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As for what PG says, take it with a grain of salt. Wood frames and a different crossover aren't going to affect the behavior of the motor - won't change 'speed' or efficiency. Replacing the wire with foil will impact both of those metrics (in opposite directions).
What objection do you have to the use of foil?Their current line up of speakers sound better than anything they've done previously.Seeing as how you're here, my offer from AA still stands - if you wish to send over a pair of your modified MMGs I will write up an unbiased review. Maybe you have a pair of beaters kicking around? I'm pretty much impartial when it comes to things - it either sounds better or it doesn't. It doesn't matter to me what the outcome is.I can do regular MMGs, your modified ones, 1.7s and 3.7s and then do a little write up.Send me a PM if you're interested, time to go walk Fido.
You finally got around to the Ncores you were so keen on, I see.I'd be curious to see how they compared to the VTLs as retubing those things isn't a cheap proposition. I've never heard anything I liked better than David Manley's handiwork but the rest of the world doesn't stand still, either.
What objection do you have to the use of foil?Their current line up of speakers sound better than anything they've done previously.Seeing as how you're here, my offer from AA still stands - if you wish to send over a pair of your modified MMGs I will write up an unbiased review. Maybe you have a pair of beaters kicking around? I'm pretty much impartial when it comes to things - it either sounds better or it doesn't. It doesn't matter to me what the outcome is.I can do regular MMGs, your modified ones, 1.7s and 3.7s and then do a little write up.
Having heard Mr. Gunn's speakers on a few occasions, I'd vouch for his work for whatever that's worth. Just adding the mass to the frame and getting those cheapo caps out of the crossover works wonders for the Magnepans, no matter which model you own.Magnepan uses notoriously inexpensive components in the rest of the speaker (mainly crossover) because their frugal nature leads them to believe that premium parts don't make a difference. Magnepan's own Wendell Diller has told me this on more than one occasion.I'm sure plenty of people besides myself have suggested that Magnepan approach the concept of a "Premium" model and a standard one, but I know first hand Magenpan wants no part of it.However, though this is the Magnepan taken to the ultimate (and I tend to agree with Mr. Gunn in terms of the current product vs. older in terms of lifelike sound) they still come up short vs. a full range electrostatic speaker, because the diaphragm is much heavier. Also, they still have a crossover network, with the associated anomalies that a full range speaker does not have.I don't know if I'd go as far to say the new 1.7/3.7/20.7's are a "sonic fraud", but I would say they have gone towards a more audiophile sound than a musically natural sound. That certainly will attract some and detract others.All that being said, the Magnepans are great speakers. I've owned quite a few over the years and have always enjoyed them. They also remain one of the best buys in audio these days.
Hi Steve:I guess I'd disagree with you on Magenpan moving into the 21st century terribly well. I've talked to plenty of dealers around the world that have all told me Magnepan continues to be a tougher sell every year. Back when I bought my first pair in the late 70's, they were pretty unique. Today, you can get a box speaker that sounds pretty good and looks good too. But the new speakers have been well received. We gave them a good review as well. I would agree with you that the coherence of the new speakers is better because of the all ribbon design. I'm guessing that's why many like the earlier models so much - the panels were all the same materials, so you don't get the sense of sound coming from a separate woofer, tweeter and midrange. So in that direction the .7 models are an improvement.As I said, I think it's more of a different than a better. And I still feel they offer tremendous value for the money, however even since the 70's I've always felt the Magnepan was a great inexpensive speaker that really needs an expensive amplifier to shine.I've been floored by just how good the MMG's, .6 and .7 speakers have been when hooked up to my Pass XA200.5's, Burmester 911 mk. 3 or Octave Signature mono blocks. The speakers are scary good with world class electronics.But so much of this is personal taste and hardly worth getting grumpy about. Magnepan certainly has a loyal following.And Jim:Excellent point. Remember $300 worth of caps at build, equates to $1200 - $2000 at retail, effectively doubling the cost of a pair of 1.7's. So, I fully understand why they do what they do.
