As a long-time dipole user, and completely understanding your interest in the Magnepan speakers (I own a pair), my advice is to forget about it for use in your current space. Why? is the obvious question.
The common wisdom is that dipoles need an absolute minimum of 3’ spacing from the wall behind them. That wisdom is debatable: 5’ is more like it in the opinion of those (such as myself) who have learned the hard way that 5’ is required for the front wave and back wave of dipole loudspeakers to be heard as separate events, rather than the back wave being a smearing of the front wave.
The literature informs us (as do our brains) that 10 milliseconds is the time required for our gray matter to perceive two sounds to be heard as separate events. As sound travels at approximately 1’ per ms, with 5’ spacing the back wave of a dipole loudspeaker reaches the front wall (behind the speaker) 5 ms after being launched, reflecting off that wall and arriving back at the planar 5 ms later, where it meets (in time) the loudspeaker. 5 ms plus 5ms equals 10ms, the elapsed time thereby meeting the required 10ms spacing of acoustic events.
When dipoles are placed closer that 5' from the wall behind them, the front and rear waves meet at varying degrees of phase alignment, which creates cancellation and reinforcement at different frequencies. This phenomenon is called comb filtering: peaks and troughs in the frequency response of the loudspeaker. Not good ;-) .
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Darn, second again.
My dream is to be responder #1.
You don't get 9,086 posts for nothin'
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The LRS is a poor-sounding speaker - a highly colored far-from - neutral device. Go to Audio Science Review and read the test report. Unlike electronics speakers cannot hide from the measuring process (Klipple Near Field System).
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Whatever we tell you about how it sounds is our opinion… you have to listen for yourself. Panel speakers do some things extremely well, other things less so. Because the room is a big part of the sound, if you aren’t willing or able to have them 3-5’ out from the rear wall if that’s what it takes… then take them off your list… 20” isn’t going to work.
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@jasonbourne71
the LRS speaker was not measured properly by ASR. Measurements shouldn't be taken of large panel speakers at such a close distance.
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The LRS+ is the very best speaker I have had in my small office, 12 x 11 x 9 + 4 extra feet in a closet where I have my office computers and desk (totally silent).
I have had the following speakers in this space:
- Thiel CS3.7
- KEF LS50
- KEF LSC50 Meta
- Audience 1 + 1 V3
I used a KEF KC62 sub with the LS50 Meta and LRS+. I think this room is perfect for the LRS+ but I do have it acoustically treated with GIK panels.
When I had the Audience 1+1 (similar to LRS+) it sounded awful prior to the acoustic treatment.
I have then 3 feet from the front wall.
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That’s funny. Go to ASR to see how it sounds. Especially for speakers.
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well, the LRS is a fantastic-sounding speaker - a highly natural-sounding device.
the typical reaction to hearing an LRS, LRS+ and MMG before these is/was WOW. its typical that folks hear an LRS or MMG and still havent gone back to box speakers. thats the kind of impression these make.
many people add a small sub, as they dont have the WOOF air-pushing bass.
i dont own em, but ive listened plenty of times. fantastic speakers.
thats a small listening space. may be too small. may not work in that listening space.
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I have the LRS+ running on a Rogue Sphinx v3 in a small - my home office- room that's about 10x 12. I have them about 2 feet from the rear (on the 10 ft wall) and only about 1 foot off the side walls. I have them on the factory stands, slightly tilted back and barely toed in. They sound great, There's no treatment behind them except a curtain that covers a window thats centered on that wall. The Rogue drives them easily and if I want to crank them up they get plenty loud. I roll my office chair to about 8 feet from them and they're fast, musical and dynamic. For the $1300 or so they cost I think they're great. I've had the wireless powered KEFLS50 with a JL E110 in the same room previously and these just work better. I'd say go for it, its a small investment in a really well reviewed speaker. I don't bother with the ASR reviews- at all. My main system is Wilson Sasha 2 on a Pass 250.8 and a JL f113 V2 in a dedicated room and I've had a ton - a ton- of equipment in and out of the systems over the years.
