Planar Speaker Asylum

Welcome! Need support, you got it. Or share your ideas and experiences.

Return to Planar Speaker Asylum

Planar Speaker Asylum

And yet...

97.93.37.58

In Reply to: RE: The truth about Magnepan? posted by pictureguy on January 20, 2011 at 22:07:08

A Magnepan SE? (special edition) will NEVER happen. No resources exist to do this.

Dr. West, with even fewer resources, has made a Sound Lab "SE" for many years. I've visited the production facility and can attest that it is efficient, but modest. I met almost every worker.

What constitutes the differences between the special version ("U" series) and the others? Higher quality bits in the power supply and the use of a heavy, rigid metal frame - at a pretty large delta in price given that the fabrication of the frame is outsourced to SL specifications. Any benefits? Well, the current wooden frames of all the models now use tongue in groove assembly to more closely match the rigidity of the metal frame. And according to Brian Walsh, the tweaked "hot rod" backplate is now standard on the "U" series and the 845 and 945.

My perception is that the experience of the halo product has improved other models and apparently enough folks have chosen to pay for the improved electronics, hence its wider use today. I will agree that it is difficult to argue with success, but I think there is industry precedence for economically producing an ultimate Maggie.

rw

Follow Ups:

Wasn't that the 20.1? - josh358 18:31:50 01/23/11 (2)
And before that, the Tympani IV/IVA?

Unfortunately, I think they sat on their laurels too long. When the 20.1 was released, it could compete with any speaker made. It's so good that it just made HP's editors choice, over a decade after it was introduced. But for some reason, there was a long period during which Magnepan stopped tweaking their models. That allowed the competition to progress.

Now that that's over, I think we'll be seeing a 20.2, maybe that rumored $40,000 Tympani. If they return to form, they'll recapture a spot at the top of the market.
- Maybe so - E-Stat 06:03:44 01/24/11 (1)
  but I think it never had the relative market position that the T-III enjoyed back in '74 when I first heard them.
  
  It's so good that it just made HP's editors choice...
  
  It was his "nicely driven" pair that I heard some years ago. First, by itself and later in his multi-channel setup. My next visit is scheduled for next month and I am looking forward to hearing some new Maggies in that environment.
  
  rw
  - RE: Maybe so - josh358 09:22:08 01/24/11 (0)
    Let us know what they're like. I still haven't even heard the 1.7, want to wait at least until the mini maggie is in the stores before I make the trip (curious about the 3.7 too, but it's too big to be an option for me).
RE: And yet... - pictureguy 09:08:49 01/22/11 (2)
I agree. A 'Halo' model has effects all down the line.

In the case of SoundLab, how much do they do 'in house' vs having fabricated by a vendor?

In the case of say....electronics.... you pay someone to make the new stuff or modify the regular production. If the modified and regular are made by the same people, it is fairly easy to spec a better part or perhaps some design changes.

I simply don't know enough about how Magnepan conducts business to judge if they could make a 'SE' model.
If, as I suspect, it is a very small company with virtually everyone knowing everyone and spouses talking, then very little room exists for limited run stuff. Maybe they insist on everything being done in-house? Maybe they don't think a 4000$ 1.7 would sell? Or a 3.7 at 8500$?

Too much is never enough
- RE: And yet... - E-Stat 11:28:03 01/23/11 (1)
  Their core competency is the design and fabrication of the panels and electronics. I'm pretty sure all the cabinetry along with the steel frames found on the "U" series is outsourced. The electronics are pretty much hand assembled as well, so I suspect there is no "re-purposing" of standard units.
  
  Maybe they don't think a 4000$ 1.7 would sell? Or a 3.7 at 8500$?
  
  No, but a $25k "super 20.1" might. I seriously considered buying 20.1s and heard an exceptionally well driven pair. I just didn't find the same level of coherency or low level resolution that my stats provide. FWIW, it was Maggies that turned me into a planar fan back in the 70s and I've owned them before.
  
  rw
  - RE: And yet... - josh358 18:37:36 01/23/11 (0)
    I suspect that to get that level of low-level resolution they'd have to radically change their technology, e.g., using a true ribbon for the midrange, or perhaps the most advanced planar magnetic tech of the sort being used by Wisdom in their in-wall designs -- though the related BG planar drivers don't seem quite the equal of stats or true ribbons in clarity, just very, very close.
    EDIT -- I do think that a 20.2 with quasi-ribbon bass might improve to some extent on both of the parameters you mentioned.
    
    Edits: 01/23/11

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Parts Connexion