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Magneplanar 3.7i!
Instruction Manual
1. Introduction 3
2. General Description 3
3. Carton Contents 3
4. Packaging 3
5. Assembly 4
6. Hookup 5
7. Caution 5
8. Speaker Placement 5
9. Bass Response 6
10. Left/Right 6
11. Stereo Width and Imaging 7
12. Phasing 8
13. Room Acoustics 8
14. Optional Tweeter or Midrange Attenuation 9
15. Specications 9
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Magneplanar 3.7i Instruction Manual
Quick Step-Up Instructions
e 3.7i has exceptional phase characteristics that are accomplished without
the use of compensation networks. To realize the optimum phasing, the 3.7i
should be angled inward as shown in the diagrams in the manual. (Do not
place parallel to the front wall.) e most precise imaging for a single listener
is with the tweeters on the inside. For a larger “sweet spot” and multiple
listeners, place tweeters on the outside. But, in both cases, the speakers must be
angled inward as shown in the diagrams below .
Your 3.7is have been shipped with the tweeters disconnected.
You must install a resistor or jumper for the operation of the tweeters. Most
listening rooms will have the smoothest response when using the enclosed 1
ohm resistors for the tweeter and midrange. Rooms that are large and/or
overly-damped may require the enclosed jumper for smooth response.
e 3.7i provides more options for getting the bass just right for your
particular room. ere is no one-size-ts-all for every room. e 3.7i has
provisions to adjust the relative levels of the bass, midrange and tweeter. e
default position for most rooms requires attenuation of the midrange and
tweeter with resistors. If that does not achieve a smooth balance in your room,
additional bass diaphragm area can be added with one or more Maggie Bass
Panels.
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1. Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase. e Magneplanar 3.7i loudspeaker was
conceived and designed by perfectionists, for perfectionists. Due to the elegant
simplicity and ruggedness of the design, the Magneplanar 3.7i loudspeaker will
give many years of trouble-free service.
2. General Description
e 3.7i is a 3-way, full-range ribbon design with a quasi-ribbon bass and
midrange, and true-ribbon tweeter.
3. Carton Contents
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1 pair 3.7i loudspeakers
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4 each feet
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8 each foot bolts
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4 each 1 ohm resistors
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2 each jumpers
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2 each Magneplanar logos
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1 each Allen wrench
4. 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.
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5. Assembly
is will require the help of an assistant. Lay the speaker face down on a
fabric-covered table, or as an alternative, carefully lay the speaker on its side.
Attach the L-shaped brackets to the oval base and to the speaker panel using
only the two bolts as shown in the diagram. Next, install the supporting braces
with the remaining 2 bolts for each bracket. To prevent cross-threading the
bolts, install by hand before using a screw-driver. Do not use power tools.
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6. Hookup
e 3.7i features unique, high current connectors which provide optimum
contact area with the speaker cables up to 10 gauge (or for banana connectors).
Simply strip 1/2" of insulation from the end of the cable. Insert the cable into
the terminal (observing polarity), 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 spade connectors that are incompatible with the Magneplanar high
current connector.
7. Caution
e terminal plate states a maximum fuse value of 5 amps Type 3AG
(“normal” or “fast blow”) for the midrange and 2 1/2 amps for the tweeter. e
bass section does not require fusing protection. is fuse value should never
be increased or bypassed. Do not use slow-blow fuses. BURNED OUT
MIDRANGE OR TWEETERS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE
WARRANTY.
8. Speaker Placement
Proper speaker placement and room acoustics can have a greater effect on a
music system than upgrading one of the components in the system.
Unfortunately, there is no denitive guideline which will cover all possible
listening rooms. Some experimentation is required for locating the optimum
position. e following are a few general guidelines:
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9. Bass Response
Play a CD with repetitive bass. Try the speakers in several possible locations in
the room. Begin experimenting with the speakers about 3 feet from the front
wall. Try 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 listening location to avoid standing waves.
Need more bass?
