Magnepan Mini Maggie Loudspeaker System (TAS 223)
Desktop Aces, Small Room Marvels
July 24th, 2012 -- by Chris MartensSource: The Absolute Sound
Without a doubt the White Bear Lake, Minnesota-based firm Magnepan has been on a roll over the past few years. First came the 1.7 floorstanders ($1995/pair), which Jonathan Valin described as “the most lifelike speakers I’ve heard in their price range—or anywhere near it.” Next came the even more impressive 3.7 floorstanders ($5500/pair), which Mr. Valin described as “the best buy in hi-fi at the moment,” and that our founder Harry Pearson called “the best buy in hi-fi of all time.” Now, Magnepan has rolled out its new flagship 20.7 floorstander ($13,850/pair), of which TAS’ Jacob Heilbrunn has written, “I defy you to find (a speaker) at up to five times the cost with the scale and realism of the 20.7.” All three of these tall, thin, dipolar loudspeakers are capable of delivering a big, pure, life-like sound that is eerily coherent, and of doing so while delivering exceptional value for money. But strangely enough, the firm has also recently released a fourth new model—the compact, three-piece Mini Maggie desktop speaker system ($1490), which for some reason has gone largely unnoticed. This review will explore the strengths and weaknesses of the Mini Maggie system and explain why—for certain listening scenarios—it just might be the most desirable Magnepan of all.
At the heart of the Mini Maggie system are a pair of small (9.625" x 14.25"), two-way “satellite” dipole speakers, each featuring a 4.5" x 8.5" planar magnetic midrange driver and a .8" x 6.7" ribbon tweeter (a shortened version of the very same tweeter used in the more costly 3.7 and 20.7). Like the large Magnepans, the Mini Maggie satellites are built as a mirrorimaged pair, so that listeners have the options of listening with tweeters oriented outward or inward. Then, to complete the package, Magnepan includes its moderately sized (19.25" x 22.5") DWM single-panel, dual-channel, dipolar mid/bass module. The DWM includes built-in crossovers that enable it to work with the Mini Maggie (and several other Magnepan products), so that the game plan is to connect both your left- and right-channel speaker cables to the DWM, and then run “stub” cables out from the DWM modules to the left and right satellites.
One key point to understand is that, from Day One, the entire system was designed specifically for ultra-high-performance desktop listening applications. In practice this means the satellites would be placed on the desktop and toed-in toward the listener, while the DWM panel would be placed on the floor below the satellites, within the footwell of the desk. In short, the Mini Maggie rig is meant for near-field listening environments, where the listener would be seated roughly two-to-four feet away. Some listeners (and Magnepan dealers) have wondered whether the Mini Maggie package might also be used as sat/woofer system for whole-room listening scenarios and we will tackle that question later on. But for now, let’s focus on tips for getting best results from the system on desktops.
Set-up requirements for the system are very simple, but there are some practical guidelines listeners will want to bear in mind. First, note that the Mini Maggie satellites, like Magnepan’s larger dipole speakers, need a fair amount of “breathing room” to sound their best, meaning it’s best to avoid scenarios where the satellite panels are backed up to within a few inches of nearby walls. Ideally, the Mini Maggie satellites should have several feet of open air space behind them for best sonic results. If, however, your room/desk arrangement is such that near-wall placement is necessary, contact Magnepan beforehand to seek advice. The firm may be able to recommend (or perhaps supply) suitable damping materials that could be placed on the walls behind the satellites to help tame early reflections.
Next, note that the compact, floor-standing DWM mid/ bass module is more than just a “woofer” and that, as a dipole speaker, it absolutely does not behave the way a box-type woofer would. Because the DWM contributes a significant amount of discrete left- and right-channel midrange information to support the system’s satellites, you’ll want to make a point of positioning the DWM in a central location, so that it is equidistant from the two Mini Maggie satellites. I’ve heard anecdotal reports of some listeners (and even dealers) trying to push the DWM off to one side of the room or the other—an approach that in my experience gives unsatisfactory (indeed, unacceptable) results. Remember, then, that the DWM must go in the center and below the satellites (any other location can cause imaging to become skewed and incoherent).
