I finally got an opportunity to hear the 1.7i magnepan. I will blame my ears and taste, but I was underwhelmed. I heard them with tweeters inside and outside for comparison. outside did sound a bit better. Then I allowed them to play the vandersteen quatro ct. The speakers disappeared into the music. Deep, tall, wide soundstage with excellent imaging and air around the different instruments. Full range sound. Thankfully the trio ct sounded almost the quatros equal. I really was ready to go with magnepan. I was surprised. All other speakers are sounding inferior now.
Magnepans are notoriously a bit of a task to set up properly. And it's a lot more involved than which side the tweeters go on. Of course, they also shine better in some environments, with some music, and with particular amplification. IME they don't work everywhere nor do they work for everyone. But when they do shine, they're almost untouchable.
The problem with the vandersteen speakers is that they have drivers that overlap over a wide range. This is not only pointless but can cause a muddy sound. Other speakers have a smaller area which overlaps so you get less interference.
No reason to be ashamed for your impressions. You pick the speaker you like, period. If I read you right, I think your wallet is crying. ;)
I can appreciate what you are saying about the panel sound. I enjoy panels and dynamic speakers, but they are obviously different in their characteristics, and it is easy to see why someone would be drawn to one or the other.
As an alternative, you may wish to hear the PureAudioProject Trio15 Horn 1 (there are several versions; you can see on the website). It is a horn hybrid that is open baffle. That would give you further experience and let you conclude whether you enjoy or not open baffle. See my review of it at Dagogo.com
Perhaps the Vandy 3 will be sufficient at a lower cost. It, too, is a terrific bargain performer.
They’re definitely not on par with bose or sonos, Kenjit. Don’t even get me started on how much better cheap ear buds are than any hi-fi product. Don’t be duped into thinking otherwise...
All speakers are a matter of personal preference, Magnepan and Vandersteen maybe more so than others...love my new LRS, love the big Vandersteens, not so much the 2 and 3...would be great to prefer the less expensive models...
I have owned multiple pairs of both Maggies and Vandies. Your comparison really isn't fair as to either. Just a few of the issues:
1) Same room or different room. 2) Comparing a $2,000 speaker to a $15,000 speaker. Did you listen to the 1ci or 2ce Sig II which would be a fair comparison to the 1.7i? 3) Amplification? 4) Expecting the Maggies to have the same bass response as a speaker with a built in subwoofer.
Your comparison is like saying I test drove a Subaru BRZ and McLaren and the McLaren blew away the Subaru.
Ok...I did say to my fiance when listening that it was not a fair comparison. I realized that at the time. The vandersteen just opened the door to the type of sound that I liked. I will probably get the unifi ub5 with an integrated amp. Save my money until I am sold on exactly what I want. Today I have heard MartinLogan, def tech, and multiple b&w speakers. the closest sound I heard to what I liked was the diamond 800 series, but for $40000. Wasn't impressed by the b&w 702. Unlike the survivor song from the mid 80s, this search is NOT over. Yes, different hardware, different rooms.
I guess then, I am not sure what the point is of your post. It appears based on your second post that your budget is about $400-500 for speakers and an unknown amount for an amp. At that level, you really should be comparing a pair of Vandersteen 1C and Maggie MMG/MMGi, both of which can be had used in that price range. The Maggies will be much harder to drive (they need a good amount of power) where the 1c is a much easier load and more sensitive. If in fact Vandersteens are what you want, this gets you in the door at your budget.
Lot’s of good inputs and the trolls input. There are more than a few dealers in the USA that carry both Vandersteen AND Magneplaners- for a reason, properly setup and powered w decent electronics they both sound wonderful. I don’t agree that Quatros vs 20 series is appropriate because of the amplifier needed w the 20, but that is a nit. You can run Treo CT w 40 wpc as I do every day. @noromance stop by Seattle sometime and listen awhile to 7’s and the 7 amps:-) finally to the OP, enjoy the journey and the music - Vandy and Maggie owners are a passionate lot, I would venture to say many of us own or have owned both.
