MAGNEPAN MG2.7i 3 Way Magneplanar Loudspeaker Instruction Manual

MG2.7i

3-Way Magneplanar Loudspeaker

Instruction Manual

Introduction

Magnepan urges that you read this instruction manual thoroughly and completely before using your MG2.7i’s and recommends reading the accompanying MAGNEPAN, INCORPORATED LIMITED 3YEAR WARRANTY document as well. For questions please contact your local Magnepan Certified Dealership or Magnepan, Inc. at 651-426-1645. You can also visit the website, www.magnepan.com, for additional support.

General Description

1. The MG2.7i’s are a pair of 3-way, full-range, Magneplanar loudspeakers. Both the Bass and Midrange sections are comprised of aluminum foil. Often referred to as “quasi-ribbon,” the foil is adhered to the Mylar diaphragm which is visible through the front of the fabric cover. The True Ribbon Tweeter is also comprised of aluminum foil however it is not mounted to a substrate but rather suspended freely. The MG2.7i’s reproduce sound by introducing an AC signal to: the conductor foil on the diaphragm which reacts to the fixed array of magnet strips mounted behind the Mylar; and the tweeter foil which reacts to the magnet channels on either side of it. This reaction vibrates the diaphragm/foil projecting sound as a dipole, both forward and backward.
2. The “i” stands for “improved,” and is an important distinction though the MG2.7i’s may often referred to as simply the, “M G two point seven,” or even just the, “two sevens.”

Intended Use

1. MG2.7i’s are intended for use as a part of an audio system or home-theater system.
2. These speakers should be paired with high-end audio equipment for the most ideal effect. A powerful and/or high-current amplifier(s) is best–certain exceptions apply but generally an amp ought to be able to produce at least 160 watts per channel (RMS) into 4 ohms in order to properly drive the MG2.7i’s. Within reason more power and/or higher current is better; there isn’t really an upper limit. In addition to the system components, the input signal should also be high-quality. Subpar components and/or input(s) will be sonically evident.
3. MG2.7i’s are only intended for use and storage indoors, within a climate controlled environment, with little or no direct sunlight. Magnepan speakers should not be used or stored outside. They should not be in direct sunlight, nor should they be exposed to excessive humidity or salt spray.

Carton Contents

1. Carton and packaging: DO NOT DISCARD
2. One (1) pair MG2.7i 3-way Magneplanar Loudspeakers
3. Four (4) T-feet
4. Eight (8) feet bolts
5. Four (4) 1 ohm resistors for tweeter and Midrange attenuation, see page 7
6. Two (2) Extra 2.5 Amp, 3AG fastblow fuses, for the tweeter
7. Two (2) Extra 4 Amp, 3AG fastblow fuses, for the midrange
8. One (1) Allen wrench
9. Two (2) Magneplanar self-adhesive emblems
10. One (1) instruction manual
11. One (1) warranty document

Specifications

1. Frequency response: 40hz to 30kHz +/- 3dB
2. Sensitivity: 86 dB, 500hz, 1 meter, 2.83V
3. Impedance: 4 ohms, nominal
4. Panel dimensions and weight: 71″ x 22″ x 1.75″, 48-52lbs
5. Carton dimensions and weight: 73″ x 24″ x 5″, 110-120lbs
6. Warranty: limited 3 years to original purchaser see warranty document

Setup

With speakers of this size, assembly may be easier with the help of another person. The only tool required for this process that isn’t included is a #2 Philips screwdriver (or similar). Remember to save all of the packaging, including the carton itself. Do not remove the tweeter protector strips until after the speakers are in their listening position. Make sure the strips are removed while the speakers are playing.

Assembly

1. With the carton lying down, face-up, remove speakers from the box. Set each speaker panel upright and slide the plastic bag up off the speaker. Remove the literature and hardware kit, as well as the T-feet from their packaging. Collect all packaging within the carton for storage.
2. To install the T-feet, start with the speaker panel laying flat, face down. It will be easiest with the bottom of the speaker on or near the edge of a raised surface, such as a table. Be careful not to put pressure on the face of the speaker–an even and flat surface is best. Unscrew the bolts preinstalled in the speaker, then place the T-foot in position, and re-install the bolts through the Tfoot and into the back of the speaker. At this point, with the speaker still lying down, tighten the bolts only snug enough so that the feet are secure but still have some play. Then after both left and right T-feet are attached, set the speaker upright and in the speakers’ general listening position. You may want to push down slightly or minorly adjust the T-feet based on the levelness of the surface and/or density of the flooring material. When the ideal alignment has been reached, tighten the bolts completely. Repeat this process for the other panel.
3. The self-adhesive Magneplanar emblems may be applied to the speaker wherever is preferred. If you don’t have a strong preference, Magnepan suggests top center on the front of the speaker.

