Smoking Maggies
|
New member Username: ZgauthierPost Number: 1 Registered: Mar-07 | I know I'm not a regular here or anything, but I'm really not sure where else to ask... I own a pair of Magneplanar SMGa's. They're totally awesome. I live in a college dorm. I've had lots of fun scaring all the residents with loud, continuous 12,000hz tones. Today I did this again. But this time the speakers made little crackling noises and smoke came out of them. Being a college student I can't really afford to replace these, they were a gift. They don't sound any different to me since the smoking but I'm concerned nonetheless. Can anyone explain to me why they would have smoked like they did? Did I just ruin the nicest pair of speakers I've ever owned?} |
|
Silver Member Username: GavdawgUpstate, New York Post Number: 374 Registered: Nov-06 | go to the planar forum on this website and ask them... www.audioasylum.com you will more likely get a better response there. I am a maggie owner, but have never heard of this. |
|
Platinum Member Username: Project6Post Number: 13269 Registered: Dec-03 | What receiver were you using? 12,000 hz tones? Why? |
|
Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 9934 Registered: May-04 | . Smoke came from a speaker made of Mylar and you want to know if something went wrong. |
|
New member Username: ZgauthierPost Number: 2 Registered: Mar-07 | I'm using a Technics SA-DX750. The maggies are the only thing it's driving. The tones were really just for fun, they carry really, really far. I just wasn't aware they could also cause fires. I think it's possible I melted some of the mylar, but I'm no expert as to how the maggies are set up inside. Still I can't really tell any difference. I've tried piping identical frequencies of sound out both the left and right channels separately(smoke only came out of the right one as far as I know) and they both sound the same. Also tried it with white noise, music, whatever, all seems to sound the same. Maybe whatever caught on fire wasn't a critical part of the speaker. |
|
Platinum Member Username: Project6Post Number: 13274 Registered: Dec-03 | Smoke coming out of anything is not good. Unless it's a barbecue. |
|
Bronze Member Username: StryvnPost Number: 42 Registered: Dec-06 | I'm no expert. I wouldn't guess there's a lot of "extra" parts in your maggies that enjoy an occasional Marlboro. |
|
Bronze Member Username: StryvnPost Number: 43 Registered: Dec-06 | And Berny's question is still burning. 12,000 hz tones? Why? |
|
New member Username: ZgauthierPost Number: 3 Registered: Mar-07 | It was loud and piercing AND it carried so far the head resident called security. They never found out it was me. |
|
Gold Member Username: NuckPost Number: 6205 Registered: Dec-04 | The dorm smoke detectors are disabled? Oh, yeah...the bong... I wouldn't guess there's a lot of "extra" parts in your maggies that enjoy an occasional Marlboro hehehe |
|
Silver Member Username: GavdawgUpstate, New York Post Number: 378 Registered: Nov-06 | odds are that if your maggies were smoking, you burnt and melted the mylar because you were: a) driving them with a receiver incapable of handling a 4 ohm load at a loud volume b) the receiver was really underpowered c) the receiver was incapable of handling a 4 ohm load at all I have heard of maggie owners melting the mylar, but am not sure it would smoke. maggies should only be driven by amps, not receivers. If a receiver is to be used, it must be from the likes of krell, adcom, emotiva, outlaw, b&k, rotel, and the like. if this is the case, you damaged your speakers. |
|
New member Username: ZgauthierPost Number: 4 Registered: Mar-07 | You're probably right, Gavin. I picked that receiver up at REX a few years ago for about $150. I was surprised it got the maggies as loud as it did, that is until they caught on fire. Looking at a manual for my receiver... rated for 6-8 ohms. Nice job me. However, I also agree about the smoking being a little weird. It was like when a capacitor blows, just a sudden popping and then I saw the smoke. The tone kept going as normal after the popping too. Again I'm no expert on mylar roasting, but I would have expected some kind of noticeable change. I may at some point disassemble them and see what there is to see. |
|
Silver Member Username: GavdawgUpstate, New York Post Number: 382 Registered: Nov-06 | that popping... what did it sound like? because I think it may have been the diaphragm hitting its limits. |
|
New member Username: ZgauthierPost Number: 5 Registered: Mar-07 | Like, crack crack. It's hard to describe really, but it was definitely quick sounds, no hiss or fizz or anything. If I had to describe it as something I've heard, it'd be like when I plug the 3.5mm minijack into my soundcard while the receiver is turned up. I think the popping came from both speakers, but I only saw smoke from the right one. It happened as I was turning the volume up near its limits. It's possible, but unlikely that the smoke came from the receiver, which the right maggie is sitting on. |
|
