[tomlinmgt]

...like the LRS or even one step up, the .7?  I've owned MMG's and MG-IIIa's (which I supplemented with a pair of OB subs using Alpha 15a's), and recently heard a pair of LRS powered by a Rogue Sphinx.  They were very nice, but suffered the same shortcomings I remember from my time with MMG’s. I'm thinking of trying the X-statiks because they're so damn affordable plus I’m having a hard time resisting hearing for myself what all the fuss is about...but don't want to travel a path that isn't a noteworthy improvement over paths already traveled.   My listening space is roughly 20x20 and is heavy on acoustic treatments, both diffusion and absorption, and I have a lot of flexibility with speaker placement.

Michael

[diyman]

I’ve been pondering the same question as well, but don’t have an answer either.

You might want to watch this video on the Maggie LRS.  It’s a demanding speaker to drive and they highly recommend the Hegel H90 as the best amp for the LRS due to its current output and very high damping factor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=18&v=OJdKld_2bCc&feature=emb_title

[goggle1824]

I expect the sweet spot will differ vastly between the two. Will be following along, interesting question.

[tomlinmgt]

I expect the sweet spot will differ vastly between the two. Will be following along, interesting question.

I’ve been pondering the same question as well, but don’t have an answer either.

You might want to watch this video on the Maggie LRS.  It’s a demanding speaker to drive and they highly recommend the Hegel H90 as the best amp for the LRS due to its current output and very high damping factor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=18&v=OJdKld_2bCc&feature=emb_title

One thing about Maggies that’s an undeniable characteristic across the product line is that they tend to not be at their best playing rock...namely, I feel, because the planar panel just can’t convey the raunchy, meaty, and gutsy edginess of a distorted electric guitar like a cone driver can. What I’m hoping to hear about the x-Statiks is that they’re more proficient when it comes to reproducing rock, while at the same time handling all other genres with equal proficiency and vigor. 

[mlundy57]

One thing about Maggies that’s an undeniable characteristic across the product line is that they tend to not be at their best playing rock...namely, I feel, because the planar panel just can’t convey the raunchy, meaty, and gutsy edginess of a distorted electric guitar like a cone driver can. What I’m hoping to hear about the x-Statiks is that they’re more proficient when it comes to reproducing rock, while at the same time handling all other genres with equal proficiency and vigor.

I've never heard Maggies so I can't provide any useful comparison. I have heard the X-Statiks and felt they handled rock quite well. Maybe one of the X-Ststik owners will chime in with more info than I have.

[Carlos74]

Hello, compared to traditional box speakers, do OB speakers and Magnepans have similar virtues?? That openness and "freeing" quality I keep hearing about.

Never heard Maggies or OB speakers, but I will be getting the X-Statik with the upgrades to try some of that OB magic. I am very anxious to hear if the OB sound is my cup of tea!!

[Jaytor]

I haven't heard either the LRS or the X-Statik, but I have owned a number of other Magneplanar speakers including the MG-1s, dual MG-1s, Tympani-IV and MG3.6r.

I now own the NX-Oticas which use some of the same drivers as the X-Statik. Used with the open baffle servo subs, this system is the best top-to-bottom speaker system I've owned.

At low to moderate volumes, the Maggies have a very relaxed, airy sound. The large radiating area means very low doppler distortion, which results in a clean, natural, uncolored sound. As you increase volume though, they tend to fall short and start to sound compressed. They also lack the dynamic energy and punch you get from a great dynamic-driver speaker.

The Tympani IV was the best of the maggies I owned, but this is a large triple panel array - many times larger than the LRS. It's been a while since I owned the Tympani IVs but I don't remember them being as dynamic or as gutsy in the mid-bass as the NX-Oticas. I ended up selling the Tympani IVs way back when because I wanted a speaker with more punch.

I've owned multiple sets of Maggies over my audiophile history because I've always appreciated their strengths, but after owning them for a while, missed the dynamics and energy I got from dynamic speakers. The NX-Oticas are the first speakers that I've owned that delivered the best of both worlds - beautiful open airy sound stage with excellent dynamics, clean clear vocals, and gutsy mid-bass.

