Signature 70s powering Maggie MMGs

Vinnie R. · « **on:** 4 Nov 2006, 02:00 am »

All,

I am borrowing a pair of Maggie MMGs and will soon try them out with the Signature 70s. The MMGs are 4-ohms and need current (they'll pull the 70-watts right out of the Siggies

), so I figure this will be a good test. I am also interested in them because they are dipoles, like OBs.

From a glance, the MMGs can't be more than around 15" wide, so I wonder how deep they'll go compared to OBs?

I'm looking forward to it!

Vinnie

Berndt · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 02:10 am »

the maggies modded?
want you to really get the full "effect"...

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 02:18 am »

Quote from: Berndt on 4 Nov 2006, 02:10 am

the maggies modded?
want you to really get the full "effect"...

Hi Berndt,

I don't know if they are (I'm actually new to the Maggies...never owned them before).

There is a 1-ohm resistor across the upper speaker posts.

Thanks,

Vinnie

Berndt · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 02:25 am »

stands and oxo's for a really (delete audio adjective) effect.
You should know if you dig their sound really quick, the mods just push them further in their good direction, IMHO.

jkelly · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 02:56 am »

In case you didn't get a manual - the resistor is used to attenuate the HF on the MMG.
You can use a straight jumper, 1 ohm or 2 ohm resistor to cut it back.
I always used the straight jumper, but some folks complained of too much HF energy
and used the resistors.

They are known as one of the best values in audio. I have had 3 pairs over the years!

Jeff

jrebman · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 03:36 am »

Quote from: jkelly on 4 Nov 2006, 02:56 am

They are known as one of the best values in audio. I have had 3 pairs over the years!

Since I'm on the list for a pair of the 70s, can you give me a few more details about these. Like how far from a wall do they have to be? I see some references to them being able to be hung on a wall and that would suggest to me that it would be ok to not have them pulled too far from the wall. I can't possibly get away with an OB in any place in my house, but I'd like to at least audition these if I can put them fairly close.

Anyway, just curious.

-- Jim

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 04:00 am »

they're running now!

they sure have that ob sound that i love, and the sig 70s are pushing them w/o a problem!

man, i can already tell that these are a super bargain!

i'm typing from my nokia 770 right now...

back to listening,

vinnie

crossroadazn · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 04:26 am »

Good to hear it handles the Maggies fine, now pull out the Apogee Scintillas aa for another test drive.

AudioCat · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 02:20 pm »

Vinnie,

Have you tried the MMG's with the Signature 30? I'm coveting the Sig30 (can't afford the 70's

) and am interested in knowing how it drives the MMG's which I have.

Thanks!

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 Nov 2006, 03:05 pm »

Quote from: AudioCat on 4 Nov 2006, 02:20 pm

Vinnie,

Have you tried the MMG's with the Signature 30? I'm coveting the Sig30 (can't afford the 70's ) and am interested in knowing how it drives the MMG's which I have.

Thanks!

Hi AudioCat,

Welcome to Audiocircle and the RWA forum!

I'll try the Sig 30 + MMGs tonight.

Best regards,

Vinnie

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #10 on:** 6 Nov 2006, 04:24 am »

hi audiocat,

i'm listening to the signature 30 driving the mmg's as i type this.

surprisingly, it drives them quite well. it isn't until you turn up it up loud that the extra juice of the signature 70s comes in handy, but the difference isn't huge.

i wouldn't recommend either of these amps with maggies if you like to play your music at loud levels, but they do sound really nice at reasonable volume levels. i'll have to follow up on this pairing after i put in some more listening time.

these mmg's are quite impressive and have me very curious about how the mg12's sound in comparison.... being nearly the same size!

best regards,

vinnie

studley · « **Reply #11 on:** 6 Nov 2006, 05:59 pm »

Any idea what the sensitivity of the MMGs is?

Berndt · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Nov 2006, 06:14 pm »

http://www.magnepan.com/model_MMG

shep · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Nov 2006, 06:38 pm »

Vinnie, if the Maggie bug gets you and you get tired of assembling amps, this delicious story
will send you in a whole new direction!
http://www.indiespinzone.com/other/smga.html

studley · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Nov 2006, 08:48 pm »

Thanks Berndt.

