Quick re-cap: I had active Linn Keilidhs driven by Linn Majik Dynamik amps, then
went to
listen to secondhand M140s and new (but well used) MIsos, having decided that A242 were too deep
for my room, and that my pockets weren't deep enough for A242s. I
choose the M140s over the M Isos in the shop demo because I couldn't
hear where double the money went - I could hear the deeper and better
controlled bass of the Isos, but I didn't like the way they recessed
vocals in the mix, and I didn't think they imaged very well.
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| Majik M140 main left and right speakers in position |
So, from brand new the active M140s were rather good, but somehow not
quite as good as I remember them in the shop (but remember the shop ones
were secondhand not new). I put it down to the room. The dealer and I
spend a bit more than an hour on positioning them and strangely enough
they ended up with the front panel pretty much in exactly the same place
as where the front panel of the Keilidhs had been. They had about 5mm
toe-in. My room is 18ft by 14ft and the speakers are on the shorter
wall.
Now, given they were a massive step up from the Keilidhs in terms of
detail, imaging, dynamics etc, that's where they stayed. But over about 5
months, I gradually liked listening to them less and less, but couldn't
figure out why, apart from the bass being much more filled out than
when they were new. Then my Naim loving mate came round and he hadn't
been for a couple of months and he complained that they were boomy
whereas they hadn't been boomy before.
So I've messed about with positioning over the Christmas period. They're
now an extra 40mm from the rear wall, they're toed-in 27mm. But, more
importantly, I've turned down the amps that drive the lower bass driver
(200Hz and below only from this driver) by one click, which I believe is
the equivalent of 0.5dB, but I'm not sure, perhaps someone will advise -
maybe its 1dB.
The difference all this has made is huge - they now sound way better
than they ever have, and I'm really enjoying them again. The tune is
back, there's no boom, but the bass is still deep and solid. Imaging is
hugely improved now too. A really good result. I'm just hoping they've
finished running in as I don't want to have to keep repositioning them!
According to Majik Isobarik owners 5 to 6 months is about right for
running those in, but I've not seen anyone mentioning this for M140s, my
experience is suggesting somewhere between 3 and 5 months.
So very happy with my active M140s, and I'm not sure if I would have
been able to properly dial them into the room if they'd been passive as I
would not have been able to tweak the bass down a touch. The 140s form
part of an AV system supported by an M112 and M109s and they're great
for that too.