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Comments
Chris,
Accurate review but the speakers can be somewhat irritating as well - causing serious wallet depletion as you discover that what you thought was top notch sound, isn't, as I discovered when I started to become aware of the compromises with the MF Vlink (the first version) when playing music via the PC. (I use Audiogate software to playback music files).
Your observations about amplifier power are indeed also correct - you really need enormous buckets of power. I run Roger Sanders' Magtech amplifier (Accuphase C2110 pre) and turning up the volume a smidge causes the Magtech to get very hot, almost untouchable, and this at the designed listening environment listening to a music performance that is realistic - rather than Hi Fi which generally means crystal clear, but loud, levels you tend to hear at Hi Fi shows. That's the hallmark of accurate sound reproduction - doesn't appear loud per se, but golly gosh, do you realise it when you discover the power amplfier stressing its heat sinks.
It is eery hearing musical instruments with the bass coming from the audio image rather than from the woofer module under the desk - so your description is most apt - headphones with 3D.
There are many ways to skin a cat and years ago I experimented with my own version of Stig Carlsson's ortho-acoustic speakers. Line sources, Dipoles, or ideas like Kef's Blade are all variations of a theme in trying to make the room colouration disappear, but after running in the Qol signal completion unit (I have it between the pre and power), I had not thought it possible to get much of an improvement with the mini maggies in their present configuration - how wrong I was. The Qol does increase the measured volume a little, as this is easily verified by measurement, but I've also noticed that as as the Qol gets run in, the volume jump becomes less obvious as a volume change per se which other reviewers have noticed, but as a boost in the ambience level as well as expanding the aural image in all directions.
The Mini Maggies are indeed state of the art in their category but at the same time are merciless in amplifying any short comings in the rest of the equipment as I discovered with the USB circuit - the MF unit being replaced with an Alpha USB.
PS. I just added a Thor PS10 Power Station, designed in Australia but made in China, to power the Magtech (Sorry Roger) and Qol units, the preamplifer, tuner (both Accuphase) and Korg recorder powered by an inverter. Immediate impression ? A decrease in "bite" to the sound (listening to FM) and a denser silence which might be interpreted as the absence of subsonic noise due to accurate supply voltages supplied by the Thor PS10. The Magtech thus sounds more valve like in this configuration, in the sense of a more buttery-like sound.
These observations add further weight to the idea that, maybe, the Mini Maggies might be an Absolute in this listening environment.
I hasten to add that there are some acoustic problems listening to near field loudspeakers related to loudness perceptions of frequencies. I mentiond above that if I turned the volume control on the preamp up a little, the Sanders Magtech starts to get uncomfortably hot, a point which I mentioned in an email correspondence with Roger Sanders. What I had not mentioned was the fact I also activated the preamp loudness facility, for the simple fact that at the volume levels one listens to at these near-field situations, when listening to an FM signal, for example, that the volume level one initially sets is based on the perception of the spoken voice of the announcer, and the level, or volume, is set so that listening to the announcer is the same as if you were in the same room at the time of the recording. Then the music starts, and you immediately notice that there isn't any bass coming out of your hi fi. Well, hardly surprising, and quantified by the measured loudness curve of acoustic perception, but in terms of the Mini Maggies means that due to our natural hearing limitations, listening to these speakers at realistic levels, not hi fi ones, that loudness compensation has to be applied to the signal. The problem this adjustment causes is that an enormous amount of amplifer power is needed to reproduce the recording, and in my case, the Magtech hasn't enough. (And God help us if we have to enjoy our hobby under an energy sustainable environment).
The foregoing is based on listening to natural acoustical recordings, but not synthesised ones electronically, by the way.
