Posted by wazoo (A) on September 27, 2010 at 09:23:19

In Reply to: RE: No, NO, NO!! Why not get to know the optimized sound of your new speakers . . . posted by Alan G. on September 26, 2010 at 20:49:33

and then there are extreme points of view

Alan, for the record, I have no initial intent to modify my 3.6s in any way that is remotely extreme. A pair of Mye Stands neither looks nor seems like a tweek. Instead, the stock feet simply seem like one of those reduced cost options for those who quibble over the last few hundred bucks. Installing them 'modifies' the core speaker in absolutely no way. It is not hyperbole that I and Mark (and so many others) speak when we state that these are the stands Magnepan should ship with their speakers.

To those who would interject here and ask why we shouldn't say the same thing about PG's frames, I must point to what is and isn't possible. Magnepan could provide these stands as part of the stock package. In fact, I see no reason why they shouldn't offer it as a modestly more expensive option in precisely the manner we find so familiar when we buy our cars.

The other point Mark made on my behalf is also quite apt. I'm neither unfamiliar with Magnepans nor with audio engineering principles - having dabbled in this domain for nearly 40 years now. Thank you Heathkit (in Roswell, GA (if memory serves)) for your great kits and truly wonderful instruction courses. Trust me when I say that positioning is task #1.

Positioning takes great patience as it is most tedious, especially when done by ear. I began with the Cardas calculated position. That measure factored into numerous decisions in the design of my room - screen size was a critical one. I chose a screen size below the maximum that I calculated would fit based upon the Cardas dipole positioning for my room dimensions. Those figures are at the top of the page of the running tally of my speaker positions.

I've had them tweeters out and in. After a week of the latter, I returned to the former and I'm keeping them out (although, they aren't as far apart now). I've even tried them sideways - pretty darn amazing, but the conventional arrangement works better in more seats. Once I'm satisfied that the speakers can grow roots where they're sitting, I have treatments to position. Some aspects of setting up in a new room can happen in rapid fire progression, but this takes time. I'm fully aware of that and of the importance of it.

There are lots of other changes as well. I bought a different amp and a new source. I'm working on a phono preamp to get vinyl back into the picture. I tried a Pass amp on the 3.6s before buying the bigger Pass. I like the combo - they work well together. I've had the MAP-1 (upgraded by Steve's new company) for a while now - IMO, this is how multichannel should be done. I'm only dealing with stereo so far though, and that preamp would be a keeper for its two channel performance.

I hate to disagree with you, but the 3.6s aren't too different from any other planar speaker I have ever heard in that it needs a sub. If you are getting satisfactory bass from your 3.6s then I am happy for you, but don't assume that I would be as satisfied. IMO, the 3.6 is a terrific bargain and I look at Definitive Technology's SuperCube Reference in precisely the same light. My plan was for two, but I don't think I need another one. If I spent the rest of my life searching for the perfect position for my 3.6s, they would never produce the bass that I have right now.

A few months spent nudging my speakers around seems a small payment for the many years of enjoyment I anticipate these superb speakers will give me. I'm already enjoying them - Mye Stands, and all!

"Jazz is not dead - it just smells funny" FZ