Wanted to show off my new Maggies

audiojerry · « **on:** 7 Jan 2006, 09:10 am »

Maggie 2.5R true ribbon speakers (vs QR or Quasi Ribbon)
Well, they aren't new. Circa 1987, but in great condition with new(ish) ribbon tweeters. John151 had them for sale here on AC for awhile, so I grabbed them at a steal for $425 including new shipping cartons. I don't understand why there were no takers. I feel like I robbed John.

I picked them up from John's very beautiful home in Paletine, IL. He has a fabulous dedicated audio/HT room in his basement with great acoustics and really comfortable seating. John should take photos. It would be a great setting for an audiophile get-together (hint hint

) someday. John was a most gracious host for the short time I was able to spend with him.

The quality of the photo is not too great, but you get the idea.

Anyways, I'm bragging because I am so happy with my acquistion. I'm using them in my modest HT setup, and they create a wonderful, special listening experience. Anyone who has not heard Maggies should really try to at least once. They are very different from cone speakers. The sound is so palpable and organic. I'll be keeping these for awhile - as long as my wife lets me that is.

steve k · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Jan 2006, 10:04 am »

Congratulations Audiojerry,
That is a real bargain. What are you driving them with? There are three of us in the GAS group running IIIA's and two of us are using tubes and the sound is to die for. We're the loan maggie holdouts among a group of diehard SET/horn guys.

Maggies are definitely a major value in sound per dollar and image like no other speaker IMHO. Incidentally, I bought mine used from a guy in Hanover Heights and my VTL's from another guy in Glen Ellyn. Chicago has been very good to me in the used audio market.

Enjoy!
steve k

audiojerry · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Jan 2006, 06:57 pm »

When I brought them home, I enjoyed them for a few days in my main system driven by an Audio Research VT200 with an SAS Audio 10A preamp.
It was a very sweet combination and refreshing to hear music played in Maggie's own unique way.

My HT system uses a Yamaha RXV-995 90wpc receiver, and the Maggies do quite nicely there. I'll use it for music in that room as well, and movies sound fantastic.

earlmarc · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Jan 2006, 07:11 pm »

Sweet addition Jerry. Magnepan certainly possesses a unique sound. If you ever decide to tweak the speakers, Mye Stands are a must. I have found that Signal cable speaker cable works great with Maggies. Signal cable also offers speaker jumpers for $39.00. It may surprise you that these simple and inexpensive additions will take your Maggies to another level.

John151 · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Jan 2006, 07:13 pm »

Jerry - I guess I don't have to worry about you wanting your money back.

At that price, they are quite a bargain. The wife and I have been at odds over all of the un-used stuff around the house, and I really needed to get this out of the house to keep the peace, so you have done me a favor in a way (and I really did not want to hassle with shipping these). We have also sold a number of items using Craig's list, so we are no longer at odds.

Those speakers do sound quite nice, and the more power you feed them, the better they sound. They can be quite revealing, however. My only complaint was that they don't play rock very well. They do surprisingly well for HT duty.

Glad you are enjoying them. I am up for hosting a AC get together. Perhaps in Feb to help out with the winter duldroms (sp?).

Steve · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 05:01 am »

Sounds great Jerry and John. I haven't heard Maggies since I owned a pair over a decade ago. Some day I need to hear that model and the 3.6s, I believe.

audiojerry · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 07:52 am »

Steve, that might be a great way to introduce some of your products, by demo'ing them at a get-together at John's, if John was interested. He has a great listening space.

It might also be neat if we could get Robert Schult to demo his Sason speaker.

Sorry, John, I don't mean to sound pushy or dictate what should happen if you decide to have a get-together. Just trying to throw out some ideas.

nickspicks · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 01:33 pm »

i'm a huge maggie fan...
love their sound. their look, and the responce people give when they look at them.

what I dont like is only have a 10" spot where all that Maggie magic happens.
do the big pannels suffer from that as bad as the smaller ones do?
i've only heard MMGs and 1.6's.

audiojerry · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 05:04 pm »

Quote from: nickspicks

i'm a huge maggie fan...
love their sound. their look, and the responce people give when they look at them.

what I dont like is only have a 10" spot where all that Maggie magic happens.
do the big pannels suffer from that as bad as the smaller ones do?
i've only heard MMGs and 1.6's.

I owned the 3.6 about 4 years ago, and with both the 3.6 and 2.5, I'd say it is true that you need to center yourself between the speakers to optimize image and soundstage just as you would with any speaker I've ever used, but for the musical magic I've found the Maggies to be wonderful. As I move about to other rooms, the sound I hear reminds me of real musicians playing in another room, especially when I briefly had them in my living room, a WAF no-no.

Our living room is very large and opens up to much of the rest of the house. With that extra breathing room, the sound is so natural and enveloping, but alas, the wife said no way. She did acknowledge though that it sounded really nice and why couldn't I get tiny little speakers that sound that way.

"Sure honey, whatever you say"

John151 · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 08:19 pm »

Quote from: audiojerry

Sorry, John, I don't mean to sound pushy or dictate what should happen if you decide to have a get-together. Just trying to throw out some ideas.

No worries. I have been contemplating hosting an AC get together for over a year (always intending it for the post holiday winter time). Look for an official kick-off post in the near future.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #10 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 09:03 pm »

Hmmm...I can't see the pics at all.

GHM · « **Reply #11 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 10:05 pm »

I owned a pair of the 2.5R maggies. O'boy did I baby those speakers.Replacing the socks, building out board crossovers and restaining the rails. They were beautiful and sounded very nice. Sometimes I wish I had the room for another pair of Maggies..just for fun.

Enjoy!

audiojerry · « **Reply #12 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 10:22 pm »

Yah, I think that's probably the biggest reason why more guys don't own Maggies.

zybar · « **Reply #13 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 10:32 pm »

Quote from: Rob Babcock

Hmmm...I can't see the pics at all.

Me either.

Jerry, can you make whatever change you made in your HT3 thread?

George

audiojerry · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 10:38 pm »

grrr!!!
Ok, how's it now?

zybar · « **Reply #15 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 10:41 pm »

Quote from: audiojerry

grrr!!!
Ok, how's it now?

Can't see your pics in either thread now.

George

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #16 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 10:42 pm »

Its up, I see it....here's the photo's for the for sale ad... http://john151.smugmug.com/gallery/1055130 ...John151.

audiojerry · « **Reply #17 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 10:52 pm »

What's smugmug about?

Jampot · « **Reply #18 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 10:53 pm »

I 've no idea why the pics don't show in the first place but, if you right click the xes, select properties, copy the url into the address bar and go the picture appears. Click back and the picture is now in the thread (and stays there...)

One of Bill Gates's practical jokes!

I wish we could get this kind of stuff over here.

Jim

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #19 on:** 8 Jan 2006, 10:54 pm »

Quote from: audiojerry

What's smugmug about?

Beats me...but John151 had the photo's of the Maggie's there...