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Post by hollowpt on Jul 8, 2013 15:28:06 GMT -5
Hi all,I went to Quebec city this last friday the 5th of July to pick up my Magnepan MG12s. It might be 220 miles from my house one way, but let me tell you, it was well worth the drive. Lots of people as you know talk about the smallest model in their line, the MMGs. At $ 600.00 ++ they are a bargain. I have not personally heard the MMGs, but I will take their word on them. The next model people talk about are the 1.6 and their new 1.7 QRs. Again I haven't heard these either. What I have heard in their line-up are the ones I now own, the MG12 QRs. When I saw the price this dealer was asking, I thought it was a typo. I got these brand new for $ 995.00 out the door. For CANADA, that is quite the bargain, since the going price is $1400.00 plus taxes, which come out to be $ 1610.00. I have been listening to these puppies all weekend, and one thing I have to say is WOW! Now I know what all the fuss is about. The MG12s are like the stepchilds in the line-up. They are really overlooked by most. I am very happy I didn't make the same mistake. I had decent mains before. A pair of paradigm monitor 7v5. They are a pretty efficient speaker at 95 or 96 Db at 1 watt.If I would have known I was going to end up with the Maggies I would have gotten a XPA-2 instead of a UPA-200. Don't get me wrong, the UPA-200 is rated at 200 watts per into 4 Ohms, which is fine, it gets the job done, but I have been around long enough to know that the XPA-2 at 500 watts per into 4 Ohms is going to be way more dynamic and sweet sounding for my MG12s. Imo you can't have too much headroom. We all do the same thing when we get a new addition in our rigs, we dig in our well known music collections to compare the before and after. Some comparisons are biased since we hope we have made a superior component choice, but some comparisons are what they are, just plain ol' better sounding music. For my wife, music is music, no matter what it is being reproduced on more or less. " It all sounds the same " syndrome. Well that is a thing of the past for her. While listening to various genres of music this weekend, most of it well known to both of us, she suddenly turned her head to look at me on numerous occasions and said, " Wow, I never heard that before in that song" and, " Now I realize why you have been bugging me with these speakers". Mission accomplished. I finally proved to her that " It doesn't all sound the same". So much more sweetness, so much more musical, so much more " you are there" sense and feeling. I have no regrets buying these Maggies. And guess what, they only have about 20 hours play time on them. They are only going to get better with time. I am already in love with what these stepchilds have done with my music. If any of you aren't sure about getting the MG12 QRs, do not hesitate. They are wonderful. They will be even better with more powerful amplification. I will end up using my UPA-200 for the rears in my HT. No problem. Until the next time, have a good one, and enjoy your music and equipment. GOD BLESS
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2013 16:21:06 GMT -5
Man, you got a *smokin'* deal on those speaks, Homeboy - good on ya! And it *is* nice when someone like your wife finally understands why we have such a passion for this hobby. And this is gonna make future purchases easier to negotiate with her. But just remember to "manage her expectations" properly - very few upgrades are as significant and/or easy to hear as new speakers. In fact, now might be the time to start lobbying for room treatments, this is something that *will* imbue your system with significantly better sound...
-RW-
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Jul 8, 2013 16:33:06 GMT -5
Very nice deal.
I'm a big fan of Maggies and just love the sound.
Yes they do like power but if you are not hearing any compression in your room the UPA-200 just may be enough.
Live with it for a while before you jump to an amp upgrade.
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Post by 1960broookwood on Jul 8, 2013 17:21:44 GMT -5
Another big fan of Maggies--still have a pair I bought in the early 80's that just don't work in the "new" house--and we have been here 23 years. I drove mine for years with a pair of bridged 50w NAD's with good results--until I had a few beers and wanted a little more.  Glad you are happy with the purchase |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2013 17:29:23 GMT -5
Well, those NAD 50s would actually kick out 165 watts/ch. when bridged. I had a 3150 integrated amp mated to a 2150 power amp (both bridged) - that was a *kick-ass* little system and had a very ballsy sound. I used them to drive some ADS L400s and then later some Ohm Walsh 2s. The NAD/Ohm combination was magical, and I seem to recall that I had only $500 tied up in the whole thing. Best-sounding $500 system I've ever heard...
-RW-
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Post by GreenKiwi on Jul 8, 2013 17:38:14 GMT -5
Welcome to the club!
Btw, I think that the reason that the 12s are often overlooked is not a performance thing, but rather that at full price they are maybe too close to the 1.6/1.7.
That being said, when you get a smoking deal like you have, you definitely can't go wrong.
