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Magnepan vs B&W: Same specs, different bass?

Hey everyone,

I recently acquired a set of Magnepan 3.7 speakers which are rated down to 35 Hz, and I've been comparing them to my B&W 803S speakers (also rated to 35 Hz).  While I enjoy the big sound and clarity of the Magnepans, the B&W's blow the Magnepans away in the bass department in an A-B comparison test.

I figured this would be the case, but I can't explain why there's such a big difference in bass when the speakers have the same specs.  Can anyone explain?

B&W 803S specs:
35Hz – 22kHz ±3dB

Magnepan 3.7 specs:
35Hz- 40 kHz

Thanks,
Chris
128x128cjwessing

Showing 1 response by kijanki

kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,432 posts
 
There might be other reasons, but isn’t Magnepan’s 35Hz-40kHz a -6dB range, related to 1kHz (I assume)?

±3dB is frequency response (flatness) while -6dB is frequency range (related to something, usually 1kHz)

Also Magnepans should be pulled many feet from the wall, due to their dipolar nature, to avoid bass cancellation.  The difference you're hearing might be the room response.


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