[edn4x4]

I am in the process of converting my home office space into a dedicated 2ch/HT space.  Mostly I would use for 2ch (80%) and the other 20% to  HT(2ch). My room  is 13'x14'x8'.
I have been looking to audition the MMGs to see if I like them.  Hopefully the offer is still available.  One on my questions is that I think I could put 12s or even 1.7 in my room.
Would the 1.7 be to much for the space? I figured once they are off the rear wall and I am seated in the listening position they would be about 6' away.  Would this be overkill or sonic bliss (vs sonic blast!)
I found out that I am only 15 minutes from the Magnepan factory - much to my surprise!  I would like to give them a call and see if I can stop by.  I am open to suggestions on size selection and any other considerations I should be planning for. 
BTW - I am the new owner of 2 NCORE monoblocks to feed them!
Thanks for reading,
Eric

[kevin360]

I think you're right - the 1.7s should work. You used the singular pronoun - would this be a setup for one listener? I have a pair of (modded/hybridized) MMGs in a bedroom in a very nearfield arrangement and find the setup to be extreme sonic bliss. I can't imagine that perception would be anything but greater with a pair of 1.7s. Give Wendell a call. I bet you could arrange a visit.

Welcome to the club (if you decide to take the plunge).

[josh358]

I am in the process of converting my home office space into a dedicated 2ch/HT space.  Mostly I would use for 2ch (80%) and the other 20% to  HT(2ch). My room  is 13'x14'x8'.
I have been looking to audition the MMGs to see if I like them.  Hopefully the offer is still available.  One on my questions is that I think I could put 12s or even 1.7 in my room.
Would the 1.7 be to much for the space? I figured once they are off the rear wall and I am seated in the listening position they would be about 6' away.  Would this be overkill or sonic bliss (vs sonic blast!)
I found out that I am only 15 minutes from the Magnepan factory - much to my surprise!  I would like to give them a call and see if I can stop by.  I am open to suggestions on size selection and any other considerations I should be planning for. 
BTW - I am the new owner of 2 NCORE monoblocks to feed them!
Thanks for reading,
Eric

My space is about the same size, and like yours, it's dual use. I had MMG's in there but I'd say the 1.7's will be fine, if you have a relatively blank wall behind them. You didn't say what size your TV is. I had a 110" projection screen and I was still able to fit the MMG's, though that arrangement would only work for a single viewer because of the sight lines. With a smaller set, there shouldn't be any issue at all.

You might find that you want to add some 2 x 4 diffusors in the front of the room at the first reflection points and some absorption on the wall behind your head, since you'll presumably be sitting close to it. But I'd worry about that after the speakers are set up and burned in.

[edn4x4]

Thanks for the replies so far.
Good points I will try to supply some addition information:
1.  The wall behind is bare -it is a painted interior wall.  There is a room on the other side - no noise concerns for that room.
2.  Behind the seated position and on the right is a half high wall and windows - I imagine some drapes for absorption will be applied.
3. TV - don't have one yet.  I was looking around 50"
4.  I would have mostly room for 1 or two in the main listening position as to my left is a fireplace at a 45 degree angle (brick/glass door) that takes up about 1/3 of the back wall so I only have room for a two person seat.  I am still not sure how much this will affect the sound as the listening position will be off center to accommodate this.  That is why I think having bigger and closer should help with reflections.
5. My music preferences are mainly classic rock Floyd,Zep etc.  I also listen to a lot of acoustic and some jazz guitar.  I used to play guitar so most of my music is guitar oriented.

cheers,
Eric

[josh358]

Thanks for the replies so far.
Good points I will try to supply some addition information:
1.  The wall behind is bare -it is a painted interior wall.  There is a room on the other side - no noise concerns for that room.
2.  Behind the seated position and on the right is a half high wall and windows - I imagine some drapes for absorption will be applied.
3. TV - don't have one yet.  I was looking around 50"
4.  I would have mostly room for 1 or two in the main listening position as to my left is a fireplace at a 45 degree angle (brick/glass door) that takes up about 1/3 of the back wall so I only have room for a two person seat.  I am still not sure how much this will affect the sound as the listening position will be off center to accommodate this.  That is why I think having bigger and closer should help with reflections.
5. My music preferences are mainly classic rock Floyd,Zep etc.  I also listen to a lot of acoustic and some jazz guitar.  I used to play guitar so most of my music is guitar oriented.

cheers,
Eric

The only problem I can see is that you're sitting off center, that can impair the image with any speakers. Is it possible to move the chair forward into the room so it's centered?

