Magnepan LRS+ resistors on the tweeters… which?


I have a pair of LRS+ and after playing with the set-up positioning for a while I have finally found the spot where everything aspect of the sound is right apart from the treble: it is simply too high, and is tiresome after a couple of records.

But Magnepan knows it and fit a pair of sockets to allow the user to play with 10W resistors, ranged from 1 to 2 Ohm.

The resistors that come with the speakers are not the best and some users refer that they affect the sound too much.

So I wonder, what are the best resistors to fit in the LRS+ ?

audiofilo123

yyzsantabarbra hit the nail on the head with getting Maggie’s off the floor with the magneriisers and their supplied jumpers. Vast improvement. They tune the risers for each speaker. Audiofilo123: Your right that the belles does get hot, but I have fans cooling it. I’m running the virtuoso which gives me plenty of current to drive my speakers. I have great imaging and sound stage. But like the other posts have been suggesting, please try to avoid using the resistors if all possible. Try a few different audio quest cables, type 9 + dbs or rocket 88 + dbs. I even upgraded my power cord to my streamer and am using xlr cables for additional clarity. Everything in the chain makes a difference with sound quality.

OP - as almost everyone is telling you - don't use the/any resitors. They kill transparency/detail and the 'life' of the music. Look elsewhere.

As almost everyone is telling you - the amp is VERY important with Maggies.

You may be a Naim fanboy, but they don't fit into your system with Maggies. I KNOW, I've tried. And the 122x IS garbage (and I was using the FC2x btw)! Lifeless, dull, congested etc etc, and doesn't belong in your system, IMO. And I would imaging anyone selling Maggies would agree, and steer you away from Naim. If your head is stuck into Naim, then there's no point going on with this conversation. If you must stay with Naim, I suggest different speakers. LRS+ are NOT toppy/bright, when driven and setup correctly. NAC A5 is no good for Maggies either.

You have come here for suggestions, but seem reluctant to listen.

If so u may need an area rug for sound absorption. Too much reflection in a room will sound bright, glass, cement, any hard surface. Even going from leather furniture to fabric makes difference in sound. 

@daveteauk , I have several components of different brands and I didn’t consider me a fanboy of any of them, or all the numerous brands that I had for the past 35 years of audiophileness… Just happen to like this particular Naim combo in some system combinations, and other Naim components in others systems. Not every time I have been swept by Naim gear.

Note: I think that I never classified as garbage any of the many components that didn’t gel with any of my systems. Perhaps I am just lucky…

But like I said before, I have tried the LRS+ with 5 different amps so far… and the treble level, in the general balance, was too high FOR ME. In the OP I have shared my experiences and put some questions on this subject. In any case I stated that the LRS+ are less than great, apart from the mentioned “problem”. 
Spec wise and by experience, all of the amps used were well capable to drive a 4 Ohm / 85db speaker, but on the other hand the LRS+ are demanding for more…

As for the resistors, I have reading about mixed results (not only in this forum), some like them some don’t. My question to those who find the resistors beneficial is: what resistors, value and quality?

I am “listening” to all opinions (certainties) about the resistors, but because it is a feature incorporated in the speakers design (from the beginning) it makes sense to me to explore that, especially with parts better than the ones supplied. If it is really a foolish thing to do (meaning: certified way to kill the sound quality) so why do Magnepan designers insist on offer that feature, even in the top models?

To me is another part of the crossover, but just one that we can change the value.

More extreme users defend that he crossover itself and the back plate (fuses, fuse holder, metal magnetic bidding posts, shunt, cables) are total rubbish and we all should dismantle the all thing and… well you know… Magnepans are great but only after that amount of work.

Food for thought…

@pureclarity,

yes, all the ground floor in my house is thick poured concrete.

yes, I have a large thick rug between me and the speakers.

yes, my dedicated room is acoustically treated (walls and ceiling) and it is very well balanced. All my other speakers sound great.

Thanks to both for your time and valuable inputs.