Connection

1. Using the Allen wrench provided, unscrew the set screws within each AMPLIFIER terminal screw on the nameplate such that the set screw is not visible inside of the terminal screw opening.
2. Insert either bare speaker wire (up to 10 gauge) or speaker cable terminated with standard banana connectors (or similar) into each AMP terminal screw opening. Tighten the set screws in order to ensure a secure connection. Make sure to observe polarity, i.e. + to + and – to -.
3. Spade Lug adaptors may be purchased from a Magnepan Certified Dealership or from Magnepan directly if using cables terminated with spade lugs.

Quick Placement

1. Position the speaker with the -2 found at the end of its serial number (in the bottom right corner of the nameplate) on the left when looking at the system from the primary listening position. Put the -1 speaker on the right. Each panel should be no closer than 3 feet from the wall behind it measured directly back. See DIAGRAM 1.
2. Place the speakers such that they form an equilateral triangle, with each panel and the listening position being the three corners. Angle the speakers so that they are perpendicular to the imaginary line between the listening position and the center of the speaker.
3. Use DIAGRAM 1 for reference—this is a general starting point for Magnepan speaker placement. See the following sections for more placement information. Keep in mind that this positioning will not be ideal for all rooms, systems, and preferences. There are a great many variables involved in creating a listening environment and this is only intended to be a general starting point.

DIAGRAM 1

A: Primary Listening Position
B: Reflection Wall

Placement

Audio is a particularly subjective hobby at the best of times, but often it can be heated, contentious, and polarizing. The steps outlined in this section can help you achieve a sonically ideal setup but they may not anticipate or accommodate your particular preferences and desires. Depending on your room, system, preferred listening volume, favorite music genre, etc. you might have a better experience with a setup that is different from what is described within this section and that is perfectly normal. The only “right” placement for your MG1.7i’s is the one that you like best! Magnepan hopes that the following steps will help you create the perfect system but there is one fundamental truth when it comes to positioning Maggies: there is no substitution for, “try it and find out.”

Spacing

1. When it comes to the distance behind the speaker to the reflection wall, anything less than 3′ will likely create a muffled and unideal sound. Four or five feet of linear distance from the center of the speaker directly back to the wall ,or potentially even more, is likely to produce the best sound. Often anything more than six feet will lead to the sound being hollow and/or weak. With the reflection wall far away from the speakers, or nonexistent, the Maggies start to behave more like a monopole than a dipole.
2. The space in-between the speakers themselves is probably the most negotiable parameter. A distance less than the space between the speaker and the listener is typically not recommended but more than that is often okay. The speakers can usually be spaced apart up to two thirds more than the distance from the speaker to the listener; creating an obtuse triangle arrangement.
3. The most ideal spacing behind the listening position is typically one half of the distance from the reflection wall to the listener. More space can often deliver better mid to high frequencies but lower frequencies and sound pressure will be lessened. Less space will increase bass presence and pressure but will also introducing likely unwanted tertiary reflections and stridence.

Angle

1. Depending on which speaker you have chosen as left and right (see the next section, LEFT/RIGHT, for reference) you may want to toe your tweeters in or out. The idea of this is to change the angle of the speaker relative to the listener such that the distance between the ear and the tweeter section of each panel is slightly greater than the distance between the ears and the Mid/bass sections. The tweeter sections can be easily identified from the back of the speaker by the True Ribbon Tweeter Channel. See DIAGRAM 2 for reference.
2. The most ideal setup for the MG2.7i’s is built around a single listening position. This is not always a realistic factor, especially when considering home theater setups designed to entertain multiple individuals. For a broader (albeit a little less quality) sweet spot, having the tweeters on the outside (see LEFT/RIGHT for reference) will be best, with the speakers opened up slightly.
3. It is generally not recommended for the tweeter sections of the speaker, regardless of the setup or desired use, to ever be closer to the ears than the mid/bass sections.