LH
Louis Hissink
Chris,
I've seen a number of reviews for the mini Maggies as both desktop and small room speakers but have yet to see anyone review their ability to act as surround speakers in a system coupled with larger Magnepan fronts. Not having the space (or the WAF) to add a pair of MMGs that are sitting in storage, I wonder how the minis would stack up?
It might be interesting to see what would happen if you used them in the near field, e.g., at either side of and behind your couch or listening chair. Not sure how you'd handle the woofer, maybe put the side speaker woofer behind or get a second DWM. But -- they do need some breathing room behind, so if you don't have room to pull MMG's out from the wall, the on-walls might be a better choice.
What did you use as components with mini's I don't see it in article
Thx
Al
Hi DrJazz DO,
I tried many different combinations but one of my favorites (admittedly a combo that represented a bit of overkill) included:
1) A NuForce-modified Oppo BDP-83 used as a digital transport,
2) An Antelope Audio Zodiac Gold DAC/Preamp with Voltikus power supply, and
3) A pair of NuForce Reference 18 monoblock power amps.
You don't need gear that costly in order to make the Mini-Maggies sing, but it certainly was fun.
Best, Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the wonderful review on the mini-maggies. I have a system where the LR are 3.7 while the center is CC5 with a DWM. Unfortunately the match between the center and LR is not perfect. I can hear the difference between the center and the LR channel. Most of the difference is due to the ribbon tweeter. It is not distracting however but noticeable when one listen to it carefully on music sound track. Do you think that one can use the mini-maggies as a center speaker for the 3.7, seeing that it has the true ribbon tweeter. Can the mini-maggies(with the two satelite speakers) match the power output of 3.7. And also can one (or two) the small speakers produce the proper sound field pattern to be a proper center channel. I wish I can get the CCr but I can not afford the CCR. I am keen to know what you think.
Thanks,
Ric
Thanks for an excellent, thorough review. You've reinforced my impressions from a much shorter listening session. Hearing this quality of sound on the desktop, from speakers so small, is, well, awesome.
I'm really glad to see the Minis get the attention -- and accolades -- they deserve.
Hello,
This is my first post here in The Absolute Sound. I am doing so because I am very interested in the Mini Maggies as a desktop speaker system but I need some help. I was wondering if any of you out there have been using Sonos as your source. If you have, how well do you think the Sonos Connect:Amp would work with these Mini Maggies? Also, I have one of those Steelcase desks with drawers on both sides. Would I put the Maggie Sub module under this confined desk space and how would it effect the sound? The other idea s that I could forgo the Maggie Sub and replace it with the Sonos Sub? Also, I was wondering how the Mini Maggies compare to the usual near field monitors such as Genelecs and Focals? I also just read a glowing review of the new Ancient Audio Studio Oslo. Lot's of questions, I know, but the last time I bought audio equipment it was the Cambridge Soundworks Model 88CD Radio.. some15 years ago. I don't have a lot of money and I need to get this right the first time. Thanks.
David, I've heard the Mini Maggies and they are spectacular. I don't know any other way to achieve that kind of sound for that kind of money. I haven't heard everything out there, but the reviews pretty much say that the Mini Maggies are the best desktop speaker ever made, and having heard them I don't doubt it.
The Maggie sub is specifically designed to placed in the well of the desk, at the rear, so your steel desk shouldn't cause any problem. The woofer wavelengths are long enough so you don't need line of sight plus the rear wave will reflect. However, AFAIK, the rear of the desk well should be open, if it has a back on it the way some steel desks do I'm not sure what the results would be, I'd call Magnepan and ask, they're very friendly and knowledgeable.
I wouldn't replace the Maggie sub with another, it's part of the magic of the Mini Maggies, and the crossover point is higher than most subs are designed for, above 300 Hz. Also, the crossover network for the satellite panels is built into the Maggie woofer.
