Maggie update

#181

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4/8/05 at 2:34pm

Alan M
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Thanks Dean and Parker for posting those.

Dean,I think your HT looks great.Although both of us are under construction,I can tell,your neater then I am

.

1 question I do have after looking at your pics.I noticed you have your ribbons on the outward edges.I set mine up with the ribbons on the inner edge(per Maggie).Did you notice a difference when you have the tweeter on the outer edges and if so,what differences?

#182

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4/8/05 at 7:16pm

AlanZ
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Dean:
Looks great already! Are those Outlaw monoblocks I see there?
That looks like a very comfortable room, especially for HT.....I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the IB once you get it fired up.....I'm sure it's going to kick serious asss!

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

Updated Equipment List

#183

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4/9/05 at 7:12am

Dean_M
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Thanks for the help 6, and thanks guys for all the kind words. I've been busy the past two days with installing the flooring in the room (or more accurately - watching my brother installing the flooring

). The quality of the flooring is very impressive. If I hadn't seen the stuff being installed, I'd swear that it was real wood.

M, the MC1s must be designed differently than the MMG-Ws, the pivots that are built into the speakers only allow the speakers to be mounted with the tweeters to the outside. However, I do have the angle set on them opposite of what Magnepan recommends. They suggest that the speakers be set at sixty degrees out from the wall (thirty degrees away from the listener). I set them the other way to broaden the sound field since my seating position is ~ fifteen feet away. It sounds better to me than using the recommended angles.

Z, you have a sharp eye. Those are OA's monoblocks, along with a Denon DVD player, my old Adcom 555, and a Denon 3802 that I use as a pre/pro.
I was hoping that my IB drivers would show up yesterday, but I've heard through the grapevine that there's been some kind of delay with the Avalanche 18s. I'm going to call Chad at AA on Monday to find out what the scoop is. Now that everything else is together, I'm anxious to get the thing finished.

#184

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4/10/05 at 3:07am

Parker Clack
Parker
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Those 18's are going to be huge. I am reminded a lot of truck and SVS rims that aren't that big.

I already had the OA 770 before their monoblocks came out or I would have gotten them instead.

BTW, how do you have them plugged in? I would be concerned about having to plug in 7 different amps, plus my other equipment like the pre/pro, DVD player, etc.

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#185

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4/10/05 at 3:27pm

Dean_M
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6, I have the monoblocks plugged into a dedicated surge protector that's plugged into an outlet that's separate from the SP for the pre/pro, TV, and DVD player.

#186

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4/14/05 at 6:58am

Dean_M
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According to the FedEx tracking site my drivers are scheduled for delivery today.

I'll post some pics as soon as they get here, and let you all know what I think of the IB once I get them installed provided that I don't hurt myself in the process.

Are any of you Alans/honorary Alans planning on pre-ordering OA's 990 pre/pro? I don't want to jump into the water all by myself.

#187

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4/14/05 at 12:00pm

AlanZ
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Dean:
I'm excited to hear how your IB turns out.....the whole concept of those things just fascinates me! As for the 990, I'm going to have to live vicariously through you with that, just like I will with the IB lol. I'm going to keep my 950 around for a while yet, I think. I'm going to (finally) order another SVS on Saturday, and then after that I'm going to begin saving for 1.6s and Mye stands. After that I'll probably add two more MMG-Ws and a new two channel amp for the 1.6s. And THEN.........lol

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

Updated Equipment List

#188

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4/14/05 at 1:41pm

Dean_M
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Ya big chicken!

How about building a dipole sub to go with those 1.6Rs? I'll bet you could build a nice one for what an off-the-shelf sub will cost you.
I'm getting ready to install my IB in a few minutes. What a beast it is. It weighs more than my ex, but it's also much prettier.

#189

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4/14/05 at 2:08pm

AlanZ
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lol, well 1) I don't really trust my woodworking skills, and 2) the SVS guys have been 'veddy veddy GOOT' to me over the years, so I am a very loyal customer (not to mention the fact that produce exceptionally awesome products!). I'm not doubting that the DIY route can produce some pretty awesome results, it's just not the best option for me right now.

That said, if you are that close to putting this sumbitch together, then I (and probably 'we') expect at LEAST a first-hand report of how everything goes today.....pics on top of that would be great, but at least tell us about it....don't leave us in suspense, Dean-O!!

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

Updated Equipment List

#190

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4/14/05 at 3:45pm

Dean_M
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Don't take me wrong, I'm also a big SVS fan and they've also treated me very well. You're still a big chicken, though.

I got the baffle in the attic and the first driver installed. I asked my mother to install it for me, but all she did was whine about her "arthritis" and how I don't feed her enough.

Here's the pics that I've taken so far:
http://www.msnusers.com/subwoofer/shoebox.msnw

#191

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4/14/05 at 4:39pm

AlanZ
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Good Lord those things are massive! How much do they weigh??

