Linn Majik 109

[Kalle05]

I got a pair of Majik 109, i use them with Majik DSI streamer/amp.
But i have a problem with the speakers being too "bright" and lack bass,
it feels like the treble overpowers everything else.
Do the 109:s require a "burn in time" to sound "smoother" ?
What is the recommendation in "burn in time" ?

[Charlie1]

Top end should become a bit more refined over time but not sure how long. Bass should also improve as the suspension loosens up a bit. Crossover caps will also be running in - this might take 100+ hours. Ideally, leave them running constantly whenever you can.

What speaker cable are you using?

I've had two new pairs of 109s and not really had an issue when combined with Sneaky DS using K400. They were on cabinets using rubber feet though so I was getting extra bass from the cabinets.

Is this the first system you've setup in this room?

You could try connecting the speaker cable to the tweeter inputs. That's supposed to be the most tuneful although not what Linn propose in the manual - they recommend one to the super tweeter and one to the mid-bass.

You're not out of phase, are you? - i.e., check left and right channels are not swapped over between amp and speaker. Mind you, that tends to make things sound a bit muffled if anything.

Have you tried repositioning them? Generally, Linn speakers like to be facing straight out or perhaps toed in a very small amount.

[Kalle05]

Thanks for quick answer/help.

So i should take it easy for a while and leave the music on when i leave home,
about two weeks should be enough for the speakers to have been "run in".

Answer to your questions:
I am using K400 split to single wire, 2,5 meter with Linn Knekt connectors.
I have had a few different systems in this room and haven´t had any problems with "brightness" before.
The speaker cables are not out of phase, i have checked it.
I will try connect the speaker cable to the tweeter inputs and see if it gets better, now i have the cables as Linn proposes.
I have tried different positions of the speakers, now i have them facing straight.

[Charlie1]

Yeah, I think you have to give it plenty of hours yet.

Certainly no issue with that speaker cable.

Perhaps the bass is also better controlled than your previous speakers and so there is less quantity, or maybe not :)

There are folks with more experience than me on here so hopefully they will have some ideas too.

[Kalle05]

I have now connected the speaker cables to tweeter + and -, it was a noticable difference to the better, feels like the ”harshness” in the treble area became a bit smoother and the sound is more in balance, more enjoyable. It was a cheep uppgrade 😀

[lejonklou]

Well, it’s difficult to add anything to Charlie1’s excellent advice. He already mentioned all that I could think of.

Happy to hear you like the Treble + and - inputs, Kalle05!

[Charlie1]

Thanks Fredrik and also glad the change has been beneficial.

[Øyvind I]

Hi and congratulations with what I assume is a brand new pair. Others have already given good advice.

The M109 is a very revealing speaker and a Majik DSI is now getting a bit old and technology has progressed. Having said that, I do not recall my DSI to be "bright" as such but a Majik DSM/2 is a significant step up for all sources (where Linn for once did proclaim that they altered the performance of a product. Later Majik 109 do also sound better (more engaging) than the early ones and the box is also made by a different company).

I've now got a active set up with Majik DSM/2 and Majik 6100 amp at the cottage and a older set with AV5125 amp biamped using an Akurate DSM/1. Neither do miss any bass. All are on their original stands.

Do you use the original stands?

[Kalle05]

I got tired of the Majik 109 speakers, i sold them and got a pair of Kan V for a really god price, now i can again listen to music.
Majik 109 are really ”unmusical” to my ears 😀

[Charlie1]

Must admit I struggled with two new pairs and sold them in favour of Katans in the end. I had the second pair for several months so they should have been reasonably run in. I might try a well used 2nd hand pair one last time with a modern Majik-i though - I was using older Linn/Naim gear beforehand so perhaps it was poor synergy. There shouldn't have been an synergy issues with your Majik streamer though.

Trying some JBL 308s over the next couple of weeks.

Also keen to try 212s if the JBLs don't work out.

The old K104s are working out best as a Kan 1 replacement so far but there's definitely a bit of one-note bass (when there is bass).

Never heard the Kan V - isn't it a lesser version of the Tukan, or does it do something better?

[Kalle05]

Kan V is so far i heard some type of ”Taiwan copy” of Tukan,
they are not as good as Tukan but i am glad to getting the Majik 109 out from my livingroom 😀.
If i find a pair of Kabers in good condition i will buy them,
they are like Kan with a little bit more bass.

[Kalle05]

I also got rid of the Linn speaker cables, now i have Qed profile 79 that is much better than split Linn K400 when you use singlewire,
you should try it.

[Charlie1]

Thanks for the tip. I settled on K20 with the older Linn speakers. Might try something else once I settled on a speaker for the house system.

[lindsayt]

I also got rid of the Linn speaker cables, now i have Qed profile 79 that is much better than split Linn K400 when you use singlewire,
you should try it.

That's interesting. I've never heard any difference in tunefulness between speaker cables. Have heard slight tonal differences in some demos. But no actual difference from a tunedem point of view. Or at least none that I'd rate as being worth spending any money over.

Congratulations on getting rid of the 109's. Good move there.

[Spannko]

IMHO, K20 is possibly the most musical loudspeaker cable still available new. Not only that, it’s also one of the cheapest specialist loudspeaker cables on the market, making it a real bargain.

[Matteo]

IMHO, K20 is possibly the most musical loudspeaker cable still available new. Not only that, it’s also one of the cheapest specialist loudspeaker cables on the market, making it a real bargain.

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