Magnetic resonance systems are provided which employ a shielded, asymmetric magnet to produce an offset dsv. The magnets include at least a first coil C.sub.1, which carries current in a first direction, and two coils C.sub.2 and C.sub.3, which are located at least in part within the internal envelope E.sub.C1 defined by the first coil and which carry current in an opposite direction to the first coil. The magnets are shielded by a shielding coil C.sub.4, which carries current in a direction opposite to that of the first coil, and/or a ferromagnetic structure (FS). The magnets can include additional coils, such as a fifth coil C.sub.5 at the magnet's distal end. The magnets can be used in, for example, orthopedic imaging.