MAG Theatron M12-C Speaker Review

[mga2009]

Amir, thanks for the review!

Good to see how these HT oriented speakers perform... sadly it's not a good objective performance, and a very poor price/performance/ratio.

It would good to see how other similar speakers perform, maybe the QSC SR1020 or similar offerings from JBL.

Cheeers

 

[Davey]

The recommended EQ settings from MAG on their website seem to address some of the response issues. (Notably the broad bump at around 3800Hz.)

 

[phoenixdogfan]

I don't know who this speaker is for. Perhaps a guy who has a large dedicated home theater with a projection screen and wants to hide the speakers. Even so, it's really kind of uneven in its response. Someone with that kind of cash should probably look to one of those home theater installers and have them put in JBL M2's or something, because if you have that kind of money to spend, no point in cheaping out on a bargain basement PA speakers.

As always, very good review Amir.

 

[bmc0]

The distortions consist mainly of H2, which can hardly be a point of criticism. This is typical for horns, and according to my small tests has no measurable effect on the intermodulation - surprisingly enough.

Amir always seems to point to high H2 as a failing when reviewing speakers with compression tweeters. See the Genelec S360 review where the tweeter is said to be "quite unhappy" at 106dB, but it is in fact still well within its limits—H3 and above is still low all the way down to the crossover point.

 

[bachatero]

Scam! You could use a Neumann KH150 instead and get better directivity, flatter response, and just as good bass, all while saving on amplifier costs. Or, a KH420 instead for potentially better bass while breaking even on cost while still getting better directivity and FR.

 

[antisuck]

The recommended EQ settings from MAG on their website seem to address some of the response issues. (Notably the broad bump at around 3800Hz.)

Poking around on the web site leads me to strongly believe that these speakers are intended to be professionally installed, as part of a package including MAG amplifiers (which do include 6 bands of parametric EQ, trims, limiters, etc, all of which align with the downloadable "preset" spreadsheet). There are no less than 4 bands of EQ specified, as well as protective limiter settings for both steady state "RMS" and peaks.

I'm thinking one shouldn't expect to get the published response without applying the EQ and other settings, which would presumably be done by the installer. Oh, and slamming the speakers up against a large front wall and putting an AT screen in front of them. Not sure whether the published response graphs are disingenuous, or just represent a massive disconnect between the intended usage and what we expect around this place.

Combine that with the damage to the waveguide (which may be resulting in a leaky cabinet as well as discontinuities/distortion in the high end - yes, it's absolutely a compression driver in there - and possible concealed damage elsewhere) and I have to think these measurements are lacking validity. This is no reflection on Amir, whose efforts are always greatly appreciated. I just feel strongly that this speaker was intended to be used in a VERY specific way, with very specific correction expected, and that sadly isn't communicated at all by the information on the web site.

 

[Lars Risbo]

Despite deploying 12 inch woofer in a rather large enclosure, bass extension is rather poor. Response starts to drop off 120 Hz with 50 Hz for F10. This is kind of bookshelf speaker response.

physics dictate that the bass extension of a passive box determined by its sensitivity and box volume, aka Hoffmans Iron Law. On this case we have a very high sensitivity which costs dearly in bass extension. The driver size has no influence on this.

 

[amirm]

I'm thinking one shouldn't expect to get the published response without applying the EQ and other settings, which would presumably be done by the installer. Oh, and slamming the speakers up against a large front wall and putting an AT screen in front of them. Not sure whether the published response graphs are disingenuous, or just represent a massive disconnect between the intended usage and what we expect around this place.

Distributor for these speakers said in video that you can use any amp. Made no point of having to use EQ and is using them free standing on his own theater.

 

[antisuck]

Distributor for these speakers said in video that you can use any amp. Made no point of having to use EQ and is using them free standing on his own theater.

Roger that. I am certainly guilty of extrapolating based on incomplete data. I still don't think I'm wrong

 

[Heinrich]

Amir always seems to point to high H2 as a failing when reviewing speakers with compression tweeters. ...

That's why. And it was at a severely extreme level of 106dB. At least my ears won't detect the distortion, instead they would signal to my brain a simple "GO, RUN!".

 

[xavierjohn]

I do love the looks of this speaker.

If it measured well, this would be my setup along with the Hammer 15.

 

[bmc0]

That's why.

I'm aware that it's typical of compression drivers and I briefly explained the two main mechanisms behind high H2 here. My point was that you're correct that it's typical and that it doesn't make much sense to point to it as a problem as it seems to be perceptually benign.

 

[xanalog]

Thank you @amirm and thanks go out to the member for the deed.

That's an ugly speaker and sadly its performance follows...

Indeed, so ugly in so many ways that the doctor should have slapped the father!

 

[Heinrich]

I'm aware that it's typical of compression drivers and I briefly explained the two main mechanisms behind high H2 here. My point was that you're correct that it's typical and that it doesn't make much sense to point to it as a problem as it seems to be perceptually benign.

The increased H2 could be a problem, but irritatingly, when I measured the intermodulation, there was none. Of course the argument is valid, that at such high spl, the ear and brain assembly rushes into its own probs/, presumably. And again, at larger distances in pa/ situations at 20 meters, that could count. Many points of view to be taken here. Nonetheless, the IM is so low compared to the H2, how come? It's a mystery to me still. Any ideas?

Anyway, performance isn't that great, while the H2 issue isn't the most prominent contributor to a balanced verdict, as Amir already conveyed.

 

[Hart]

Reminds me of a mini-version of a club speaker in the 70's-80's. This is why I can barely hear anymore. 50 hz with a 12" woofer? hmmmm...Does bring back some good Studio 54 memories though... maybe they should have marketed it with photos of Bianca Jagger, Halston or Truman Capote.

 

[Adis]

Too big, bulky, heavy, inefficient and pricey for what it gives you.

 

[xavierjohn]

For most home theaters, the MAG M8 would be enough, too bad that was not send in for a review.

MAG Theatron M8-C | Mag Theatron

Center Screen SpeakerM8-C is a compact screen speaker designed for home cinemas and home theater systems. Components: 8″/1″ Frequency range: 65 – 22000 Hz Max continuous SPL: 118,5 dB Power rating: 200 W M8-C is a compact screen speaker designed for home cinemas and home theater systems...

www.mag-theatron-store.com

Hopefully the S6 will fair better (Review coming soon)

MAG Theatron S6 | Mag Theatron

Compact Wall Surround SpeakerTheatron S6 surround speakers are characterized by particularly compact cabinet dimensions. This means more space and a better sound experience without compromise. Professional technology that is visible and audible. Components: 6″/1″ Frequency range: 80 – 22000 Hz...

www.mag-theatron-store.com

 

[xavierjohn]

I am not good at reading the graphs so is the information they gave here

https://mag-theatron.com/manuals/theatron_directivity_graphs.pdf

way off from Amir's reading?

Per their graph, is the speaker good?

 

[DualTriode]

??? That reads just like a standard tweeter.

Could be a language / translation thing happening.

Not that many dome tweeters that have a 1.75 inch Voice Coil.

 

[Ageve]

I am not good at reading the graphs so is the information they gave here

https://mag-theatron.com/manuals/theatron_directivity_graphs.pdf

way off from Amir's reading?

The on-axis measurement is quite similar.

The horizontal directivity issues can be seen in their polar maps as well (only 0-90 deg though, and the vertical one looks odd < 1 kHz).