Do larger planar speakers produce more accurate sound?


Planar speakers generate sound pressure via vibrating membrane panels. The excursion of the membrane x radiating area= sound pressure. This would mean that for a given sound level, membranes have smaller excursion in larger planar speakers than in smaller ones. Does this mean that larger speakers will produce more accurate sound?

I am not talking about the obvious benefits of the larger speakers in terms of low frequency production, so let's not get into that.

chungjh

Showing 4 responses by helomech

https://youtu.be/CpJnupgiNIU

That video title mirrors my sentiments having owned the Magnepan .7s for a couple years in various setups. With the caveat of careful placement and quality electronics, I’m doubtful if there is any better speaker value (new that is). Even those familiar with the flagship Maggies owe it to themselves to audition these panels. The dynamic capability  of the .7s can actually put many box speakers to shame. How many times have you read that said about a Magnepan? 
 

I drive mine with the Benchmark LA4 and AHB2. The amp has zero trouble driving them to high SPLs in my ~3000 cu ft room. 
 

Their “musicality” is excellent too. Has to be the best budget panel speaker considering the ease of drive and dynamics. 

The smaller planar diaphragm has less mass to contend with. Also, since planars behave as an imperfect line-source in practicality, the larger panel will have a  greater total of interference filtering. I haven’t compared measurements of say, the Magnepan LRS and 1.7i, but I would bet the former gets a little closer to textbook ideals. However, the average listener will probably perceive the larger of two panels to sound more life-like, all else being equal. 

The next room size is 16x20x8

I have Magnepan .7s in a larger room than that and the bass is plentiful for my needs/taste. They don’t extend below 45Hz or so but still deeper than most bookshelf-type speakers and even some towers. This is the only Magnepan I’ve heard that can actually produce midbass “punch.”  I suspect it’s because it has a larger bass panel than the smallest Maggies yet is still a 2-way design. I once owned 1.7is and they had almost no dynamics in the midbass.