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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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william53b OP
211 posts
 

Oh yeah, to @pat_from_indy 's point.

My brick and mortar Magnepan dealer can’t get the factory to return their calls an email. Contact: 

 for details.

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william53b OP
211 posts
 

and email's.

 

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william53b OP
211 posts
 

@pat_from_indy 

Regarding your center channel needs: Any KEK center channel, from the R 600’s and up will blow the Maggie’s doors off.

But here’s the deal, most center, and for that matter all box speakers, lack one thing that allows them to image like Slagmapans, a rear firing driver. That's the whole shebang, want Maggie imaging? Add a rear firing midrange/tweeter. I prefer adding a rear firing full range driver like the Fostex FE168EZ 6.5" Full Range Sigma Series. It does two things. It adds "presence" and it adds that feathery ambiguity to the harmonic overtones.

 

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jaymark
505 posts
 

I still have a pair of 1.7s that I bought from an audio store in Michigan.  I had my modder rebuild the crossovers into an outboard box.  He described the parts inside as cheap junk.  The rebuilt xover sounded much, much better.  To my ears they sound ok stock.  Nevertheless, to my ears a pair of subs is mandatory.  

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