Topic: Maggie love fest?

[scervin]

Just curious as to why the Maggies are so loved on this forum?  I've heard nearly all in the linupe except the MMG's and I will say they are an amazing speaker paired with a nice tight sub.  I say this if you are the only one listening.  Too narrow a sweet spot, need a good 3' or more away from the back wall, and lack HT slam.  If it is strictly a 2-channel system and only one wil listen at a time they are great.  When anyone asks which speakers they should buy, it turns into a Maggie thread.  If HT is a requirement I wouldn't even consider them to be perfectly honest.  I'm not sure why they choose to make a center.  So many other great speakers to listen to at every price point and delivery method (B&M, Internet, Audiogon).  To get it right, I think you must look to Genesis or VMPS that seem to do it right.  Nothing wrong with ribbon tweets!  Also, what studios use these to master movies or recordings?  Unlike Revel, Eggelston, and Wilson I've yet to see any...... but would like to.  Point me there.

[jpschust]

Interesting notes Scott,

I agree completely.  Well kind of.  The sweet spot for the lower priced maggies is very small, however as you move up in the line the sweet spot gets a bit bigger.  IMHO you can make the sweet spot about as big as a regular sized couch, maybe a touch smaller.  I've decided to move away from my maggies for more reason than one and they will be going up for sale very soon.

J

[scervin]

Reading my post it comes off with a rather negative vibe which is not the intent.  They sure have their pros, but in a multi purpose environment I don't see them being the best option.  My problem is the distance from the back wall that they need to experience full potential.  My friend and I played around one afternoon working on placement with the 3.6's.  They ended up coming way out into the room.  If you have a large room that will allow you to bring them out a good 3' or more you have it made.  This room would most likely have to be a basement as a significant other would not allow this in the living room and the extra bed room will be too small. This brings me to my next point WAF (GAF) is very very low with these.   When these show up so should a little teal box.   

[Nick Culbreth]

maggies certainly aren't the best option for all listening needs but for my listening needs they're wonderful.  my playback isn't integrated into a home theater so i don't need surround sound options and the small sweet spot isn't a problem because i just have one chair in the spot.  i love mine because to my ears they have a detailed sound without being fatiguing, the highs are sweet, and vocals (especially females) are smooth and rich.  the low end is a bit lacking but i'm not a bass nut so i can deal with that until i get around to adding a sub to my setup.

[Brian Skalinder]

Just curious as to why the Maggies are so loved on this forum?

Most posts I've seen here talk about the MMGs.  For many of us, they're the first speaker that really makes us say "Oh, wooowwwwww...", with their detail, imaging, and soundstage.  I think they get a lot of posts primarily because they're such a tremendous value at $550 shipped.

Too narrow a sweet spot, need a good 3' or more away from the back wall, and lack HT slam.  If it is strictly a 2-channel system and only one wil listen at a time they are great.

Agreed.  Pretty darn small sweet spot.  Jen and I listen enjoyably together in the sweet spot, but if we added a third...wouldn't work out very well.  Doesn't sound bad, just not as stellar as within the sweet spot and not really sufficient for critical listening.

When anyone asks which speakers they should buy, it turns into a Maggie thread.  If HT is a requirement I wouldn't even consider them to be perfectly honest.  I'm not sure why they choose to make a center.  So many other great speakers to listen to at every price point and delivery method (B&M, Internet, Audiogon).

I'm not very familiar with HT, but I will say I agree with your previous statement about lacking HT slam.  Based on the little experience I have using my MMGs for fronts in a 5.1 surround HT setup, they definitely lack the slam I like for HT.  But my listening focuses mainly on 2-channel music.  So while I'm considering adding the center and rears to my MMGs for HT so I have better matching across my HT setup, the real reason I keep the MMGs is for music.  I only watch one movie, maybe two a month, tops, on my raggedly put together HT setup.  When I eventually separate my HT and 2-track audio systems, I'll stick with my Maggies (hopefully upgraded!) for 2-track and pick up something new for HT.

Also, what studios use these to master movies or recordings?  Unlike Revel, Eggelston, and Wilson I've yet to see any...... but would like to.  Point me there.

Not a clue.

All in all, I think you bring up some good points, Scott, that anyone considering Maggie's should evaluate.  It all depends on the listening needs and personal preferences of the individual.  For me, for the moment, I love my MMGs.  I have grand plans for changes to my playback system (don't we all), both 2-track and HT, but they'll have to wait a while as I have other priorities presently.

[jpschust]

another of my big problems is that there is NO bass to these whatsoever.  really gotta have a nice tight sub (read velodyne :-)) to cover 40 and below

[scervin]

another of my big problems is that there is NO bass to these whatsoever.  really gotta have a nice tight sub (read velodyne :-)) to cover 40 and below

Or Rel!   It is important to mention that a sub is needed with these which adds a good $300-500 to the cost.  Lush highs can be found in soft domes.

[jpschust]

so, scott, you know of anyone who would be interested in a pair of magnepan 10.1 qrs?

[scervin]

Not at the moment, I'm currently looking into Aerial, Pro AC, and Von Schweikert. 

[jpschust]

what is your price range?

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

An option for maggies close to the wall is to put a diffuser behind them like a room lens.  That will break up the rear reflections that kill the soundstage.

Edit:  for got to mention, if you really want a tight sub, expect to pay in the 700-1000 range used.  The rels and vandys are in this range. 

[scervin]

An option for maggies close to the wall is to put a diffuser behind them like a room lens.  That will break up the rear reflections that kill the soundstage.

This is true and we have tried this.  As soon as the wife entered the room it wasn't an option....

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

This is true and we have tried this.  As soon as the wife entered the room it wasn't an option....

;-);-);-) I had the same problem! 

My current tactic is to say "these are just here for an experiment".  I'm moving them back and forth between the listening room and garage, but the time they stay inside grows longer each time ;-).

[scervin]

This is true and we have tried this.  As soon as the wife entered the room it wasn't an option....

;-);-);-) I had the same problem! 

My current tactic is to say "these are just here for an experiment".  I'm moving them back and forth between the listening room and garage, but the time they stay inside grows longer each time ;-).

I forgot to mention the nice 55" 16:9 tv.... one nice reflective surface there!  This is my main reason for leaving it behind and moving to front projection.  Yes, those are reflective as well, but I'll be treating the front wall with linacoustic and wood diffusor wrapped in GOM.  Wife signed off on this.

[Craig T]

funny you don't think MMG's can do HT.  The first time my inlaws were over they wanted to know where the surround speakers were.  They were amazed when I said it was a simple 2-channel stereo system.  They had just built a house with a professionally installed HT system and they thought mine was more "surround" sounding than theirs.  Its all about the imaging.

in the end I did get rid of the MMG's because I didn't have the time to sit and listen from the sweet spot.  I was too busy and was always moving around and anyone who's had MMG's knows as soon as you stand up the image collapses and the HF just don't sound right.

No other $550 speaker will give you the amount of WOW factor the MMG's do, though.  The imaging and natural timber/tone of instruments are incredible at that price.  They are a great intro to audiophile sound.