In a sense, these operate similarly to dynamic drivers because they also use magnetic fields. The diva used pure ribbon drivers throughout and under the right circumstances they sounded wonderful. Magnepan refers to the tweeter as a quasiribbon design to distinguish it from both the planar magnetic driver and a true ribbon of the sort they use in the mg3. A planar driver is a true ribbon only if the diaphragm is conductive and the audio signal flows directly through the diaphragm, rather than through conductors bonded to a diaphragm, as in quasiribbon drivers. Jul 20, 2010 diagram showing quasiribbon driver technology. But what if you want the performance of the ribbon uniform, strong magnetic field with the large panel size of the quasi ribbon. Typically they will have one or more large drive units to cover the low bass frequencies, and a single smaller unit to reproduce the treble. The thin, narrow metallic ribbon is suspended within the magnetic field, a signal.
Two subcategories of planar magnetic speakers are ribbon and quasi ribbon. The quasiribbon shown is basically the same driver used for the mid and low frequencies of the magneplanar speaker with the infusion of a heavier gauge wire replacing the thin aluminum ribbon. The pros and cons of ribbon tweeters novo audio and. The use of quasi ribbon technology down into the lower midrange and bass will provide a new level of coherence. So the magnet array does get in the way of the sound to some extent. The woofermidbass panel houses three planar magnetic drivers two sidebyside planar woofers, with a narrower planar midbass coupler along one side. The quasi ribbon shown is basically the same driver used for the mid and low frequencies of the magneplanar speaker with the infusion of a heavier gauge wire replacing the thin aluminum ribbon. Sounderlink 1pc 30khz hifi 3inch 4 planar transducer. Compare these speakers to any other high performance design. Jun 20, 2019 planar magnetic headphones are a bit like a middle ground choice between the simple dynamic headphone and highend electrostatic. Ribbon midrange pros and cons audiogon discussion forum.
Many of the best highend headphones use planar magnetic quasi ribbon drivers. The best planar magnetic headphones top 10 audiophile on. Under its cloth dust cover the lrs has a different and more advanced complement of drivers than its elder brother. Its planar magnetic loudspeakers which utilize very low mass. Rather than using a coil, planar magnetic drivers consist of a large, flat, membrane that has an embedded wire. Magnepan has used planar magnetic drivers for the bass or lower midrange in its speakers but with the maggie 1. Magnepan mmg main stereo speakers for sale online ebay. Planarmagnetic tweeter some loudspeaker designers use a planarmagnetic tweeter, sometimes called a quasiribbon. Magnepan magneplanar mmgi 2 way quasi ribbon planar loudspeakers. The quasi ribbon driver is a variation on the original true ribbon design. As a result, these planar magnetic drivers manage to best even other strong planar magnetic designs in terms of both detail and dynamics. Broadly, these are classed as planarmagnetic speakers. Sep 26, 2017 ever wonder what planar magnetic drivers are, or how they work.
Whats the difference between ribbons, planars and electrostats. The thinfilm, planarmagnetic driver in the cc speaker stand has flat frequency response to 5 khz. You will recognize the sonic similarity of a magneplanar and planar magnetic quasi ribbon headphones. Hybrid planar magneticribbon driver equipped dipolar loudspeaker featuring a quasiribbon type bassmidrange driver and a true ribbon tweeter driver complement.
One, the true ribbon speaker, has the foil itself suspended with tension at the ends of the foil. A planar driver is a true ribbon only if the diaphragm is conductive and the audio signal flows directly through the diaphragm, rather than through conductors bonded to a diaphragm, as in quasi ribbon drivers. In a planar magnetic setup, the part that actually creates sound is an electrostaticstyle thin, flexible material sandwiched between the outer layers of the mechanism. The use of quasi ribbon technology down into the lower midrange and bass provides a new level of coherence. This is a ribbon which doesnt quite have the same performance as the true ribbon because of the variation in the magnetic field with excurting distance from the magnets, and because the field strength maynt be as strong. The quasi ribbon should be less prone to delamination and is essentially the same as the driver used in eminent technology speakers. The magneplanar diaphragm comes closer to the ideal driver. This design is very rugged and costeffective with very wide bandwidth. Magnepan is a private highend audio loudspeaker manufacturer in white bear lake.
Dynamic woofers, especially subwoofers, can not blend with the speed of the magneplanar center channel quasiribbon midrange drivers. Loudspeaker types and how they work tas 207 the absolute. For planar magnetic speakers, the technology is completely different, but produces a similar effect, i. The woofer section of the cc speaker stand uses the same diplanar technology as the magneplanar 20.
Where the mmg used a quasi ribbon tweeter and a planar magnetic midwoofer, the lrss drivers are all ribbon or quasi. Nothing quite compares to the effortless sound transmission provided by a planar or ribbon transducer. Also, high frequency planarmagnetic drivers see a single uniform source which. Quasiribbon technology used for all drivers in magnepans. Sls pro audio productsmay 1st, 2017 conventional 2 compression driver sls prd planar magnetic driver cumulative spectral decay compression driver vs. When the aluminum tape is used instead of wires magnepan calls the speakers quasi ribbons. And as demonstrated by the monoprice monolith 1060, not all planar. For over 40 years, magnepan has used planar magnetic drivers for the bass or lower midrange in its speakers but with the maggie 1.