Left/Right

1. Positioning the speakers such that the -2 is on the left when looking at the system from the primary listening position, and the -1 on the right will render the tweeters on the outside of the panels. (Tweeter positioning can always be quickly and easily verified by looking at the back of the speakers as the tweeter channels are quite obvious.) This is generally regarded as the best place to start when setting up the speakers. As previously discussed, this may not be the most ideal setup sonically but when attempting to accommodate multiple listeners is likely the best position. There may also be room shape or material considerations, such as particularly reflective materials behind the speakers, like glass, that might lead to tweeters on the outside being desirable. Magnepan’s True Ribbon Tweeters can be incredibly bright, and there is a potential that even with perfect placement, they may be too much. Both tweeter attenuation and room treatment are options to contend with this; see FINE TUNING for more information.
2. Positioning the speakers such that the -2 is on the left when looking at the system from the primary listening position, and the -1 on the right will render the tweeters on the inside of the panels. This orientation is generally considered to be the most ideal for a central, single listening position. This setup might also be useful if the side walls of the room are particularly close. The mid/bass side of the speakers can be quite close to the sidewalls without any loss of sound.

DIAGRAM 2

A: With Tweeters on the Outside
B: With Tweeters on the Inside

Fine Tuning

Speaker placement within an environment is a tremendously important factor when creating a listening room–it may be the most important factor outside of the equipment itself. That being said, there are many other things that can be done to increase the overall satisfaction of the setup. Below are some additional features and options for tweaking the system. This list is by no means exhaustive and the preamble on the previous page is equally applicable for this section.

Room Acoustics

1. Most of the preceding information within this section assumes a relatively normal room shape that is or is close to a rectangular prism. The less like a regular rectangle the floor plan is, the more complicated placement may become. The typical principles of the equilateral (or obtuse) triangle, at least 3′ from the reflection wall, and sitting centered horizontally while two thirds back from the reflection wall still all apply in theory but may break down in practicality. For particularly oddly shaped rooms is likely that the negative features, and avoiding them, will shape the positioning.
2. Reflection is a vital aspect for Magnepan speakers and dipole speakers more generally. Too much or unwanted reflections can make a room sound incredibly bright, sharp, or even cacophonic. Glass walls, or large windows, especially in the case of the reflection wall, will likely create very cutting high frequencies. Overly porous or plush materials, such as velvet curtains, may excessively dampen the sound overall causing it to sound dull. Room treatment may be used to stifle unwanted reflections, or amplify desired ones. Relatively empty rooms may also sound very echo-y and as if the music is not well timed. Adding some decor to a room, such as lamps, houseplants, additional chairs, etc. may help to defeat the “stadium” effect.
3. Quite large rooms may lead to the MG2.7i’s feeling like they don’t produce enough bass. For these types of rooms additional bass may be a consideration. Some form of a room divider, whether semi-permanent or movable, may also help to increase the overall bass pressure.

Tweeter and Midrange Attenuation

1. Included within the literature and hardware kit are four 1 ohm ceramic resistors that can be used to attenuate the tweeter and midrange sections. To install them, using the Allen wrench provided, first loosen the set screws within the ATTENUATOR terminal screws and remove the nickel banana jumper, or whatever else has been used for these inputs.
2. Fold the leads of the resistor into the holes within the terminal screws and tighten the set screws down such that the resistor stays in place. The resistors (and the jumpers or the inputs themselves) do not have directionality, positive and negative, nor polarity.
3. If you find that the highs of the speaker are too bright, or strident, using the 1 ohm resistor will likely help with this problem.
4. It is not likely that you find that the mids are too bright also, but if that is the case a resistor may be used for the midrange. The Midrange should typically be attenuated less than the tweeter.
5. This technique can be used with any value of resistor or length of wire, up to 2 ohms. Anything over 2 ohms and the tweeter section will be dampened to a point of sounding muffled.
6. See DIAGRAM 3 for reference.