-Chicken Boy

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

Updated Equipment List

#192

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4/14/05 at 6:49pm

Dean_M
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They're about fifty pounds each.
The IB is installed! All I've done with it so far is to set the delay for them in my pre/pro. Even though I haven't done any EQ or calibrating yet, I absolutely cannot tell where the Maggies end and the sub begins. It's hard to believe that drivers this massive sound so good.

#193

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4/14/05 at 8:23pm

AlanZ
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Dean:
Has mom been properly introduced to Maggie yet? If so, what does she think?

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

Updated Equipment List

#194

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4/15/05 at 1:23am

Parker Clack
Parker
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Dean:

An IB is a must if you 1)have the real estate for them in your room 2)have the money to put into them and 3)have the mom that can install them for you.

Everyone that I know that has one says that they are the only way to go for the ultimate bass and with the maggies you now have the ultimate speaker system for music and your HT. Wait until you put some really clean Telarc recordings into it or a great sub bass demo DVD like the intro to Toy Story II.

Now the hard part is going to be getting that silly damn grin off you face.

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#195

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4/15/05 at 5:09am

Dean_M
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Has mom been properly introduced to Maggie yet? If so, what does she think?

She lives just down the road and visits almost every day. She has no use for any of the HT stuff. She usually just rolls her eyes whenever I start a new HT project.

#196

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4/15/05 at 6:19am

Dean_M
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An IB is a must if you 1)have the real estate for them in your room 2)have the money to put into them and 3)have the mom that can install them for you.

I agree, but I think that a perfectly good IB could be built for quite a bit less than what mine cost (~$1K total, but I already had an amp). Considering what I was looking at spending on a boxed sub I think it's a bargain, and I don't have any sound localization issues or boxes and wires cluttering up the room.
This just in: my fiancee listened to it for a while and even she prefers the musical IB sound over the HT sound of the various boxes and cylinders that I have/had. Maybe now I can convince her that I absolutely have to have the OA 990 pre/pro so the IB can reach it's full potential.

#197

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4/15/05 at 6:32am

Dean_M
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Here it is installed: http://www.msnusers.com/subwoofer/sh...oto&PhotoID=13
Hmmm... the pic doesn't want to show up for some reason. Here's the link:
http://www.msnusers.com/subwoofer/sh...oto&PhotoID=13

#198

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4/16/05 at 6:23am

Alan M
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Congrats Dean on the IB,
you beat me to the punch

.That is one very clean install,I'm impressed.

Now,how about some heavy bass movies and your impressions of what moves in your house and what you have to nail to the floor to keep it from moving

.

#199

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4/16/05 at 7:05am

Dean_M
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Thanks, I'm sure that your install will be just as spiffy, if not more so, as mine.

My fiancee picked up some movies at Blockbuster last night that we'll be watching tonight. I don't think she picked them for their bass content (you know how girls go for all that non subsonic touchy-feely stuff

). I did talk her into: "Hotel Rwanda", "King Arthur - Unrated Extended Director's Version" , and "Flight of the Phoenix", so that's what I'll be watching tonight. I'll let you know how the IB does with movies.
I've been listening to music almost non stop since I got the IB installed, and I'm still thrilled with the IB. But it's also caused the symptoms of my insanity to re-emerge with a vengeance. I'm now thinking that since the IB sounds so good with music, I should really upgrade my MC1 fronts with the 1.6s. I just need to figure out how to deal with placement and room treatment issues. It just never ends...

#200

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4/16/05 at 1:00pm

AlanZ
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Dean:
There are some scenes in 'Flight of the Phoenix' that will kick your asss! I would love to hear what the IB does with them......I was scared for my MMGs when I watched that movie

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

Updated Equipment List

#201

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4/16/05 at 3:30pm

Dean_M
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Z, thanks for the heads-up. "Flight..." will be going into the player first. I'll be sure to report back ASAP.

Have any idea when you'll be getting your 1.6s? I'd like to hear your impressions of them. The nearest Maggie dealer here is about 160 miles away, and I have too many things going on to take the time to make the drive.

#202

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4/16/05 at 4:12pm

Alan M
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I agree with Z Dean.
Flight has 2 scenes,the sandstorm and the crash, that you'll remember long after the movie ends.

P.S. Thanks for the "assist' in the Maggie thread over at avs.

#203

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4/16/05 at 4:17pm

AlanZ
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Dean-O:

Right now I'm thinking it will be another 45-60 days before I pick them up. I did demo them a few weeks ago and to my ears they were a clear upgrade from the MMGs. I think 'M' felt there wasn't as great a difference, so I know that doesn't really help you lol. As much as I love the MMGs, the 1.6s seemed more effortless, a little more natural, with more presence (both in detail and size). They also looked very, very cool

In my opinion, they are the nicest looking Maggies.

I was looking at your room in the pics, and I think that the 12s or 1.6s would work, whereas the 3.6s would be a placement nightmare for you. My dealer had his 1.6s relatively close to the side walls, which it appears your R speaker would be if you had floor standing Maggies.

