Magnepan Mini Maggie Desktop Speaker System (Playback 48)
The World’s Best Desktop Speaker System
September 7th, 2011 -- by Chris MartensSource: Playback
The system is no slouch when handling modern pop recordings, as I discovered when I put on Imogen Heap’s “Bad Body double” from Ellipse [RCA]. Part of what makes this track work, apart from Heap’s catchy hooks and sly, wryly humorous vocals, is the sheer richness of the techno-pop textures, details, and effects it employs. I was so impressed with the Mini Maggie’s handling of these elements that I simply jotted this note: “The ‘atmospherics’ on this track are phenomenal,” rich in their layering and detail, yet well integrated with the musical whole. About the only area in which I found the Mini Maggie system’s performance less than stellar involved some of the downright subterranean synth-bass washes found on the track, which either went missing or sounded “good, but a little too subdued.” But the overarching point I hope to make is that, as you listen to the Mini Maggie system, you may find yourself compelled to evaluate it by the very same standards you would normally use to judge large and extremely expensive multi-thousand-dollar full-range high-end speakers. In short, the Mini Maggie system is so good that it invites, and frankly demands, such comparisons.
CONCLUSION
Consider this system if: you like the idea of enjoying true, world-class sound from a three-piece desktop system that costs a tick under $1500. In a very real way, this system combines the resolution, detail and focus of top-tier headphones, with imaging and soundstaging characteristics similar to those of full-size loudspeakers. At this moment in time, the Mini Maggie package is the finest desktop speaker system in the world.
Look further if: you question whether desktop listening is really right for you (in our experience desktop systems “click” for some music lovers but not for others), or if you are unwilling to support the Mini Maggie system with appropriately good ancillary equipment (this system is by no means fussy, but it is very, very revealing). Otherwise, you’d be crazy not to consider this little giant killer.
BOTTOM LINE
We believe the Mini Maggie system is the finest desktop speaker system presently available. It comes closer than any other system ever has to the elusive goal of offering world-class sound at an Everyman price. Even if you think desktop audio might not be your cup of tea, you owe it to yourself to hear this system, just for the joy of experiencing what is likely to remain a benchmark product for years to come.
SPECS & PRICING
Magnepan Mini Maggie Desktop Speaker System
Type: 3-way planar magnetic/true ribbon speaker system
Frequency Response: 40Hz – 40 kHz
Sensitivity:
• Desktop modules: 86 dB/500Hz/2.83V
• Woofer module: 86 dB/50Hz/2.83V
Impedance: 4 Ohms, desktop and woofer modules
Dimensions:
• Desktop modules (H x W x D): 14” x 9” x 1.25”
• Woofer module (H x W x D): 19.25 x 22.5” x 1.25”
Weight (complete three-piece system): 41 lbs.
Warranty: Limited Three-year, to original owner
Price: $1490
Magnepan Inc.
(651) 625-1425
www.magnepan.com
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Comments
Going to need a lot of desk top and open real estate around this 2.1 system. I'll just stick to my Harbeth PS3's. FWIW...I was a Maggie owner for 20+ years thru 3 different models. Great speakers in the right (big) room.
Review sounds very promising. What electronics did you use to drive them? Did you play computer-stored files? While the price might seem a bit high, for those of us who spend a considerable time with our desktop computers, these speakers could make the experience much more enjoyable.
i bought a few of these Monsoons, at 15 bills is sure hard to put them on your desk, mind as well put $ into the big system, be honest when u really working do u need such a good system?
I find I cant enjoy the music at work only use them to avoid quietness, whilst at home I put away worries any really enjoy!
Then again for the Nouveau riche u need name brand and top of the line thing to aggravate your friends though.
Maggies were also know to be real pigs for power, I had a pair of SMG circa 80s. They're nice but bass kind of lacking then.
Sounds like [well, reads like but yaknow what I mean] this desktop system would similarly perform exceedingly well with a freestanding [not wall mounted] HDTV and give accompanying audio justice to a brilliant video picture. Think it will work with the L & R speakers on pedestals?