DIAGRAM 3

A: Tweeter Attenuation
B: No Attenuation
C: Tweeter and Midrange Attenuation

1. Banana Jumper
2. ½ ohm Resistor sold separately
3. Set Screw (Typical)
4. Tweeter Attenuation (Typical)
5. 1 ohm Resistor

Phasing

1. The speakers and their individual sections within are phase-matched to themselves but when introducing other speakers into the system (such as subwoofers, surrounds, or center channels), especially if those speakers are not Magnepan brand, matching phasing is extremely important. Speakers that are out of phase with each other will not sound ideal at the best of times, and may sound deficient together if they are 180° out of phase with each other. All Magnepan speakers are phased such that if you observe the + and ­ connections on the nameplate and they are uniform across all of your Magnepan speakers, you won’t have any problems. Adjustments to the speakers or system may be needed when incorporating non-Magnepan speakers.
2. Some amplifiers or other system components may instruct you to invert the polarity, or positive and negative inputs, for your speaker connections. If this is implemented, ensure that all of your Magnepan products within that system are thus inverted so that they system is phased together.
3. MG1.7i’s do not have a positive and a negative input in an electrical or magnetic sense. The entire system and all of the internal components are electrically non-directional and designed for an AC signal. As such there is no electrical or magnetic positive or negative but rather only phasing to consider. This is true for the amp inputs, the tweeter attenuator, and the fuse. That all being said treating the + connection on the nameplate as “positive” is generally a practical idea.

Pairing

1. Incorporating other speakers that are not Magnepan brand into your system, especially if they are not planar nor dipolar, can be tricky. “Speed” and driver mass are incredibly important when pairing Maggies and other speakers. Even in a well setup room and system, with phasing aligned, and everything dialed in “slower” speakers may cause the overall sound to be muddy. Magnepan suggests that you consult a Magnepan Certified Dealership when considering a pairing of this type. Dipoles with Dipoles is also generally a good rule to follow.

2. Magnepan offers many additional and supplementary speakers, such as center channels, wallmounted surrounds, etc. Please contact your Magnepan Certified Dealership for more information regarding these options, or to order. The DWM in particular might be a good addition
   if you desire a richer, warmer, and broader midbass. One or two may be incorporated with your MG2.7i’s. Attenuating the DWM’s with a 1.4mH coil may be potentially beneficial.

3. If subwoofer(s) are desired for your audio system it is likely that you will be using cone speakers that are often monopoles. As previously discussed this can make pairing difficult. Ensuring that the subwoofer is “fast” is paramount. Consult with your Magnepan Certified Dealership for recommendations as inferior subwoofer(s) can detract from the quality and clarity of the system.

True Ribbon Tweeter

Magnepan released its True Ribbon Tweeter in 1983 with the MG-III and the T-IV and it’s been included in the best products Magnepan offers ever since. The True Ribbon Tweeter, in its various forms is a “high” point in planar technology, pun fully intended. The MG2.7i comes with 40″ True Ribbon Tweeters, already installed, each covered with a tweeter protector strip. Make sure to remove the tweeter protector strips before playing the speakers. Playing the speakers at full volume while the strips are in place can damage the tweeters and will make the highs sound muffled.

Tweeter Protector Strip

1. The True Ribbon Tweeter is incredibly delicate and fragile–as such the protector strip should be used any time the speaker is being stored or moved. The protector strip is just held on via the magnets within the tweeter channel.
2. To remove the protector strip, starting from the top, simply pull the strip away from the tweeter channel slowly and evenly until it has completely detached. Makes sure not to discard the tweeter protector strips–though new ones maybe purchase from Magnepan if need be.
3. To install the proctor strip, with one hand, align the top of the strip over the True Ribbon Tweeter Emblem at the top of the tweeter channel. Make sure to use the other hand to prevent the strip from being attracted and attached to the tweeter channel. The magnets within the tweeter channel are strong and if the tweeter protector strip slaps against the channel it make break the ribbon. After the top of the strip is in position, gently and carefully bring the rest of the strip closer, making sure to align the foam on the strip with the gap in the tweeter channel. Finally, gently and carefully let bottom of the strip rest against the True Ribbon Tweeter Emblem at the bottom of the tweeter channel.

Ribbon Tweeter Exchange

1. True Ribbon Tweeter replacements can be purchased as a part of Magnepan’s Ribbon Tweeter Exchange program. New Tweeters can be sent to address within North America. Upon receipt the defective tweeter(s) will be sent back in the packaging the replacement(s) arrived in.
2. True Ribbon Tweeters may be purchased outright as well, not a part of the exchange program.
3. For International customers, a True Ribbon Tweeter repair kit is also available.

