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Maggies a waste if only 3' from backwall?

All maggie owners, please chime in. I've been considering the maggie 3.6 or 20.1. My basement room is 15x20x7, thin carpet on slab floor, drywall over foundation. It is very unlikely I will be able to have them out farther than 3 feet from backwall, unless i had them on some kind of rolling/sliding platform. I have read repeatedly that maggies must be at least 4-5 feet from backwall. So, is 3 ft just not enough? Will the magic disappear and render them pedestrian?

While I'm at it, one more question: I understand there is a narrow sweetspot for maximum enjoyment, but how bad is out-of-sweetspot/off-axis listening? What aspect of SQ is actually lost? I ask this because I've read several posts where people thought they heard a real drummer or piano in next room only to find it was music played through a maggie (ie, "Best Speakers.." thread).

Thanks much for the replies. I really am considering joining the maggie family, but don't want to make a mistake based on room and one-person sweet spot.

Jeff
jeffkad

Showing 4 responses by sthomas12321

sthomas12321
408 posts
 
Ive owned Magnepans, Logans, Quads, and love planars. The focus 20/20's had a relaxed sound that reminded me of them. They also thre as large if not larger sound. They are in a box, but for me, the smoothest box speakers Ive ever heard. All my friends & family state to this day,best Ive had.

I can only imagine the whispers.

The Focus 20/20 mids & hi drivers are actually housed in pvc like pipes. The box is more like a shell. As far as the basa, by far the smoothest Ive heard.

I love the Magnepan sound. I just personally feel theres better choices when you have more to spend
sthomas12321
408 posts
 
First off, Ive had no problems with 3 ft from the front wall with my 1.6's(40")

I'll also say they have a wide sweet spot, providing your not going to use a 1 ohm resistor(muffles, dulls, and ruins sweet spot width). Most people don't understand Magnepans tend to be bright. Not harsh, just bright. They also NEED a sub. I use a .27 mills resistor and it takes a small hint of brightness away without the ill effects listed above.

All that being said, for the money you have to spend, buy some Legacy Focus 20/20's or HD's. You will be blown away. They play everything well, and have all the bass and volume you could dream of. They are very warm, and I miss them very much! Ive had many of the great speakers, and the Focus were my favorite. They just get MUSIC right.
sthomas12321
408 posts
 
James Tanner (Bryston pres) found 3ft to be the perfect distance from the front wall, and said they sounded best in his smallest demo room. I agree. Biggest reason is because Magnepans are perfect nearfield speakers(maybe not the 3.6/20.1).
sthomas12321
408 posts
 
Yeah, Id get the 3.6's/20.1's if they work well in smaller rooms, and sitting close. I couldnt comment on them, because Ive never heard those in a small room at nearfield or mid distance. My guess is you just need to be far enough that the tweeter and bass panel sound as one. Theres a larger gap of space in the 3.6's tweeter & bass panels, then the 1.6. Just throwing that out there, not sure if it makes a difference.
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