Planar Speakers . . .

[SolidSqual]

Anybody know anything about Planar speakers? What are some good brands? I saw a nice write-up about some Magnepans selling for only $550. Does anyone here prefer planar? What are the pros and cons?

[dkg999]

Once you go flat, you never go back :D

I'll post more on my experience with Magnepan's later.

[TroyD]

I love planars.

The MMG's are probably the best deal in high end audio.

However, the are NOT for everyone. They don't have 'leasebreaker' type bass, typically planars don't play as loud or have as great dynamics as a cone speaker and the Maggies are inefficient so you need a man's amp.

If you can live with that, the overall musical ability of planars is stunning.

BDT

[Ricardo]

I have owned ribbons, and they are fantastic speakers. Musical and detailed as few. I might own another pair down the road.

[SolidSqual]

My Adagios have a ribbon tweeter so they have really sparked my interest to find a completely different speaker. I am not looking to replace the Adagios. I will likely not sell them for years, but I want to trying something out there. Planars seem to be the way to go. I have two Odyssey Extreme Stratos Monoblocks, so I should have the balls in my britches to run planars.

I found the MMG's for $325. I will probably buy 'em, but I am wondering how their sonics will stack up against my AZ's. Will it be a different sound? I am expecting atleast a larger sound. I suspect they will not go as low as the AZ's, but I will have a sub to help them out.

[reeltrouble1]

I dig the Carver Amazings, get thee a man amp though. These will play very low bass.

RT1

[SolidSqual]

Oh crap! Thanks reeltrouble for reminding me of the Amazings!

[skipf]

While not a true planar speaker as it has four 12" woofers to go with the 60" ribbon, I wouldn't swap my Carver ALS Platinums for any other speaker I've heard. You definantly don't need a sub with the Plats. With the open back design there is no bass "boom" whatever, but you feel the bass as much as hear it. Haven't heard Wilson or some of the other uber expensive models, but I doubt the improvement in the sound would be worth the extra $10,000+ in cost. Ribbons are the way to go from my experience.

[skipf]

Here's a pair in Mich. you may be interested in.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Carver-Amazing-Silver-Edition-Speakers_W0QQitemZ230209604330QQihZ013QQcategoryZ1 4993QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[SolidSqual]

IS there much of a diffeence between the Silver and the PLats?

[Shizelbs]

While not a true planar speaker as it has four 12" woofers to go with the 60" ribbon, I wouldn't swap my Carver ALS Platinums for any other speaker I've heard. ...Haven't heard Wilson or some of the other uber expensive models, but I doubt the improvement in the sound would be worth the extra $10,000+ in cost. Ribbons are the way to go from my experience.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts as well. I don't know what would be an upgrade above the Plats, but I do know it will cost a lot of money that probably isn't worth the incremental improvement.

[SolidSqual]

God, I would love to get my hands on a pair. They look sweet.

[hearingimpared]

The only planar, albeit, not a true planar that I ever liked are the Carver Amazings. The downsides that Troy listed above are why I got rid of Maggies 25 years ago and never looked back.

I won't go with the Amazings as they are very tempermental. High humidity, low humidity and dust are just some of the environmental things that will cause the Amazings to act up. Plus they need lots of space to truely shine. Although at Ted's they didn't have a lot of room in the Woodshed but they sounded very, very good.

[Texas42]

IS there much of a diffeence between the Silver and the PLats?

The Platinums have a longer ribbon (60" vs 48") and one less 12" woofer. Having owned both, the only difference is image height and maybe (depending on how loud you listen) a bit extra 'ooommpf' in the bass. I really enjoy both speakers and would have kept them if I just had a bit more room (width wise).

[SolidSqual]

The Platinums have a longer ribbon (60" vs 48") and one less 12" woofer. Having owned both, the only difference is image height and maybe (depending on how loud you listen) a bit extra 'ooommpf' in the bass. I really enjoy both speakers and would have kept them if I just had a bit more room (width wise).

Intersting. Did you experience any of the finicky negatives voiced by hearingimpared?

[george daniel]

I have a pair of Amazings(from RT1),picked em up at PF 07,they are powered by odyssey mono's. The room that I put them in,had some issues(18 ft ceiling),that is until I hooked them up.Fortunately for me,I was given the proper care and feeding by Ted,Tom,Tour and a few others,so I have NOT experienced any issues,other than sonic bliss.:)You will need a "he man" amp to control these bad boys. For me it was a win/win,,they sound absolutely stunning,wifey loves them,,and I believe that they were once owned by Troy..so thats four "T's". I've said this many times,,but I could sit for hours in the woodshed and listen to Ted's rig,,no listener fatique at all,be it vinyl or digital. That said,, I may give them up,if I can hook up with the original owner of a set of plats,,I think that another member (Mark,aka Doro) stated,that these are something everyone should own in their audio journey.You owe it to yourself to own a pair at some point in time.One thing that I have found is,,SOURCE. Sorry for the ramble,,good luck,,if you've got the planar itch,, the amazing will scratch your it.:)

[mhardy6647]

any interest in electrostatics?

