Soundlabs and magnepan mix on front stage?????

WoW, I have to admit your idea sounds pretty absurd. I don't think it would work well at all. But if there was a prize for expensive esoteric blunders I think you'd be in the running! Also, I'm selling some real estate you might want to look at. Party on!

I have seen a couple of different systems using three 3.6's across the front, not as crazy as you might think. Obviously it makes more sense to run three of the same speaker but I like the soundlabs better. BTW, where is your property, I might be in the market if the price is right. Constructive responses are always appreciated.

http://www.myesound.com/Magnepanstands.html

I set up an all Apogee surround system a few years back. SACD surround was just hitting the market.

It sounded very good, although there were not enough good recordings, at that time.

I still have a few Apogees (4)....I'd need to buy one more, to give it another go.

If you are going to use it for movies also (with a projector)...you need something that is not to tall (unless you can hide it behind the screen?). I used an Apogee Centaur Minor. Of course, for music only....it doesn't matter how tall the center channel is.

Something like this would be good also:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1212531235

You will need subwoofers for home theater.
Good luck,

Dave

Dave,

The three 3.6 Maggies on the link I put in my above response had the center 3.6 laying down sideways which would give a great soundstage that is 2 ft. tall and six feet wide. MYE makes the stands for the center 3.6 to lay down sideways. I thought it would make a great center channel, was hoping someone out there had the setup and could remark on it.

My real concern wasn't the viability of going 100% planar for the listening/theater room as much as using the soundlabs for the right and left and using the Maggies (different manufacture and technology) as a blend.

My first concern was that the titan wasn't strong enough to push the soundlabs with 200W at 8 ohms.

Second concern was that the blend of soundlab and maggie wouldn't work well.

Third concern was that the maggies are 4 ohms and the soundlabs are 8. I thought the "gain" of the speaker through it's volume range would be different enough to throw off the balance of the left and right vs. center channel. Also, being different manufactures, the efficiency will be different potentially further throwing off the balance but I may be wrong on how the amp/speaker relationship works.

Oh, BTW, I will be running an IB setup for the sub so that is taken care of.

If I decided to can the 3.6 for the center channel, Magnepan does make a nice center channel. That is always a fall-back!

Thanks again,

Lance

Lance,

Your proposed system makes more sense if you are running the Maggie 3.6 center sideways.

But your concern about amplification is valid. Yes, of course 200 watts will drive the Soundlabs but if their efficiency is in the mid 80's you might run out of gas on the power peaks, especially if they present an odd resistive/capacitive load like some ESL's do.

I don't know how large your room is or how loud you like to listen, but I would think you'd be limited to moderate volume levels if your room is large. If you have the opportunity to audition the Sim amp with the Sound Labs that should tell you quite a bit. Sometimes it's difficult to guess which amps will work well with a particular speaker.

It seems like an uphill battle to me and that is the reason for my earlier off-the-cuff comments. But good luck; I hope it works out for you.