Magnepan 1.6/QR

[wrf 4,954]

I seem to have developed a "bucket list" of components I would like to try.  Recently a set of Magnepan speakers have been at the top of the list.  With expert advise from Steve Ford and SLbenz, I narrowed my search for reliable and affordable maggies to the 1.6.  Patience was recently rewarded on craigslist when a pair came up for sale.  I controlled my enthusiasm for several days since the price was higher than I wanted to pay.  Magnepan's seem to move slowly, if a all around here.  I then made a low, but fair offer.  I picked them up on Sunday.  They are immaculate.

 

 I set them up with my M-1.0t MK II, my C-1 with the Billd mods and a squeezebox.  They sound magnificent.  Majestic, ethereal, detailed are all words that come to mind.  Interestingly they seem to sound just as good at low volumes as they do when shaking the house.  They are missing the extremely low bottom end, so I swiped the Velodyne ULD-15 from my main system.  Wow.

 

I'm still struggling a bit with the sound stage though.  The room they are in is way less than optimal.  I can seem to dial in their placement to give the sound stage the Magnepan's are known for.  I'll continue experimenting and if successful, the Thiels in the main system may become available. 

[tlkohler 106]

<snip>Patience was recently rewarded on craigslist when a pair came up for sale.  I controlled my enthusiasm for several days since the price was higher than I wanted to pay.  Magnepan's seem to move slowly, if a all around here.  I then made a low, but fair offer.  I picked them up on Sunday.  They are immaculate.<snip>

 

Congrats on the excellent find Wayne, enjoy!!!

[zumbini 6,150]

Congrats Wayne. Always great to cross something off one's bucket list. Even better when it lives up to expectations.

[angelod307 63]

When i listened to so 20's or 3.6' i think 20, then i also listened to some 1.something. Even though the big ones were more clean and distinct in reproduction, i like the smaller ones better. Perhaps due to the real small sound room they were in.

[kingman 662]

Congrats!!!

[Gene C 1,748]

Nice Wayne! Let's see some photos so we can droll all over them. ;-)

[dazed_and_confused 194]

Nice catch! Gotta love Craigslist....

 

 Positioning can be a bear with dipoles but it's worth playing with. There's often a spot where everything just comes together and snaps into focus.

Just try to give them some room from the front wall, 36" or more is preferable if you can. Try tweeters inside and outside and see which fits your liking. I always preferred my 3.6's with ribbons on the inside.

Messing with toe-in make a big difference too. With toe-in, you'll be juggling warmth with stage width and precision of image placement. Go too far one way and they start to sound lean. Go too far another way and the stage gets wider but you loose image specificity (vague/blurred lines between instruments and performers).

 

If you don't have the space to bring them into the room more, you can try some simple things to diffuse the rear wave. 

 

Enjoy those buggers!

[slbenz 110]

Wayne,

 

I am glad to hear that you were able to find a set of Magnepans to your liking.  As you know, Maggies need room to breath.  So as long as you have them out far enough from the back and side walls, you should be able to experience the magic that they are known for.  I use a Velodyne HGS-12 myself for the lowest octave with my IIIas.  I can see a set of Grant Mye Stands paired with you Maggies very soon.  I was very surprised at the increased resolution and bass response when I installed the Mye Stands to my IIIas.  It will be the same for your 1.6s.  Knowing you, I am certain you could make your own set of stands to reinforce the frame of the 1.6s.  Enjoy them and if you have any questions, let me know.   

[SteveFord 1,125]

You'll need a tube amp and preamp to get the sound you're after.

That's when you'll hear what they can do.

 

[Belvedere2 232]

 

 

You'll need a tube amp and preamp to get the sound you're after.

That's when you'll hear what they can do.

Quiet Steve. They'll snap up the VTLs I'm looking for.

[SteveFord 1,125]

Did I say tubes?

I meant Class D. That's the ticket!

 

 

[wrf 4,954]

Looks like I'll be staying out of trouble this weekend.  Pushing the 1.6's around the room.  Looking for that perfect demo cut.  Swapping preamps.  Life's tough.

 

Thanks to all for the suggestions. 

[DaveStL 85]

I still play w/ position of the IIIa's, depending on the recording.  A couple inches spread and a couple degrees toe make big differences.  Assuming you're not trying near-field.  Pull 'em out as far as you can, but balance that w/ sitting far enough away.  Also, a big TV/entertainment center in between will push the stage forward.

 

When messing w/ tweeters in vs. out, a good starting point is equal tweeter spacing.  Mine are in.

 

This might be obvious:  the 1.6's will lobe a little (is that the right word?), and the 3.x's do to a lesser extent.  Try sitting down vs. standing at the listening position--when positioning, don't trust what they sound like till you sit.

 

Line-level biamping helps the (my) bass more than you might think based on just power/headroom.

 

Great catch.  Let us know what you determine is optimal.