Most of the area of any full-range Maggie is devoted to bass reproduction. (In
the case of the 20.7, 76% of the total radiating area is devoted to bass.) e
Magneplanar Bass Panel offers you the exibility to add bass diaphragm area
to t the needs of your room. From the $600 pair MMG to the 20.7, the
Maggie Bass Panel can get the bass/midbass “just right”.
10. Left/Right
e 3.7i's are matched pairs and mirror-imaged. e tweeters are located in the
narrow fabric section.
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11. Stereo Width and Imaging
Once you have located the best position for the speakers and your chair for
bass performance, separate the speakers by 50-60% of the distance from your
chair to the speakers. For example, if your chair is 10 feet from the speakers,
move the speakers 5-6 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. !
Depending upon the acoustics of your room, the imaging and sound stage may
be better with the tweeters on the inside for listening only in the “sweet spot”.
For a larger audience or listening off to one side, tweeters on the outside will
keep the image centered for those listening off-axis. Angle the speakers as
shown in Figures 1 or 2.
FIG. 1 FIG. 2
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12. Phasing
e Magneplanar 3.7i has superior phase characteristics. We suggest you resist
the tendency to place the speakers so they are parallel to the front wall. For
optimum phasing, the speakers should angled as shown in Figures 1 or 2. !
Once you have located the ideal speaker position, a mark is helpful for quickly
replacing the speakers. A small tack, yarn woven into the carpet, or piece of
tape can be placed on the carpet so your ideal listening spot can be easily
relocated when the speakers (or chair) are moved for cleaning, etc. In the event
your ideal listening spot is inconvenient from the standpoint of the room
layout and decor, simply slide the speakers wherever they look best. For
background listening the speakers can be placed close to the wall and it will
make little difference.
e entire placement procedure may seem like a great deal of work, but is
necessary in the setup of any high quality system. e time and effort
expended should be necessary only once, and will repay the owner with
countless hours of musical enjoyment.
13. Room Acoustics
e judicious use of damping material can improve the sound. Acoustical
damping can be achieved with household items or wall hangings. A word of
caution--when audiophiles discover the effectiveness of damping material,
they sometimes overdo it (on the premise that if a little is good, more is
better). Before making a permanent change to your room, experiment with the
positioning of the damping material. Usually a portion of one or two parallel
walls should have some damping. However, it is a trial-and-error process.
An over-damped room will provide very precise imaging, but the sound will
seem “dead.” An under-damped room may heighten the illusion of being in a
concert hall, but the imaging will seem imprecise with all the instruments
mixed together. “Hardness” or over-bright sound is usually the result of a room
with hard surfaces (glass, hard paneling,etc.). Moderation is the key.!
Diffusers are also helpful to improve the acoustics of a room. Contact your
Magnepan dealer for more information on the proper use of diffusers.
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14. Optional Tweeter or Midrange Attenuation
To attenuate the tweeter or midrange, remove the jumper(s) and install a
resistor.
e 1 ohm resistor is the standard tweeter and midrange resistor values. Other
tweeter and midrange resistor values are available from your Magneplanar
dealer.
In addition to the tweeter resistor, installing the 1 ohm midrange resistor will
also provide a “warmer” balance.
15. Specications
System Description: 3-Way, full-range, ribbon speaker with quasi-ribbon
midrange and quasi-ribbon bass and true ribbon
tweeter.
Frequency Response: 35Hz—40 kHz*
Sensitivity: 86 dB, 500Hz, 1 meter, 2.83V
Impedance: Nominal 4 Ohms
Dimensions: 24 W x 71 H x 1 5/8 D inches
Warranty: LIMITED. 3 years to original owner. 1 year on ribbon
tweeter.
Shipping Weight: 125 lbs.
* Because there are no universally accepted methods for loudspeaker
measurements, frequency response specications may be stated by most
manufacturers without reference to measurement techniques and/or specic
locations in rooms. Magneplanar loudspeaker frequency response specications
are average performance levels that may reasonably be expected in normal
installations.
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