In your search to improve your music or home theater system have you noticed how little box speakers tend to sound rather ... well, boxy? We would like to introduce you to a new concept in speaker technology. Actually, it has been around for 25 years ... mostly sought out by dedicated audiophiles. Advertising has been primarily by "word-of-mouth."
Live music creates large area soundwaves having characteristics that can't be duplicated by little box speakers. Soundwaves emanating from live music help us determine "is it 'live' or is it a speaker?" Reproducing large area soundwaves requires a speaker with a large surface area. The Magneplanar MMG with the equivalent surface area of 72, 1 -inch dome tweeters, and 9, 8-inch woofers does this better than speakers costing several times the MMG's modest $599/pair price tag.
The impossible problem for a conventional speaker, then, is this: how to convince you it's a grand piano when the instrument's full acoustic power is being squeezed through an 8" woofer. When I close my eyes and try to conjure up an image size, a planar speaker reproduces piano, double-bass, cello and human voice with much more spatial conviction than is possible with a conventional dynamic speaker. It's true--a planar makes a recorded piano sound more like a real piano.
(Magneplanar MG-20 Review, Side Bar in Stereophile, Page 8, February, 1995)
| MMG | |
| Description | 2-Way / Quasi-Ribbon Planar-Magnetic |
| Freq. Resp. | 50 - 24 kHz ±3 dB |
| Rec Power | Read Frequently Asked Questions |
| Sensitivity | 86dB / 500Hz / 2.83v |
| Impedance | 4 Ohm |
| Dimensions | 14.5 x 48 x 1.25 |
| Available in natural or black solid oak trim with off-white, grey or black fabric. | |
Magnepan is the most successful manufacturer of full-range dipole loudspeakers in the world.
Nearly 200,000 of these speakers have been purchased by audiophiles ... audiophiles such as those taking part in the last speaker survey conducted by Stereophile magazine which revealed more of their readers owned Magneplanars than any other brand, and 99% were satisfied with their purchase.
Because of this success and the economy that comes from manufacturing large numbers of speakers, the Magneplanar MMG at $599 pair is affordable and available to everyone.
Order directly from Magnepan by calling 1-800-474-1646.
Other larger, more expensive models are available through a small nationwide network of specialty audio dealers.
We know you may have doubts about an entirely new way of reproducing sound.
If you are like most of us, a completely new idea will intrigue you as well as raise questions ... how can a speaker only 3/4 inch thick possibly work ... is there a downside to this approach?
To answer these questions and many more, the Magnepan 60 day satisfaction guarantee is a chance for you to experience ... first hand... what this new technology can do for your audio/video system ... in your home ... at your leisure.
If you want to climb to an even higher level of performance, you can move up to a better model at a Magneplanar dealer in your area for up to a year.
Depending on the model you purchase, you can receive up to full credit from Magnepan for your MMGs.
Five-hundred-fifty bucks per pair is the price.
Magnepan is selling the MMG direct!
That's right! By mail!!-or at least UPS.
For only $599 with a 60 day "if you don't like 'em send 'em back guarantee." You also get a 100% trade-in allowance if you buy another, presumably larger, pair at your dealer within one year. What a deal!
These mini-Mags are the smallest speakers that Magnepan makes - they even have the great quasiribbon tweeter/mid-range. Their size may be small but their sound is BIG.
In preparation for this review, I listened to a number of speakers in the price range. (And remember, with ordinary box speakers you have to figure another one or two hundred dollars for stands. The MMG's are , of course, floor standing and thus require no stinking stands.) I have yet to hear any other competitive speakers that sound as real, or as natural as the mini-Mags. In order to b your attention in a dealer show m, the box speakers have a
boosted bass and exaggerated highs. Take one of these boxes home and see how long it takes you to tire of boomy one note bass and ear splitting treble.
Let's face it, there are few - very few - good $599 speakers out there. Most of them will make Bonnie Raitt sound like Lyle Lovett, and they will not have the definition and imagery, breadth or depth of sound stage that a planar speaker can give you. On the MMG's, a Steinway will sound like a Steinway and not like that old spinet in your uncle's basement.
Buy these! They are one of the true bargains in audio. And then in three or four months when you've become as hooked on planar sound as I am, truck 'em on down to your Magneplanar dealer and trade 'em in (remember that 100% trade-in allowance) on some bigger and better Maggies.