Maggie update

#121

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3/27/05 at 9:20am

AlanZ
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6: No disappointment there at all, bro. Trust me, if I could trade in my HT gear to have my family back (well, maybe with my wife being a little more loyal this time around lol), I'd do it in a heartbeat. Sounds like you've found a happy medium, so I commend you for that

Dean: You are going all out, bro! You are definitely going to have to get some pics going. Sounds like you are going to have quite the set-up when you're done!

'M', D, and 6: Have you guys had any experience with the Mye stands for Maggies? I hadn't realized that even professional reviewers are using these things, and from what I understand they make a hell of a difference. It makes sense, though, cause the more stable you can keep the Maggie panel the more effectively (it would seem) the sound can get off the panel. I'm really considering a pair of these when I go to 1.6s......though I'm almost positive he makes them for MMGs and 12s, too.

By the way, Happy Easter all!

"Come on you Fockers....CONGA!!!"
-Dustin Hoffman as 'Bernie Focker'

Updated Equipment List

#122

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3/27/05 at 9:45am

Alan Pummill
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Z,

That was one of the first things I did when I got my 1.6 maggies, I got the Mye Stands from Grant!!

IT WORKS!!

SLEEPY AL
MAGGIE MAGIC!!

#123

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3/27/05 at 10:25am

Dean_M
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Z, I'm working on it. I've got so many remodeling projects going on that it's hard to stop to dig out the camera.

I got the attic measured for the IB today, and it looks like I'll be going with a pair of the Avalanche 18s since I have the room.
I don't have any personal experience with the MYE stands, but I've heard nothing but good things about them. My front MC1s are mounted on the wall and the rears are mounted on the ceiling. I didn't like the idea of mounting them directly to the wall/ceiling with the provided brackets, so I cut some red oak .75" x 2.5" strips 1.75" longer than the speakers (so the speakers would be centered on the strips relative to the all four sides of the strip), routered the edges with a nice chamfer, then stained and poly'd them to match my entertainment center. I mounted the speaker brackets to them then mounted the strips to the wall/ceiling. IMO, they look much nicer and more solidly mounted than mounting them directly to the wall.
I also made my own shelves for the CC3s to match everything else. I traced out the shape of the CC3 and made a jig to cut the shelves to the same shape and size as the CC3. My soon-to-be wife really likes them. She says the shelves make the speakers look like they're floating in the air.

#124

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3/27/05 at 10:34am

Alan M
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Hi guys,

Sorry Z,I looked at the Mye stands and didnt like the looks although I'm sure they work well.Thats why I decided to make my own oak stands.

#125

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3/27/05 at 12:11pm

AlanZ
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'P': Are you going to get Mye stands again for your 3.6s?

'D': You are a handy guy, man! Heck, I haven't done much by way of woodworking since shop class in middle school! lol I'm envious of you and 'M' doing all this stuff on your own!

'M': Funny you brought that up about the looks. I've been trying to get a good look at the 1.6s with the Mye stands to see how much of it was visible from the front lol. I'm not crazy about how they look either, but I'm pretty sure that in my particular room only the front panel of the 1.6 will be visible (in addition to the base of the stands). I think they'd make a big difference with HT, though. The way it was explained to me by my dealer (who's been a Maggie fan for almost 20 years) is that one of the biggest improvements over past Maggie models is their ability to close to gap with box speakers in terms of dynamics, while not sacrificing any of the wonderful qualities that they already possessed. If the Mye stands help improve the dynamics even more, I'm thinking I'm going to notice it with HT.

"Come on you Fockers....CONGA!!!"
-Dustin Hoffman as 'Bernie Focker'

Updated Equipment List

#126

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3/27/05 at 1:13pm

Dean_M
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D': You are a handy guy, man! Heck, I haven't done much by way of woodworking since shop class in middle school! lol I'm envious of you and 'M' doing all this stuff on your own!

Thanks. I'm a rank amateur when it comes to woodworking. I've never had any kind of classes in it. I just took it up recently, partly out of necessity and partly because for me it's more economical. I can rarely find HT accessories - stands, shelves, entertainment centers, etc. - that I like in stores or online, so I decided to make my own stuff. Even in those cases where I can find things that I like, I've found that it's usually cheaper or costs about the same for me to buy the materials and the tools and make my own. When I'm done building what ever it happens to be, I still have the tools to build something else. It's a win-win situation for me - I get exactly what I want, I learn how to do something new, have the satisfaction of having built it myself, and an ever increasing inventory of tools for future projects.

