2. speakers
  3. 131729-80492

Magnepan Mods

It appears that they are using upgraded crossovers. I guess I'm confused as to why Magnepan wouldn't offer these upgrades themselves. It's super inefficient to pay for shipping both ways, have someone rebuild it, and then wait a few months to get it back...hopefully with no shipping damage. If Magnepan isn't maximizing their products, it seems like a competitor could make a me too product with a better crossover and a nicer stand option. Am I missing something?  
seanheis1
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,999 posts
 
IIRC, Apogee, (and Carver to some degree) got in trouble because of copying Magnepan’s tweeter. I don’t think it was the actual speaker design itself.

Not sure, but I think that all the patents that Magnepan had have since expired?

There have been others that have tried to copy the Maggies, but never to the extent of taking any business away from them, (I’m assuming here).
erik_squires
16,315 posts
 
Carver did not design those tweeters, designed by Hi-Vi and cloned by even cheaper manufacturers. See bottom post:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/300122-bob-carver-als-system.html

Also, as far as I recall, the Apogee was spectacularly different and difficult to drive compared to the Magnepan and Hi-Vi designs. I've never gotten close enough to inspect Apogee or Magneplanar's so I'll defer to those of you who have.

Best,

E
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,999 posts
 
Erik...I’m not talking about Carver’s new speakers which the link you posted was about? They had a pair of panel speakers (ALS-III). Pretty sure there was some sort of design infringement...

http://www.carversound.com/carver-speakers/al-iii-plus/

bassdude
498 posts
 
The Magnestand mods are superb - they dramatically improve the efficiency, dynamics, and bass of the Maggies - got them.

http://www.indiespinzone.com/magnestand.html

Yes... Magnepan would be well advised to adopt them... but... if you're able to sell all you can build as they are now... what's the justification - other than that they might want to improve the sound quality... for... the sake of doing so.  "If it ain't broke... don't fix it."
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
They don't offer stands because they don't change the sound - it is a dipole speaker.  Call Wendell if ya want - he's heard it all before.

Magneplanar blind tests their speakers (with high end electronics) and does not release upgrades unless they are worthwhile.  They also have a 2 step rating for new versions - "i" is not a full digit.

They did improve the crossovers and decide that there was no need to bi-amp for those models.
More to discover