Buying used Magnepan MMG speakers, what do I need to know??

[kahler]

I’ve been craving some new speakers and I really like Magnepans. A pair is up on a semi local craigslist (2 1/2 hours from me).

I know older Magnepan speakers need to be reglued sometimes, right?? Is that the case with the MMGs as well? I know Maggies well enough to know that I want some, but I don’t know them well enough to know what all to look for.

Any insight or experiences are welcome. Thanks!

 

[WillMeyer]

It is doubtful that the seller would let you remove the socks for a visual inspection.
I would think you could gently feel through the fabric at the top and bottom to see if you can feel any upturned wires peeling off the mylar.

And of course listen. If the wires are lifting you might hear a buzz at certain frequencies - especially at deep bass notes.

 

[JoeESP9]

Take a "good" flashlight with you. You'll be able to see if there is delamination.

Note: Older Magnepans have the diaphragm behind the panel holding the magnets. Newer models have the diaphragm in front of the panel. The 20.x and 30.x models are push pull. The diaphragm is between the magnet holding panels

 

[RTally]

I have a pair of MMG I bought new in 2002. They are fine. I am listening to them now. A good amp makes a world of difference.

You can lightly press down on the grill cloth at the top and bottom to ensure that there is no delamination or separation of the woofer coil from the mylar. The seller may not like it, but if I had doubts, I would want to do it.

It is my understanding that most of the problems with the glue and coils were solved in the 90s. The MG-1i I bought new in the 80's had very audible problems within 10 years. I got rid of them before I knew it was repairable.

 

[Porkloin]

If you've got a nice shop and an organic cartridge respirator, dive right into an old pair of Maggies.
If not, your time and well being are more valuable than just bucking up for a new pair.
ADDENDUM: Don't forget a pair of mylar gloves - that acetone will pass through anything else in about 5 seconds to 5 minutes.

 

[Johnny_Law]

In my experience there are only two kinds of older Magnepans - those that have already been rebuilt, or those that will need to be rebuilt.

I would budget for rebuilding them regardless - and hey, rebuilding them is fun!

When they are done and firing on all cylinders they are a real treat.

 

[a_retent]

I bought my MMGs more than 5+ years ago for $350 to include everything...and I mean EVERYthing. It wasn't a killer deal but very fair. Delam problems had been addressed, at that time by Magnepan, with adhesive containing UV and other inhibitors to minimize/combat the issue. My MMGs still work great and no delam.
However, for around $700 zords you can get a brand new pair of LRSs delivered to your door with a money back guarantee/warranty and I think an upgrade to the next model within a year.

So unless those MMGs are $350 or less I would move on to the next '"deal ".

 

[Wolverine]

If you are allowed to test them then bring some music with very deep Bass. If you hear any buzzing or distortion then you probably have some delamination.

 

[Stephen300]

Take a "good" flashlight with you. You'll be able to see if there is delamination.

^ This.... That's how I was able to tell that my MG-1.5QRs had delaminated.

 

[muziekfreak]

I’ve been craving some new speakers and I really like Magnepans. A pair is up on a semi local craigslist (2 1/2 hours from me).

I know older Magnepan speakers need to be reglued sometimes, right?? Is that the case with the MMGs as well? I know Maggies well enough to know that I want some, but I don’t know them well enough to know what all to look for.

Any insight or experiences are welcome. Thanks!

As A magnepan nut myself (I own the tympani 1, mmgi and mg2 )

removing socks is impossible, these speakers are the epitome of simplicity. The socks, on every single magnepan is stapled on the underside of the frame itself. And when I say stapled, I mean someone gets paid handsomely to put 40 staples in a row so it seems.,

Older magnepans, tend to delaminate. So the voice coil wires tend to delaminate from the Mylar. DO NOT LET THAT STOP you from purchasing. It’s a easy fix, and hardly costly. Magnepan supports all their current, and past products. Just call them and ask for a rebuild kit, you can also get new socks. In a few colors of choice.

However in bad shape, I would not pay more than 200 for the set. 300-350 in good shape. The mmg and mmgi (improved model) these should not have delamination issues. It’s mostly to 70ts and 80ts models..

It does make good negotiable deals, I bought mine in mint condition for 300usd. I use them as side channels..


Also to test just play some music It become evident if they are delaminated or not. It does NOT distort, you will have the wires hitting the Mylar and a distinct “rrrr” sound will be presented to you. Mostly these speakers delaminate on the top or very bottom of the speakers (where the wire make it “U“turns .

They are step in magnepans, a great start in planars and add a sub or dual subs . You got something really nice to listen too imho

 

[kahler]

Awesome. Thanks for the info ya’ll. The price seems reasonable but if I can talk the seller down at all, I think we might have a deal:.