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Post by ÈlTwo on Jul 8, 2013 19:44:57 GMT -5
Well, those NAD 50s would actually kick out 165 watts/ch. when bridged. I had a 3150 integrated amp mated to a 2150 power amp (both bridged) - that was a *kick-ass* little system and had a very ballsy sound. I used them to drive some ADS L400s and then later some Ohm Walsh 2s. The NAD/Ohm combination was magical, and I seem to recall that I had only $500 tied up in the whole thing. Best-sounding $500 system I've ever heard... -RW- I can see how bi-amping NADs would give a ballsy sound  |
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Post by pedrocols on Jul 8, 2013 20:04:33 GMT -5
Congratilations! I drive mine with two UPA-1s and can get the volume I want just fine. You need to definitely play around with positioning but that is part of the game.  |
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Post by paintedklown on Jul 8, 2013 20:18:45 GMT -5
Congrats on the new Maggies. You certainly did get an awesome deal on them.  I too am a fan of the Magnepan sound, and am always drooling over the Magnepan and Magnestand websites. I always dream of the day I win the lotto, so I can get a pair of 20.5's (or even 3.5's) and have them modded by Peter Gunn.  Maggies are very popular on this forum, and several members here have them as their main speakers as well. Great find, I bet you are in sonic nirvana!  |
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Post by snacker on Jul 8, 2013 20:20:51 GMT -5
I like mine too. I'm 3.2 with them, mixed a MMGC with them for movies. XPA-3 more than enough for my listening area. Very placement sensitive, with tile floors no need to mark the floor with tape though.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Jul 8, 2013 20:22:33 GMT -5
Great deal...welcome to the Maggie Club! I love my 1.7's and I've not heard anything but good things about the other models.
The entire series is, in my opinion, quite special.
If you end up thinking you need more amp - there are a lot of options. But for now, enjoy them.
Mark
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Post by mfeust on Jul 9, 2013 14:50:02 GMT -5
Well, those NAD 50s would actually kick out 165 watts/ch. when bridged. I had a 3150 integrated amp mated to a 2150 power amp (both bridged) - that was a *kick-ass* little system and had a very ballsy sound. I used them to drive some ADS L400s and then later some Ohm Walsh 2s. The NAD/Ohm combination was magical, and I seem to recall that I had only $500 tied up in the whole thing. Best-sounding $500 system I've ever heard... -RW- I can see how bi-amping NADs would give a ballsy sound This made me LOL. Thanks for the laugh Mark |
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Post by ÈlTwo on Jul 9, 2013 15:10:10 GMT -5
Thanks, I'm glad I'm not the only one laughing at my jokes. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2013 15:23:06 GMT -5
Oh yeah, we used to say "Go NAD!" whenever a new piece of their gear came thru the door. However, I swore up and down that NAD stood for "Not Again, Dammit!" for the 1st year we carried the brand. The sound was terrific for the money, but their reliability was non-existent. I'd sell a piece and 7 times out of 10 the new owner was back within a week seeking warranty repair or a refund. They got much better as time passed and the units I had were rock-solid reliable...
-RW-
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Post by 1960broookwood on Jul 9, 2013 18:24:01 GMT -5
Oh yeah, we used to say "Go NAD!" whenever a new piece of their gear came thru the door. However, I swore up and down that NAD stood for "Not Again, Dammit!" for the 1st year we carried the brand. The sound was terrific for the money, but their reliability was non-existent. I'd sell a piece and 7 times out of 10 the new owner was back within a week seeking warranty repair or a refund. They got much better as time passed and the units I had were rock-solid reliable... -RW- I replaced the 2150 output relays with industrial versions and they have been the energizer bunny since then-- they still drive my surrounds after 31 years and counting--I may think about upgrading them once they go belly up-LOL! |
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Post by jmasterj on Jul 10, 2013 8:58:09 GMT -5
Hi and welcome to the Maggie club. You are in good company here on this forum as Maggies are well represented. Mine are currently in the box, in the closet been there since March when I got my new Tekton Designs M-Lores. I've been thinking about bringing them back out for my birthday next month. That was until I read the post by Andrew about the EMP tek speakers. I'm in the market for an affordable pair of bookshelf speakers to make my collection complete. The E5Bi really look tempting. I could get the speakers and some stands for around $400.00 I was looking at Axiom before hearing about the EMP tek E5Bi's. Anyway, congrats on the new Maggies I love mine.
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Post by hungryears on Jul 26, 2013 17:15:18 GMT -5
I'm somewhat new around here .. This is my first post.
I've owned Maggie Loudspeakers since the early seventy's, and currently have a pair of the new 1.7's. The best thing I ever did to improve the sound stage was to add 2 subs, in stereo, and cross them in at 60 to 70 Hz depending on the room. The real trick comes in having a pre with crossovers for each channel.
The Emotiva XSP-1 is an excellent example .. Not sending the lower frecs to the maggie's really allowed them to open up considerably in the mid and upper end.
A dramatic difference ... The extended bottom end was a very nice upgrade, but the difference in the mid and top will really surprise you. Well, at least it surprised me. If you want to try this please use a 12 to 15 inch active Sealed Sub about 500W does the trick nicely. I have Rhythmics currently but have used Rel's and Valodynes in the past.
Enjoy your speakers .. later.
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