Silver Member Username: GavdawgUpstate, New York Post Number: 383 Registered: Nov-06 | yes... the popping as you described it, if it sounded like a crack, was the drivers hitting their limits IMHO |
|
New member Username: ZgauthierPost Number: 6 Registered: Mar-07 | So, do you think it was possible it was some random component in my receiver going, and not the speaker(please please please)? I really appreciate all your input, you guys have helped me a lot more than the real maggie board. While we're at it, can anyone recommend a reasonably priced amplifier for me to use instead of Mr. Technics? |
|
Silver Member Username: GavdawgUpstate, New York Post Number: 385 Registered: Nov-06 | no... it is my honest opinion that it was your speakers, and this is comming from a magnepan owner. The only thing you can do is have someone examine the drivers and see what the damage is. The ironic thing is that magnepans are not that difficult to repair, and the SMG would be well worth sending in to be repaired. They are highly revered speakers. |
|
Silver Member Username: GavdawgUpstate, New York Post Number: 386 Registered: Nov-06 | if the speaker was smoking, and the speaker was popping, odds are there was damage done, my guess is melted mylar. |
|
Gold Member Username: Thx_3417Bournemouth ... Post Number: 3068 Registered: May-05 | You had the volume up way too high this cursed the voice coils to burn out! |
|
Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 9938 Registered: May-04 | . "I've had lots of fun scaring all the residents with loud, continuous 12,000hz tones." "The tones were really just for fun, they carry really, really far. I just wasn't aware they could also cause fires." "It was loud and piercing AND it carried so far the head resident called security. They never found out it was me." " I was surprised it got the maggies as loud as it did, that is until they caught on fire. Looking at a manual for my receiver... rated for 6-8 ohms." " If I had to describe it as something I've heard, it'd be like when I plug the 3.5mm minijack into my soundcard while the receiver is turned up." "It's possible, but unlikely that the smoke came from the receiver, which the right maggie is sitting on." |
|
New member Username: ZgauthierPost Number: 7 Registered: Mar-07 | To quote the real maggie board "but seriously, you probably popped a capacitor in the crossover. if you look, it's the skinny burnt looking one. if you can still read the printing on it, go down to radio shack and get a new one of the same value." I like the sound of that |
|
Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 9939 Registered: May-04 | . "I've had lots of fun scaring all the residents with loud, continuous 12,000hz tones." "The tones were really just for fun, they carry really, really far. I just wasn't aware they could also cause fires." "It was loud and piercing AND it carried so far the head resident called security. They never found out it was me." "I was surprised it got the maggies as loud as it did, that is until they caught on fire. Looking at a manual for my receiver... rated for 6-8 ohms." "If I had to describe it as something I've heard, it'd be like when I plug the 3.5mm minijack into my soundcard while the receiver is turned up." "It's possible, but unlikely that the smoke came from the receiver, which the right maggie is sitting on." The speaker is sitting on the receiver? And, as I read it, you are doing time at an institute for higher learning? No wonder the Chinese are going to overtake us at any time. You don't really seem to have a clue where the smoke came from. You do say the speakers sound OK (?) but I'm wondering how you might be checking for proper operation. It's possible the smoke came from a blocking capacitor in the receiver's outputs. Do not operate any receiver with the volume control advance past 1 O'Clock. You are being extremely childish and dumb and pretty much deserve more than you got. Unplug the receiver and take the cover off to check for blown caps. Do not stick your hands inside the receiver. If you've blown a cap, it should be replaced or buy a new amplifier. And don't set your speakers on top of your receiver! . |
|
New member Username: ZgauthierPost Number: 8 Registered: Mar-07 | I admit I am nowhere near an audiophile. I wouldn't even be near the realm of these magneplanars if they hadn't been given to me. I don't like the idea of anything set on top of my amplifier, but can't do anything about the available space in this room. Trust me when I tell you there's no other place I could have put that speaker. I tried my best to make sure the vents on top of my receiver weren't covered by anything. You're probably right in calling me out about all this. However, I do have a bit of background in electronics/soldering so I'm actually confident I can repair any minor damage I've done. I'll keep everyone updated. Sometime Tomorrow I'll start taking things apart. Thanks for everything so far. |
|