#127

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3/28/05 at 6:14am

Parker Clack
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D: It is time to get out the camera and take some pictures of your work.

All: I have to first get the Maggies. It is a long shot but heh one can dream can't he? Then I can comment on the stands.

Pictures. Pictures. Pictures. I want pictures from the Alan's and the D.

Quote:

Can you imagine that sub while listening to a digital recording of the 1812 overture that uses real cannons? WOW.

Anything from Telarc. They love to throw in the big notes. Speaking of which another great disc to listen to would be Big Notes by Flim and the BB's.

Numero 7-1

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#128

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3/28/05 at 6:34am

Alan M
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Ok Parker,
I'll take pictures today and post as long as you dont laugh.My HT is in rebuild mode with spackling on the walls.It also has a gah,lovely sand colored paint on the walls from the previous owner.

Luckily,the big hole in the wall for the IB is hidden behind
one of the speakers

#129

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3/28/05 at 7:10am

Dean_M
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D: It is time to get out the camera and take some pictures of your work.

Aye, aye, Number 6. I'll try to do that today, but be prepared for the horror of a mess that you'll see.

#130

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3/28/05 at 3:00pm

Alan M
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I'll say to begin with,these are far from being good pictures.
They will give you an idea of how my HT is set up.Keep in mind the room is under construction,so spackle is on the walls and pictures and so forth are on the floor.

This 1st picture is the front of my HT.A wall hanging(small rug) is on the wall per Maggies instructions behind the MMGC.(BTW,the rptv is a tosh 65")
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../bglabhtft.jpg
This 2nd picture is by far,lol,the crappiest.This is the rear of my HT(keep in mind its under construction).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...abelrearht.jpg
Lastly,I thought I'd post another picture of my homemade stands.These I'm very pleased with and really changed the sound of the MMG's.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...giecloseup.jpg
I took these pictures quickly and didnt mess with them in photoshop other then labeling the speakers.
Ouch,lousy photos for the win

#131

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3/28/05 at 5:00pm

Parker Clack
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Thanks Alan. What do you all think of the MMGW's? Are they still only $299 each and only available from Magnepan? What about the MMGC?

Parker

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#132

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3/28/05 at 5:07pm

AlanZ
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'M': Thanks for posting those, bro! I can't really tell depth in the pic with the Ws.....is there a lot of space between them and the back of your couch? How far is the couch from the walls on both sides? I have my Ws mounted in almost an identical configuration as you do, but I'm going to move them to the side walls so they'll be firing more directly foward. Have you tried that by chance? My dealer had MC1s set up like that and I thought it sounded a little more balanced. I may end up switching back, but worth a try.

Also, what do you think about the Toshiba RPTVs? I love my Hitachi, but I never got a chance to look at the Toshibas.

Lastly, do you keep your MMGs out in front of the Toshiba when listening? The front plane of my MMGs is about 10" in front of the face of the screen.....I noticed a subtle improvement in the sound with 2-channel material.....not so much with HT.

I'm glad you posted these, cause it'll be cool to see how your set-up changes if you pull a 'D' and make changes to it!

"Come on you Fockers....CONGA!!!"
-Dustin Hoffman as 'Bernie Focker'

Updated Equipment List

#133

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3/28/05 at 6:16pm

Alan M
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Hi Guys,

Sorry about the crummy photos,but I took them,labeled the speakers and posted.

As to the MMGW's,they are still $299 a pair direct from Maggie only.I've not heard them as mains P,so I cant really commend other then to say,Im happy with what I'm hearing from them as surrounds.Alan owns them also,maybe he can give you a better review.
The MMGC Im pleased with.It took what seems like forever to break in.I have it crossed xover at 120(Maggie says 100).The MMGW's BTW are 100 xover.There is a bit of what I think is called sibilence(sp),but not to the point were it bothers me.The MMGC does blend very well with the MMG's.

Theres 5 feet between my MMGW's and the couch Z.The couch is an L shaped couch,so 1 side is along the side wall.The other side is 6 feet from the wall.
I've never tried my W's that way.Let me know how it sounds when you try it.

I havent looked at rptv's seriously in 2 years(thinking about a PJ) The only thing I can compare it to is a friends 73" Mits.I think his tv gets a far better SD pic then I do ,but I think I have a better HD pic.
Lastly

,
My MMG's are out in front of the tv(4 feet from the wall) when I'm listening to music,watching a Movie.

WOW,that was a lot of typing

#134

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3/28/05 at 7:47pm

Stephen_Ponte
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I've had my pair of MMG's for going on three years now, and I can't say enough how pleased I am with them. I run mine without a high pass filter, and I get rock solid bass response down to 40Hz. Try them without the filter, and see how much more gusto you get with them.