[SolidSqual]

Sure, I was looking at some Martin Logans.

[jdhdiggs]

Look into some big maggies. They need some power, but boy are they nice sounding. The MMG's have a comparable range to the LSI7/9's so if you think those bookshelves have enough range, then definately pick up the MMG's.

Of course I haven't heard a system that I would put above my short lived quad amped maggies yet-Even the carver plats...

[dkg999]

The Magnepan MMG's are a pretty amazing speaker at the $550 price point. On the used market at under $400, they are a steal. Like all Magnepans, they require some breathing room and good amplification. It doesn't take fire-breathing high dollar amplification, a good 80 to 150 wpc amp will do just fine. As stated, if you don't think a pair of LSi7's needs a sub, then you won't need a sub with the MMG's.

The bigger Magnepan's (I own the 1.6's) are somewhat picky about amplification and source components. I use a pair of Parasound HCA-1500A amps and they work very nicely. That's probably about the low end of the spectrum for amps that work with the 1.6's. The tube sound in your pre and CDP works well with Magnepans. I had a Cambridge 640 CDP that worked great until I went to the Magnepans, then it was way too analytical sounding. I use a Rogue pre and Jolida CDP and it's all good!

If you like big open soundstages, and very detailed mid and highs, then the Magnepan sound is something you should explore. It's not for everyone. The dynamic slam of a cone driver in a monkey coffin is just not there. The bass is very detailed and comes out of the entire panel. I'm in an apt, and the lack of the bass slam and cone driven air movement means that less sound is transmitted to the walls and floor, ie the neighbors like me! The Magnepans will reveal everything on a CD, and everything your components do. Sometimes I am amazed at what I hear when playing a CD, vs what I hear from that same CD on another system.

Whether you like them or not, somewhere on your audio journey you should try to take in a good pair of planers, whether they are Magnepan's or another brand. JMHO!

[Face]

I see the larger Maggies on my local Craigslist all the time. I wish I had the space. Then again, I can start another rig in my living room. :D

[Face]

ML Aries
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/ele/529285172.html
ML Aries Shipping Boxes
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1203529859

Mag MG 3.3
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/ele/529221363.html

Too bad they aren't local to you.

[wingnut4772]

ML Aries
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/ele/529285172.html
ML Aries Shipping Boxes
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1203529859

Mag MG 3.3
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/ele/529221363.html

Too bad they aren't local to you.

WOW. I would love to hear those Maggies.

[Face]

I wish I had money for a second system, I'd be all over the first pair.

[jdhdiggs]

Might have to pick up a second set of 3.3r's....

[TroyD]

DO it man, that would be SICK.

BDT

[jdhdiggs]

I've been toying the idea of having a set of 3.6 as the LR and 3.3R's as the center and surrounds for an SACD/HT setup. Is that so wrong?

[TroyD]

Oh man, I LOVE it when you talk dirty to me.

You know, when I get back from Korea (in mid-2009) I'm really going to plead my case for a statement set of speaks, the short list is the Quad 2805. I'd REALLY like to hear the big Maggie 20.1's though too.

BDT

[SolidSqual]

Here's what you need Troy:

This guy doesn't eff around with his 7.1 setup . . .

http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/s/f/1135450480.jpg

http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/s/f/1135450482.jpg

http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/s/f/1135450483.jpg

http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/s/f/1135538650.jpg

http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/s/f/1135538934.jpg

http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/s/f/1135539114.jpg

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vaslt&1135958151

[TroyD]

7.1 implies HT.

Blasphemy.

I think that Harry Pearson is a wack job but I'd like to get a listen on his Magnepan multi-channel setup.

BDT

[jdhdiggs]

Troy et al:

You definately have to try/hear actively bi/tri amping the big maggies. Get some tubes on the ribbon and SS on the bass panel. Fricking sweet....

20.1 hmmmm, I really don't NEED to max out the 401K this year....

[SolidSqual]

Haha . . . I'm partial to 2 Channel myself, but sometimes I wonder if it's because I can't afford a 7 channel that could compete with my 2 ch. There's no movie screen behind that guy's center channel. He's all about the music.

[SolidSqual]

oh crap nevermind, I see it hanging in front of his center channel . . . ok you win as usual military man, he sucks.

[halo]

any interest in electrostatics?


Sure, I was looking at some Martin Logans.