Understanding the pros and cons of ribbon tweeters loudspeakers divide their output into frequency bands. Although planar magnetic drivers are typically found in openback, overear headphones, were seeing an uptick of inears using them too. These are fantastic value and punch well above their price point and i have enjoyed every minute of them. Magnepan has used planar magnetic drivers for the bass or lower midrange in its speakers but. Ribbon speakers use a thin metal foil suspended between permanent magnets. Two subcategories of planar magnetic speakers are ribbon and quasiribbon. The ultrathin aluminum foil carries the current from the amplifier and is also the means of moving the air to create sound. Quasi ribbon planar magnetic driver this unique technology developed by magnepan is the heart of magneplanar speaker. Using the aluminum tape spreads out the driving force on the mylar speaker. Sls planar magnetic ribbon drivers dolby laboratories. Such drivers are also called quasi ribbon transducers.
Also, high frequency planar magnetic drivers see a single uniform source which precludes interference patterns as rows of trueribbons could as reproduced wavelengths shorten. Quasiribbon technology used for all drivers in magnepans new. But like a dynamic driver, that diaphragm contains extremely thin wires. This unique technology developed by magnepan is the heart of magneplanar speaker. High power ribbon tweeter planar transducer amt diy audio. Although these driver types require a bit more shopping around, there are plenty of options out there. The tympanis and mg speakers were all made from wireonmylar. The magneplanar quasi ribbon is simply a true ribbon on a mylar film. Anatomy of a planar magnetic headphone driver duration. Apr 19, 2019 of course, if audio is your passion and you have the means to pursue that passion, planar magnetic, electrostatic, and balanced armaturedriven headphones are worthy upgrades. For planarmagnetic speakers, the technology is completely different, but produces a similar effect, i.
Thanks to the radiating surfaces incredibly low mass and high magnet strength, transient response is nearly unequaled by other driver types, and distortion figures tend to be quite low as well. The quasi ribbon driver is a deviation from the true ribbon design. Magnepan us loudspeaker manufacturer founded in 1969 by jim winey, magnepan specialises in producing speaker systems utilising quasi ribbonplanarmagnetic driver technology. A variety of color options are available for the fabric and rails.
They also send electrical impulses to a conductive material windings that interacts with the magnetic fields within the driver. Planar magnetic tweeter some loudspeaker designers use a planar magnetic tweeter, sometimes called a quasi ribbon. Magnepan us loudspeaker manufacturer founded in 1969 by jim winey, magnepan specialises in producing speaker systems utilising quasi ribbon planar magnetic driver technology. The true ribbon, as shown below, is a very simple device.
Such drivers are also called quasiribbon transducers. This makes for important and easily audible sonic differences. Ever wonder what planar magnetic drivers are, or how they work. The midrangetweeter panels use a tall, slender quasiribbontype planar magnetic midrange driver with a very slim and nearly sixfoottall pure ribbon tweeter. The quasi ribbon should be less prone to delamination and is essentially the same as the driver used in. Both the magneplanar true ribbon and quasi ribbon drivers eliminate the need for a. Sennheiser hd800 and electrostatic headphones eg kingsound ksh1, stax etc. You get the distortionreducing driving force across the diaphragm.
Magnepan uses what they call a quasi ribbon for the mid range driver which is a mylar diaphragm with wires in it which is more like a planar magnetic driver. Planar magnetic headphones are a bit like a middle ground choice between the simple dynamic headphone and highend electrostatic. Maggies true ribbon tweeter, taken on its own, remains a superior transducer, and the considerably larger planarmagnetic midbass panels in the 3. Aug 23, 2016 planar magnetic headphones and their benefits are well known amongst the audiophile community but perhaps not so much to the casual observer. The voice grid of the bass section consists of lightweight aluminum wire. However, in this case, the windings are spread across the thin membrane of the diaphragm with two permanent magnets. Magnepan mc1 planarquasi ribbon loud speaker audiolab.
Nov 27, 2019 the woofermidbass panel houses three planar magnetic drivers two sidebyside planar woofers, with a narrower planar midbass coupler along one side. The best american audio companies that are keeping passive. Planar magnetic tweeters are generally less expensive than true ribbon tweeters, but are not precisely equivalent as a metal foil ribbon is lighter than the diaphragm in a planar magnetic tweeter and the magnetic structures are different. Magneplanars and other planarmagnetic loudspeakers are often referred to as panel. Some loudspeaker designers use a planarmagnetic tweeter, sometimes called a quasiribbon. This is primarily because people have a wide range of opinions about what constitutes perfection, making a onesizefitsall approach pretty much impossible. Planar magnetic headphones and their benefits are well known amongst the audiophile community but perhaps not so much to the casual observer. Magnepan mmgi magneplanar 2 way quasi ribbon planar stereo. A tradition of innovation and advanced technology magnepan. Although the term ribbon and planar magnetic are often used. Planar magnetic tweeters are generally less expensive than true ribbon tweeters, but are not precisely equivalent as a metal foil ribbon is lighter than the diaphragm in a planar magnetic tweeter and the magnetic structures are. A quasiribbon tweeter handles the treble while a planar magnetic driver covers the midrange and bass.
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