There is an outside chance I may get my 1.6s earlier since I think I still have a trade-in period with Magnepan, so if I do I'll be sure to post my thoughts during and after break-in. After hearing them, though, I'm 99% sure that's the way I'm going to go. I love my MMGs and will have a hard time parting with them, but I think 'Big Maggie' will put out a little more than her little sister

Just so you know, I'm going to be checking back here periodically tonight to hear back from you about 'Phoenix'....if you crank up that IB, I think you may be surprised how much bass some of those scenes have, bro!

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

Updated Equipment List

#204

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4/16/05 at 4:19pm

AlanZ
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You guys have a Maggie thread on AVS and you didn't invite me or 6??? I'm hurt! lol

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

Updated Equipment List

#205

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4/17/05 at 4:44am

Parker Clack
Parker
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Z:

I don't do walk abouts too much anyway so I think I will remain here in THE maggie thread.

Dean IB (henceforth known as DIB):

I would get the 1.6's AND the OA 990. Then you will be good to go for about 2 weeks before the next upgrade is needed.

PS - Glad to hear that your mom is doing ok after the install. If I had to install all your upgrades I would roll my eyes too. You need to give the poor woman a break.

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#206

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4/17/05 at 5:24am

Dean_M
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Flight has 2 scenes,the sandstorm and the crash, that you'll remember long after the movie ends. Thanks for the "assist' in the Maggie thread over at avs.

You're forgetting that I can hide my own Easter eggs. I'm the stereotypical absent-minded professor and experrience lapses of cranial-rectal inversion quite often.

I was happy to stick my nose into the thread. The anti Maggie poster seems to me to be a troll, and not a particularly good one.

#207

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4/17/05 at 6:00am

Dean_M
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Just so you know, I'm going to be checking back here periodically tonight to hear back from you about 'Phoenix'....if you crank up that IB, I think you may be surprised how much bass some of those scenes have, bro!

Sorry, I got distracted by my house shaking off its foundation. You haven't been waiting for me all night have you?

I ran the IB through its paces with the crash and sandstorm scenes to see what it would do. Please keep in mind that I don't have "golden ears". In fact, my ears are old, tired, worn out, wrinkled, and hairy.

I used DTS for playing and ran the sub as hot as I dared (+5) and cranked the volume up (-6) until the "Instaneous Distortion Alert" LEDs on the Adcom began to flicker at the loudest passages, then backed off the volume just a tad.
The verdict: these drivers play very cleanly, but a pair of them in an IB configuration can't quite reach the extreme SPL levels of the PB12-Plus/2. This is fine with me, as I never play movies at that level normally. All in all, I'm very pleased with the IB's performance with both music and movies. I've been told by folks who know far more about this stuff than I that a dipole is even better than an IB, which has made me curious to try one. I may end up building one at some point just to see what the differences between the two are.

#208

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4/17/05 at 6:23am

Dean_M
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I was looking at your room in the pics, and I think that the 12s or 1.6s would work, whereas the 3.6s would be a placement nightmare for you. My dealer had his 1.6s relatively close to the side walls, which it appears your R speaker would be if you had floor standing Maggies.

The placement issue was the reason that I shied away from the 1.6s when I started this frenzy of upgrades, but I've come up with a possible solution. I've been working out a design for some oak stands for the 1.6s that would attach to the front corners of my "entertainment center". The stands would lift the speakers off the floor to about the same height as the middle shelf (~12"), and allow me to swivel the speakers for adjusting toe-in or folding them back out of the way when they're not in use. Doing this would keep the right speaker about 18" away from the side wall, and both speakers about 20" from the rear wall. I'm sure that this wouldn't be the optimal placement for them, but it may turn out to be workable.
It sounds like you're ahead of me. It'll probably be three to four months before I buy a pair, unless I change my mind yet again.

#209

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4/17/05 at 6:34am

Dean_M
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Dean IB (henceforth known as DIB):
I would get the 1.6's AND the OA 990. Then you will be good to go for about 2 weeks before the next upgrade is needed.
PS - Glad to hear that your mom is doing ok after the install. If I had to install all your upgrades I would roll my eyes too. You need to give the poor woman a break.

DIB? I don't think that I've ever been called that before. My students used to call me "Cob" (as in Cranky Old B**tard) and some have called me "Uncle Meat" (I'm a Zappa buff), and lots of other nicknames that I can't repeat here, but no one has ever called me DIB.

The OA 990 is already in the works. I'm not about to waste some of the finest whining and groveling that I've ever performed only to change horses mid stream. I'll start on the 1.6s the moment UPS delivers the 990.

BTW, mom says, "Hi".

#210

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4/17/05 at 7:57am

Alan M
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Well,after visiting that other (anti)Maggie thread over at avs forum,I can honestly say,TG for HTF.At least there is one place on the net were audio is discussed in an open and friendly format.

Now thats out of the way

I'm chumping at the bit for the 990 also Dean.My IB needs about one more week til completion.Come on free time from work,I need more please

P.S. Z,give em he** my friend

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