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Originally Posted by Ian
You run the very real risk of blowing out the ribbons in the 3.7's at high current levels. The aluminum foil ribbons used in Maggies will melt at somewhat lower current densities than equivalent dimensioned copper ribbons (in part because of the higher conductivity of copper). The Maggies are very inefficient because of the low magnetic fields generated across the relatively large air gaps that the ribbons sit in. I measured around 0.1 T (Tesla) across my 20.7 air gap. A good cone speaker can have air gap fields above 1 T. The force (Lorentz force) which moves the ribbon is proportional to this magnetic field and is also proportional to the current flowing in the ribbon (or coil). I have blown ribbon speakers many times over the years by driving them with excessive currents. They are a real pain to repair.
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Just don't turn it up full blast! They require gobs of power to play to their potential IMO. Not loud - but more full if you will.
Maybe this will help.....from the Magnepan website:
How much power do I need?
We are asked this question every single day. We wish that we could be of more help, but individual tastes vary so greatly that a definitive answer is not possible. For example, we are using a 35 watt receiver in the lobby of our factory. Therefore, can we honestly say that 35 watts is all you need? Not really.
You can get a lot of free advice in the chat rooms on the internet. Most of it is of very little value (or misleading). Often, their power recommendations are influenced by their listening habits and room conditions. If they have a strong opinion of what you need for power, take it with a grain of salt.
For each increase of 3 db, the power must be doubled. So, 70 watts, 140 watts, 280 watts, etc. will progressively result in 3 db increases over the receiver we are using in our lobby. Personal tastes are "all over the map". We hear of customers that are perfectly happy with 25 watts and others using 1000 watts. Without the option of listening with you, we have no way to give meaningful advice. The most reliable way to answer this question for your particular needs is by visiting a dealer or arranging to hear a pair of Magneplanars. If you listen to your music at your normal volume, in a room that is approximately the same size as your room, with an amplifier similar to what you plan to use, an accurate power requirement can be determined for your listening habits. These is a lot to ask, but it is the only reliable method of determining the power needs for a specific individual.