Maintenance

Upkeep

1. Assuming your speakers are kept in a temperature controlled environment, and used as a part of a high-quality system, limited upkeep should be necessary.
2. When it comes to Magnepan speakers, preventative measures are best. Cleaning is possible, see the next section for reference, but the ideal course is to prevent the need for cleaning. A sheet or similar dust cover may be used when the speakers are not in use.
3. When it comes to the quality and duration of your Magnepan speakers, use and environment play the biggest roles. Overdriving your speakers or pairing them with underpowered/subpar equipment will likely lessen their lifespan. Sunlight, especially direct, will rapidly age the speakers and UV damage can completely destroy them. Salt-spray is equally hard on the speakers. Excessive aridness or high humidity can also increase the speed with which the speakers will eventually fail. An ideal environment is one that is temperature controlled, with low humidity and no sunlight. An MG2.7i treated right, in an ideal situation, should live a long and healthy life.

Cleaning

1. Do not vacuum the speakers–the ribbon tweeter will break. Be cautious using a vacuum even near the ribbon tweeters. If the speakers need to be moved for cleaning (or any purpose), make sure to install the ribbon tweeter protector strips first. See the TRUE RIBBON TWEETER section.
2. If the fabric covers need to be lightly cleaned, a lint roller is a good tool. A small brush or gentle can of compressed air may be used. For stains a gentle upholstery or fabric cleaner may be used; read the instructions carefully as even with proper use the fabric may stain further. It would be a good idea to test the cleaner on the bottom of the MG2.7i first. Magnepan classic fabric can be machine or hand washed, if desired. Wash on a gentle cycle in cold water and do not put the fabric in the dryer. Some shirking is to be expected. If needed new fabric covers may be purchased from your local Magnepan Certified Dealership or from Magnepan directly.
3. For cleaning wood stiles a furniture cleaner may be used. Be careful to not get cleaner on the fabric as it may stain. It is best to apply the cleaner to a cloth–not the wood directly. New stiles may be purchased from your local Dealership or from the Magnepan Service Department.
4. For cleaning aluminum stiles, a gentle multipurpose cleaner and a soft rag may be used. Ensure that the cleaner will not strip or effect powdercoat, and it is best to spray the cleaner onto a rag, or similar, rather than spraying the wood directly. If needed new stiles may be purchased from your local Magnepan Certified Dealership or from the Magnepan Service Department
5. If the nameplate requires cleaning a light multipurpose cleaner and an extra soft cloth may be used. Take caution when cleaning the nameplate as it scratches easily. For cleaning the high current connectors a brush can be used and electronics cleaner meant for electrical connections. Be careful when brushing/spraying so as to not damage the nameplate or fabric. New connectors may be purchased from your local Magnepan Certified Dealership or from Magnepan directly.

Do’s and Don’t’s

Do

1. Save all packaging that the speaker was received with. The packaging allows for safe storage and transport if needed. It is also necessary for any warranty problems or to send the speaker to Magnepan; if the packaging has been discarded, a new carton will need to be purchased. This can be done through a local Magnepan Certified Dealership or from Magnepan directly.
2. Make sure to keep the ribbon tweeter protector strips for storage or moving the speakers.
3. Keep all manual and warranty information. This is important information.
4. Feel free to “upgrade,” the fuses so long as you do not increase the fuse rating beyond that of 4 amp, 250 volt. You can also decrease the amperage threshold if so desired.

Don’t

1. Do not bypass the fuses or “amp up” the fuses. Improper fusing immediately voids the warranty and puts your speakers at risk. Bypassed or incorrect fuses will likely lead to broken tweeters.
2. Dropping the speakers, even slightly, or moving them around roughly, will likely cause damage. Take care when moving the speakers and do not drop them or set them down hard.
3. Do not vacuum the speakers. Vacuuming the MG2.7i’s will most likely lead to broken foil, damaged drivers, and/or broken tweeters. Vacuuming the speakers voids their warranty.
4. Do not connect an amp directly to the MIDRANGE/ATTENUATOR or the TWEETER/ ATTENUATOR connectors. Attempting to bi-amping the speaker will cause damage to the driver and/or the crossover and voids the warranty. It will also sound terrible. (Modifying the speakers to accept a bi-amping setup also voids the warranty.)
5. Aside from troubleshooting procedures, do not play the speakers for an extended period of time without the tweeter attenuator in place, the fuse in place, and/or if a section is blown. This can damage one or more sections and is likely to cause a section to fail and it voids the warranty. If a fuse or section fails while the speaker is playing, the system should be turned off promptly.
6. Overdriving your MG2.7i’s will likely cause longevity issues. If the overdriving is egregious, it may cause sonically evident tenting or even critical failure tenting/rippling such that the foil breaks. Extreme tenting/rippling is most prevalently a result of overdriving and renders the warranty void.
7. Unless directed to by a Magnepan Service Department employee in an official capacity, do not open, tamper, modify, or remove any part(s) of the speaker. Modification and/or using the speaker in such a way other than its designed purpose will void the warranty.

Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting any audio system it is important to keep in mind that each device within the system can affect the system. The speakers may make the problem evident but they may not be the actual problem. A more complicated system will have more variables and will require more thorough deduction and process of elimination. This section will only help you solve or illuminate a problem if the issue being experienced has been definitively isolated to the MG2.7i’s.

Identification and Isolation

1. For most problems that the speakers might be exhibiting the first steps will be to verify that everything on the nameplate is correct. Ensure that the fuses have not blown–it is highly recommended that you do more than a visual inspection of the fuses. Removing the fuse and testing it with a multimeter, or just replacing it outright is the proper course of action. Next, verify that something is bridging the respective MIDRANGE/ATTENUATOR and TWEETER/ ATTENUATOR connections. Whether a jumper, resistor, or speaker cable, something needs to be in these connectors. See DIAGRAM 3 on page 7 for reference. Finally check that the speaker cables are making good connections with the high current connectors. Loose or incorrectly installed cables can cause many problems.
2. If a problem occurs in both speakers, while it is possible the issue is with the MG2.7i’s, it is more likely that the trouble is in the system. If the problem is present in only one channel, swapping the -1 and -2 speaker is a great test. If the problem stays with the channel, then the speaker is not the issue. If the problem follows the speaker, then it is more likely that the panel is at fault.
3. The MG2.7i is a three-way speaker and if there is a problem with the driver itself, it is more likely than not that only one section is at issue. Narrowing down the section can be very useful for diagnosis and next steps. If the speaker produces no sound at all when the tweeter and midrange fuses are removed (briefly) then the issue resides within the bass. If the bass is playing correctly but adding either the midrange fuse, or the tweeter fuse separately doesn’t yeuild any difference, then that section is likely missing.
4. If the speakers sound “muffled” as if a blanket is covering them then it is most likely that the tweeters, or the tweeter fuses are out. Or, it may be that the tweeter protector strips are errantly in place. See the TRUE RIBBON TWEETER section for instructions.

Missing Sound

1. If the tweeter is missing, the most likely culprit is the fuse. When checking the fuses remember that a visual inspection alone is often insufficient. Fuses can easily blow without it being obvious to the eye–remove the fuse and use a multimeter, or replace the fuse outright. Also do keep in mind that the MG2.7i tweeter fuse only fuses the tweeter section, and the midrange fuse fuses only the midrange section, meaning that the bass output will not be affected if the fuses fail.
2. If the tweeter section is out, and the fuse is good, then the tweeter attenuator may be the problem. If the TWEETER/ATTENUATOR connectors are empty then the tweeter will not play. If one of those connectors is broken then the tweeter section may not be present or intermittency may occur. Overall intermittency or no sound at all may occur if either of the AMP connectors are broken. Internally broken terminal screws will feel loose when wiggled.
3. If the midrange section is out, and the fuse is good, then the midrange attenuator may be the problem. If the MIDRANGE/ATTENUATOR connectors are empty then the midrange will not play. If one of those connectors is broken then the midrange section may not be present or intermittency may occur. Overall intermittency or no sound at all may occur if either of the AMP connectors are broken. Internally broken terminal screws will feel loose when wiggled.
4. If all of the connections, connectors, and fuses are all working/correctly installed, and one or more sections are not present, then the most likely issue is broken foil within those section(s). Broken foil can occur if the speakers are being overdriven, being used with a low-current amplifier, or experiencing high-voltage transient(s) being passed by the system. Issues with the wires, other internal connections, and or the crossover components are possible but relatively uncommon.

