Magnepan DWM problem


Just got off the phone with Wendell Diller at Magnepan. I was hearing a rattle/distortion/resonance from my DWM Bass panel in my nearly new MMG Super system. With particularly strong bass notes (Cut Chemist-The Audience's Listening CD-track 2 & 3)at a robust (but not as loud as I might one day choose) volume.The problem only occurs with this type of bass note at this very healthy volume. I was concerned that my panel was defective or that my 110 watt Odyssey Khartago monoblocks were clipping. What Wendell told me was a bit surprising-he stated that this is pretty much a problem with all Maggies!! Apparently the film was slapping against the magnet(if I recall correctly)-I was more than a little shocked. I could not recall in the research I did before purchase or the good deal of Maggie related research that I did since the purchase(or the 2 local Maggie owners I know) did I ever hear this issue mentioned. It is certainly possible that this shortcoming has been mentioned in the literature and perhaps every speaker may have a similar problem but I am still a bit unsure. So please weigh in with your opinions and experience. Can a true Audiophile quality speaker have such an issue? Was Wendell just trying to get me off the phone? Should I be worried about an issue that will not reoccur in 99% of my listening? Many thanks. LS
trytone

Showing 1 response by mofimadness

I was a Magnepan dealer for many years. This is called "panel slap" and indeed does happen if the panel is overdriven or if the source material has really, really deep bass and played loudly. I've heard this happen numerous times.

Electrostatic speakers are also prone to this. Actually any panel type speaker will occasionally do this.

I don't think you have a problem, (well with your speaker anyway), but maybe with your choice of music material...just kidding.