Instruction manual

WWW.THEABSOLUTESOUND.COM 75
Y
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. So what can a guy like me add? Just this: Having lived with the MG 20
and now the 20.1 for a combined 13 years, I’m hoping I can provide some real-world
insight to anyone looking for a state-of-the-art loudspeaker at a fair price.
Magnepan’s flagship, the 20.1 is tall, thin, and sexy (my longed for, but never
attained, physical state)—the audio equivalent of the plasma video screen. The speak-
er consists of three large drivers mounted vertically on a board, with no enclosure save
for a wooden frame. The ribbon tweeter occupies the space between one vertical end
piece of the frame and a vertical dividing strip, while the midrange/woofer panel
occupies the larger space between the dividing strip and the other vertical end piece
of the frame. This box-free design eliminates resonance and the colorations intro-
duced by typical loudspeaker enclosures.
1
The “diplanar” bass panel is the largest of the three drivers—some 786 square-
inches in size. This low-mass Mylar diaphragm is infused with evenly spaced wires
(which carry the music signals) and suspended between magnets (which provide the
power). Unlike electrostatics, planar-magnetic designs do not require large trans-
formers or a connection to an AC outlet to drive the panel. The 137 square-inch
“quasi-ribbon” planar-magnetic midrange, although physically attached to one side
of the bass panel, is of somewhat different construction and is driven separately from
the bass driver. Unlike previous versions of the MG 20, the midrange panels of the
20.1 incorporate a true push-pull magnet structure. The improvement in midrange
clarity and definition is the most salient difference between current and prior ver-
sions of the speaker.
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. Not only does the acoustic space sound lifelike, so do the sizes and place-
Magnepan MG 20.1
Loudspeaker
A fresh look at a perennial audiophile
favorite.
Donald Saltzman
equipment report
The 20.1 is tall, thin, and sexy (my longed for,
but never attained, physical state).
1
Many Maggie owners bemoan the fact that the speaker somewhat flexes on its feet when pushed from the top. I have seen and heard many attempted solutions to this so-called
“problem,” generally consisting of complete rebuilds of the entire frame, with mixed sonic results (generally very detailed but somewhat dry). I am looking forward to trying the much
simpler and modestly priced foot and bracing system manufactured by Mye Sound (myesound.com), which consists of metal feet that will accept spikes and metal brackets that attach
well up the back side panels of the speakers.