Mini Maggie System Instruction Manual

Because you might miss it in the manuals-- Try reversing the polarity of the Mini Maggies with respect to the DWM woofer. The phasing may need to be reversed, depending upon the relative placement of the woofer. For most installations, the 1 ohm tweeter resistor is advised.

To date, most Mini Maggie customers have years of experience setting up Magneplanars. If you are new to our speakers, considerable experimentation is needed to create the "magic" described in the reviews that you read. Persistence is the key.

The Mini Maggie System includes one pair of Mini Maggies and a DWM Woofer. For assembly and setup of the DWM, see the DWM manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. General Description
  2. Carton Contents
  3. Packaging
  4. Assembly
  5. Installation
  6. Hookup
  7. Phasing
  8. Tweeter and Bass Attenuation
  9. Small room installation
  10. General guidelines for use as a woofer/satellite
  11. Specifications

  1. General Description

    The Mini Maggie System is a 3-way, ribbon/planar speaker intended for use as a desktop system or woofer/satellite system in small rooms.

  2. Carton Contents

    • 1 pair Mini Maggie speakers with bases and 4 screws
    • 1 DWM Woofer with base and 2 screws
    • 2 each 1 ohm resistors
    • 2 each 2 ohm 25 watt resistors
    • 2 each Magneplanar logos
    • 2 each Allen wrench
    • Instruction manuals

  3. Packaging

    Save all packaging. If you need to transport the speakers, they can be shipped safely only in the original packaging.

  4. Assembly

    Attach the bases to the Mini Maggies with the 4 screws. It may be necessary to realign the dowel nut in the speaker before installing the base and screws.

  5. Installation

    Place the Mini Maggie on the desk as far from the listener as the desk will allow. However, if the desk is positioned directly against a wall, for the best sound, do not place the Mini Maggie directly against the wall.

    Place the DWM Woofer under the desk, in the foot well, and far forward to allow room for your feet. (Don't worry if you accidentally kick it. It is not delicate.) However, do not place the Woofer directly against the front foot well panel. A heavy or solid wood front panel that blocks most of the rear wave from the DWM Woofer will reduce bass output since there is little room for the woofer to "breath". A dipole woofer is different from a conventional dynamic woofer and may require some experimentation to find the best placement. Bass response can be enhanced if one edge of the woofer panel can be placed perpendicular to a barrier (reducing dipole cancellation).

    Whenever possible, the desk should not be pushed against the wall. As with all speakers, the sound is better when the speakers have some room to "breath".

  6. Hookup

    The Mini Maggie System is a 4 ohm speaker and should be used with a high-current amplifier that can safely drive a 4 ohm speaker. As a general rule, the Mini Maggie System will require less power when used as a desktop system compared to use as a woofer/satellite system.

    Connect the output of the amplifier to the amplifier input on the DWM Woofer. (Note- There are no left or right input/outputs on the DWM Woofer.)

    Connect the Mini Maggie to the "high" output of the DWM---observing polarity in both cases.

  7. Phasing

    The best response and phasing is normally with the Mini Maggie tweeters placed on the inside with the speakers angled as shown below. However, we suggest that you also try the tweeters on the outside.

    Normally, the best response and phasing between the Mini Maggie and the DWM Woofer is by observing correct polarity. However, since the DWM Woofer and Mini Maggies are not in fixed positions relative to each other, there may be installations where the smoothest response in the crossover region can be achieved by reversing the polarity to the Mini Maggie. Try it both ways. For the purpose of testing, the easiest way to reverse the DWM phasing is to simply turn the DWM around.

    In our opinion, the imaging is best, and the individual drivers blend better, when we lean back in our chair which places the listener a few feet further than where one would sit while working at the desk. Lean back, close your eyes and enjoy the music for a while.

  8. Tweeter and Bass Levels

    Desktop installations require less tweeter output compared to use as a woofer/satellite system in a small room. To reduce the tweeter output, remove the jumper in the attenuation terminals and replace with the 1 ohm resistors. Other resistor values are available from Magnepan upon request.

    Maximum bass performance can be achieved by building the bass panel into the "modesty panel" at the front of the desk. The president of Magnepan, Mark Winey, has this type of custom installation. Call Magnepan and we will give you the installation details.

    If it is necessary to reduce the output of the DWM, remove the Bass Attenuator jumper and insert a 25 watt (or higher wattage) resistor. Typically, 2-4 ohms is sufficient for most installations where bass reduction is needed. If a large amplifier and/or high power bass levels are used, four 2 ohm, 25 watt resistors can be used in a series/parallel combination that will provide a 100 watt rating at 2 ohms. Caution--Depending upon how loud the system is played, the resistor could become hot and cause a painful burn.

  9. Small room installations

    The link below has superb instructions for those that are considering using the Mini Maggie System as a woofer/satellite system in a medium/small room. We couldn't have done better if we had written it ourselves. So, consider it as our set-up manual.

    http://www.avguide.com/review/magnepan-s-mini-maggie-speaker-system-revisited-playback-53

  10. General guidelines for use as a woofer/satellite

    The size of the Mini Maggie System lends itself to a wide variety of placements in a small room which may not be good from the standpoint of sound quality. The number and variety of possible placements means that installation instructions can not cover all the possibilities. Consequently, we can only offer a few general guidelines. You may have to do some experimentation to find a suitable placement for your Mini Maggie System when used as a woofer/satellite.

    • Room size

      The Mini Maggie System is intended for small rooms. Good performance in larger rooms may be possible in some cases, but, usually one of our larger models is a better choice.

    • Equi-distance

      The best performance and phasing is normally achieved with both Mini Maggies AND the DWM Woofer equi-distance from the listener. If this is not possible, it may be necessary to reverse the phase of the Mini Maggie with respect to the DWM.

    • First reflections

      Speakers sound best when there is sufficient space around the speaker so the first reflection from other surfaces arrives as late as possible. Again, the small size of the Mini Maggie suggests that it may be installed in areas where space is limited. The rule of first reflections is an acoustical principle and is desirable, but, may not be achievable in some installations.

    • Bass response

      The DWM Woofer achieves the deepest bass response when a boundary, such as a wall or furniture, can be employed. (See DWM manual.)

      To ensure good bass response, we recommend that two DWM woofers be used for a woofer/satellite installation. Some rooms may be "hostile" to dipole woofers and require the addition of a subwoofer.

    • Localization from woofer

      Due to the high crossover point between the DWM Woofer and the Mini Maggie, the DWM can not be placed "just anywhere" as is often done with subwoofers. For example, if the DWM is placed behind the listener, male voice may appear to come from behind as well as in front of the listener.

    • Speaker height

      Whenever possible, place the Mini Maggies at ear-level height for a natural perspective.

  11. Specifications

    • System Description: 3-Way, full-range, true ribbon/planar speaker.
    • Frequency Response: 40Hz--40kHz
    • Sensitivity: 86 dB, 500Hz, 1 meter, 2.83V
    • Impedance: Nominal 4 Ohms
    • Dimensions: Mini Maggie--14 H x 9 1/2 W x 1 1/4 D
    • Dimensions: DWM Woofer-- 22 1/2 W x 19 1/4 H x 1 1/4 D
    • Warranty: Limited, 3 Years to Original Owner
    • Shipping Weight: 41 lbs.

    * Because there are no universally accepted methods for loudspeaker measurements, frequency response specifications may be stated by most manufacturers without reference to measurement techniques and/or specific locations in rooms. Magneplanar loudspeaker frequency response specifications are average performance levels that may reasonably be expected in normal installations.

    Revision 2-22-12