The word from Magnepan is that they can be used on stands, but while they've found that they can work surprisingly well as woofer/satellite systems in small rooms, they were designed primarily as near field speakers and they don't really know yet how they'll work out in a range of applications. So they're recommending that if you want to try this, you work out some kind of arrangement with your dealer, because they don't want customers to be disappointed after buying them for an application for which they weren't designed. Also, they say that there are some forthcoming reviews that try them in a woofer/satellite configuration, so you may want to wait for those.
My personal take on it is that it makes sense to wait until there's been more field experience and reviews. Wendell Diller of Magnepan says some reviews are coming that try them in a woofer/satellite configuration.
What amplifier(s) and source components did you use in this test?
The Monsoon brand computer desktop planar speakers + subwoofer go back to 2000-2001 and were developed by Bruce Thigpen of Eminent Technology (based on original multimedia computer speakers from 1995). I'd love to see you do a comparison between the two systems (although the Monsoon would be at a disadvantage since it used a BASH amplifier for the sub & satellites).
I have and love the Monsoons, but I doubt they're in the same league as the Mini Maggies -- no ribbon tweeter, and a ported (or in my 2000's passive radiator) woofer rather than the planar woofer on the Mini-Maggies. Of course, they cost only $200, as opposed $1500, so I wouldn't expect them to. Eminent did sell a higher-end computer speaker for $500, AFAIK they aren't made anymore.
I have the Harbeth P3ESR's on my desk with a full NuForce system/DAC running off my MacBook Pro and can't wait to get the Mini Maggie system, it sounds like a new advance for near field listening, which I enjoy immensely. Great review Chris, thanks
But I wonder what the DAW market is going to do with these. I like the fact that the speakers are claiming to be the worlds best.
http://www.youtube.com/user/imickey503
I was wondering the same thing.
I've read all the glowing reviews of nearly all of Magnepan's loudspeakers. I've never owned one but I'm seriously considering it now. My only reservation is in the areas of dynamics and dynamic contrast. Lets take the Maggie Pups or Minis for example. In a small room would it really beat conventional design from the likes of say Proac Response, Totem, Sonus Faber, Dynaudio, etc. in the areas mentioned (i.e. dynamics and dynamic contrast) ? Thanks in advance.
Not in dynamics. Of course, this depends on the model -- a big Maggie model will outpunch a small dynamic speaker. But dynamics and bass extension are the two areas in which conventional speakers tend to have an advantage over planars.
Bass extension of course can be extended with a sub, so I don't think it's that significant a limitation.
Thanks Josh. WIll planars fry or suffer permanent damage if played loud on highly dynamic material like movies with explosions and gunshots?
Not Maggies, generally the worst that will happen is that the woofer diaphragm will slap the magnets (loud sound but no harm) or the tweeter fuse will blow. It's possible to damage the true ribbon in the most expensive Maggie models (3.7 and 20.7) with amplifier clipping, apparently the speaker fuse doesn't always get that. But for that reason, the true ribbons are designed to be easily replaced and from what I've seen it isn't a problem unless something goes wrong (e.g., clipping). Normally the fuse will go first. Of greater concern I think for movie use is that if you really push explosions and stuff you'll bottom out the woofer, which as I said doesn't sound good. I think for movies, you generally want to use Maggies with a dynamic sub. You can switch it out of the path for music if you find that it colors the sound (it isn't easy to find a sub that matches the clarity of planar bass -- in general, sealed subs are better than ported, and subs designed for music reproduction rather than movies). One possibility is to use the sub in the bottom octave for music and with a higher crossover for movies. It's hard to generalize here since the larger the planar, the more bass it produces on its own, generally each model will have 5 Hz more of bass extension but more important than that more slam. I used to use my Tympanis, which have huge woofers, on movies all the time and they were just great, I didn't want a sub.
So I wouldn't worry about the robustness of the planars any more than I would the robustness of dynamic speakers, the real concern here is whether a give model plays loud enough or low enough for your needs.
Sorry but if you compare DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR nothing play's like a panel, you may not get BIG BOOMY BASS but you will get real true bass panels have enough bass for 95% of audiophiles whe are sorry for the other 5% ( Peter Walker Quad )