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MMGs

A year ago, I bought a pair of MMGs.  In my 13x22 room, placement was a challenge but finally worked it out.

Speakers are powered by an Adcom GFA-555.  The only source is a CD player through a passive pre-amp.

Now I have a little more to spend and would like thoughts on the following options:

1) Mye stands for the MMGs

2) The DWM panel with the MMGs (secondary question - can this panel be placed on a side wall perpendicular to the MMGs?)

3) 1.7s

Open to other out-of-the-box suggestions as well.

The goal is always to attain that Magnepan soundstage.  Musical tastes are female vocalists, jazz, blues.
kythyn
hartf36's avatar
hartf36
207 posts
 
I have MMGs in a similar-sized room. I made oak stands that raise them 5 1/2" off the ground with adjustable feet to tilt them back just a hair if desired and to counter uneven flooring. I followed Magnepan’s setup instructions and tweaked a bit from there: toed in a bit but not on a line directly to critical listening spot - not that far; tweeters on the inside, distance between inside of each speaker stand is 6 1/2 feet, inside edge of speaker out about 25" from back wall (all the room I can afford).
I matched them with a Rythmik FG12 sub (a respectably fast, musical sub that marries well with the Maggies) that is inboard a few inches of the left speaker.
I drive them with a Hafler DH220 with full Musical Concepts mod, and it provides plenty of power. SUPREMELY better sounding than the Adcom GFA6000 I was driving them with, and plenty of power.
Lastly, on a whim, I recently made up some DIY speaker cables using 6moons "White Lightning Moonshine" recipe.
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/whitelightning/moonshine.html
I was utterly blown away by the sonic difference (I was using straight 16 awg speaker wire). Made up the cables and ran the bare wire into the speaker terminals.
You can greatly improve the sound of your MMGs without spending into the thousands. My biggest difference was the Hafler amp upgrade, and that cost me less than $500. For the MMGs............it’s plenty.
However, a good, fast and musical sub crossed over around 50-60 Hz is pretty much a requirement to get the most out of them, IMO.

Luck.
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
you haven't even heard your mags sing yet
Purchasse the best Pre owned Bryston 4 you can afford
next year 1.7s
JohnnyR
Audio Connection 





kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 

Speaking of Brystons, I found and purchased a pair of 7B-ST monoblocks locally and shipped them to my brother in California last week to use with his 1.5QRs. I tried them with my MMGs (and my ML Aerius i) for a couple of days before shipping them. They definitely woke them both up. The bass extension was immediate and astounding, especially with the MLs but the amps also showed how low and tight the bass could get on the MMG. One thing I found common in both speakers was the higher the volume the more profound was the difference with these amps. Everything was better with higher power with the bass being most noticeable but the instruments stayed separate as well. Just to mention this is all compared with my current pair of McIntosh MC2200 monoblock amps driving my MLs. Good high power is a must.

shoe
204 posts
 
I agree with someone up there....get a good musical sub!
Bass makes everything better.
maine95
12 posts
 
Not sure what you're using for a preamp but with $2500, I agree with everyone's suggestions to upgrade your amp with  used ones until you find the sound you like, using half the money. Only consider high current amps. I haven't heard the Odyssey but the  Rogue integrated brings some warmth to the MMGs and the Parasound was worth a listen. I like the Van Alstine Synergy 240 I'm running now with a Van Alstine T10 tube based pre.

If your CD player has a digital output, you could use the other half of your budget on a decent DAC. You may be surprised at the difference. The DAC market is little crazy so listen to as many as you can to get an idea of your voicing options and what fits your tastes.

 I have only heard the MMGs in my house so I can't comment on the sound of either the .7 or 1.7 models. I can say the DWM brought subtle depth and noticeable dimension when placed correctly and wired out of phase. It is hard to disagree with issues about the cost effectiveness of the gunn rebuild in an under $5000 system. It is  a complete transformation of the stock speaker, replacing the MDF frame with a solid wood structure, reorienting and rewiring the driver and rebuilding the crossover. Great project if its your thing but otherwise pretty daunting. Unfortunately, they may send you on an upgrade path that goes far beyond your original budget plan. A used  DWM might fit in  your budget with the right amp and dac and fit the sound profile you're shooting for.
 
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