The Connect Amp may not work because the Mini Maggies are 4 ohms. I looked at the Sonos site and they only list an 8 ohm rating for the Connect Amp. You could call Sonos and ask if the amp is rated to work into 4 ohms. If not, there are lots of other options, including an amp that Magnepan is now selling.
Finally, I don't know how you have your desk arranged, but the best results with the Minis are achieved if the desk is out from the wall.
Magnepan has a 30-day money back trial now, if you conclude that they can work for you I think you can take advantage of that to make a final decision. But based on what I heard I think I can safely say that if you can set them up and drive them properly per the above, you won't be sending them back.
Thank you, Josh, for the quick and thorough reply. It is much appreciated. Yes, the back of my steel desk is closed so, of course, the Mini Maggies sound would reflect off of it. I should call Magnepan and see if this would cause problems. Also, I am determined to use Sonos as my multi room music source so there has got to be a way I can make it worth with the Mini Maggies. I think I remember reading that Magnepan also encourages using a Wadia 151PowerDAC with the Mini Maggies. Instead of using the Sonos Connect:Amp, maybe I could just use the Sonos Connect (no amp) and use the Wadia? Unfortunately, I am one of those ludites who like plug-and-play systems such as my Model 88 CD Radio so all that you said about ohm's is over my head at the moment. The one part that you said and I understand perfectly is that, yes, my desk is in an open room and not against a wall. That part I got. It's just placing the Maggie Sub against a steel back that could be a problem. Finally, the 30-day money back trial is tempting indeed but that would be putting the cart before the horse. First I need to get an Apple Time Capsule to put all of my music on and then the Sonos Connect. From there, I would build my desktop system out. I have to say, I read a review of the Ancient Audio Studio Oslos and they look pretty sweet too... but my heart lies with these Mini Maggies.
If the back would cause problems, you might able to cut out an opening and mount the woofer in it. Quite elegant, really, I saw an installation like that.
The 4 ohm figure is the impedance of the speaker and it affects the power amp. Audiophile amps can drive 4, 8, or 16 ohm speakers. Mid fi amps, e.g., in home theater receivres, can often drive 8 or 16 ohm speakers -- this is because it costs more to build an amp that can deliver enough current for a 4 ohm speaker.
Anyway, all this means is that the power amp has to be able to drive 4 ohm speakers. If the power amp built into the Sonos Connect Amp can't do that, you can get the Sonos Connect, which doesn't have a built-in amplifier, and use it to feed an external power amplifier. The Wadia 151 would work for that, but you don't need the digital/analog converter in the Wadia since the Sonos Connect already has an analog output, so you might just want to get a regular power amp and feed the analog outputs of the Sonos Connect into that.
BTW, your heart is in the right place! I walked across the hall from hearing the gigantic 3.7's and heard comparable sound coming out of the Mini Maggies. They're mind bogglingly good.
As usual, Josh, you are so darned helpful. Thank you so much. Crazy, I know, but sometimes I am still amazed with the internet and what can happen on it. Look, I met you and your advice and knowledge is so insightful! I have got to figure out a way to make the Mini Maggies work with my desk. My desk is a mini masterpiece too. I also have the greatest lamp ever designed on my desk: an Edouard-Wilfrid Buquet anglepoise lamp. The Mini Maggies would be the cherry on top. Do you have photos of the installation with the cut-out you saw? Thank you too for the clarification of ohm. I should just look it up and learn more about this topic. I know this is besides the point a little bit but looking at the Mini Maggies, form follows function, for the most part, but the oval bases on the speakers look out of place to me. I have now seen many photos of these speakers and the shape of the base seems like an after thought to me.
Doh! I just thought of a problem. I want to use the Sonos as a mult-room set-up. So if I were do get Mini Maggies for my desktop and for every other room in the house, geez, would I have to get the Wadia 151 for every room in the house too? Or could I just use that one Wadia and hook it up to the Sonos and that would be enough. Through the Sonos Connect, could every Mini Maggie be amplified with just one Wadia? If I had to buy a Wadia for every room in the house to hook up to the Maggies, this would be expensive and daunting. So close yet so far.