As for the troll who does not understand that the human ear is MUCH more sensitive to timing information than to frequency response, you have much to learn.....or perhaps discern
I wouldn't screw around with Vandersteens......they sound wonderful in my house...just set them up properly....there's a lot to do to make them near their peak. Once right is achieved all you have are smiles. I have 5A's....a treat. For me, furniture adjustments did the trick.
That's the only spec you get on their website. If their off axis response is something to be proud of which it should be at 60k then they ought to proudly provide these measurements. Every speaker designer worth his salt knows that off axis response is important.
@tomic601 I listened to them at a hotel demo for 2 hours on some top flight sources and AQ cables. They were good but not $150k good. Admittedly, it was a hotel. But other systems sounded better and they had their best shot in a big space.
You should let Richard Vandersteen know that he has been doing it all wrong for the lasts 40 years and several hundred thousand pairs of speakers. Maybe you can show him how to design a proper cross-over while you are at it as well as what he is doing wrong in designing his drivers.
Salt and talk are cheap, You do have to admire the willful ignorance of a holiday inn speaker designer
salt and talk and steep slide filters are cheap Pistonic drivers in the pass band, not so much. To each his own on sound and value @noromance my offer stands and I guessing the vino is better here than at the hotel :-) oMG what a boring world if we all like the same stuff....
I never even look at specs, to me they do have a sound. BUT I understand if others do. That being said, you can get a pair of Vandersteen 5As cheap these days in the $6K range. I never go by any dealer or show set-ups because they never sound as good as my system does. For example, I just finished a Class A power amp just for kicks. Put them on my Vandersteen 5As and I was so impressed how they worked together. So far the best combination I have heard with them in my system. I don't hear this sound when I go to a dealer. So unless I can hear it in my system, I don't really have an opinion either way.
IF all goes to plan, I will see the “ wizard of Hanford “ later this week and I will let him know team Holiday Inn thinks you have been doing it all wrong since 1977.....i plan this revelation over cheap wine unless he sprays it everywhere...save that bottle of Davis Vineyards for later...
for those with ears, as I said many dealers carry both, one such is Stereo Unlimited in San Diego. The larger Maggies can sing with the MC601 with the Revox B77 Jacintha tape, the Quattro CT with the Bardo are sublime with smaller amps...ya pays your money and takes your pick...
Not in the same league as what you are auditioning, but I own both Vandersteen 2C (original version) and Magnepan LRS. I much prefer the imaging and overall character of the LRS, but the bass is quite limited compared to the 2C. Of course, the somewhat paltry bass is a known "issue" with the LRS but it doesn't interfere with my enjoyment. Positioning with the LRS is a crux issue. In sum, on the low-end of the price spectrum and (admittedly) comparing an very old set of 2C with a brand new (relatively) set of LRS, I prefer the latter.
I will see the wizard of Hanford “ later this week and I will let him know team Holiday Inn thinks you have been doing it all wrong since 1977
Of course its all wrong. Magico, Wilson, Yg, Revel and every other speaker company that deliberately avoids first order slopes also thinks it's wrong. Most high end speakers avoid first order slopes. The wizard is in the minority that caters to a niche group.
The elac integrated comment was more rant than a comment on my budget. Could I have Walked out with some prima luna gear and quattros... yes. But I was disappointed that my previously conceived plan involving the 1.7i were blown out of the water. Thankfully my fiance has a good ear and heard what I heard. She has said that if I am happiest with quattros, then I should get the quattros. Wow! End of the day, I also got to hear GE triton 1. excellent low end, clear sound, definitely a good speaker, but still doesn't match the vandersteens.
I happen to like both brands but own a pair of Magnepan 3.7i which sound wonderful in my listening room. You do need a high current amp to drive them (I currently have a Musical Fidelity Nu Vista 800 Integrated amplifier). Setup did take some time (found soundstage shrank with ribbon tweeters inverted), but not more than time than I would spend on any other speaker - one has to play the room to get things right and all speakers are different in that regard. I’m sure with properly matched electronics either speaker would sound good. I would agree with the others that even under the best of circumstances comparing the 1.7i with the Quattro might be a tad unfair (and with everything else being equal both do have different sound signatures - becomes a matter of personal taste). Enjoy your new speakers!