 

[RTally]

If you are allowed to test them then bring some music with very deep Bass. If you hear any buzzing or distortion then you probably have some delamination.

Generally, this is good advice, but . . . Magnepans require a very good amp. Not just any amp and most likely not any receiver will drive these speakers to the level they are capable of. I know that was my case for while. I've tried receivers, and while the MMG sounded good, they were not great. And it is not just power, but current capability. A 40 watt NAD works for me, as does a 200 watt Denon dual mono amp. I disconnected my subwoofer because I am now satisfied with their bass response.

It may be that the seller does not have an amp up to the job. So giving a listen with seller's setup may only tell you if the coils have a problem. I would not base a buying decision on how the speakers' SQ is using the seller's equipment.

 

[kahler]

It may be that the seller does not have an amp up to the job. So giving a listen with seller's setup may only tell you if the coils have a problem. I would not base a buying decision on how the speakers' SQ is using the seller's equipment.

I totally agree in regards to sellers equipment. I remember buying a turntable (from an AK’er nonetheless) and the counterweight was mounted upside down and it had this horrible dj cart with tribal graphics on it. It sounded BAD!!! But I knew the table had serious potential, I bought it anyways and I set it up correctly with a real cartridge on it and it is still my #1. Funny that guy tried to give me advice on it.

I have an Adcom Gfa 545ii that I would use with the Maggie’s. My understanding is this would at least be a fair match that could handle the load.

 

[muziekfreak]

Generally, this is good advice, but . . . Magnepans require a very good amp. Not just any amp and most likely not any receiver will drive these speakers to the level they are capable of. I know that was my case for while. I've tried receivers, and while the MMG sounded good, they were not great. And it is not just power, but current capability. A 40 watt NAD works for me, as does a 200 watt Denon dual mono amp. I disconnected my subwoofer because I am now satisfied with their bass response.

It may be that the seller does not have an amp up to the job. So giving a listen with seller's setup may only tell you if the coils have a problem. I would not base a buying decision on how the speakers' SQ is using the seller's equipment.

It’s slightly overstated really, they are low sensitivity speakers but the impedance it relatively linear throughout the entire frequency curve,

you really don’t need a crazy beast to drive a mmg. If you’re talking about a tympani . The story becomes different that’s a grand total of 6 panels. Measuring 6ft tall drivers pretty much.

a magnepans like higher current, most amps should have no problem powering them.

 

[muziekfreak]

I totally agree in regards to sellers equipment. I remember buying a turntable (from an AK’er nonetheless) and the counterweight was mounted upside down and it had this horrible dj cart with tribal graphics on it. It sounded BAD!!! But I knew the table had serious potential, I bought it anyways and I set it up correctly with a real cartridge on it and it is still my #1. Funny that guy tried to give me advice on it.

I have an Adcom Gfa 545ii that I would use with the Maggie’s. My understanding is this would at least be a fair match that could handle the load.

Anything Nelson build should be able
To drive a mmg with ease.

 

[Wolverine]

Generally, this is good advice, but . . . Magnepans require a very good amp. Not just any amp and most likely not any receiver will drive these speakers to the level they are capable of. I know that was my case for while. I've tried receivers, and while the MMG sounded good, they were not great. And it is not just power, but current capability. A 40 watt NAD works for me, as does a 200 watt Denon dual mono amp. I disconnected my subwoofer because I am now satisfied with their bass response.

It may be that the seller does not have an amp up to the job. So giving a listen with seller's setup may only tell you if the coils have a problem. I would not base a buying decision on how the speakers' SQ is using the seller's equipment.

True - The seller may be selling them because they don't have the right equipment to drive them properly. I would think that even at low volume on a underpowered amp or receiver a recording with deep Bass will still reveal an issue but it will be harder to hear.

 

[Robbie_uC]

Magnepans MMGs are fantastic speakers. If they are old, you may need to take the socks off and apply new adhesive to the conductive traces and Mylar. If they need to be repaired, you’ll typically hear distortion/fluttering at around 100-200Hz.

Magnepans have a relatively constant input impedance of 4 ohms, which makes them mostly resistive load (of course, there is still reactance, but it is minimal). I drive mine with a kenwood KA-5700, which is not really all that powerful, however, it provides a continuously low output impedance due to its negative feedback circuitry. This is all that is really important - an amplifier with a very low output impedance at any frequency. I doubt you’ll be driving these speakers at power levels above 3 watts.

Point is, you can power these things at levels all the way down to 300mW in a small room and it’ll be enough for most situations. They are some of the best speakers ever made.