Anyone compared maggies with Newform Research?

[Crimson]

I've got a friend who's interested in planars but is eyeing a pair of Newforms. Just wondering if anyone has compared Newforms with Maggies.




Q.

[ThomasW]

I haven't heard the Newforms, but that's about the only ribbon/leaf/planar I haven't heard/owned.
Depending on which model NFR is auditioned there should be a bit more slam in the midbass from the cone drivers.
I know maggies inside and out since we used to sell them. They will have somewhat better HFE extension due to their quasi-ribbon tweeter.
NFR has the XO point smack in the midrange this is a no-no as far as I'm concerned.
Maggies will be more sensitive to room placement sense they are a full dipole.
It's unfortunate that John Meyer doesn't have any mechanism in place for demos, because the people that own his speakers generally rave about them. But other than that they end up being an abstraction.
My vote would be for the maggies if he has the flexibility for their placement. One primary reason being that the company has been around for decades so warranty/repair isn't an issue.
One might also consider the B&G planars, but again the problem is no way to demo. I like my RD-75's. They have alot of sonic characteristics that are similar to the maggies, but in a slim pkg.




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Crimson]

ThomasW,
With regards to the tweeters, what kind do the Newforms have? And BTW, not all Maggies have the QR tweeter; 3.6's and 20's have the true ribbon .




Q.

[ThomasW]

The NFR ribbons are a mid/tweeter combo

As I said we had a maggie franchise so I'm well aware of the quasi-ribbon/"true ribbon" situation with the larger maggies. I was just being lazy and not bothering to type it

The true ribbons sound better IMO, and they were available also in the 2.X series as I recall.




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Andrew Pratt]

Thomas I was curious as to what your thoughts are on my 1.4's vs the newer 1.6's or the d-75's etc. Not that I'm unhappy at all just curious given that you've been intimate with my 1.4's

[ThomasW]

Andrew

I'm sure in a head to head shootout the 1.6's would sound better. But the difference in price would tend to level the playing field just a bit

The RD75's are a different ballgame. Once the Dul'cet clone is completed they should give even the largest maggies a serious run for the money




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Andrew Pratt]

kinda figured thats what you'd say I think the next step for me is better amps for the main channels.

PS is this a moderator only thread?

[John Kotches]

Apparently we're the only people that are fans of planar loudspeakers.

I agree the BG drivers are awfully good. I'm torn somewhat between BG based speakers and some very sweet ESLs to replace my Acoustats.

I haven't directly compared the Newforms vs. the Maggies, but have heard the Newforms briefly. I really didn't like the sound, I found it a little bit closed off, and don't know why. Possibly the monopole ribbon was a contributing factor.

WRT crossovers in the midrange, BG drivers (RD-50 and RD-75) require crossover in the heart of what I consider the midrange, since the -3dB point is at 150Hz. Typical crossovers for these drivers is between 200-250Hz.

250Hz is just about middle C on the piano keyboard for those who wondered.

Regards all,




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Editor, PC/Home Theater
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