I load mine approx 3' from wall boundary.

Just a thought.

-SDP

#135

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3/28/05 at 7:53pm

AlanZ
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Number 6: I honestly can't speak to the Ws as mains either since I've only used them as surrounds. HOWEVER, I have listened to some multi-channel audio through them, and even though it's still just the surround field there was much more going on back there. I have a notion that they are better speakers than I think they are. I honestly don't think there is any way they could compete with my MMGs, but from what I can tell they do give you a satisfying Magnepan sound......and when you consider the price, there's not a whole lot of room for buyer's remorse

I think you'd definitely need to run them with a sub, though. I tell you what, though.....the MMG-Ws love 200watts of Outlaw power

'M': It didn't look like there was that much room between the couch and the wall......that actually sounds like a pretty good distance. How high do you have them off the ground?

"Come on you Fockers....CONGA!!!"
-Dustin Hoffman as 'Bernie Focker'

Updated Equipment List

#136

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3/28/05 at 7:54pm

AlanZ
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Stephen: Whatcha got for an amp/receiver?

"Come on you Fockers....CONGA!!!"
-Dustin Hoffman as 'Bernie Focker'

Updated Equipment List

#137

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3/28/05 at 8:06pm

Alan M
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I have the W's mounted at 24" Z.The back of my couch is about 26 or 27".

P,
I've seen a few reviews with the W's all around and the MMGC for a center.All the reviews having been glowing.Take that for whats it worth(grain of doubt always included,no charge)

.

Howdy Stephen,
I may try that in the future.Soon as I finish,gah,my remodel.

#138

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3/28/05 at 8:16pm

Stephen_Ponte
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An old Sony 100x2 Dolby receiver. Has a nice EQ section in it. Model STA-D1090. Sure works great. I've got an Adcom GFA-555 amp, but haven't brought myself to hook it up yet.

Should have to worries about the Maggies unloading or anything. You can really crank on them, as long as you've got solid power.

I don't think I'll ever go back to anything but Maggies.

-SDP

#139

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3/28/05 at 8:49pm

AlanZ
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Stephen: I hear ya there.....I didn't realize how much I had come to love the Maggies until I went out and listened to some boxes again. They are not bad speakers by any means.....I just have really grown to love my MMGs over the past five months. I can't imagine getting replacing my Maggies, either.....unless it's with bigger Maggies

My system is more modest than it was a year ago, but I can honestly say that I've never loved this hobby more than I do right now

"Come on you Fockers....CONGA!!!"
-Dustin Hoffman as 'Bernie Focker'

Updated Equipment List

#140

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3/29/05 at 4:45am

Dean_M
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I'm so ashamed, I didn't get around to taking pictures yesterday.:b I'll get some taken this morning before Number 6 has me hung from the yardarm or something.
M, your room with spackle and all still looks a lot better than mine.

IB upate - Someone bought my other sub last night, so it looks like I can start actually putting things together. After all of what I thought was my careful planning, I discovered that there isn't enough space between the rafters to get a manifold to the area of the attic it needs to be. What a dumbass I am, but I'm glad I thought to check before I built the manifold.

So, I'm going with a ceiling mounted line array using a pair of Avalanche 18s (2 Ohm VC version). I'll be talking to Ascendant Audio today to make sure that these drivers can be used in the downfiring position before ordering. Hopefully, I haven't overlooked anything else and this will be a relatively easy install. Yeah right, like that ever happens when I do this stuff.

#141

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3/29/05 at 6:36am

Alan M
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Sometimes,
I'm so dumb,I amaze myself

.
Parker,Mike's photo's show him using MMGW's all around and the MMGC.Maybe he can give you a more detailed opinion on the W's as mains.

Come on Dean,I want to see your photos so I can be envious and rearrange my HT

On the IB,Those 18" avalanche should rock Dean.Cant wait to hear your opinion on them when your finished.What are you going to use to power them?
BTW,my strykes should arrive today or tomorrow.

One thing I forgot to ask,any of you running or planning on buying shakers? Mine are installed in the couch and the look on folks faces the first time they get that free massage is priceless.Ok,not priceless,but its 1 of the best $100 I've spent on my HT.

