Magnepan MG-1 B's

kawizx9r

As many of you know, I sold my SDA 1C's thinking I'd be leaving IL.

Well that's all changed, since I won't be leaving anymore. I couldn't go without audio for too long and well I just want to discuss my new score

I got a pair of extremely-mint condition Maggie MG-1B's. A completely different experience as opposed to the SDA's I had but all I can say is WOW :eek: Vocals and instrumentals come in so freaking clear and natural, bass is quick and accurate (and maggies aren't known for their bass either) and everything just seems so enveloping. I'm really glad I picked the pair up as they're really making me hear things differently all over again.

The wife however thinks they are hideous LOL she can't stop looking at them, and can't get over the fact that they're taller than her. No worries though, I did sell the SDA's because we were going to part so she'll just have to put up with these until I get my own room to put them in. And even then, I'll just get another pair of SDA's for the living room

I should give these some more listening to, but so far so good. The guy who sold them to me was really cool too, owns a hell of alot of gear so something I'll have to check out sometime. Just thought I'd share my experience with you guys. Pictures soon to come up!

-Freddy

Edit: Btw, just wanted to add that I'm using an extremely basic Kenwood C-1 preamp so nothing special at all. Can't wait until that changes....until then.

kawizx9r

Here's the pics

xj4094dg

Sweet! I love my little SMGa's. Those babies of yours must sound killer. Nice not to have to worry about WAF isn't it? Especially with Maggies. I have a pair of MG12's coming for xmas.....:)

Enjoy.

comfortablycurt

Very nice!! Congrats man!!

Good to hear you and the wife worked things out.:)

xj4094dg

Hey Freddy,

How much were those Maggies anyway?

kawizx9r

xj4094dg wrote: »

Hey Freddy,

How much were those Maggies anyway?

Only $350, was it too much?

concealer404

Uh... for minty ones with good ribbons, nope!

xj4094dg

kawizx9r wrote: »

Only $350, was it too much?

F-in good deal. Damn you!

kawizx9r

xj4094dg wrote: »

F-in good deal. Damn you!

Thanks!

You guys are making me feel much better about my purchase. There are just so many damn variations that I didn't know what was actually considered 'good' and what wasn't. I'm still surprised at the bass output on these things.....I mean I had to use my RT tower subs to fill in the 60-100hz range but now I don't. I just use the 'beast-diy sub' and it blends in so well.

My wife thinks she's going to have nightmares about these things lol....oh well cause they sound damn sweet. I guess I want to thank my amp, because the 'extremely-entry-level-pre' I'm using is NOT part of the reason why these things sound so good.

-Freddy

kawizx9r

Here's 1 more pic.

I didn't know there was an actual LEFT and RIGHT speaker, so I had to move them over.


I can't get over the rear speaker terminals. There are so many jumpers, seller said they're bi-amp/bi-wire capable but the way they are now it's just to accept 1 set of speaker cables. Also, anyone here actually place a resistor somewhere in place of a jumper or the sort as an attenuator? Not sure if you can do that with this pair.

I'll be cleaning them up a bit since the cloth is a little dusty, and work on cleaning the contacts where the fuse sits.

wutadumsn23

Congrats Freddy, nice score.

-Jeff

tonyb

Nice to hear things are looking up for ya. Nice grab too. A different sound than SDA's for sure. Just don't let the kids,um... dogs near 'em.

buymesome

Hi fred, how do these compare to any cone speaker?

Whats it like for movies in the dialog department ?

Lucky sob . I always wanted to try electro's but never had the power

kawizx9r

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

Congrats Freddy, nice score.

-Jeff

Thanks Bro, they're really friggin sweet.

tonyb wrote: »

Nice to hear things are looking up for ya. Nice grab too. A different sound than SDA's for sure. Just don't let the kids,um... dogs near 'em.

Thanks again. They really are a different animal. I hear when properly setup, acoustic passages just sound freaky as well on these things. You get a wide soundstage different than SDA's, but because they're bipoles so sound reflects from the rear walls. Like I said above, I had my wife stand directly behind it and it was as if you were standing in front of them.

As for the dogs, no worries they know better

buymesome wrote: »

Hi fred, how do these compare to any cone speaker?

