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"Here is a mod that Wendell suggested", REALLY

Dear Inmates,

The last time I suggested that DIYers have fun, my intentions were misconstrued. I have an idea for an elaborate mod that would be fun and I know it could work. I will choose my words very carefully so my intentions are less likely to be misunderstood.

Whether it be cars or loudspeakers, “hot rodding” can produce results that are note-worthy, but, might not appeal to most consumers. This proposed mod would definitely not appeal to most consumers, but, in terms of going from “0 to 60”, it could outperform a stock model. (This mod may have been suggested in the past by an Inmate, but, I haven't followed this forum carefully to know.)

Sorry, the MMG is a “Volkswagen”. Regardless of what “carburetor” you put on it, it is “slow”. But, for $600, it is a great value (And, as an “appetizer”, it is our best marketing strategy.). However, if you rip out the “engine”, and start over, you might be able to make something quite special (and it might hold up under blind testing).

A cheap receiver from Best Buy will do a better job on the test bench than mega-buck speakers. (Look at John Atkinson's tests in Stereophile). Converting an electrical signal to sound waves in a manner acceptable to consumers (at a reasonable price) results in a wave form that is hardly recognizable compared to the electrical signal. (Amazing how the brain fills in for the “mauled” signal.)

But, if we can accept lower efficiency from our MMG, we can make it go MUCH faster. Power is cheap compared to improving the efficiency of a Maggie. So, if you have a big amp available, the NET result of a hot-rodded MMG with a really big amp could sound better than, for example, your favorite SET amp with a high efficiency speaker.

We like full-range electrostats, but, ribbon speakers have a special magic that we can't get any other way. But, they are inefficient . I am proposing that you make them LESS efficient and see what happens. (As you might guess, we have done it.).

Convert the MMG (or any older Maggie) to a full-range quasi ribbon with ultra low mass aluminum foil. Now, you are talking-- FAST!!! Your new “Volkswagen” will get horrible “gas mileage”, but, the “0 to 60” performance will make all the other tweaks pale in comparison.

After all your work, would you be willing to submit it to blind testing? Do you like the taste of “humble pie”? It is quite a shock to the ego when the “improvement” you made loses in a blind test. But, if you want the boss to put it into production, it has to win (and not by a statistically insignificant 50% margin).


... just my 2¢

♪ moderate Mart ♫

☺ Planar Asylum

where speakers are thin & music isn't

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Topic - "Here is a mod that Wendell suggested", REALLY - Mart 08:50:17 06/22/11 (102)
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