A phased array coil system is presented for use with a magnetic resonance system. The phased array coil system includes a first coil, a second coil, and an interface subsystem. The first coil defines a first region and the second coil defines a second region, with the first coil partially overlapping the second coil to define an overlap region formed by the intersection of the first and second region. Operably connected with the first and second coils, the interface subsystem includes (i) a power splitter for splitting radio frequency (RF) power for delivery to the first and second coils and (ii) a phase compensator for adjusting the phase relationship of the RF power delivered to the first and second coils so that a magnetic field produced thereby in the overlap region is approximately equal to that produced near the center of each of the first and second regions.