Whats it like for movies in the dialog department ?

Lucky sob . I always wanted to try electro's but never had the power

Well, I've had plenty of speakers before....but only one pair of SDA's so I'll just compare them to the rest.

Instruments sound so natural. At first when I had heard a good pair of (box) speakers I thought to myself "wow everything sounds so nice." Fired up the Maggies and, well that's really changed the way I think about box speakers. These things aren't SPL champs, so don't expect ear splitting levels or heavy bass....but they sound damn sweet at all levels. Vocals (especially female voices) are so real even my wife sat down next to me to listen. Of course she tried not to stare at the "ugly" speakers but she couldn't stop listening.

For movies, I can't really say since I'm not using my receiver as my pre/pro anymore (being sold). Although if I had the room to properly place these things I'd say I would definitely use them for HT. They're extremely revealing, I mean I complained before about not being able to listen to any type of burned cd because my setup just revealed all the flaws. On these things it's far worse, but toss in a nicely recorded CD and you're definitely in for a treat.

-Freddy

leroyjr1

Congrats on the new speakers. Glad to hear you're sticking around.

kawizx9r

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Congrats on the new speakers. Glad to hear you're sticking around.

Thanks Lee!

I'll be around IL for awhile, after winter's passed I'm hoping to be ready to move out of here to a bigger place.

BTW xj4094dg, these things really DO love Prison Sex, and anything else I throw at them from Tool, Slipknot, Jane's Addiction, Norah Jones, and more. I thought the choices in music would be as limited as everyone's stated, but I guess that's just an exaggeration.

organ

kawizx9r wrote: »

Thanks Lee!

BTW xj4094dg, these things really DO love Prison Sex

:eek::eek: ok, now that's scary. Don't watch an episode of OZ through them;).

Glad you dig them.

How big would you say the sweet spot is?

kawizx9r

organ wrote: »

:eek::eek: ok, now that's scary. Don't watch an episode of OZ through them;).

Glad you dig them.

How big would you say the sweet spot is?

Sweet spot isn't really big at all, considering they're toed in pointing in one general direction (where you sit).

xj4094dg

kawizx9r wrote: »

Thanks Lee!

I'll be around IL for awhile, after winter's passed I'm hoping to be ready to move out of here to a bigger place.

BTW xj4094dg, these things really DO love Prison Sex, and anything else I throw at them from Tool, Slipknot, Jane's Addiction, Norah Jones, and more. I thought the choices in music would be as limited as everyone's stated, but I guess that's just an exaggeration.

Its great isn't it? I have to thank Doro for inspiring me to try them. I love my SDA's and my Maggies.

kawizx9r

xj4094dg wrote: »

Its great isn't it? I have to thank Doro for inspiring me to try them. I love my SDA's and my Maggies.

I was really missing out on the soundstage these things provide!

The Aric Audio 3.7 tube pre that I purchased from Alan came in so I fired it up (to warm up of course) and then set out to listen.

Won't say much about the provided Baldwin tubes since I didn't give them much of a try. With that being said, I put in the Mullards and grabbed a couple of CD's.

The soundstage grew extensively, keeping in mind I haven't moved the Maggies at all since I've been using the Kenwood C-1 basic pre. Midrange was pushed forward and very life-like, and highs came in with clarity but that was obviously limited. I've yet to clean the contacts of the fuse holder, and I want to say that's really hurting my SQ at the moment. No worries, got a can of Deoxit coming from Parts-Express.

Keeping it short, but I am excited about the pre I got. This will definitely sit in my setup for awhile to come until extra funds are set aside for a better pre. At $220 shipped, this kind of purchase barely hurt the wallet and would've been nothing but an improvement from what I was running. Would like to grab a nice set of interconnects since the Sidewinders are going from the CDP to the pre, I need something better for the pre to the amp (using ratshack stuff).

By the way, anything I can do about the speaker terminals on the rear of the maggies? The banana plug doesn't fit all the way in, and it seems like the weakpoint in the speaker. Wish it would have a standard pair of binding posts, but that's just my rant. Pics to come!

