Planar Speakers . . .
SolidSqual
Posts: 5,218
Anybody know anything about Planar speakers? What are some good brands? I saw a nice write-up about some Magnepans selling for only $550. Does anyone here prefer planar? What are the pros and cons?
Post edited by SolidSqual on
Comments
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Once you go flat, you never go back
I'll post more on my experience with Magnepan's later.DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
I love planars.
The MMG's are probably the best deal in high end audio.
However, the are NOT for everyone. They don't have 'leasebreaker' type bass, typically planars don't play as loud or have as great dynamics as a cone speaker and the Maggies are inefficient so you need a man's amp.
If you can live with that, the overall musical ability of planars is stunning.
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut -
I have owned ribbons, and they are fantastic speakers. Musical and detailed as few. I might own another pair down the road._________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman -
My Adagios have a ribbon tweeter so they have really sparked my interest to find a completely different speaker. I am not looking to replace the Adagios. I will likely not sell them for years, but I want to trying something out there. Planars seem to be the way to go. I have two Odyssey Extreme Stratos Monoblocks, so I should have the balls in my britches to run planars.
I found the MMG's for $325. I will probably buy 'em, but I am wondering how their sonics will stack up against my AZ's. Will it be a different sound? I am expecting atleast a larger sound. I suspect they will not go as low as the AZ's, but I will have a sub to help them out. -
I dig the Carver Amazings, get thee a man amp though. These will play very low bass.
RT1 -
Oh crap! Thanks reeltrouble for reminding me of the Amazings!
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While not a true planar speaker as it has four 12" woofers to go with the 60" ribbon, I wouldn't swap my Carver ALS Platinums for any other speaker I've heard. You definantly don't need a sub with the Plats. With the open back design there is no bass "boom" whatever, but you feel the bass as much as hear it. Haven't heard Wilson or some of the other uber expensive models, but I doubt the improvement in the sound would be worth the extra $10,000+ in cost. Ribbons are the way to go from my experience.
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Here's a pair in Mich. you may be interested in.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Carver-Amazing-Silver-Edition-Speakers_W0QQitemZ230209604330QQihZ013QQcategoryZ14993QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem -
IS there much of a diffeence between the Silver and the PLats?
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While not a true planar speaker as it has four 12" woofers to go with the 60" ribbon, I wouldn't swap my Carver ALS Platinums for any other speaker I've heard. ...Haven't heard Wilson or some of the other uber expensive models, but I doubt the improvement in the sound would be worth the extra $10,000+ in cost. Ribbons are the way to go from my experience.
Pretty much sums up my thoughts as well. I don't know what would be an upgrade above the Plats, but I do know it will cost a lot of money that probably isn't worth the incremental improvement. -
God, I would love to get my hands on a pair. They look sweet.
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The only planar, albeit, not a true planar that I ever liked are the Carver Amazings. The downsides that Troy listed above are why I got rid of Maggies 25 years ago and never looked back.
I won't go with the Amazings as they are very tempermental. High humidity, low humidity and dust are just some of the environmental things that will cause the Amazings to act up. Plus they need lots of space to truely shine. Although at Ted's they didn't have a lot of room in the Woodshed but they sounded very, very good. -
SolidSqual wrote: »IS there much of a diffeence between the Silver and the PLats?
The Platinums have a longer ribbon (60" vs 48") and one less 12" woofer. Having owned both, the only difference is image height and maybe (depending on how loud you listen) a bit extra 'ooommpf' in the bass. I really enjoy both speakers and would have kept them if I just had a bit more room (width wise). -
The Platinums have a longer ribbon (60" vs 48") and one less 12" woofer. Having owned both, the only difference is image height and maybe (depending on how loud you listen) a bit extra 'ooommpf' in the bass. I really enjoy both speakers and would have kept them if I just had a bit more room (width wise).
