Here’s a video link to how the Magnepan LRS is made;
Do larger planar speakers produce more accurate sound?
Planar speakers generate sound pressure via vibrating membrane panels. The excursion of the membrane x radiating area= sound pressure. This would mean that for a given sound level, membranes have smaller excursion in larger planar speakers than in smaller ones. Does this mean that larger speakers will produce more accurate sound?
I am not talking about the obvious benefits of the larger speakers in terms of low frequency production, so let's not get into that.
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Worth considering where it pertains to the Quad 57’s; https://www.quad-musik.de/index.php/en/products/electrostatics/esl57-qa |
That video title mirrors my sentiments having owned the Magnepan .7s for a couple years in various setups. With the caveat of careful placement and quality electronics, I’m doubtful if there is any better speaker value (new that is). Even those familiar with the flagship Maggies owe it to themselves to audition these panels. The dynamic capability of the .7s can actually put many box speakers to shame. How many times have you read that said about a Magnepan? I drive mine with the Benchmark LA4 and AHB2. The amp has zero trouble driving them to high SPLs in my ~3000 cu ft room. Their “musicality” is excellent too. Has to be the best budget panel speaker considering the ease of drive and dynamics. |
Larger usually sound nicer (not saying that’s the same as ’accurate’). They’re not so soon stressed to their limits to produce a certain SPL, they operate more ’relaxed’. Larger size is able to create a wonderful soundstage, almost 3D, and with height involved. On my maggies, with eyes closed, subtle sounds like a cymbal or a shaker, can seem to originate top left, or half height right, very funny. It can be imagination, but when playing the same song again, it again is the same experience. You didn’t want to talk about base but of course that’s a great part of sounding nice, and of ’accuracy’. However, it’s not just size, there’s also the crossover filter, with magnetostas the magnets, with electrostats the electronics, the build quility, and ... important ... the moving foil. You’ll seldom see a planar the size of a door ... at some point it becomes troublesome to keep the foil tight and moving as a whole without ripples. ’Accurate’ need not translate to ’sounds nice’. Some people love equipment that’s measurably less accurate.(think vinyl or tube amplifiers). |
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