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Can Magnepan survive Wendell Diller?

I bought my first set of Magnepans in 1976, and I currently have a pair of 1.7i's.

It is difficult for me to upgrade to the 3.7i's because their are so many things that the company can do to improve their product that they simply won't offer; upgraded crossover components, a solid wood/rigid frames and better stands are examples.

Other companies are now doing this, but Magnepan always says Wendell doesn't think that is a good idea.

Can a man who suggests using lamp cord for his speaker line really have that much control over an otherwise unique technological approach to speaker design? I must be missing something obvious when a product is hand assembled in MN and any of these upgrades would, in my mind, warrant factory upgrades. Who wouldn't spend an extra $1k for a 1.7i with a hardwood frame and an upgraded x-over? Adding a ribbon tweeter to the 1.7i would warrant an additional $1k, still bringing them in $2k under the 3.7i.

Is it common for one person to hold an entire company back in high end audio? 
128x128william53b
jaytor's avatar
jaytor
765 posts
 
A wannabe speaker designer.
@william53b - Hardly "wannabe". Danny has designed some of the best speakers available - winning best sound at show at a number of audiophile shows. He offers designs, drivers and crossover components at a bargain price to those interested in building their own speakers, and, for a price, is willing to do crossover and other design optimization of any speaker you can provide. 

I was going to respond to your thread saying that if you really want to improve on the base Magnepan model, just do it yourself with or without the help of someone like Danny Ritchie from GR Research. There are also a number of artisans that can help with the actual modifications if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself. 
william53b's avatar
william53b OP
211 posts
 
@jaytor 

I know, I was referring that comment to the person who said we we were speaker designer wannabe's for criticizing a manufacturer.

I ordered his 1.7 upgrade package today and it will be here Thursday. I want to hear what an experienced designer of his caliber  can do with these before I go off on a tangent. If it is what I expect, I may not pursue this any further, except to try a return baffle on the back for rigidity and deeper bass. I also have to chamfer the MDF around the panel, everything in me says it is wrong to have a right angle next to a radiating surface.

I would like to try his open baffle subs in the future also, as they are servo controlled.

Sorry for the mixup.

You wouldn't happen to need any De'WooferMagnapan panels in Oak, would you? 😉
jaytor's avatar
jaytor
765 posts
 
I look forward to hearing what you think of the upgrades. 
hartf36's avatar
hartf36
206 posts
 
I'm perfectly happy with my MMGs and B&K EX-442 Sonata setup.

Other than making some custom stands that raise them about 5" off the floor (holding them vertical and stabilizing them), replacing the jumper with copper and replacing the fuse with silver tubing, they're stock. 

I toyed with getting them Gunned and had a pleasant exchange with Pete, but couldn't justify the cost considering the sound I'm getting out of them in stock form.  I feel no need to touch them at this point in time and am supremely happy with the sound:cost value aspect of these speakers.  They're amazing.
william53b's avatar
william53b OP
211 posts
 
@hartf36

I was happy with my Maggie 1.7i, but thought they lacked something, clarity in midrange and highs.

Why would I not want any speaker I buy to sound better than it does, ever?

The interesting thing to try with them is to place them on top of your subs if you have them. Solves the spacing problem. You may also want to try raising them with the radiating panel equidistant from the floor and ceiling, that gives you very nice sound, much better than on the floor; it is sort of the embodiment of the "floor to ceiling line source" view of speaker design.
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