You might want to check out some ESL hybrids from InnerSound. link (http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?spkrplan&1202189893)

yes I'm biased

[SolidSqual]

Speaking of Innersound . . . have you heard their amps! Holy crap. Guy in my apartment has four bi-amping his speakers. Nice piece of equipment.

[TroyD]

EFF, Martin Logan. I've never cared for there hybrids. Ken Swauger has a pair of CLS's and I'd like to hear those...but ESL? Go Quad or go home. Innersound has a good rep though and some guys on here who I have the utmost respect for thier taste in gear....I might have to caveat the Quad statement.

Yeah, I figger when I get back...I will have spent the better part of 2 years in a transient state...plus my truck will be 10 years old. So, if I squeeze another couple years out of the truck and play on the sympathy of TLW (and sell that it's cheaper than a new truck/car)...who knows??

BDT

[TroyD]

Hey, I hit 10K posts....what do you know.

BDT

[halo]

Yes. I own an InnerSound MK I ESL amp that was upgraded to a MK II / Sanders (http://www.sanderssoundsystems.com/ESL-Amp.htm) ESL amp by Roger Sanders shortly before the Chicagoland PF.

[halo]

Hey, I hit 10K posts....what do you know.

BDT
Congrats! :)

[SolidSqual]

Hey, I hit 10K posts....what do you know.

BDT

Good for you man . . . so why do you like the Quads so much? Which ones in particular? I've never heard a pair, but I've noticed in general that British speakers are a bit more bright or textured perhaps in the midrange.

[TroyD]

I have the ESL-63's.

They are the most musical and transparent speakers that I've ever heard. As close to having NO sound as anything I've ever heard. That's the best way I can describe it.

BDT

[gidrah]

I've got some small Maggies that aren't hooked up currently.

[reeltrouble1]

lets face it there is not a "best" speaker. You may have a speaker you prefer over any other but there are just too many fine speakers to call one better than all the others.

RT1

[DAGLJAM6]

You know, when I get back from Korea (in mid-2009) I'm really going to plead my case for a statement set of speaks, the short list is the Quad 2805. I'd REALLY like to hear the big Maggie 20.1's though too.

BDT

Can I order tickets in advance. That could be the Pay per view event of '09....

[SolidSqual]

Oh man Troy must be sleeping . . . either that or he's arming the nukes and readying plans for "Scorched Earth 2009!"

[TroyD]

No, David has hit the nail on the head, as usual. He's like Silent Bob.

Wendi is likely to have a VERY different opinion.

...and Ted makes a salient point about there being no 'best' speaker. Let me caveat by saying from my preferences, the Quad fits the bill. A VERY close second would be the Carver Amazing. While the Amazings have, IMO, a decided edge in the bass department (duh) and a very good integration with dynamics to KILL for....I find the Quads to be more transparent with the absolutely most neutral midrange and the ability to 'disappear' more than any other speaker I've heard.

BDT

[treitz3]

lets face it there is not a "best" speaker.
I awoke from the dead to say....So true. ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. [back to the date with a pillow]. ZZZzzzzzzzzzZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.............

[SolidSqual]

I vote Adagio. Goodnight. Stay safe Troy.

[halo]

Sanders (sanderssoundsystems (http://www.sanderssoundsystems.com/index.htm)) new speakers: link (http://buy.audiogon.com:80/cgia/cls.pl?spkrplan&1204641744).

Article link (http://blog.stereophile.com/ces2008/010808sanders/).

[Ricardo]

Sanders (sanderssoundsystems (http://www.sanderssoundsystems.com/index.htm)) new speakers: link (http://buy.audiogon.com:80/cgia/cls.pl?spkrplan&1204641744).

Article link (http://blog.stereophile.com/ces2008/010808sanders/).


I'm sure Rich is already saving for these ;)

[SCompRacer]

I'm sure Rich is already saving for these ;)

:eek:

Too much $Ka-Ching$ for me Ricardo. I’ll stick with my recently acquired MK III’s. And maybe, if it isn’t too costly, consider an active crossover bass amp upgrade in April. Roger’s new active xover bass amp will have the newer transistors, larger caps and Toroidal found in the Sanders ESL amp.

Oh, if you apply and are accepted as a Norvinz rep, you can get the new speakers at a discounted price.;)

[halo]

:eek:

Too much $Ka-Ching$ for me Ricardo. Same here.
Oh, if you apply and are accepted as a Norvinz rep, you can get the new speakers for around $8K.;)Great! Now all I need is $8K :rolleyes: ;) :D

[Marcas]

I have a pair of original Magnepan SMG's. I bought them on Craigslist for $250 in absolutely perfect condition. I use them for classical listening only. For jazz, rock, pop, or anything else, I prefer my Mordaunts or my RTA11T's. I love the Maggies for classical though. All I can say is if you want acoustical instruments to sound real, Maggies are the only way to go !!!