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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? 
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lhasaguy's avatar
lhasaguy
333 posts
 
The one thing Magnepan could do that would not be overly expensive is to produce a solid frame like Mye stands as an option.  
Three things really opened up my 3.6 Maggies were Mye stands, room treatment (ficus plants behind speakers) and enough power (McIntosh MC501s).

Those changes (I went thru a few amps) made the amazing sound I still love today!!


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kingbarbuda
514 posts
 
@Ihasaguy try the relatively inexpensive but effective Mike Powell Ag upgrade. It made a difference in my 1.7i Maggies. 
secretguy
1,680 posts
 

ps582 posts07-28-2021 7:45pmOP writes regarding the discussion on his thread: "some reply’s (sic) on this post that entirely miss the point of that and have have (sic) taken it off track and through the mud."

The only mud in this dreadful thread is that which has been flung at Mr. Diller.

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Indeed.
barrysandy
192 posts
 
Well, I'm not sure what Wendell has to do with it. 

Magnepan is a legend in audio.  They certainly didn't get where they are without a good business strategy and it's worked.  I'm amazed at how great the speakers sound considering the basic parts and construction they use, and I have a good point of comparison for how much it takes to do better as you can see from my radically "tweaked" system.  If you want to spend more, their product line has always allowed people to trade up for better sound with their higher model, more expensive speakers. All of their speakers are contenders for top honors at their price points and higher.

We all see a lot of valid complaints about how the cost of audio is no longer affordable for most people.  Certainly, no one can fault Magnepan for that!
  

  
klistener
1 posts
 

I just got up from listening to John Adams "Harmonielehre" with San Fran Symph/MTT, full of wonder, awe and reverence at the power of that music - thanks to a 5.1 sys of all Maggies (20.7, 3.3, CC, REL- Emotiva). I came upon this thread, curious about the price of the 30s.

Their designs are doing something right - it’s all about the sound - and that’s all there is to say about it. Like every manufactured product, there are improvements that can be made.

But, just like your sweetheart - If you’re thinking of going through with getting married, believing you can improve her over time, don’t do it!

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