That's actually a more provocative question that one would think. For years I had been contributing on the Audio Asylum boards under the user ID of Peter Gunn, who was of course a detective character from the late 50's. I chose that because I first heard the name as a kid in the 70’s while watching a Leave it to Beaver re-run (The Beav got a rat… he named it Peter Gunn… that was the coolest name I had ever heard back then, and I had no idea it was actually another TV show) Little did I suspect that ID would take on a life of it's own, probably because my input became so prominent and everyone came to “know” me as Peter or just PG and it simply stuck…. and that's fine. I figure why fight it? My real name is actually John however… and my last name… well, like Spocks, you couldn’t pronounce it.
That means you can call me whatever you like, either Peter, PG or John. I tend to use PG simply because it’s more quickly recognized.
Well that resolves who I am, now what am I? Audio wise I suppose I am an audiophile by default, as music was always what mattered but reproducing it well mattered almost as much. Back in the early 80's I started buying gear and it wasn't long before I got turned on to Maggies and that was it. It's essentially the only brand I've owned or wished to own for… nearly 40 years, and I've owned or heard everything from the smg's up to the 3 series, tymps and 20’s.
Career wise I am a self taught Joiner who used to demonstrate and teach hand tool use at the Landis Valley living history museum, as well as making period furniture. The latter isn't what it used to be (frankly neither of them are) and what's worse you deal with people who really don't know what they want. I like working with people who know what they want. I never dreamed modding my own speakers would lead me to here. Magnepan provided the material, I supplied the inspiration and people came out of the woodwork to provide what I didn't have before - A customer who knows what he wants, and even better, is eternally grateful when he gets it. From there it has been a simple progression, as there is no joy greater than walking a road that is clearly laid out. I don’t make changes just to make changes, but when a real improvement comes along, it is folded into the design. For the young kids, think of my work like the sword of Gryffindor - It only takes in that which makes it stronger.
The irony of my 18th century past and my 21st century product has not been lost on me or many of my customers, and in that light I made up the following image (of me).
I'm sure Thomas Jefferson would have owned a pair had he the chance to.
Below is a write up explaining why I gave up any online presence and why I believe this community is not a healthy one.
The Asylum, and why it should be locked up
As many of you may know, when I reported what I did online years ago it was not attacked right off. That's because I did not sell it then and had no intention to, so I was just another "modder". However after some DIY people tried it and report back with vigor that I was indeed telling the truth and the results were that remarkable it's popularity started to erupt and that's when the people who like telling others what to do started to resent me and my work and all the arguing started. However (for the 5,000th time) I wish to point out that to this day I have never argued with someone who did it or owned it and actually listened to it. Arguments have always been with people telling me and others it isn't true, even thought they never heard it, and in most cases didn't (and still don't) fully understand what I do.
As you also know this went on for a few years, and eventually slowed when they could not find a single person to counter what I said. It's hard to get traction screaming "It'll never fly!" when the person you're screaming at is flying above you. However their animosity was so deep that they never stopped the backstabbing comments, but the overt arguing ceased... mostly. However, making all those other people happy resulted in an unforeseen problem for me.
So many people had taken my advice and gotten happy that they left the forum. After all, while it is a place to chat, it's mostly a place to get help and if you no longer need it you don't go as much, if at all. As a result almost all of my support vanished and the ingrates became emboldened by this and started attacking me again and worse, this included the moderator as well who turned on me. He began interjecting himself into the debate, made left handed snide comments about the things I did and deleted posts of mine for no legitimate reason. It was bad enough to have to fight them all over again, it was worse to have to do it alone, but it was impossible to do it when the guy running the board won't allow you to speak.
That bothered those decent folks who were left and many of them quit the asylum for new boards like Audio Circle. This came to a head in early 2012 when I saw a post from some guy who mentioned he had MMG's and was going to mod them even though people kept telling him to get a bigger model. He said he heard the 3.6 and didn't like it. For it's stock flaws he preferred the way the MMG sounded, plus it suited his room and gear more. While it seemed like he knew what he wanted, his post was questioning, as if their telling him he was wrong made him question his own wishes so he was looking for support. I already was not posting much at this time, but I felt it necessary to reply to him.
I told him that it was my experience that many people prefer the MMG simply because of the way it sounds (Especially once modded) and there was nothing strange in that. In any case, I told him too many people are quick to dismiss the introductory model of any product line. That model is meant to get you hooked, then you buy the model with the bells and whistles "when you're serious". (Or at least that's what the pundits believe) I likened it to the old Charles Atlas ads where the MMG is the scrawny kid who gets no respect and worse, he's trying to make time with the 3.6's girl. I found the idea very funny and made this cartoon as a joke which I put in my reply, and then I left.
Two days later the emails start pouring in. "How could they do that?!", "I'll never go back!", "That place is full or arrogant assholes..." "Thank you for what you've done, but I can't stand the place anymore..." etc etc... I was genuinely mystified. I later found out this post started the worst infighting that ever happened there, and that's saying something. I didn't read any of it, but I went and looked and it trailed down the page forever. Seriously, how could this cartoon start a war? The only answer is some very disturbed people. It got so bad I understand some people declared they were done and never coming back and friends (not the moderator) informed me I got "suspended" for a month. Suspended? For what? My original post was entirely non offensive and I said NOTHING at all during this dust up. Nothing. Of course the moderator had no answer as usual. To show him what a joke his "punishment" was I didn't post for the rest of the year.
