Are Magnepan MG-IIIa speakers problematic?

Surf,
Check the ribbons for visual clues of misshaping. This would be due to thermal build up. That would mean, since the speakers ribbons had an expressed finite lifespan, that they may need replacing.
If they sound good, and have no visual damage, go for it.
They are wonderful.
As to placement, if you want to email me I will be glad to walk you through it.
I have set up about a 100000000 pairs of Maggies. HA!
Seriously, glad to help if you need it.
Larry

Like anything old, they wear out. But, where does one find the parts for the speakers? No way to email the Magnepan company, seems they just want you to call.

I am in need of a tweeter on my MGIIIa.

Anybody know where I might have success in acquiring one?

Thanks,

Rich

Surferm 10, HI.Well U really cant go wrong with Mcintosh.And U will, i think, love the maggies.three months ago i bought a pair of mg-3.Driving them with a pair of class a mono amps.May i suggest a Bottle Head preamp.A tube pre that U can buy as a kit or fully assembled.Or wait for one to come up for sale on a-gon or ebay.

I've been a Magnepan owner for 35 troublefree years. My MG-1s were sent to White Bear Lake for a factory rebuild....this was before I'd even heard of MUG or the like.
Once setup and in-place they are no more trouble than any other speaker. Take the time, do it right, make the last adjustments hours....or even days apart as you fine tune.

However, they ARE a modifier / tweakers dream. Stands? yes. Bi amp? Of course. Tri amp? why not? Active/passive crossovers? for sure. Total reframe in hardwood? NOW you're talkin'! Get rid of that fuse? What took you so long?

I rotated mine so the pole piece faces the listener, not the mylar. Nobody can say exactly when the factory made that change.

Ribbon problem? Buy the kit from Magnepan or ship 'em....with 'core' charge.
Kit comes with 3 rebuilds, so when you screw the first one up, you are still good to go. Pulled wire? (bananna'd) fix with DAP.....plenty of online helps.

I don't think so either. I own two pairs for a home theater system. They do age so I did do a repair on one set myself using the kit sold by Magnepan. Yes, they still do rebuilds for this speaker. Rebuilding it myself was fun, time consuming and a great learning experience. It also saved me quite a bit of money. Like everyone said, the staples is the hardest part. I don't think setting up the IIIa is any more difficult that some other speakers that I have owned. A great speaker to enjoy.