Comments on: Magnepan Incorporated—A Tiny Giant

By: Oliver Masciarotte

Oliver Masciarotte — Wed, 22 May 2024 20:53:42 +0000

I would start by contacting Magnepan:

They can either perform the repair or send you a parts kit. There is also an after–market for Maggies. Do a web search on “magnepan upgrades” for some insight into that.

Good luck in your journey!

By: Wendy Newton

Wendy Newton — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 17:29:36 +0000

Hi All,

Wow! Great write up on the Magnepan tour, and love the commentary. I recently acquired a set of Tympani IC’s from a friend who owned a recording studio in the 70’s and 80’s and recently passed. They were stored for decades in their original boxes and I removed the grill sock from the right side to check for corrosion damage. These need to be cleaned and rewired, capped, etc. I would like to pair these up to the Quicksilver Audio amps my friend had as well, and would like to refurbish them myself if possible. I have experience in completely restoring a few sets of KEF 104.2, but never a ribbon speaker. Is there anyone in central CA or SoCal that has, or someone I can consult with who has experience refurbishing these speakers? Not afraid, but also not foolish to just dive in without adult supervision.

Thanks in advance for any assistance is appreciated!

By: John Reekie

John Reekie — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 10:00:31 +0000

Hi, you need to contact Magnepan, we’re not affiliated – https://www.magnepan.com/contact

By: Kerry White

Kerry White — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 18:07:55 +0000

Is Magnepan still in business? I ordered and paid for my LRS speakers on 7-19-19 and have never heard from Magnepan thru today; no estimated arrival, thanks, or anything.

Please respond.

Best regards, Kerry

By: Donald C Holdaway

Donald C Holdaway — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 19:16:52 +0000

Hi all,
I am the recent second purchaser of a pair of MG1C speakers with a B&O system to initially power them. It is a three piece B&O with a Beomaster 6000, a Beogram 8002 with a brand new Soundsmith cartridge, and a Beocord 8004 tape deck. This comprised the system as purchased. It sounds terriffic, but I will upgrade the stereo components, as the B&O stuff is massive and requires a huge flat space. I will replace the amp with a Heathkit AP-1800 preamp, and a Heathkit AA-1800 amplifier. The AA-1800 could easily pump out 500 watts all day, but is very conservatively rated at 250 watts per channel into 8 ohms. These pieces were part of Heathkit’s Professional line, and cost like it. I’ve never heard a better sounding combination. The pre-amp is just as awesome as the power amp. The pre-amp’s versatility is simply amazing. So getting these hooked up to the Magneplannar’s will occur just as soon as I get them back from refurb! They should easily sound as new then, and thinking how good they sound now, I can’t wait to get them back.

I suppose I will totally rebuild the B&O’s and resell them. I’ve been restoring old or new electronics for more than 50 years, so you folks can imagine how good the rebuilt components will be! Former EE, ME, CS kind of person.

All the best – Don H.

By: Norman Bowen

Norman Bowen — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 09:21:51 +0000

I am the owner of Two sets of MG II’s. I can not express my opinion on how fulfilling these speakers are.
I am using a standard consumer 150 watt per channel HD receiver that I listen to WDAV-2 and WFAE-2 with. Yes I know I speak words of the devil when I say standard consumer receiver and Radio. However HD FM is great. for the masses. And yes the stands are less than perfect. I am sure that most people can build a brace to hold them from the sides. When not using the Maggies I have my STAX headphones on.

Please don’t laugh to loud.

Skol

By: Dr. Ian Kuah

Dr. Ian Kuah — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 07:31:35 +0000

I literally grew up with the Magnepan sound as a good friend was the Magneplaner and Audio Research dealer in my local town back in the 1970s.

I finally bought my own a pair of Magnepan 2.7QRs over 20 years ago, and now drive them with a Gamut D200 Mk 3 fed by a Sonic Frontiers SFL-2 Signature pre-amp. Sources are a Burmester 089 CD player and Simon Yorke S7 record player with Graham Phantom arm.

The Gamut is a single MOSFET per channel design with 200W/ch into 8 ohms, 400W/ch into 4 ohms. With high current capability it is a match made in heaven for the Maggies. The speaker cables are Kimber 12TC.

The one downside of the Maggie design is the cheap stands that allow it to wobble slightly. While there are proven cures like Myestands and the awesome Magnestands, these require expensive shipping if you live outside N. America.

Last year I found a great solution that does not require any mods to the speakers as such but effectively decouples them from the room, improving bass and transparency, and all but eliminating room resonances. This is the Townshend Audio Seismic Platform from the UK, which Max Townshend will custom make to suit the footprint of your speakers stands.

I use the 2.7s with an REL S3 subwoofer, also on a Seismic Platform, and the result is simply awesome with lifelike holographic imaging underpinned by subtle deep bass when required. Although I visit the Munich High-End Show every year I have yet to hear a system less that 10 times more expensive that is better in any meaningful way. Bang for your buck; you bet!

By: Ross Cauldwell

Ross Cauldwell — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 20:50:21 +0000

I have been an audio enthusiast since my college days in 1970. I heard the 6-panel Magneplanar Tympani’s around 1971)and never forgot the amazing sound, but I had to settle for large Advents, which I still have today. A year ago, I had the opportunity to hear the SMG’s and the owner sold them to me. I am again amazed at how good these sound; everyone who listens to them is amazed as well. I use these in a small 4-season sunroom, so despite the less that ideal acoustics, the sound is awesome.

These are easily driven by a used Yamaha HTR-5960 receiver (100 RMS @ 8-ohms) which I acquired from an electronics store (sounds equally well with Yamaha HTR-5760). I know these are 4-ohm speakers and purposely chose these receivers. The lowest bass register is supplemented by a Polk Audio subwoofer. This is a relatively inexpensive setup that absolutely sounds terrific. Jazz, blues, vocals and country all sound crystal clear with an incredible presence and soundstage.

By: Reinhard

Reinhard — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 15:12:31 +0000

Dear,
since a number of years I have a set of Magneplanar Speakers in my studio. In the last weeks the left channel speaker shows some problems, and I believe, that there are some contact problems or defective elements somewhere in the crossover network inside the unit. If you can send me a schematic of the crossover network this would be helpflu to bring back this speaker to his full function.
The Magneplanar speakers are more or less one of the few speakers who could compete with Quad or Manger. I would like to keep these as my reference speakers. I could not identify which model my Maggies are, there is a metal panel which indicates the serial numbers 116787 -L and 116787-R
hope you could identify these…
best regards
Reinhard

By: christopher

christopher — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 00:50:27 +0000

I have the 3.7I’s and drive them nicely with an Acurus A-250 ( almost 300rms aside @ 4 ohms and The room is medium large…my ARC sp9 tube preamp along with an Esoteric DV 50 S cd player rounds out the basic system along with Cambridge audio servo subs @ 150 rms each to enhance the needed bass.
I switched out the nickel jumpers for 8 gauge solid copper and heard a positive difference mainly in transparency. Absolute best buy and sound in these magnificent speakers…room placement is paramount to get the most out of them….MGII’s in 1975, then 1.6QR’s in 1999 and FINALLY 3.7I’s in 2016