Progress in planar magnetics

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by skem, Apr 29, 2018.

  1. skem

    skem Friend

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    IMO, there has been good progress in planar magnetic technology as of late. The HE6/Susvara outlined a pathway to improved planar sound that seems to blend the best of electrostats and dynamics. My question is, has this translated into full size speakers? For example, has anybody heard the evolution of Maggies and do they notice a difference?

    Alternatively, in comparison to the larger Harbeths or other premium full size speakers (eg., Wilson, etc) have full-size planars reached a point where the line between them and dynamics is blurring?
     
  2. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    The best speakers that I've heard in my life were the Apogee Full Ranges, but completely rebuilt. Apogee is still in business, an enthusiast bought the brand 18 years ago.
    http://www.apogeeacoustics.com/buyingguide.html
    They also have their own forum
    http://www.apogeeacoustics.com/forum/index.php

    The trick with the things is that you need tri-amping for the best results, with an active crossover and transformers for the midrange and tweeter ribbons, the bass panels are 1,8 ohms if direct driven, add a huge room for that. The Scintillas and Duettas are happy with 30 square meters aprox, to give a reference point.

    There're plenty of horror stories in that forum regarding Magnepan, I can't tell if they're true or not, but the sound descriptions deeply align with mine, I always tought that the Maggies, no matter what model, sounded "filmsy" and without solid bass.
    The restored Full Ranges have super bass impact and a very solid, coherent sound, no buzz or noise coming from the panels.

    TL;DR: yup, big boy bass is possible, but you're looking for 30k for the speakers including transformers and a three way Pass Labs XVR1 crossover, three amps with plenty of current reserves (the cheapest class A options that do 1.8 ohms are the Coda S5.5 amplifiers, 5k for each stereo amp) and a + 40sq meters room, so is big boy money.
     
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2018
  3. skem

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    I wonder if the benefits of double-sided magnets and ultr- thin membranes could be put to use. Take the HE6, for example. A full-size version might have ~200 times the surface area. That suggests 23dB gain in output. Now consider the loss in apparent volume from being farther away, let’s say ~400 cm for speakers vs 1 cm for headphones. That’s something like 28dB difference. So using the exact same technology it would seem full-size HE6 speaker is within reach, although the power levels needed would be very high. Still, the conceptual basis for something having the transient response of HE6 seems feasible.
     

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