subwoofers and panels don't mix

gentlemen, do you let the maggies run full range or do you cross them over. also what about the subs, do they run full range or are they crossed over say at 50 hz ?

i still tend to hear both cone and panel separately even in the best set up. maybe you have solved that problem.

hi lightminer:

thanks for your comments re the hsu.

i have been advised to use only a rel with a panel speaker.

i have not heard the hsu with magnepans. magnepan has designed a woofer, based upon the mg 20.1, for use with other magnepans. this panel woofer goes down to 40 hz. it is not a "sub" woofer, and perhaps magnepan will design a panel driver which goes below 40 hz. if so, problem solved.

hi duke:

as a dealer of soundlabs, wouldn't you think the problem of integrating dissimilar drivers is one of coherence.

regardless of where and how many cones you place in a room, a cone does not sound like a ribbon, electrostat or planar magnetic driver.

magnepan has the right idea. at ces 2007, i heard a prototype magnepan woofer. coherence is not a problem with such a driver.

it would seem that the best sybwoofer for a panel is another panel, rather than a cone.

i owned the centaur minor. as soon as i heard the first note, it sounded like two different speakers.

the problem is a lack of coherence. a ribbon midrange and cone bass create a discontinuity. i have always been able to distinguish the difference between cones and panels.

i believe i can identify a cone driver when it is combined with dissimilar driver.

it may be possible to disguise the presence of a cone if the main speaker is not crossed over to the sub. if the sub rolls off with a steep slope at say 45 hz, you may be able to blend the two driver types creating a a seamless blend for most listeners. however, an experienced listener will probably detect the presence of a cone.

personally, i will wait for magnepan to design a panel driver capable of producing frequencies below 40 hz.

hi duke:

i called magnepan today. the woofer that i heard at ces 2007 is not in production yet. it is still a prototype.

shadorne, thanks for the reference to abraxas speakers.

i think that for now i will live with the limitations of the magnepan and not purchase a subwoofer.

hopefully the martin logan clx has "enough" bass and is not too expensive.

hi duke:

hearing is believing. if someone can demonstrate a stereo system with panel speakers and cone woofers which blend seamlessly, i'll change my opinion on the subject.

i will not be at the rmaf. i will be in las vegas in january. might i see you there, again ?

the issue is not localization of bass but rather the timbre.

i would suggest that you listen to dave grusin, "keep your eye on the shadow", on sheffield. i have a cd called PRIME CUTS, and it is track 8.

panel bass and cone bass sounds different, just midrange reproduced by a cone and a planar driver also sounds different.