I do have some photos of that installation, but they don't show the woofer, they're taken from the wrong angle. :-|
I think the Mini Maggie has mounting holes in it that allow you to put it on a stand. So if you don't like the stands they come with, you could make something more attractive and mount them on that, keeping the height and angle the same.
Sounds like you'll have quite the desk when you're done! I have an astounding mahogany desk that I inherited from my grandmother, it's across the room, but I don't use it. It's the largest desk I've ever seen but now that things are computer centric it isn't practical anymore. However, they must have planned ahead, because the wood plate at the rear of the foot well is removable.
Once again, thanks Josh. What about this?
I want to use the Sonos as a mult-room set-up. So if I were do get Mini Maggies for my desktop and for every other room in the house, geez, would I have to get the Wadia 151 for every room in the house too? Or could I just use that one Wadia and hook it up to the Sonos and that would be enough. Through the Sonos Connect, could every Mini Maggie be amplified with just one Wadia? If I had to buy a Wadia for every room in the house to hook up to the Maggies, this would be expensive and daunting. So close yet so far.
Also, if you have photos, please email them to me a davidhunternycatgmaildotcom. Thanks!
Alas, no, the power amp comes after the Sonos. It's what takes the signal from the Sonos (one or two volts -- audio line level) and amplifies it into something that's powerful enough to drive loudspeakers.
You might be able to use a less expensive power amp on the Mini Maggies, but it would still add to the cost of each pair. That's assuming you want to get nice levels out of them. The Minis are best as a desktop speaker but can also work in a smaller room. I used some Monsoons that way -- also desktop planars, though not anywhere as good as the Mini Maggies -- that way. Got three pairs for my stepmother, so she could have music in her kitchen, living room, and office, then used "Y" connectors to string them all to her computer (this was before wireless networked audio). But those were much less expensive speakers with built-in amps. However, they worked nicely for having background music in each room.
OK, sent three photos, let me know if they don't come. Turns out that one of them does show part of the rear of the desk.
Hi Josh, First off, thank you so much for your effort with helping me. I am so sorry I did not get back to you sooner. Yes, I did get your photos but work has distracted me from this stereo project of mine. I am still uncertain about the Mini Maggies for my desk. Having to get the subwoofer and the Wadia will add to the expense quite a bit. What I really need to do is call Magnelplanar and figure out where in NYC I can go listen to this sytem and see if it is right for me. Like I said the Habeth P3ESR and Ancient Audio's Studio Oslos are still in the running. By far the Studio Oslos will look the best on my desk (though not the best sounding of the three). Very stealthy and I could use the Sonos Sub with the Studio Oslos. I believe that the Mini Maggies will sound the best and the Harbeth's not far behind. Any more advice? Please continue to email me. I welcome your expertise so much! All the Best.
Hi David,
Now it's my turn to apologize for the delay in getting back. I haven't heard those other speakers but I think on the basis of the reviews I've read that nothing will touch the Mini Maggie sonically. My own enthusiasm comes from hearing the Mini Maggie myself -- I believe that once you've heard it properly set up, it will be something that you covet. It is that good.
Lyric is the dealer in New York, I'm not sure if they have the Mini Maggies on display. Some dealers don't display them because they require a special setup to sound best, namely, they need to be on a desk or something similar. But you really are covered by the money-back guarantee. Worst case, you'd be out shipping. I wouldn't even suggest that if I hadn't heard them myself and been so impressed by them. I don't know of *any* speaker that will produce that kind of sound for anywhere near that kind of money, whether Magnepan's or anyone else's. They really do sound as good overall as the 3.7's, which are themselves considered an excellent bargain. So I think the chance that you'll be dissatisfied and send them back is small. If that weren't the case, Magnepan wouldn't be able to offer the money back trial.
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