For rock, I think you may want a sub. My own experience has been with Tympanis -- they don't need a sub for rock -- and MMG's -- they definitely need one. But the 1.7's are somewhere in-between in extension and woofer level capability. I think the thing to do is get them, let them burn in (important before making a decision, since the bass response improves), play with placement (which has a major effect on the bass, and then decide whether you want to go with a sub or try the Maggie woofers. It really depends on the acoustics of your room, how loud you like to listen, and whether you want your guts rattled.

[edn4x4]

I do have a WAF factor if there is too much bass.. I am trying to do without a sub.  Who knows though in the end it is all about me!
As far as being off center - let me clarify. 
My whole system will be off room center since I have the fireplace taking out 1/3 of my back wall (seated position) I will have the speakers shifted over so that the are centered with my seated position.
Picture it this way - draw a line down 1/3 of my room (the side with the fireplace).  Now the remaining 2/3 of the room is the listening space and I will draw a new line down the center of this space keeping my seating position centered with the speakers.  Hope this makes sense.

[kevin360]

It is possible to have a sub, but not be much of a nuisance with it. Place a down firing sub right next to your seat. With such an arrangement, you can get the deep bass that the 1.7s lack (without having it too loud) and have a great place for your remote(s) and drink.

[edn4x4]

  best advise I have heard all day!

[SteveFord]

Shaken not stirred!

[josh358]

I do have a WAF factor if there is too much bass.. I am trying to do without a sub.  Who knows though in the end it is all about me!
As far as being off center - let me clarify. 
My whole system will be off room center since I have the fireplace taking out 1/3 of my back wall (seated position) I will have the speakers shifted over so that the are centered with my seated position.
Picture it this way - draw a line down 1/3 of my room (the side with the fireplace).  Now the remaining 2/3 of the room is the listening space and I will draw a new line down the center of this space keeping my seating position centered with the speakers.  Hope this makes sense.

Sure. It could work, since the wall behind them is blank. You may notice a minor difference in imaging between the two sides owing to the different distance to the corners.

[pansixt]

After years and years of boxes (not belittling), I too, am looking to join the club. Jarcher pushed me over the edge with his setup.
My room is 11.5W by 18L, but I would be listening near field with placement (on the short wall) no more that 2.5 feet from the front wall.
I am also thinking MMG's would be my best bet for now. Both stage wise and financially. I am sure I will need a sub as well. But not at first.
And jarcher has agreed to break in new MMG's for me. I am not equipped for this at the present.

I can go 1.6QR's, but are they too much for this room. And I won't live in this room for more than a couple of years, if that.
Such a quandary

James.

[josh358]

After years and years of boxes (not belittling), I too, am looking to join the club. Jarcher pushed me over the edge with his setup.
My room is 11.5W by 18L, but I would be listening near field with placement (on the short wall) no more that 2.5 feet from the front wall.
I am also thinking MMG's would be my best bet for now. Both stage wise and financially. I am sure I will need a sub as well. But not at first.
And jarcher has agreed to break in new MMG's for me. I am not equipped for this at the present.

I can go 1.6QR's, but are they too much for this room. And I won't live in this room for more than a couple of years, if that.
Such a quandary

James.

I'd try to move them further out from the front wall. They'll work at 2.5' but you'll notice an improvement as you pull them further into the room.

Also, I wouldn't worry too much about getting MMG's rather than 1.6's. Sure, you want the bigger ones if you can fit them, but the MMG's are wonderful. I'd consider adding a DWM woofer, which will extend their response down to 40 Hz and sometimes significantly lower, and making a stand that raises them to the vertical and ear level. That will make them image more like the big ones.

