Audiophiles should probably NOT read this. . . *nsfu*
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 646
Likes: 7
From: Black Hills of S. Dakota
Jerry,
Actually those are MGIIIa's from which the current 3.6 derived. Many feel that they sound better than the successors through the 3.5 model with only the 3.6 taking it a small step above. Mine are modded with high quality audiophile caps, etc. in the crossovers.
If you read Stereophile's review of the 3.6
http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/303/
you'll find it reported that the use of a back wall with brick like mine is optimal in handling the rear sound projection of these bipolar radiators.... quite the opposite of lively -
From the review: "It's also been my experience that Maggies in general work best when backed by a solid but irregular wall. Hard plaster and adobe are good, brick and stone are better."
I'm using a Parasound HCA-1200 along with a pair of Odyssey Stratos Monoblocks to biamp the Maggies and drive a 18" sub. Like you, I find the Parasound to be a great amp although I must confess the Monoblocks are a step above - BTW John Curl, who designed the HCA-1200 recently posted on AudioAsylum that he still uses that model to drive his subwoofer.
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/amp/mess...ages/39584.html
Posted by john curl (M) on February 10, 2004 at 18:15:51
I have a 1200 in my system. It drives my subwoofer. It has been in operation for more than 10 years and hasn't given me trouble.
Actually those are MGIIIa's from which the current 3.6 derived. Many feel that they sound better than the successors through the 3.5 model with only the 3.6 taking it a small step above. Mine are modded with high quality audiophile caps, etc. in the crossovers.
If you read Stereophile's review of the 3.6
http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/303/
you'll find it reported that the use of a back wall with brick like mine is optimal in handling the rear sound projection of these bipolar radiators.... quite the opposite of lively -
From the review: "It's also been my experience that Maggies in general work best when backed by a solid but irregular wall. Hard plaster and adobe are good, brick and stone are better."I'm using a Parasound HCA-1200 along with a pair of Odyssey Stratos Monoblocks to biamp the Maggies and drive a 18" sub. Like you, I find the Parasound to be a great amp although I must confess the Monoblocks are a step above -
BTW John Curl, who designed the HCA-1200 recently posted on AudioAsylum that he still uses that model to drive his subwoofer. http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/amp/mess...ages/39584.html
Posted by john curl (M) on February 10, 2004 at 18:15:51
I have a 1200 in my system. It drives my subwoofer. It has been in operation for more than 10 years and hasn't given me trouble.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 933
Likes: 16
From: Tampa, FL
Bob,
Man, I bet that system sounds great. It is too bad we live so far apart. I would love to hear it. I love the Odyssey monoblocks.and that 1200 is just about bulletproof. It is definately a great amp for sub use. John Curl used to post on audioreview.com back when I used to post there. He helped me out quite a bit when I was looking for amps. He is a great guy and an even better amp designer. Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't Maggies dipolar?
Jerry
Man, I bet that system sounds great. It is too bad we live so far apart. I would love to hear it. I love the Odyssey monoblocks.and that 1200 is just about bulletproof. It is definately a great amp for sub use. John Curl used to post on audioreview.com back when I used to post there. He helped me out quite a bit when I was looking for amps. He is a great guy and an even better amp designer. Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't Maggies dipolar?
Jerry
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 646
Likes: 7
From: Black Hills of S. Dakota
Jerry,
Our whole area here is shut down due to a winter storm.
As for the term dipolar taken from dipole, it is more frequently used when discussing antennas and gain/radiation patterns. Bipolar is also a "dual" pattern and the term used when describing speaker radiation characteristics. Essentially we're talking about the very same thing. The Maggies radiate both fore and aft and are helped by controlling rear radiation reflections which could smear the front sound. As said the brick does wonders obviating the need for any other room treatments.
I too have noticed that many of the industry's icons who participate on the net are very helpful. John Curl is a perfect example.
Best
--Bob
Our whole area here is shut down due to a winter storm.
As for the term dipolar taken from dipole, it is more frequently used when discussing antennas and gain/radiation patterns. Bipolar is also a "dual" pattern and the term used when describing speaker radiation characteristics. Essentially we're talking about the very same thing. The Maggies radiate both fore and aft and are helped by controlling rear radiation reflections which could smear the front sound. As said the brick does wonders obviating the need for any other room treatments.
I too have noticed that many of the industry's icons who participate on the net are very helpful. John Curl is a perfect example.
Best
--Bob
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 933
Likes: 16
From: Tampa, FL
Bob A,
I have always understood that bipolar speakers are in phase front and back and dipolar were out of phase. An example of a bipolar speaker would be Definative Tech because they fire in pase front and back. Maggies are a dipolar panel that will fire out of phase in the rear. That is interesting reading about the bricks. The system looks awesome. Try to stay warm up there. It is nice and warm down here. I think that I will put the top down on the way home.
I have always understood that bipolar speakers are in phase front and back and dipolar were out of phase. An example of a bipolar speaker would be Definative Tech because they fire in pase front and back. Maggies are a dipolar panel that will fire out of phase in the rear. That is interesting reading about the bricks. The system looks awesome. Try to stay warm up there. It is nice and warm down here. I think that I will put the top down on the way home.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, USA
Its good to see that S owners have similar interests. Right out of HS ('92) I knew what I wanted to do with my life...build high-end home audio speakers. I went in with a buddy and we made it to AUDIO's "New Products" page and all. Had an interview with Audio's Ken Pohlmann (sp?). STEREOPHILE told to hit the show circuit before they'd do a blurb. Sold a couple dozen promo pairs. Really thought we could make it big....
long story short...got sued for patent infringement. 19 & no $$$ = get out and finish engineering school.
