Magnepan 20.7 and Subs

@bdp24

I do not use any subs with my MG IIIa speakers.

The MG IIIas are in my home theater and MG 3.6s are in my main room.

They are both flat to 30Hz and I do not feel the need for lower bass.

I am more than satisfied.

Bass below 30 Hz has little musical info. Low bass peaks and dips are hard to deal with in my rooms.

I also like to keep peace with my neighbors below in my condo.

I rarely playback much over 90 dB except when neighbors are gone.

OMG @don_c55, I've been conflating you with a regular on the Rythmik Forum. So sorry!

@bdp24

You are right that I am an EE and have owned and listened to 6 foot Magnepan’s every day since the 70’s.

I do show up on several forums under different screen names.

But never use subs or even modified Magnepan’s.

I like them natural and not abused!

I replace the fuses with brass tubes and steel jumpers with 12 gauge ofc wire although.

I also use Cardas golden cross “classic” speaker cables.

My two cents about subs and Maggies.  I have had 5 pairs of maggies, currently 3.5s with Mye stands which were rebuilt by Magnepan last year.  I have always used my Maggies with various velodynes and now Rythmik.  I have run them full range with the subs rolling off in the high 30hz range, and crossed over.  

In my experience, Maggies work best high passed with the subwoofer picking up the bottom two octaves (20-80hz).  They are more open and it helps eliminate the large bass resonance that Maggies have in the 40-50hz range, depending on the model.  The key I found was a good a crossover, otherwise the Maggies just sound veiled.  In my case, an NHT active crossover (X2), that is fully balanced provided the necessary transparency to work well.  The First Watt crossover is supposed be excellent, but is single ended only and about $1500.   

I should add, that while Maggies can output into the 30hz range, their output capability is limited.  I have slapped the panels on every pair of maggies I have had when turned up and trying to reproduce lower frequency information.  A crossover and outboard subs eliminates this issue.  That said, I primary listen to modern music which often has high levels of bass, whether synthesized or due to the mix.