[SteveFord]

It sounds like poor jarcher is making quite the sacrifice having to break in speakers, the poor guy...
Perhaps he can post his impressions on the new MMGs if that's the route you go?

If you have an 18' room and you can pull them out around 3-4' you'll still have 14 foot to place yourself.
1.6s or 1.7s would be just fine.

[rollo]

After years and years of boxes (not belittling), I too, am looking to join the club. Jarcher pushed me over the edge with his setup.
My room is 11.5W by 18L, but I would be listening near field with placement (on the short wall) no more that 2.5 feet from the front wall.
I am also thinking MMG's would be my best bet for now. Both stage wise and financially. I am sure I will need a sub as well. But not at first.
And jarcher has agreed to break in new MMG's for me. I am not equipped for this at the present.

I can go 1.6QR's, but are they too much for this room. And I won't live in this room for more than a couple of years, if that.
Such a quandary

James.

  Your room is better than you think. A nice rectangle that Maggies love. Use the rule of thirds, meaning 6 ft out from the rear wall sit 6 ft away and have 6ft behind you oh my ! The width fine as well. tweeters on the inside to avoid sidewall reflections so you can get maximum distance between speakers. Go buy them or take a look at GT Audio speakers.



charles

[pansixt]

Thanks for the replies everyone.
I am going to try for the .6's for sale here locally.
Otherwise I would go with the MMG's and I'll use the above advice either way.

[MaggiesAndCats]

I recently moved my refurbished MGIII's from a larger room (forget the dimensions)  into a 12x15x8 room.  I placed the speakers on the short wall using the Cardas speaker placement recommendation to start with.  There is a ~30" high cabinet with the electronics that is placed against the wall behind them.  It has glass doors that I leave open when listening.

I started with ribbons in and the soundstage width was very limited and they sounded shouty.  Switched to ribbons out and toed in so they are pointing at my seated position.  Much improved and very listenable, but still a mite shouty compared to the larger room I had them in before.  By shouty I mean that male vocals (midrange) is more forward than I'm used to.  I'm still rearranging stuff in the room so there is "room" for improvement, but they sound quite nice in there and don't overpower the room.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the MMG's, but my opinion, based on experience, is the bigger speakers can work in smaller rooms.

Regards,

Steve

[pansixt]

but my opinion, based on experience, is the bigger speakers can work in smaller rooms.

I'm hearing that more and more and when I look at my current room, it is not really so small. Just picturing 1.7's or bigger in this room
seems more than I can handle for now. New MMG's are so affordable that that makes them even more attractive.
The 1.6 sale fell thru so it may be the MMG.

Thanks Steve
James

[josh358]

I'm hearing that more and more and when I look at my current room, it is not really so small. Just picturing 1.7's or bigger in this room
seems more than I can handle for now. New MMG's are so affordable that that makes them even more attractive.
The 1.6 sale fell thru so it may be the MMG.

Thanks Steve
James

The MMG's are wonderful and if you add the DWM woofer, you'll have quite reasonable bass extension.

[jarcher]

I'm hearing that more and more and when I look at my current room, it is not really so small. Just picturing 1.7's or bigger in this room
seems more than I can handle for now. New MMG's are so affordable that that makes them even more attractive.
The 1.6 sale fell thru so it may be the MMG.

Thanks Steve
James

I wouldn't give up on the 1 series : but rest assured that if you do get MMGs and want to move up to the 1 series later, you will be able to flip em at little loss as they are very popular (or use them in a home theater set up like I did with mine when I moved up).  And I'll be more than happy to break em in for you!

I think REL T-5's are another great subwoofer option for MMG's.  I'm using one with some other speakers at the moment and it's very tight / fast and integrates very well.  At $700 new they cost more than the MMG's, but if you're patient you might be able to snag a demo pair from Music Direct at 20% off (or buy used).

[pansixt]

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=94149.0

Yeah Josh, I was just reading Mr. Ford's Review of the bass panel. If I do go with MMG's, I'll probably go with a sub at first.