Thoughts on Magnepan Speakers

[Billy13]

I have a chance to trade some speakers I had been using for a set of refurbished MG 1.4's.

Any and all input is appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

[TheHills44060]

Don't think I've ever heard the 1.4's before but the models I have heard I've really liked. My opinion is that they really like larger sized rooms and they also like to be given a little volume to open open up and create that big expansive sound stage Maggies are capable of.

How big is your room and how will you be powering the 1.4s?

[Billy13]

Originally Posted by TheHills44060

Don't think I've ever heard the 1.4's before but the models I have heard I've really liked. My opinion is that they really like larger sized rooms and they also like to be given a little volume to open open up and create that big expansive sound stage Maggies are capable of.

How big is your room and how will you be powering the 1.4s?

Thanks for your reply.

I'm thinking of putting them either in my living room, and replacing the Acoustat's, or in my front room. If they go in the living room, I'd power them with an Adcom 555ii, also thinking if they go on the front room, I'd use a Carver M-0.5t. The Adcom does have more power, but the Adcom is no slouch either @ 220wpc @ 4 ohms.

I'm not exactly sure what size my rooms are, but you are welcome to visit my galleries.

I have attached a couple of photos of the actual speakers in question.

[Spurrier Sucks]

Never heard any but from what I've read they are great sounding. May be a little light on the low end but you can always add a sub for that.

[TheHills44060]

Nice I love that Adcom!!! Those things can really be abused and keep on ticking, trust me I know. I think that will provide the 1.4's with enough juice to get the lower registers going without the need for a subwoofer. From your pic I would prefer a larger room where they can get some space behind them but hey that's just my experience where I've heard them sound the best. Your room may just be fine.

Anxious to hear your thoughts should you pull the trigger on them. Oh yeah since they are refurbished I'd give them a once over and make sure their aren't any visual flaws with the ribbons. Not really sure how you would tell anyway but do your best.

[Billy13]

Originally Posted by TheHills44060

Nice I love that Adcom!!! Those things can really be abused and keep on ticking, trust me I know. I think that will provide the 1.4's with enough juice to get the lower registers going without the need for a subwoofer. From your pic I would prefer a larger room where they can get some space behind them but hey that's just my experience where I've heard them sound the best. Your room may just be fine.

Anxious to hear your thoughts should you pull the trigger on them. Oh yeah since they are refurbished I'd give them a once over and make sure their aren't any visual flaws with the ribbons. Not really sure how you would tell anyway but do your best.

Thanks. it does a great job with my Acoustat's!

I'm actually thinking I may use them in the 2ch room ( I have a gallery for that also. ) I measured 10' from my seated position on the couch, and it still leaves me with over 3' of space behind them. That room room is much larger than my HT room. He's bringing them by Saturday morning. I'll more than likely use the Carver amp with them however. I don't listen all that loud anyways, and I like the sound the Carver produces as well.

[TheHills44060]

Sounds like you have a plan. Let me know how things go.

[schan1269]

I used to run some SMG from a 25wpc Denon 355 receiver. If you get a chance, try them on a 1amp tube.

[Billy13]

Originally Posted by schan1269

I used to run some SMG from a 25wpc Denon 355 receiver. If you get a chance, try them on a 1amp tube.

I also that about seeing how they sound off the MC-10L. That amp sounds so, well...

[sandman922]

Have you talked to FF about how to set them up the best I'm sure he can be a great help with that.

[Billy13]

Originally Posted by sandman922

Have you talked to FF about how to set them up the best I'm sure he can be a great help with that.

They're not in my possession quite yet. I'm sure I can figure what I like though no matter where they go.

[Show spoiler]

Let's hope they're all good.

[Billy13]

So....first impression is as expected.

Right now I'm listening to them off of my tube amp, which is way underpowered as I well know, but for low volume (75-80db) They sound simply put, beautiful. I'm going to pull out the Carver later on, and play around with placement, but for right now, I am already thrilled with my trade!

The Carver should have the power I'm looking for, and I believe it may have the sound I'm looking for. I think for these Maggies, the tubes are a bit dark, but not all that much. Very mellow sounding speakers. Listening to Norah Jones right now, and they sound very very similar to my Acoustat's.....that's a good thing!

[Spurrier Sucks]

Originally Posted by Billy13

So....first impression is as expected.

Right now I'm listening to them off of my tube amp, which is way underpowered as I well know, but for low volume (75-80db) They sound simply put, beautiful. I'm going to pull out the Carver later on, and play around with placement, but for right now, I am already thrilled with my trade!

The Carver should have the power I'm looking for, and I believe it may have the sound I'm looking for. I think for these Maggies, the tubes are a bit dark, but not all that much. Very mellow sounding speakers. Listening to Norah Jones right now, and they sound very very similar to my Acoustat's.....that's a good thing!

Congrats! How is the low end?

[Mr.Poindexter]

I am not sure how the Maggies are for impedance, but I used to own some old Infinity speakers that were well known for a difficult load and a dip to 0.6 Ohm impedance. The Carver amp would shut off if I turned the volume up above a whisper, but the Adcoms I had (565's) could drive anything I connected them to.

Have fun with the Magnepans. Electrostatics and electromagnetic speakers are the bomb!!

[Billy13]

Originally Posted by Spurrier Sucks

Congrats! How is the low end?

Thanks! It's not quite nonexistent, but I have that covered with the Polk PSW1000. I wasn't expecting them to have killer bass, that's not at all what I was looking for. What I was expecting from them, they deliver, and deliver well. They are much like the Acoustat's in the manner that they have such a warm, coherent sound. Vocals are over the top! Not a rock speaker IMO, but for listening to lounge type music, Norah Jones, Dianna Krall, and things of similar genre's, they are a joy to listen to! I have a lot more things I need to listen to with them, and I'm sure I'll find their strengths and weaknesses in no time.....I've already found some of each. I've got plenty of other speakers to listen to, so I'm not worried about them not jammin' some Rush, or blowing the sounds of Duke Ellington's horns like my Klipsch Chorus set does. .....options.....what a beautiful thing.

Originally Posted by Mr.Poindexter

I am not sure how the Maggies are for impedance, but I used to own some old Infinity speakers that were well known for a difficult load and a dip to 0.6 Ohm impedance. The Carver amp would shut off if I turned the volume up above a whisper, but the Adcoms I had (565's) could drive anything I connected them to.

Have fun with the Magnepans. Electrostatics and electromagnetic speakers are the bomb!!

Thanks Mr. P.

This is the first set of Maggies I've ever had the pleasure of hearing! and I am pleased as punch!
The Carver amp has no issues at all driving the Maggies like I want it to, heck, not even the slightest bit of heat coming from that little amp, and I listened to them for about three hours this evening.

[TheHills44060]

Looking good Billy congrats!!!!

[Billy13]

Originally Posted by TheHills44060

Looking good Billy congrats!!!!

Thank you!

I threw a Parasound HCA-1500A to 'em.

[Solo man]

Nice Billie! I heard great things about the parasound 1500 and people still are looking for that amp because of its popularity. Congrats man.

[beshannon]

I owned a pair of MG1's a long time ago and loved them.

Still wish I had them, great sound and look.

[Drew664]

I was gifted a pair of 2.5rs, and they sounded wonderful in their sweet spot, which is my only real complaint or knock on the speaker. They need room to breathe too, so it can eat up the WAF pretty quick if you don't have the space.

This is one of those speakers everyone should listen to.