Given how cost effective the X-Statiks are, I'd say go for it. The crossover upgrades are well worth it if you're looking for more clarity and detail.

[Carlos74]

Thanks for your insight.  My eye is set on the NX-Oticas with dual OB subs but cannot justify the investment without ever hearing an open baffle speaker. The X-Statik is an affordable stepping stone to get a taste of open baffle sound.

Your comments reinforce this is the correct way to go, thank you very much!!

[Jonathon Janusz]

I've heard modded MMGs (crossovers and magnestand frames, not like the more vastly reengineered "Gunned" models), spent a good half hour alone with a pair of .7 at a show after hours, and heard X-Statiks at a get-together (stock crossovers).

In my experience, maggies can sound good playing rock music, but it took a hefty amount of current drive from amps to get there for me, I needed to sit near-ish field to get in the ballpark of the impact a dynamic driver speaker could do, and in any case the small maggies really did need a pair of subs to pull it off (1.6 in the right room might get away without, and 3.7 and up no problem).  The X-Statiks easily played satisfying rock music out of the box, but again felt a little lean in my opinion without (at the time) a pair of 15" paper driver ported subs doing the heavy lifting.  To split hairs even further, looking in to genres of rock music, classic guitar-driven rock I'd give the nod to X-Statik all day, but electronic and some industrial/techno/synth music I'd maybe give the maggies the edge (with a pair of cone driver subs) as these kinds of rock music play more squarely in to what maggies are known to do best.

I don't like the idea of using the term, "lateral move," but in my opinion within this focused scenario it is more apples to oranges with the understanding that you like both apples and oranges.  At the price (read: very reasonable) and considering you're looking for a speaker that is specifically good at what the maggie isn't as good at, the X-Statik wouldn't be a bad way to spend a few weekends DIY-ing a project to find out.  If you've got a little more money to spend, the NX-Otica with the OB neo3 - planar magnetic - tweeter (making it open baffle throughout the range instead of the sealed-back dome tweeter in the X-Statik) might just end up your end game speaker that doesn't give anything up to the maggies' strengths while also shoring up their weaknesses.

[Edit because I saw your post as I was typing] If the NX-Otica is your possible end-game in this experiment, maybe build out one of the NX-Otica MTM kits (if you've got some subs that can play high enough to fill in, in the meantime, or just to check them out as proof of concept) might be a lower-cost point of entry to try the design out?  If you like them, going up to the full NX-Otica would reuse the drivers you bought building the MTM and just adding the additional lower drivers, bigger cabinet, and rebuilding the crossover.

[diyman]

Hello, compared to traditional box speakers, do OB speakers and Magnepans have similar virtues?? That openness and "freeing" quality I keep hearing about.

Never heard Maggies or OB speakers, but I will be getting the X-Statik with the upgrades to try some of that OB magic. I am very anxious to hear if the OB sound is my cup of tea!!

Keep in mind that the X-Statiks are not true OB speakers.  They are hybrids with the MTM on top being OB, but the woofers below are sealed.  Magnepans on the other hand are true OB top to bottom.

I'm not sure with X-Statiks that you'll hear the real OB sound or the OB magic to see if it is your cup of tea or not.

[Carlos74]

Your NX-Oticas MTM suggestion makes whole lot of sense.  Will speak to Danny about this to see how to go about it.

Thank you very much for this idea on how to proceed!!

[Carlos74]

Keep in mind that the X-Statiks are not true OB speakers.  They are hybrids with the MTM on top being OB, but the woofers below are sealed.  Magnepans on the other hand are true OB top to bottom.

I'm not sure with X-Statiks that you'll hear the real OB sound or the OB magic to see if it is your cup of tea or not.

Agreed, more merit to the idea of getting the NX-Oticas MTM and then possibly upgrading to full NX-Oticas.

Thank you very much, this is exactly why you have to consult with more knowledgeable souls!!

[Joemamma]

I owned the mmg’s and sold them after comparing them to my wedgies (affectionate name given to gr research open baffle speakers).  The mmg’s just sounded dull.  Maybe due to the huge sensitivity difference?  The LRS seem to be a step up though.