86db is the answer to my question.

Berndt · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Nov 2006, 10:41 pm »

Quote from: shep on 6 Nov 2006, 06:38 pm

Vinnie, if the Maggie bug gets you and you get tired of assembling amps, this delicious story
will send you in a whole new direction!
http://www.indiespinzone.com/other/smga.html

Peter Gunn modded my smgas and has held my hand through some great purchases.
He is kinda in Vinnies area...

AudioCat · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 Nov 2006, 11:33 pm »

Thanks, Vinnie! I appreciate the effort. In my system, I notice the amp (McIntosh) runs hotter with the MMG (as opposed to an 8ohm speaker). Did you happen to notice if this effect occurred on the Sig30? Do you think the synergy of the MMG with the Sig30 is comparable to the reported synergy with of Omega speakers? My ultimate goal is to get a Sig30/Omega A8 pairing - but, finances might dictate starting with one or the other initially.

onemug · « **Reply #17 on:** 8 Nov 2006, 03:40 am »

AudioCat, The Sig 30/A8 would be a very worthy goal. What Mac amp do you use?

AudioCat · « **Reply #18 on:** 8 Nov 2006, 12:18 pm »

Hey Onemug, my amp is an older SS integrated MA6200. It's an amp I love but the Sig30 got into my head from the eloquent descriptions by the folks here. I was ready to order one this past summer but had an unexpected financial surprise come up that had to be handled and I'm trying to rebuild my amp/speaker fund.

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #19 on:** 8 Nov 2006, 01:14 pm »

Quote from: shep on 6 Nov 2006, 06:38 pm

Vinnie, if the Maggie bug gets you and you get tired of assembling amps, this delicious story
will send you in a whole new direction!
http://www.indiespinzone.com/other/smga.html

Hi Shep,

Yeah... I see there are plenty of Maggie tweaks out there online!

Quote

In my system, I notice the amp (McIntosh) runs hotter with the MMG (as opposed to an 8ohm speaker). Did you happen to notice if this effect occurred on the Sig30? Do you think the synergy of the MMG with the Sig30 is comparable to the reported synergy with of Omega speakers?

Hi Audiocat,

The Sig 30 does not run hot with the MMGs. It doesn't run hot...period. It barely runs warm

From my listening impressions the MMGs + Sig 30 work very well together. However, if you are in a large (or dead sounding) room, or play music at loud levels, you are probably going to want more power.

"Loud levels" is subjective and I think it is time that I head over to rat shack and pick up one of their SPL meters, so at least I can throw out a number. I'm not sure how accurate those meters are, but hopefully if I say 88dB (for example), someone else with one can turn up the volume until they reach 88dB and can judge how loud that is for them.

I can actually get a very decent amount of volume out of my MMG + Sig 30 combo, but my room is around 15' x 15' (with a trapezoidal ceiling with a peak at 9 feet tall). I have the MMGs 5 feet from the wall behind them. The Sig 30 sounds great with them at lower volume levels as well.

I'm really considering picking up a new pair of MMGs for myself, or maybe the MG12s (heck, I wonder how the 1.6s will sound!

). These speakers are a really good challenge for amplifier testing, and they are also a pleasure to listen to. I love that OB sound (dipole sound).... very life-like, spacious and seductive.

Did I mention that the MMGs that I am borrowing are pretty beat up? If I do a 20Hz sine wave test, there is a volume level threshold where the left speaker will sound like a jack hammer (nasty popping/distorting). This happens for frequencies up to around 50Hz. The right speaker doesn't do this. The feet on both are very rusty and these have been stored in a damp basement. These are old MMGs that have seen better days.

Also, if you are interested in the A8s, definitely consider saving for the Revolutions. These are one of the best Omega's I've heard. Once the new 8" Omega High Qts hemp driver comes out, they will replace the B200 and will be named the Hemp Revolutions.

Louis is also considering an open baffle speaker using the upcoming 8" High Qts hemp driver. After living with MMGs, you might have a hard time going back to boxed speakers.

Of course if you can pull your speakers out far enough from the wall behind them, OBs (and Maggies as you know) aren't going to give you the magic that they are known for. The A8s and Revolutions (sealed, with aperiodic venting... no tuned bass port) work very well closer to the walls.

Best regards,

Vinnie