-Freddy

dorokusai

Those are nice to get your feet wet but I'd move them down the road, recoup what you can quickly and start with a pair of SMG/MMG....then begin pining for bigger and better. They're too old to fall in love and you paid too much....only based on my history. If you're happy, just keep rocking....but you're best served selling them.

kawizx9r

Here's the pre -



And the rig setup finally -



-Freddy

kawizx9r

dorokusai wrote: »

Those are nice to get your feet wet but I'd move them down the road, recoup what you can quickly and start with a pair of SMG/MMG....then begin pining for bigger and better. They're too old to fall in love.

So I've heard!

It only gets better as you move along the line.

When I checked out my CL, I recall only seeing one other pair (MMGC) something like that and according to Maggies' site they were aimed torwards their HT line. I do plan on giving the newer than MG's a chance, just not yet! I'd have to look at a much better amp in that case....hmm I'll keep a lookout on the 'gon for a Moscode 600? :eek:

dorokusai

The MMGC is the center channel and the HT lineup has nothing to do with the older SMG or current MMG.

dorokusai

They are not the most efficient loudspeaker around but you don't need monster amplifiers to run them either.

kawizx9r

dorokusai wrote: »

The MMGC is the center channel and the HT lineup has nothing to do with the older SMG or current MMG.

Alright thanks.

And there is one other pair on CL now, but don't have the funds for it yet. - http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/ele/1425297432.html

I've heard great things about the R/QR series, is that in regards to the tweeters they use?

kawizx9r

dorokusai wrote: »

They are not the most efficient loudspeaker around but you don't need monster amplifiers to run them either.

Yea, at least they're not in the 85's or so. I'm perfectly happy with the way my current amp runs this pair, so was the seller after hearing them on my setup. He brought them over cause our car didn't have the room to transport them. :rolleyes:

dorokusai

What a great transaction...cool and rare. The true ribbon is what you strive for but the 1.6QR are pretty much the bar standard for Magnepan....that's where you should start.

mantis

Maggies are hideously ugly. I look at them everyday. We are a dealer and they have a special following. Most people who buy them come in for just them. No concern for any other speaker. Most are not married.
Most if not all wives I have talked to about them think they are the ugliest things on the planet and why would anyone even consider putting them into ones home. They belong in the garage and that might be a stretch as I might want to run them over with my car.
Well I have always agreed with the looks, they could be a lot better. The metal feet alone is awful but sit in front of a pair and you will know exactly why they have such a following. I can find so many better sounding better looking speakers at there price point but I think the looks is the thing that stops most.
Good luck with them. Hopefully your wife allows you to keep them.

kawizx9r

mantis wrote: »

Maggies are hideously ugly. I look at them everyday. We are a dealer and they have a special following. Most people who buy them come in for just them. No concern for any other speaker. Most are not married.
Most if not all wives I have talked to about them think they are the ugliest things on the planet and why would anyone even consider putting them into ones home. They belong in the garage and that might be a stretch as I might want to run them over with my car.
Well I have always agreed with the looks, they could be a lot better. The metal feet alone is awful but sit in front of a pair and you will know exactly why they have such a following. I can find so many better sounding better looking speakers at there price point but I think the looks is the thing that stops most.
Good luck with them. Hopefully your wife allows you to keep them.

Oh don't worry, she will.

Something about these speakers that makes you think you'd see them at an art museum or something lol. They're not pretty or pretty to look at, but they sound beautiful. I haven't tried many other speakers for strict 2 channel listening but these for the meantime surely do the job and they do it well. A different animal than the SDA's, but before I ever decide to settle down with anything I think I'd want to get my ears on plenty of other pairs.

I told myself the next pair I'd like to get if I move on from these Maggies is something from B&W but after all the negative feedback on here I think I'll look torwards something else. Before I do that though, these deserve a spot in my 2-chan setup for a few more months.

I'll post my remarks once the Deoxit comes in tomorrow (er later today) from Parts-express. I asked Ben to make me a pair of his famous IC's so I'll be looking forward to that as well.

-Freddy

buymesome

Hey freddy

How much do you think a black pair of them could be had for .Alot of people say they are better value to sound than martin logans . How do these perform at really low volumes ? do they loose transparency?