Intersting. Did you experience any of the finicky negatives voiced by hearingimpared? -
I have a pair of Amazings(from RT1),picked em up at PF 07,they are powered by odyssey mono's. The room that I put them in,had some issues(18 ft ceiling),that is until I hooked them up.Fortunately for me,I was given the proper care and feeding by Ted,Tom,Tour and a few others,so I have NOT experienced any issues,other than sonic bliss.:)You will need a "he man" amp to control these bad boys. For me it was a win/win,,they sound absolutely stunning,wifey loves them,,and I believe that they were once owned by Troy..so thats four "T's". I've said this many times,,but I could sit for hours in the woodshed and listen to Ted's rig,,no listener fatique at all,be it vinyl or digital. That said,, I may give them up,if I can hook up with the original owner of a set of plats,,I think that another member (Mark,aka Doro) stated,that these are something everyone should own in their audio journey.You owe it to yourself to own a pair at some point in time.One thing that I have found is,,SOURCE. Sorry for the ramble,,good luck,,if you've got the planar itch,, the amazing will scratch your it.:)JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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any interest in electrostatics?
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Sure, I was looking at some Martin Logans.
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Look into some big maggies. They need some power, but boy are they nice sounding. The MMG's have a comparable range to the LSI7/9's so if you think those bookshelves have enough range, then definately pick up the MMG's.
Of course I haven't heard a system that I would put above my short lived quad amped maggies yet-Even the carver plats...There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin -
The Magnepan MMG's are a pretty amazing speaker at the $550 price point. On the used market at under $400, they are a steal. Like all Magnepans, they require some breathing room and good amplification. It doesn't take fire-breathing high dollar amplification, a good 80 to 150 wpc amp will do just fine. As stated, if you don't think a pair of LSi7's needs a sub, then you won't need a sub with the MMG's.
The bigger Magnepan's (I own the 1.6's) are somewhat picky about amplification and source components. I use a pair of Parasound HCA-1500A amps and they work very nicely. That's probably about the low end of the spectrum for amps that work with the 1.6's. The tube sound in your pre and CDP works well with Magnepans. I had a Cambridge 640 CDP that worked great until I went to the Magnepans, then it was way too analytical sounding. I use a Rogue pre and Jolida CDP and it's all good!
If you like big open soundstages, and very detailed mid and highs, then the Magnepan sound is something you should explore. It's not for everyone. The dynamic slam of a cone driver in a monkey coffin is just not there. The bass is very detailed and comes out of the entire panel. I'm in an apt, and the lack of the bass slam and cone driven air movement means that less sound is transmitted to the walls and floor, ie the neighbors like me! The Magnepans will reveal everything on a CD, and everything your components do. Sometimes I am amazed at what I hear when playing a CD, vs what I hear from that same CD on another system.
Whether you like them or not, somewhere on your audio journey you should try to take in a good pair of planers, whether they are Magnepan's or another brand. JMHO!DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
I see the larger Maggies on my local Craigslist all the time. I wish I had the space. Then again, I can start another rig in my living room. "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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ML Aries
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/ele/529285172.html
ML Aries Shipping Boxes
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1203529859
Mag MG 3.3
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/ele/529221363.html
Too bad they aren't local to you."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
ML Aries
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/ele/529285172.html
ML Aries Shipping Boxes
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1203529859
Mag MG 3.3
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/ele/529221363.html
Too bad they aren't local to you.
WOW. I would love to hear those Maggies.Sharp Elite 70
Anthem D2V 3D
Parasound 5250
Parasound HCA 1000 A
Parasound HCA 1000
Oppo BDP 95
Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
Totem Mask Surrounds X4
Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
Sony PS3
Squeezebox Touch
Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door. -
I wish I had money for a second system, I'd be all over the first pair."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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Might have to pick up a second set of 3.3r's....There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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DO it man, that would be SICK.
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut -
I've been toying the idea of having a set of 3.6 as the LR and 3.3R's as the center and surrounds for an SACD/HT setup. Is that so wrong?There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
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Oh man, I LOVE it when you talk dirty to me.
You know, when I get back from Korea (in mid-2009) I'm really going to plead my case for a statement set of speaks, the short list is the Quad 2805. I'd REALLY like to hear the big Maggie 20.1's though too.
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut -
Here's what you need Troy:
This guy doesn't eff around with his 7.1 setup . . .
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vaslt&1135958151 -
7.1 implies HT.
Blasphemy.
I think that Harry Pearson is a wack job but I'd like to get a listen on his Magnepan multi-channel setup.
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut -
Troy et al:
You definately have to try/hear actively bi/tri amping the big maggies. Get some tubes on the ribbon and SS on the bass panel. Fricking sweet....
20.1 hmmmm, I really don't NEED to max out the 401K this year....There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