Extra Sounds

1. During use, especially when being played loudly, and/or with intense music or soundtracks, an event called “bottoming” may occur. Sometimes referred to as “panel slap,” or “bass slap,” this occurs due to the amplitude of a part(s) of the diaphragm overcoming the clearance of the MG2.7i (the space between the Mylar and the Magnets). When the Mylar makes contact with the magnets an obvious and loud “slapping” sound can be heard. The solution is to simply turn the system down. While “bottoming” sounds rather obnoxious, it will not damage the speaker.
2. The undoubtedly most common issue for many Magnepan speakers to develop is delamination. This is largely a problem that mostly effects sections comprised of wire, though, and the MG2.7i’s are fully foil (often called “quasi ribbon.”). This is typically a time related issue but salt spray, humidity, and UV damage can rapidly expedite this process. This problem manifests as a distinct “buzzing” sometimes characterized as a “rattling”. Seldom but sometimes this can happen with foil, which produces a similar noise but it is more on the order of a, “hum,” or, “whine.”
3. If “crackling” or “popping” is occurring then one of two issues are possible. A foil-exclusive problem, a break under a tie-down, under tape, or under a turn, can form a mostly continuitous circuit. The intermittent continuity can lead to a speaker or section that is mostly playing but will, “crackle,” of, “pop,” as it cuts in and out. This is especially likely if the distortion occurs mostly at low volumes. A broken, or partially broken terminal screw (or similar) can create intermittency that, like above, may create, “popping” as the signal cuts in and out. This, “popping,” will usually be less volume-dependant than a foil break and will typically not be sectionally localized.
4. If the Mylar is torn, a, “flapping,” sound may be heard as the loose Mylar flap vibrates. Mylar that has “slipped” will sound similar to “bottoming,” with an added warped frequency response. Both Mylar tears/damage and Mylar “slip” are typically visually evident. “Slipped” Mylar will be wrinkled from a top corner, and potentially the adjacent side, and/or around the tie-downs.
5. Typically, a Magnepan True Ribbon Tweeter is either working or it isn’t. This can be noticed easily when the foil breaks as the tweeter will produce no sound. It is uncommon, but possible for the True Ribbon Tweeter to fail but not completely such that it is still making noise. This typically takes the form of a small tear in a reinforced area, or one of the strain reliefs letting loose; either of these things occurring may cause the tweeter to buzz sharply.

Additional Information

For warranty, parts, repair, technical support, or general service, please contact your local Magnepan Certified Dealership or the Magnepan Service department at service@magnepan.com or 651-262-1934. Helpful documents, FAQ’s, Magnepan Certified Dealer lists (both domestic and international), and additional support may be found on Magnepan’s website, www.magnepan.com. A speaker request form for inquiring with Magnepan about purchasing new speakers is available. Additionally, the service request form is also available if one is seeking repair, refurbishment, or warranty concerns.

FAQ

1. Should I put the tweeters in, or out?

This is a heated and intensely debated audiophile question as old as the speaker itself. The short answer is that it’s a matter of personal preference. Please see the Setup, Placement, and Fine Tuning sections of this manual for more information. Try it both ways and find out!

2. What’s the best amp for these speakers? Who are the best brands?

Magnepan is reluctant to provide recommendations or make comments on brands and/or services that are not Magnepan in name. It is recommended that you reach out to a Magnepan Certified Dealership for more information regarding amps and audio system devices as a whole. There are also many forums and audiophile communities that are welcoming and informed.

3. What does the “i” mean? Can my MG2.6’s or MG2.7’s be upgraded to MG2.7i’s?

The “i” stands for “improved.” While the MG2.6, 2.7, and 2.7i all share the same naming convention and general appearance, they are relatively different speakers internally. Neither the MG2.6 nor the MG2.7 can be upgraded to an MG2.7i.

Warranty

1. Please read and refer to the warranty document for specifics and reference. It is important to remember that the 3 year limited warranty is non-transferable, does not cover physical damage, misuse, or neglect, and does not cover packaging, shipping, or handling costs.
2. Inspect the speakers before connecting them to any system. Take note and take pictures of any damage, defects, or perceived problems. The speaker is not new and considered used once it has been connected to a system. Without immediate pictures and prompt reporting, all physical damage will be the responsibility of the owner and therefore not covered by the limited warranty.
3. In the event of damage, warranty or otherwise, fill out the service request form on the website.

MAGNEPAN, INC
1645 Ninth Street
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
651-426-1646
www.magnepan.com

Revised 11/04/23 MB

References

• Magnepan – magneplanar

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