hp’s workshop Magnepan MG-20.1 Loudspeaker crambling around to find out what I had said about the original version of M ag n ep a n’s MG-20, I was a bit startled to learn that this top-of-the-line Maggie was introduced a decade ago. Ten year s is an audio lifetime between model improvements, and while the Point One was shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas two years ago, it is just now making its way to the marketplace.
hp’s workshop forte region.* The midrange section of the original was dynamically the most compressed (the “slowest,” if you will), while the bass panel, despite the flapping, was dy n a m i c a l ly more re s p o n s ive. I f you’re ahead of me, you can readily guess that the midrange of the 20 sounded somewhat veiled in comparison with the elements at either end of the frequency range, even as it exhibited quite low coloration, or what I would call freedom from character.
hp’s to just stick the things somewhere and, voila!, perfect sound forever. But the sonic improvements one can achieve by taking the time to set them up optimally are so audible, it justifies the time. (You may wish, as I routinely do here, to use transparent tape to denote the exact positioning of the speakers in case they get moved—not difficult to do since they are more bulky in size than heavy.
hp’s In a sense, to roll out an old cliché, I’m putting the cart before the horse in describing some of the changes that Winey has made to the 20s. These changes were perfectly obvious from the outset in my listening sessions. The most significant one, from both a sonic and dynamic standpoint, lay in his decision (finally!) to operate the midrange driver in pushpull fashion, rather than single-endedly.
equipment report Magnepan MG 20.1 Loudspeaker A fresh look at a perennial audiophile favorite. Donald Saltzman ou’re probably asking yourself, “What can this guy tell me about Magnepan speakers that I don’t already know?” After all, this magazine has reviewed various Maggie loudspeakers over the years—raves all— and the 20.1 is the basis of HP’s favorite surround-sound system. Moreover, the $12,000 20.1 was The Absolute Sound’s Product of the Year in 2003.
equipment report ment of instruments on the stage. And unlike most speakers, the space and performers sit at a realistic height relative to your listening position—neither lower than stage height nor beaming down on you as if suspended from the rafters. While no A few words are in order about amplification. Simply put: the more power, the better. home sound system can truly convince you orchestra is laid out before you, the 20.
equipment report Trying the 20.1s with the Pass Active Crossover he stock Magnepan crossover works well enough, but I have always wanted to try an active crossover with the 20.1. Pass Laboratories was kind enough to oblige by sending me its XVR1. This is a serious piece of gear, consisting of two beautifully finished chassis (the crossover network itself and a separate power supply).
equipment report The most addictive qualities of the 20.1 are its even top-to-bottom tonal balance and realistic portrayal of the soundfield in which the recording was made. All of the qualities of the 20.1 are highlighted by recordings such as Mahler’s Das Knaben Wunderhorn [EMI LP], a sensational Christopher Parker recording. The stage is open, lush, and airy, and the walls of your room will effectively disappear (sonically speaking, of course).
equipment report S P E C I F I C AT I O N S Type: Three-way planar-magnetic speaker Driver complement: Ribbon tweeter, quasiribbon midrange, planar-magnetic bass Frequency Response: 25Hz–40kHz Sensitivity: 85dB Impedance: 4 ohms Recommended power: 100–300 watts Dimensions: 29" x 79" x 2.06" Weight: 90 lbs.
MAGNEPLANAR® MG20.1 Instruction Manual White Bear Lake, Minnesota www.magnepan.
1. INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your purchase. The Magneplanar® MG20.1 loudspeaker was conceived and designed for perfectionists. One of the most revealing loudspeakers made, the MG20.1 will provide outstanding music reproduction when used With high quality components. 2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION Your Magneplanar MG20.1 speaker system consists of a pair of mirrorimaged, Fabric and wood trimmed panels, labeled "1'' and "2'' (for identification).
5. PACKAGING Save all packaging, including ribbon tweeter packing! If you need to transport the speaker they can be shipped safely only in the original packaging. You may never have to ship or move your loudspeakers, but should the occasion arise, they should not be shipped in any packaging but the original. Should you discard it, factory packaging is available, including the special packaging for the ribbon tweeters. 6. ASSEMBLY You will note there are 4 wooden handles with threaded shafts.
B) Locate the four holes in the fabric along back side of the panel. C) Note that one section of the support feet is slightly longer than the other. Place the longer section toward the front of the speaker. D) Align the holes in the foot with the holes in the panel. Using your fingers, insert the bolts through the foot and into the panel until they engage nuts in the panel. Care should be taken so the bolts do not cross-thread. Final tightening is done with a No. 2 Phillips screwdriver.
7. RIBBON TWEETER The foil element in your MG20.1 line source tweeter is only .00015" thick, and is very fragile. Handle with extreme care. PLEASE READ FUSING ON PAGE 5. To lessen the risk of damage, the ribbon tweeters are shipped separately. Refer to the following instructions for installation. RIBBON TWEETER INSTALLATION / REMOVAL INSTALLATION A. Mer the speaker has been stood upright, install the new ribbon tweeter in the frame. Serial number label must be at the bottom. B. Insert the screws.
8. FUSING Your MG20.1's have been shipped with 3 amp fuses installed for the tweeter, and 5 amp fuses for the midrange. The fuses are Type 3AG normal blow fuses, and should never be replaced with slow blow fuses. The maximum MIDRANGE fuse value shown on the speaker terminal plate is 5 amps. Under no circumstances should you exceed this value, or use slow blow fuses- doing so will invalidate your warranty.
D. Bi-Wiring Option. Bi-wiring requires two sets of speaker cables. They may be identical, or one set may be specialized for high frequencies and the other specialized for low frequencies. 1. Remove both jumpers on the XO20.1 Crossover. 2. Connect one set of cables to the low cable input and the other set to the high cable input. Connect the other end of the cables together (observe +/- polarity), and connect to one channel of the amplifier outputs.
With the crossover points set as listed above, the power requirements for the bass and mid/treble amps are nearly the same. Therefore, use amplifiers of similar power rating. It is suggested to use amplifiers rated at 100 watts RMS or greater, into 8 ohms. Some amplifiers invert is phased correctly between phase and this test serves to double-check the entire system the bass and midrange. 12.
BASS RESPONSE lf you do not have access to a spectrum analyzer, play a record with a repetitive bass line (preferably an acoustical bass instrument). Try the speakers in several parts of the room. Start experimenting with the speakers about 3 feet from the back wall. Try moving the speakers forward or backward by increments of 6 to 12 inches at a time. One part of the room should be noticeably better than the rest, as should one distance from the rear wall.
14. OPTIONAL RIBBON TWEETER ATTENUATION There are two principal reasons for needing to attenuate the Magneplanar Ribbon Tweeter: A) Recordings, typically in the ''pop'' or ''rock'' vein, often exhibit a pronounced rise in the treble region. B) The Magneplanar Ribbon Tweeter is very efficient in its total ''energy dispersion." If the surrounding walls are exceptionally reflective, the overall perceived acoustical balance will be tipped towards a ''hot'' high end.
17. TWEETER REPLACEMENT Because the foil element in your MG20.1 line source tweeter is only .00015 inches thick, it is very fragile. Some users will never require a replacement tweeter. Failure will generally occur from mishandling, or from improper fusing. Users who frequently push the 3 amp tweeter fuse capacity will be the most likely to experience early failure. The tweeter has been designed to be easily replaced, requiring only a screwdriver. The time required should be less than 30 minutes.
18. MG20.
