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about Magnepan and power

Much has been written about how the Magnepan speaker needs a good jolt of power to perform at its best. My question would be is this a speaker that has no limits? I'll refer to the 20.7 seeing as this is the model I own. There are no power handling specs listed like you would see in many other speaker manuals. They're driven by 1000 watt amps. They can get pretty darn loud in my 16'x24'room. I realize that there is a point where too loud gets uncomfortable. When can it get damaging to the speaker? Ok,I guess that's two questions. I should clarify, I don't make a habit of listening to music at ear bleeding levels. It's more about those pieces that have softer sections that you tend to turn it up a bit and then have to hit the volume button when the crescendos hit. I have had the 3.5, 3.6 and the 3.7 before these and never damaged a speaker. So, what are these speakers limitations?

mrschret
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
With a 1,000 watts available you will not damage them with too little power.
When you blow your eardrums clean out.. let us know...

I have never heard of anyone blowing up 20.s.. The old ones might delaminate, or the fuse might blow.. But the bass? never.

Place to do a search is: http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/MUG/bbs.html
brownsfan
1,238 posts
 
I have owned 3.7Rs, 1.6QR's and SMGa's. It has been my experience with all of those that the music becomes conjested at some high volume. Less so with the 3.7s than the others. So, I tend to not go too loud for two long. Maybe the 20.7s aren't giving you that "I've had enough" clue. I would also agree that you should blow a fuse before there is any real damage done. I'd be more worried about your ears (unless they are also fused.)
russ69's avatar
russ69
179 posts
 
Use control and common sense. Just about any loudspeaker can be damaged by loud volumes. The Maggies can take a beating but everything has limits. If you are deliberately trying to find a weakness I'm sure you can but Maggies are very robust. I'd say that they are more robust than many other speakers.
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