Bronze Member Username: StryvnPost Number: 44 Registered: Dec-06 | Oh boy. Again, I am no expert. Here's my advice: 1. If right handed, work screwdriver with left hand. Keep right hand free for fire extinguisher. 2. If left handed, reverse #1. |
|
Gold Member Username: Thx_3417Bournemouth ... Post Number: 3078 Registered: May-05 | Jan You're a naughty little bugger  ! I've played 16KHz tones though a HF compression driver, stuck outside the window where anyone within a young age would perceive it and start mumbling to themselves where's that SOUND come from!!! hehehehe. You see its not easy to localize if you turn you heard one way the tone might disappear step backwards the tone reappears! hehehehehehehe |
|
Gold Member Username: NuckPost Number: 6213 Registered: Dec-04 | Those Maggies are too young to smoke. |
|
Platinum Member Username: Project6Post Number: 13298 Registered: Dec-03 | In speaker years...they're about 42. So they're legal  |
|
Gold Member Username: NuckPost Number: 6215 Registered: Dec-04 | Smoke 'em if ya got 'em people! |
|
Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 9944 Registered: May-04 | . Cocoon - Do you kill ants with a magnifying glass? Pour gasoline on a cat's butt? |
|
New member Username: ZgauthierPost Number: 9 Registered: Mar-07 | Anyway, I've disassembled the speaker I saw the smoke come out of. Mylar rips in the tweeter area. Observe. http://users.adelphia.net/~greenscreen/tears.jpg So I've read minor tears can be fixed with some scotch tape and super 77 or woodweld glue. I'm not really sure if mine count as minor though... |
|
Silver Member Username: GavdawgUpstate, New York Post Number: 389 Registered: Nov-06 | I feel that those are good sized tears. IMHO, those speakers will outperform almost anything available today under $1500, some on the maggie forum will say $2000 and above. It would be in the best interest of the speakers (as well as yours, should you screw the repair up) to call magnepan. www.magnepan.com |
|
Silver Member Username: GavdawgUpstate, New York Post Number: 390 Registered: Nov-06 | ...meant commercially available. I know you can get killer speakers factory direct and custom made for that price. I have yet to hear the Onix Strata Minis, but the pro and user reviews say they are the real deal, a planar that successfully mates with a woofer. |
|
Bronze Member Username: StryvnPost Number: 45 Registered: Dec-06 | Where's Andre? |
|
Gold Member Username: NuckPost Number: 6217 Registered: Dec-04 | hehehe. Hiding out with the other guys in striped shirts, destroying stuff. Wait thats Waldo. Ever wonder why we never see Andre and Waldo and Zach together? |
|
Gold Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 9947 Registered: May-04 | . No. |
|
Bronze Member Username: StryvnPost Number: 46 Registered: Dec-06 | lolol...I was actually thinking the same thing, Nuck |
|
Gold Member Username: Arande2Extreme SQ FTW Post Number: 1827 Registered: Dec-06 | ??? Who's Waldo??? I see what you mean, destroying stuff. |
|
Silver Member Username: GavdawgUpstate, New York Post Number: 392 Registered: Nov-06 | Who is Waldo??? wow... |
|
Gold Member Username: Touche6784USA Post Number: 1179 Registered: Nov-04 | zach, you will most likely have to send both speakers in for service. before i got my maggies the previous owner agreed to have the speakers serviced at the factory and i pay a smaller sum since there was damage to voice coils on both speakers, so i got brand new panels. the reason for both being sent in is to ensure that the panels are matching. it cost me $500 for the total repair. be prepared to dish out some money. next piece of advice would be to get a better amp atleast. gavin, are you using a sub with your MMGs? i have noticed that rock doesnt sound that good on the claritys (how am i supposed to spell that?) or on my maggies. non synthesized music tends to sound much better IMHO. then again, i played some gwen stephani on them and i thought it sounded great. |
|
Bronze Member Username: StryvnPost Number: 48 Registered: Dec-06 | How's the fix coming along, Zach? Do the right thing. |
|
Silver Member Username: GavdawgUpstate, New York Post Number: 402 Registered: Nov-06 | No, I run my maggies full range, and rarely use a subwoofer. I do have an inexpensive subwoofer that I use when necessary. But, I use it quite rarely. It is more or less there depending on my mood. |
|
Gold Member Username: T_bomb25Dayton, Ohio United States Post Number: 1527 Registered: Jun-05 | And you would be right Gavin,the Mini Strata is the real deal and then some im enjoying them as we speak,well the conference tournements are back on now,so I'll njoy them more later. |
Main Forums
Today's Posts- Home Audio Forum
- A/V Receivers Forum
- Amps Forum
- Cassette Forum
- CD Players Forum
- CD Recorders Forum
- DAC & Transports Forum
- DVD-Audio & SACD Forum
- Equalizers Forum
- Integrated Amps Forum
- iPod Docks Forum
- MiniDisc Forum
- Mini Systems Forum
- Digital Music Systems Forum
- Phono Forum
- Preamps Forum
- Speakers Forum
- Subwoofers Forum
- Tuners Forum
- Home Video Forum
- Home Theater Forum
- Car Audio Forum
- Accessories Forum
- All Forum Topics