Maggies with a subwoofer system - optimization?

Short answers- no, it will not lengthen the life of the panels, and yes you are wasting your time. 

A much better way to get the improvements you want is a combination of vibration control using Townshend Pods under the speakers and subs, and acoustics using Synergistic HFT Speaker and Room Kits. If you like what you are hearing now you will freak when you hear it with these.

Hi Tom, if I understand your situation correctly, there is no way to highpass filter the signal before your Krell amplifies it and sends it to the Maggies.  

Theoretically you could roll off the bass going to the Maggies by placing a highpass filter in between your amp and the Maggies.  This may or may not be a net improvement.   

FORTUNATELY we have Stereophile's impedance measurements of the Maggie 1.6qr, which makes the necessary calculations possible. 

The impedance of your Maggies is amazingly smooth across the bass region, and I estimate that it averages about 5.3 ohms across a two-octave region centered on 80 Hz.  For a second-order 80 Hz highpass filter, I'd suggest about 265 microfarads of capacitance with 15 mH of inductance on the shunt leg.  NO electrolytic capacitors allowed.  I do not suggest a first-order filter because a) it will have too much effect north of the crossover region; b) it will not protect your speakers as well; and c) it probably would not blend as well with the lowpass filter in the SA-1000 amp. 

IF you end up with a bit too much output from the Maggies in the crossover region, I suggest reducing the amount of capacitance and just leaving the 15 mH inductor alone.  If you need a bit more output from the Maggies in the crossover region, I suggest increasing the amount of capacitance and again leaving the inductor alone.  

No guarantees of course that this will be a worthwhile net improvement.   My advice is free and worth EVERY penny.  

Duke

That's what I was thinking. The cap/inductor thing I mean. ;) 

Bear in mind the whole signal will be going through that, and quality caps that size are big money. Cheap caps? The whole point is improved midrange. No way you're getting that with cheap caps.

Vandersteen subs would be your best way to add lower frequencies. IMHO.
But, as you have a Swarm sub system, I think you would be best served by contacting Doug Shroeder ( douglas_schroeder ) here on Audiogon.

I think he would have the best info for you.
B

This DIYer on Youtube, is the best Hifier on YT.
He knows his stuff and backs up everything he  says with demos.
So here are the DWM's in action, go to 7:30 to hear his ideas on the results.
He also has  another video showing the other bass towers with some sort of electronic xover working with the Magnepans. 
If I find it I'll post it.
My Defy has biwires, so I may run one set to the Little Ribbon Speaker and 1 set to the Seas dual W18's. 
And if needed will add a  Seas Crescendo tweeter,,just won 1 (single) off ebay today at $180, for testing,,, 
Not sure if the Little Ribbon  Speakers need the tweet.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rkK5_X2iAE