That'll show me...
This fight was the final straw and most of the remaining decent people left for good to other boards like Audio Circle, however trolls don't like living under bridges nobody walks across, and as soon as they all discovered everyones’ new route they went and camped under the new bridge. That being the case, why post anywhere? So this is why I am done. I can't be bothered posting anymore because there is no promised land where we can talk without being attacked, insulted and "ruled" by our betters. (Who ironically it seems spend all their time talking about but not actually listening to their own, magnificent stereos) However, because I am gone my detractors have had a field day because no one contradicts them anymore. So, how do you spot them? Easy.
It's the same half dozen people doing it.
None of them every actually heard my work.
Almost all of them have thousands of posts to their credit - IE - blowhards
Keep in mind that I did not beat you over the head with a bat and TELL you what you need like they do. You found me. I can tell you a recent customer of mine wound up living right by my worst detractor, an ingrate who calls himself "Davey" online. This customer said he'd be happy to bring his speakers and a dozen people over and Davey could show everyone how superior his speakers were. He adamantly refused, and then ran and hid under his bed. That tells you all you need to know. Frankly these boards should be avoided entirely. Any good they do (which is little) is far outweighed by the harm and bad advice they give.
If you need more proof I've handed out my schematic for free to many thousands of people literally all over the world, so there are quite a large number of people using it. I'd ask you to find one, just one, who is saying they used it then abandoned it for something else. You won't find one and that alone, especially in this "hobby" speaks volumes. In fact it's almost unheard of. Weigh that against the words of those who never heard it, and make your choice.
That brings us to the Magnepan factor. The following is entirely my opinion and take on this subject. I am not stating it as fact, only my assumption of reality based on what I have observed and parts of it may or may not be correct.
Many of you may know Magnepan never had an online presence in the old days and in fact it seemed like they didn't know the internet existed. You couldn't even email them. That began to change around 2010 and they starting making inroads on the boards, and this was done by Wendell Diller himself. However thru accident or his actual character he quickly upset a lot of people who felt he acted like an annoyed father talking to wayward children. While Magnepan claims they know people mod and they don't mind it, I truly believe it annoys them terribly. In fact, I believe they despise it. I think that is foolish. 99% of the people who buy cars don't want a race car and most people who buy speakers don't want ultimate resolution. Their systems couldn't reproduce it anyway. But those who do want that level don't seek out the worst cars or speakers to jack up, do they? No, you use the one with the most potential, so it should be viewed as an honor but they do not see it that way. I truly believe they think it makes them look like a failure that needs fixing.
However because he alienated everyone so quickly, he left. He then found himself a mouthpiece named "Josh" who speaks on the boards for him like a self appointed expert on the subject, even though I have no idea who he is or what gear he even owns. The last time I looked he still had not posted what his system is, or what his credentials are. Worse, he made himself an expert on my work (which he's never heard) and constantly tells people, including my customers, what they should do and on every occasion that I've caught him, he's been entirely wrong. If you have a question about my work, ask me. Do not listen to him or anyone else for any reason at all. It's been proven to me he doesn't even fully understand what I do, he just "knows" it doesn't work. Worse, he continues to promote the mantra that I'm the one responsible for everyone leaving the asylum (because of the above fight, that he forgets I had with no one because I never posted anything but a cartoon) so as far as I am concerned he has no scruples or integrity. (And certainly no knowledge of what I do) Listen to him at your own peril.
It quickly became obvious that the line they were pushing was "Magnepans are perfect, (especially these new ones) so don't mod them." I vanished, the boards died, and all talk about modding ceased because it was now no longer "approved" so nobody dares discuss it. The planar asylum used to get fifty posts a day. Now it gets 5 a week. They got what they wanted - the conversation died, and don't you dare try to start it. I don't see how this benefits anyone, and what a fall from grace for that board, which started as the MUG forum which was a place made to talk about MODDING these speakers. It really is an another example of the modern mentality of using hate and threats to shut down freedom, liberty and the truth, so they can rule their pathetic kingdom.
Well…. no need to damn them. Their own actions have damned themselves. That board shows the truth of “Ye reap what ye sow”
Thank you as always for your time and interest. Much to my surprise, shortly after originally creating this page years ago I began to receive a flood of emails, all of them supporting my comments about the forums strongly and many people relating their own bad experiences with the trolls, but what really shook me was the genuine angst about my comments suggesting I may one day stop doing this. I had never expected that announcement to arouse such emotion, or genuine concern. The truth is I will have to stop eventually (as even I am entitled to some peace and retirement) but I will likely never stop entirely. What that means is I will always make the info available to those who want it, and I will, probably forever even if I have "stopped", do a few mods a year for those who truly "get it" and desire it. In other words I will not abandon you, you just may need to work with me a little. However for the foreseeable future as noted, it remains business as usual, so calm down.