Tossed between the horns Maggie 3A/PSB Gold I


I have been a long time Maggie fanboy, having bought my first pair back in 1982. For the past 12 years I have been using a pair of MG 3A's with a pair of M&K subs. I have continued to keep these in great operational shape and over the past winter I upgrade the caps in the cross-overs, replaced the tired ribbons, rewired the speakers with silver/cooper/teflon wire and remoloxied the diaphragms. I also put new socks on them. Needless to say they sound and look great. I also have Sound Anchor stands; so for all intents and purposes, these speakers have been taken almost as far as they can go.

Recently, I have taken in a pair of PSB Gold I. Generally, I get a second pair of speakers to listen to and play with from time to time. After a short period of time I usually sell off the second pair because they do not provide me with the same sonic enjoyment as the Maggies. However, the PSB are proving to be a bit of a different story.

They are a bit more upfront sounding and have great dynamics at low/medium to low volumes. They throw a good sound stage and when bi-amped and used with subs they have a well defined and deep low end.

My Maggies, on the other hand, have a better high end. The ribbon tweeter can't be bested, in this regard. They also have a more organic sound and throw a larger sound stage. However, you do have to be sitting in the sweet spot to enjoy it. Off axis and everything collapses. The mids are more laid back, which is great for some recordings.

So, that is the good and the not so good about each speaker. I can keep both but would eventually need to sell off one due to limited room and it makes a mess of my listening space.

After another week or so I'm going to throw the Maggies back into use and make my choice, however, I know it is not going to be an easy one.

Ultimately, I am going to use my ears, as I always do, to decide but my question to you, the reader is, "which would you choose?" Please no responses that include it is up to me and let my ears decide. Of course, this is what I am going to do. I want to entertain your thoughts specific to these two choices.

Thanks!!!!
raymonda

Showing 6 responses by shakeydeal

So you are saying you can only get 1700.00 if you sold both pair? Or you want to sell one and keep the other?

Shakey

Sry you don't agree re Klipsch. In the right room and the right system, the Heritage speakers are hard to beat for 2-3 times their going price. Especially if you mod the xovers.
I heard the PSB Golds on two different occasions many years ago and wasn't impressed either time. With the exception of midbass slam and overall bass extension, I can't see them having anything on a pair of maggies. Which means I am baffled that you like them as much. If you are really a planar guy, then I like Lostbears advice.

That said, there are numerous box speakers that can equal or better most planars or electrostatics. Depends on what your budget is.

Shakey
I had 3.5s once upon a time and heavily modded 1.6s before that. I got the itch for the dynamics and slam of a box speaker and bought a pair of Aerial 7Bs on a whim. It took about thirty minutes of listening before I knew I made a mistake. I sold the Aerials in less than two days.

I have since moved on to several "cones in a box" type speakers that I feel outclass those 3.5s, but they were much pricier too. If after two weeks you are still smitten, it just tells you that it's time to start seriously looking at other alternatives. I just don't think the PSB will be "the one".....

Shakey
Here are two examples of more right here on Agon:

Tekton Pendragons 1500.00

Spendor S9 1200.00

Or keep an eye on your local Clist for Klipsch Fortes or Cornwalls. Both usually under 1K.

All of the above will be better than the Maggies or the PSBs.

Shakey
"but a bit warm and veiled"

That is exactly how I would describe them. Frequency response is definitely tilted downward....

Shakey
A pair of 3.7s just popped up on Agon for 2800.00. That is a great deal, and if you are considering 3.6s, those are a no brainer.

Shakey