Magnepan Speakers - Ribbon Replacement

This issue, emanates from the orignal factory information, which placed the 'life' of the ribbon at the same time frame as that of a Moving Coil Cartridge, was, I believe their phraseology.
The reason is thermal stress. As the energy passes through the aluminum tweeter, it heats, then cools. So the unknown at the time of their inception, was, how many times could this be done, before failure? So they put a two to three year life span estimate on them.
Yet over the years, this has proven to be incorrect, with the tweeters lasting, or in many cases outlasting original ownership.
You can verify this with Windell Diller at the factory, and he can give you some better info.
I have seen them fail, when people used them at extraordinary volumes; and when they did, the tweeters looked bent, and misshapen, almost like a coil effect.
Personally, I would not let it be an issue in purchase.
Hope this helps clarify, as I was there as a dealer when this began.
Best,

Erider:

Call Magnepan. They have very good customer service. If you wreck your Magnepans, they will fix them for a reasonable cost. Even if you do something stupid, like I have done. Remember ex-president Gerald Ford trying to ski? (Ford was president after Nixon resigned, as Ford was VP at the time). He was spastic on skis. It was fun to see our #1 being spastic. You knew he was human or whatever, it made you laugh.
Anyway, I spastically (Gerald Forded?) ripped a MMG speaker that was five years old and Magnepan fixed it, including new wooden siderails for a pittance. About $150.

So, why wait? You won't be sorry ever buying Magnepans. Any Magnepan. Yes, they typically need some woofer at the bottom end. Ok, yes they always do. (MG20 owners make sick money, so ignore these comments regarding the MG20's, or 20.1's or whatever the model is this year.) Yes, you may buy them, and if you do you'll always want something better and there probably is something better. But, as I have mentioned, you will still be a happy audiophile owning just a set of cheapie Magnepans (they start at $300)and some sort of decent woofer.
Notice the use of the word "audiophile" and "happy" together.
Rare!
Paul

My MG IIIa's are 18 years old and still going! One of the ribbons burst while playing Pink Floyd a bit too loud a long time ago. Had a cheap amp though. Changed the fuses to 1 1/4A from 1 1/2 (factory) and upgraded electronics to more power. Haven't had an issue in over 15 years. I'm saving up for the 3.6's. I'll ALWAYS own Maggies. Buy a pair, and you'll know why.

I wouldn't fret about Maggie ribbons wearing out, period. I've had a couple sets of Maggies, always bought used, with some quite old...and never had a problem with ribbbons.

If you want something to worry about, worry about finding the right amps for them, lol.

I have blown several tweeters during the years. My reason for damaged tweeters is ss amp clipping. Since I have been using larger mono tube amps never blown any tweeters.