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HELP - buzzing on Magnepan 3.6R; repair or not?

I was trying to sell my Magnepan 3.6R's which I purchased used from work (along with a pair of ML Odyssey's which I decided to keep. I was demoing them to a prospective buyer last night. I was playing deejay and threw on about 7 or 8 different tracks - chamber music, jazz, orchestral, pop vocal, etc.

I find them bright in my system so I wanted to make sure the prospective buyer understood that so I played a track that demonstrated that explained that to them. I said I didn't know how they rocked though so offered to put something on. I grabbed a White Stripes CD which has some extended bass notes on it. One of the panels started to vibrate/buzz. ARGH! Of course, I didn't know that when I bought them, but I received a decent enough deal from work that I can't complain.

So, I have two avenues I can pursue to sell them - one, sell as is at a steep discount (the prospective buyer is actually still interested in this as an option since he has no other components for his system yet so can wait) or two, repair them myself which would then allow me to market them as having a new panel and at that point I'd also now have boxes to go along with them. Which avenue of sale makes the most sense?

I left a voicemail at Martin Logan service early this morning (8:30AM their time), but did not receive a call back. Does anyone have any idea what it costs to repair this? I'm assuming this is not something that can be field repaired by me.
donato
tireguy
1,964 posts
 
Are you talking about the first track of "Elephant"? If so the buzzing you are hearing is normal, that is how resolving the 3.6s' are I found that magnepan speakers are to revealing to listen to distortion. they play distortion to accurately. Play the same cd in your car and listen closely you will hear the same buzzing sound. Now if yet another cd does the same thing then you have issues. I would suspect that it is something else because if you pushed the speakers to hard the first thing to pop would be the fuse on the tweeter. Try Peter Gabriel's latest release or something else that is Rock but has a clean recording.

I am not saying damage is not possible, I am saying that I think it is unlikely and I have experienced the SAME thing with the SAME disc.
donato OP
15 posts
 
when I typed Martin Logan, I meant Magnepan (also have a pair of Martin Logan Odysseys).

For an amp, I am currently using an OCM 500 (225W+ at 8ohm and near double at 4ohm) so I do not believe the amp is clipping.

I get the buzzing on one speaker but not on the other. I used the Stereophile test CD with the test tones to confirm that the buzzing/vibration was indeed specific to that panel on the one speaker. I get it ising track 27, the 50hz warble from the CD. The other speaker produces this cleanly. It's definitely a buzz/vibration. It's coming from right at or just above the bottom cross bar on the speaker.
rex
245 posts
 
Your speaker needs repair. You'll probably find that a wire has separated from the panel (glue melted or failed) and that is what is causing the buzzing sound. If you or your prospective buyer are handy, the repair CAN be DIY. Magnepan sells the glue and the instructions to do it.

Otherwise you can ship it to them and they'll fix it. Turnaround time seems to be about 6-8 weeks.
cine100
31 posts
 
With Magnepan speakers, the higher quality your electronics have, the better. There are powerful amplifiers that will not control the Magnepans with as much precision as others. Also, try putting "tip-toes" under the speakers. Place (2) point down at both ends of one leg, and (1) point down under the middle of the other leg. I am not familiar with "OCM" electronics. What are the other components in your system? Are the source, pre-amp, cables and AC power screen of similar sophistication? You may in fact need a repair, but they should be quite sellable if you decide not to keep them.
jayoo
5 posts
 
I have owned five pair of mags. I sold two sets to a local guy that will take apart anything. The mag 3's an older pair had a slap with a buzz he took the covering off the speaker and pressed his finger down on a staple and solved the problem, it was a lose staple.
It is a personal choice, I have also set two sets to the factory and had them repaired and, or refurbished, either way the factory has reasonable pricing.
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