ears like. I've got 1.6's and don't find them to be as picky about placement as some would have you believe. There is a sweet spot, but they also sound good wherever I'm at in the room. The trick is to get them out in the room, 3 foot from the back or side walls at least. Limit the room reflections because you've got sound coming from them front/back.

dorokusai

I would pick them up. As DKG stated, Magnepans are not difficult to dial in and setup at all.

falconcry72

Well I got the right size screws, and I've been playing with the mg12's, moving them around, going through old familiar recordings etc. for the last few hours. I keep switching back and forth between them and the 1C's.

They are very different speakers, and I really enjoy both of them for different reasons.

My sub should be here this week, so it'll be more fair once I get that incorporated for the Maggies.

dorokusai

I'd sell the SDA's.

dkg999

Once you go flat, you never go back!

AudioGenics

full-range ribbon and planar stereo speakers are unique
and presents an excellent sound stage.

Magnepan has been at it for 40 some years

go for it if you have a chance at a great deal.

dkg999

AudioGenics wrote: »

full-range ribbon and planar stereo speakers are unique
and presents an excellent sound stage.

Magnepan has been at it for 40 some years

go for it if you have a chance at a great deal.

Such awe inspiring wisdom and insight

heiney9

Actually with the right gear (tubes), very nice caps and proper room set-up you can get 1C's to sound eerily close to Maggies. I'd say you can get 85% there. Certainly not a 100% Maggie experience, but it can be eerily close in my experience. Synergy and room have to be right, however.

H9

falconcry72

dorokusai wrote: »

I'd sell the SDA's.

You just want them for yourself!

dorokusai

No, I'm done with SDA's for the most part. I've owned WAY too many and it's not very exciting anymore. Too many other loudspeakers, so little time.

organ

I had those for a while. They should work great with your current set up. Give them a lot of room to breathe and they'll image like crazy. Since it's a local sale, ask the guy if you can demo first with your own music.

Timothy Smith

dkg999 wrote: »

Once you go flat, you never go back!

I went flat and went back to Dahlquist DQ-10's, DQ-20's, and A/D/S L-810's, L-910.

(But I may go flat again since I'm a speaker Ho)

nooshinjohn

dorokusai wrote: »

I'd sell the SDA's.

Good!!! With you out of the SDA picture, there will be more for everyone else.

As a side note, it would be interesting to see Polk do one of those commercials like Subaru does... "after 35 years, more Polk speakers are still on the road than any other brand. Love... it's what makes SDA an SDA."

dorokusai

Timothy Smith wrote: »

I went flat and went back to Dahlquist DQ-10's, DQ-20's, and A/D/S L-810's, L-910.

(But I may go flat again since I'm a speaker Ho)

At least you went to other interesting loudspeakers and not a constant cycle of Polk Polk Polk Polk or SDA SDA SDA SDA. I only say that because I've done that numerous times , loved it all but after getting some SRT am so DONE with formal SDA. I feel complete now and nerd out on Polk but with other stuff now.

I still have my DQ10 and have only heard the A/D/S 810-910 series. All are very cool, great work Timothy. I firmly believe the fascination with our favorite homebrand should continue but you gotta stretch your legs in other speakers as well. As long as you continue to come back here and tell your tales, you're always a Polkie.

Timothy Smith

dorokusai wrote: »

At least you went to other interesting loudspeakers and not a constant cycle of Polk Polk Polk Polk or SDA SDA SDA SDA. I only say that because I've done that numerous times , loved it all but after getting some SRT am so DONE with formal SDA. I feel complete now and nerd out on Polk but with other stuff now.

I still have my DQ10 and have only heard the A/D/S 810-910 series. All are very cool, great work Timothy. I firmly believe the fascination with our favorite homebrand should continue but you gotta stretch your legs in other speakers as well. As long as you continue to come back here and tell your tales, you're always a Polkie.

Thanks man.

Sometimes I feel a little like a heretic around here talking about other speaker brands I enjoy.

I still have a big soft spot for Polk since I bought my first set of Monitor 10's in 1978. I ate a lot of generic pot pies, drove junkers, and wore old clothes for a long time in order to scrimp and save to buy them. They were a revelation, and started me thinking that equipment was a way to get into the music rather than into the equipment. I have had more Polks (14 sets including 4 SDA types) than any other brands. I have recommended and found Polks for lots of friends.

When my 17 year old son goes away to college, I think I might have to steal back the Polk RTA-12's with Peerless tweeters that I "loaned" him unless he figures out a way to jam them in his dorm room (maybe throw out the study desk).

If I hadn't tried Magneplanar, Dahlquist, ADS and some others I would have really missed a lot. That would be like deciding when you are only 16 that "Chevy's" are the best and everything else sucks. Chevy made everything from Chevettes and Vegas (pretty bad) to Corvettes and Impala SS's (pretty awesome), and millions of each. But you would miss a lot if you never tried another type of car, or insulted anyone who didn't also drive a Chevy.

TroyD

Smart grab on the Maggies. As has been said, once you go flat, it's hard to go back. I also disagree about the bass......not lease breakers but I wouldn't dick with a sub either.

BDT

falconcry72

TroyD wrote: »

...I wouldn't dick with a sub either.

BDT

The larger maggies may have better low range, but these mg12's definitely needed help.

I got my BPS-150i today, and I can't hardly believe how great it is, especially given what I paid.

Some of the tightest, most musical bass I've heard from any sub. It's only rated at 150 watts RMS, but it's not lacking in power- I only have it set to 2 out 10, and it does great as loud as I care to listen.

I have it crossed over at 50hz.

It's not suprising that it's as quick as it is, having 2 opposite facing 8's in a sealed box; what's suprising is that it's flat down to 22hz.

I highly recommend this sub for music applications.

I've seen them go from $150 to $300 on the used market.

I paid $175 for this one on ebay, including shipping, and it's mint.

There do exist many better subs... but not for $175.