#142

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3/29/05 at 7:07am

Dean_M
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M, I don't have any plans for shakers yet, but I may look into them once this major overhaul is finished. I have a lot of other upgrades - Sherwood P-965, EQ, and a few other doodads - I'd like to get first.
I'm the second owner (my brother was the first) of one of the first Adcom GFA 555 amps to come off the line. I could never bring myself to sell it, so it's just been sitting around taking up space and collecting dust. At 325W @ 4 Ohm it should be more than enough for the 18s.
Keep us posted on how your IB install goes, and I'll do the same.

#143

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3/29/05 at 7:07am

Alan Pummill
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I HAD pictures of my 5.1 maggies/SVS HT, but they got lost when the HTF server went dowm!!

SLEEPY AL
MAGGIE MAGIC!!

#144

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3/29/05 at 7:24am

Alan M
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"I HAD pictures of my 5.1 maggies/SVS HT, but they got lost when the HTF server went dowm!! "

Guess that means you'll have to take pictures of your new 3.6's when you have them set up Alan so we can all drool over them

#145

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3/29/05 at 7:30am

Parker Clack
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God great minds.....I had a GFA 555 power amp too. I gave it to my brother to use as it has been collecting dust too.

M: TV Authority has a really great deal on the Infocus 4805 projector. I cannot give you the price but if you call them I believe you will be pleasantly surprised. I also think that going with front projection is going to do visually for you what your maggies did for your sonics in your room. I can tell you the Engineer that built the 4805, 5700 and 7205 said that he would have the 4805 in his own system as it has been optimized for Home Video.

One of these days I am going to try the W's and C in my system. I think they would also be cool in a 7.1 surround system which the Outlaw 770 could handle just fine.

P

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#146

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3/29/05 at 7:57am

Alan M
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Thanks Parker,
I've been going back and forth between the 4805 and the optima H31.Both seem to be excellent for home HT.My wife must have been talking to Dean's wife.She wants me to sell the tosh before I purchase the PJ.

And I agree,since getting the Maggies,the sound seems so huge,its made my 65" rptv seem small.

#147

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3/29/05 at 11:07am

Parker Clack
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Alan:

Keep the Tosh for regular TV viewing, the news, etc. and use your FPTV for movies. Take a look at RAF's setup and that is still how he uses it today. Since you already own the Tosh there is no reason to sell it.

Seriously the best thing that FPTV does for you is bring your movies home. Watching regular TV shows with a 120 diagonal isn't really a must.

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#148

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3/29/05 at 1:28pm

Dean_M
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My wife must have been talking to Dean's wife.She wants me to sell the tosh before I purchase the PJ.

I think that it's either genetic, or in the secret wife handbook.

I spoke to Chad at Ascendant Audio and ordered the Av. 18s. It's going to be about a week wait because the baskets are being upgraded to twelve spoke instead of the six spoke pictured on AA's website. I'm worse than a kid at Xmas.

#149

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3/30/05 at 6:36am

Alan M
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Yesterday,
In my insanity,I went and spent about an hour at my local dealers,Shelly's audio here in LA.

My local guy had an HT setup of the Maggie CC3 center,1.6 mains and MC1 as surrounds.This was an unplanned visit(I was in the area and just stopped by).

The local guy demo'ed the setup for me with LOTR.As for the 1.6's,they are an improvement over the MMG's.Everything I love about the MMg's was there ,just more of it.There did seem to be more in the upper ranges then I've heard from the MMG's.Because my MMG's are vertical and raised,they sound more like younger cousins of the 1.6's then step children.At the price point of 3 and 1/2 pair of MMG's,its an upgrade I can wait on.

The CC3 was a major improvement over the MMGC.Much clearer and voices were very precise.It had the sound qualities of the MMGC without any of the (SSSSS) sound of the MMGC.This upgrade is something I will do sometime in the future.Now where did I put that winning Lotto ticket?
The MC1's I cant really comment on because,1st they were used as surrounds and 2nd ,they were somewhat blocked by a pair of 3.6's(which are beautiful BTW).

I will say that the covering sock material used on the 1.6's and the CC3 have kind of a glitter effect.Much different then the sock material on the MMg's and MMGC.I felt that it was not as attractive,and actually detracted from the look of the speakers(MHO only).

The lesson I learned from this visit? I have no clue

. But I do know that my audio nervana will never be complete until the day after I die

#150

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3/30/05 at 6:48am

Dean_M
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The CC3 was a major improvement over the MMGC.Much clearer and voices were very precise.

I told you so.

Which color socks were you looking at? My off-white don't have any glitter effect.
FWIW, the MC1s sound very similar to the CC3. They're close enough to be a very good match, but not an exact dead-on match.

(I intended to take pictures yesterday, but the wind was blowing too hard, the sun was in my eyes, and my dog ate my homework.

)

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