Magnepan MG 12 User Manual

MAGNEPLANAR® MG12/QR

Instruction Manual

MAGNEPLANAR® PRODUCTS

WHITE BEAR LAKE, MINNESOTA 55110

www.magnepan.com

1. INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase. The Magneplanar MG12/QR loudspeaker was
conceived and designed for perfectionists. One of the most revealing loudspeakers
made, it will provide outstanding music reproduction when used with high quality
components. Due to the elegant simplicity and ruggedness of the design, the
Magneplanar MG12/QR loudspeaker will give many years of trouble-free service.

2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The MG12/QR consists of a 2-way planar magnetic driver utilizing a common ½ mil.
Mylar diaphragm. The voice grid of the bass section consists of a lightweight aluminum
wire. The Quasi Ribbon Tweeter is made of 1 mil. aluminum foil.

3. PACKAGING

Save all packaging. If you need to transport the speakers, they can be shipped safely
only in the original packaging. You may never have to return your loudspeakers, but
should the occasion arise, they should not be shipped in any packaging but the original.
Should you discard it, packaging is available.

4. ASSEMBLY

The four support feet for the MG12 are shipped in the speaker carton along with the 8
mounting bolts. Install the foot supports on the back of the speakers and tighten the
bolts.

5. HOOKUP

The MG12 features unique, high current connectors which provide optimum contact
area with speaker cables up to 10 gauge.

Simply strip 1/2" of insulation from the end of the cable. Insert the cable into the top set
of connectors and tighten the set screws with the Allen wrench provided. Banana plug
connectors can be used and locked in place with the set screws. Spade lug adapters
are available from your Magneplanar dealer for speaker cables that are incompatible
with the Magneplanar high current connector.

To ensure proper phasing of the speakers, make sure the plus (red) is to plus and
minus (black) is to minus.

6. CAUTION--CAUTION--CAUTION

A) The terminal plate states a maximum fuse value of 4 amps Type 3AG

(“normal” or fast blow”) We recommend that 4 amp fuses continue to be
used. The bass section does not require fusing protection. This fuse
value should never be increased or bypassed. Do not use slow-blow
fuses. If these precautions are taken, our destruct tests show that it is
impossible to burn out these drivers. BURNED OUT TWEETERS ARE

NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.

B) For owners of cats, we recommend cat repellent around the base of the

speakers.

7. SPEAKER PLACEMENT

Proper speaker placement and room acoustics can have more effect on a music system
than upgrading one of the components in the system. Unfortunately, there is
no definitive guideline which will cover all possible listening rooms. Some
experimentation is required for locating the optimum position. The following are a few
general guidelines:

A) BASS RESPONSE --Play a record (or test signal) with repetitive bass. Try the

speakers in several possible locations in the room. Begin moving the speakers
forward or backward in increments of 6 to 12 inches. One position in the room
should be noticeably better than others. Also experiment with your chair location.
Positions close to a wall will often result in increased bass (often too much). See
Figure 2.

B) STEREO WIDTH AND IMAGING --Once you have located the best position for

the speakers and your chair for bass performance, separate the speakers by
50% of the distance from your chair to the speakers. (For example, if your chair
is 10 feet from the speakers, move the speakers 5 feet apart.) Now, move the
speakers apart in increments of 3 or 4 inches at a time, listening carefully at each
position. At some point you will start to hear two separate speakers instead of a
“stage effect” (or continuous image). When this occurs, your speakers are too far
apart: begin moving the speakers back in small increments until you notice a
point at which you achieve one cohesive “sound stage.” For best results listen to
speakers on axis with the listening position as shown in Figure 1 and 2.