Music (played via a hi-fi rig) is still a passion of mine:
2 channel ref system=
NHT 3.3
Bryston 4B-ST (yes I have a 20A dedicated breaker w/HG wiring&recept)
Bryston BP20 (go canada!)
SONY ES 555 SACD
Audioquest Cabling throughout
adding a analog front end soon..something in the Rega/Sumiko price range.
great thread!!!!
long story short...got sued for patent infringement. 19 & no $$$ = get out and finish engineering school.
Music (played via a hi-fi rig) is still a passion of mine:
2 channel ref system=
NHT 3.3
Bryston 4B-ST (yes I have a 20A dedicated breaker w/HG wiring&recept)
Bryston BP20 (go canada!)
SONY ES 555 SACD
Audioquest Cabling throughout
adding a analog front end soon..something in the Rega/Sumiko price range.
great thread!!!!
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,880
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
[QUOTE]Originally posted by MyBad
All of B&W's products incorporate the technology developed in the Nautilus. The 800 Series:
http://gallery.s2ki.com/imagecatalog/image...eview/117761/6/
All of B&W's products incorporate the technology developed in the Nautilus. The 800 Series:
http://gallery.s2ki.com/imagecatalog/image...eview/117761/6/
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 646
Likes: 7
From: Black Hills of S. Dakota
Jerry,
I understand the phase issue but honestly have never heard it used in the context of bi- and di-polar that you mention. Interesting -
Solless,
Don't phoo-poo your system. You've got some solid performers in your line up. And more importantly never forget its about the music and not the equipment. All the later does is to provide levels of access to the musical in-home experience. And even the best equipment can be ruined by a poorly recorded or broadcast signal.
SgtSaunders,
Man that is disheartening, but obviously you've recovered well. Great equipment there too! Agreed that it is always nice to know folks enjoy other similar pursuits in addition to the S2K.
Loki,
Whew! Trust that discount is substantial! LOL
--Bob
I understand the phase issue but honestly have never heard it used in the context of bi- and di-polar that you mention. Interesting -
Solless,
Don't phoo-poo your system. You've got some solid performers in your line up. And more importantly never forget its about the music and not the equipment. All the later does is to provide levels of access to the musical in-home experience. And even the best equipment can be ruined by a poorly recorded or broadcast signal.
SgtSaunders,
Man that is disheartening, but obviously you've recovered well. Great equipment there too! Agreed that it is always nice to know folks enjoy other similar pursuits in addition to the S2K.
Loki,
Whew! Trust that discount is substantial! LOL
--Bob
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 933
Likes: 16
From: Tampa, FL
Bob A (SD):
"Don't phoo-poo your system. You've got some solid performers in your line up. And more importantly never forget its about the music and not the equipment. All the later does is to provide levels of access to the musical in-home experience. And even the best equipment can be ruined by a poorly recorded or broadcast signal."
I could not agree with this statement more. Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in equipment, we lose sight of what is really important, the music.
Solless,
You have nothing to be ashamed of with that system. It is very solid. Have you ever thought about searching for the matching Infinity center channel. I used to have Infinity Kappas with the matching center and they sounded really good together. When I upgraded to the Kappa center, the sound stage became very uniform across the front. Another great tweak is the AVIA calibration disc and a sound level meter from Radio Shack. Once your system is dialed in, you will notice a huge performance gain.
SgtSaunders,
It is good to see another NHT fan in here. I have heard the 3.3's many times. They deserved their place in the top of Stereophile recommend components and IMO are still one of the best. Heck, your entire system looks like it came of the Stereophile list. I am sure that it sounds great. I am a big fan of the Bryston amps. I am considering a 4BSST for my next system actually. I am sure that you love yours. I have heard that they have a certain synergy with the NHT's.
Enjoy the music,
Jerry
"Don't phoo-poo your system. You've got some solid performers in your line up. And more importantly never forget its about the music and not the equipment. All the later does is to provide levels of access to the musical in-home experience. And even the best equipment can be ruined by a poorly recorded or broadcast signal."
I could not agree with this statement more. Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in equipment, we lose sight of what is really important, the music.
Solless,
You have nothing to be ashamed of with that system. It is very solid. Have you ever thought about searching for the matching Infinity center channel. I used to have Infinity Kappas with the matching center and they sounded really good together. When I upgraded to the Kappa center, the sound stage became very uniform across the front. Another great tweak is the AVIA calibration disc and a sound level meter from Radio Shack. Once your system is dialed in, you will notice a huge performance gain.
SgtSaunders,
It is good to see another NHT fan in here. I have heard the 3.3's many times. They deserved their place in the top of Stereophile recommend components and IMO are still one of the best. Heck, your entire system looks like it came of the Stereophile list
. I am sure that it sounds great. I am a big fan of the Bryston amps. I am considering a 4BSST for my next system actually. I am sure that you love yours. I have heard that they have a certain synergy with the NHT's.Enjoy the music,
Jerry