I've owned two of the entry models from each brand - same level of components, same room.
The 1Cis are comparable to the 1.7is in overall value, but they have some different strengths. I like both of these more than the 2CE Sig IIs. Oddly, I find the Magnepan .7 is better than the other three in overall performance. I was surprised to find it's actually more dynamic than the 1Cis and 2CEs, just doesn't plumb as deep in the bass. Yes, it requires more power, but an amp of 75 watts/ch with a stout power reserve will be enough for good volume in a medium-sized (i.e. 14x20') room.
The .7 really is much better than what I was ever able to coax from the 1.7is, even regarding resolution. Maybe it's because I never used anything beefier than the Halo Integrated with the 1.7s. However, if one really needs a better amp than that to make them sing, then they're not a great value after all.
@glfrancis2 Sounds like y'all shopped at HiFi Buys in ATL. I bought my system from them: Quatro CT powered by Parasound A21 with Bluesound Vault as source via Parasound JC2BP. Very happy with sound. And, great people and environment at HiFi Buys. David White there is an electrical engineer by training; he knows his stuff, no BS.
You might consider pairing Quatros with Parasound JC5 and NAD Masters series dac/streamer that eliminates need for pre-amp, if you are cool with all digital set-up.
I too planned to spend a lot less money but my wife like your fiance heard the Quatros and opened the door to getting them. When your partner gives a gift like that, only wise move is to affirm her.
Besides comparing a $2200 pair of speakers to a pair of $15,000 speakers, it would be best albeit difficult to compare the Vandys to a higher priced pair of Maggies but with the following tweaks to optimize the Maggies. These would include mounting them on MyeStands, installing the Mike Powell silver upgrades to the stock jumpers and fuses. Plus Maggies require more power, proper placement away from the rear wall and angulation to optimize the sweet spot with regard to the listening position. All of these tweaks bring out the best in Maggies. They have in my 1.7i pair.
IF you want the Maggie’s to do what Quattro can do on the low end, you are in to subs and the right amplifiers to drive the main panels, total system cost is about the same ....
kenjitholidayinn let us know when Wilson, Magico exceed 250 K speaker pairs sold, your idea of “niche” may need redefining. Steep slopes with a singular focus on frequency response are easy, I did those in 1980, graduating to time and phase are another matter. But a few intrepid souls have worked this vein, some deceased but legendary- can you name them from your position of internet obscurity?
Also full disclosure, while I don’t currently own a set of Magneplaners I have in the past and also sold them for many years. The current stable includes Klipsch, Thiel, Quad, Dynaco , ADS , Totem and Vandersteen
The new Spatial audio labs x5, and x3 have world class Beyma tweeter- mid and excellent German dipole midrange, and powered sub in these great open baffle speakers in the $6k, $7500range they shoot Waay above that and free delivery,and a 60 day audition return policy they are that good. check these out ihave owned all types Maggie ml, pure audio project these are a a Rare breed these latest from Clayton Shaw are only a few months old on audio circle a very good utube video,or utube. Check them out I am saving as we speak ,and because they are powered for the sub 8 ohms 97 dB efficient !!
Once again, I will point out that HiFi Buys and all other dealers are wonderful, but until you hear these or ANY items in YOUR ROOM, you are simply winnowing down your prospects rather than making an informed decision.
Please remember, YOUR ROOM is the most important variable in ANY sound reproduction system.
Until you hear both there, you had a great day at a good dealer and heard some wonderful music. Other than that, I have no idea what will sound good at your home. Do you?
I'd be buying an extra pair or two of the LRS vs. spending 3x on the 1.7i which seems like frankly the absolute dog of the Magnepan line. I own the LRS and can't imagine what 2200 bux would do for me vs. 715 to my door and not messing with the snobby local dealer.
Call Jim Salk at Salk Audio. His Song3 Encores at $6,000 sound incredible. Listened to them at RMAF and they were by far the best speakers under $20,000. Jim sells direct, but uses the best speakers and his cabinet workmanship is custom and really high quality. Tell him Larry Edwards sent you. He is incredibly nice and knowledgeable.
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