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I that size room I would recommend the LRS+. I found them to be a great introduction to what Maggies provide.
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I own LRS+ and I think I could make them work in most rooms.
They are fantastic speakers for the money, they do so much very well, even the bass that they do have is done very well.
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For my room of similar size, Magnepan told me the LRS+ would sound better than the .7 ...
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20" from the back wall isn't going to be enough I'm afraid... you need to get them out another foot at least. Although I liked the .7 much better than the LRS+ (and better than the 1.7i!), I think in your space anything larger than the LRS+ will be darn near impossible to even "make it work"
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I agree with y'all. You need more room for Bigger Maggies.
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Well it seems we/I have a conundrum!
First, thanks to All that have replied. The LRS+ waiting time is some months and I'm the type that when I decide to buy it, I WANT IT! No matter. From what I've read and the responses here, getting the best out of any Magnapan will be impossible in my room. Even the SVS speakers I have is stretch. Very imposing in this room. BUT!! I'm itch'n for something new/different. This hobby is a disease and expensive.
Best to All.
Lawrence From MI
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some here have reported finding dealers with an LRS+ in stock...maybe if you make enough phone calls...
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@lrlacosse
By now you understand that unless you can bring Magnepans out into the room at least 3' you'll be missing most of what they do so well. My listening room is close in size to yours. I've had MMGs , then .7's, and now LRS+. I prefer the LRS+. Its size scales better and for whatever reasons I find the LRS+ easier to position. Mine are about 5' from the front wall I think the LRS+ lives up to all the hype and has earned all its positive reviews. Break-in time was around 300 hours for me. The bass response of the LRS+ is surprisingly robust.
If I were in your situation I'd likely be looking at speakers like Larsen, and/or Ohm. I've had both and while both brands have their charms, for my wife and me Magnepans win the day.
Hope this helps. Best of luck on your journey.
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Give a call to Glenn Poor Audio, Champaign, Illinois. They had 3 pairs of LRS+ in stock in April.
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I ordered my LRS+ last month through the music room and received them in about a week. Was fast.
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Hello lrlacosse! As a three time Maggie owner, I assure you the LRS+ is a delightful speaker. To use them close to the wall, hang a carpet, blanket, quilt - something soft and and sound absorbing on the wall behind them. Not any kind of foam. Space the hanging fabric 1/2 to 1 inch from the wall. You'll be surprised at how well that works. They are not slam bang dynamic, but they are articulate and sweet. Don't expect them to play at lease - breaking volumes. Happy Listening!
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@invalid
I’m not sure. Mine shipped from TMR so they may have some on hand stock.
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I started with the LRS (not the +) and it made me want more. I got the .7s and I thought it gave me more but then I wanted more. The .7s can be gotten fairly cheap used. I'd go that direction.
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Lawrence, do you live in metro Detroit? The Sound advantage in Rochester Hills certainly has 1.7’s and 3.7’s on the showroom floor. Haven’t been in for awhile but they were promising to have LRS a few months ago.
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Update 7/1/2023
I’ve decided to try the LRS+ just to get the feel of a planer speaker and see/hear what will do in my room. Contacted TMR and they had a set in stock. By the time I got back them to order, that set was sold. Now 4-6 week wait for Black.
Sent a message to Sound Advantage this morning.
"do you live in metro Detroit? " Oh heck no. Nowhere near. I live in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
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You mentioned the problems with the dynamics of the LRS’s.
Since last month I have a pair of .7’s and, indeed, the dynamic was very blurry while using the Marantz PM7200 Class A /AB Integrated Amplifier Gold champagne, which was excellent for a big, Tannoy Speakers. With the ’7’s it didn’t work so well.
Then, after a research I decided to look for a more powerful amp, which could give more current to the whole Maggies stripes, especially for the more dynamic parts of music. My latest purchase was Pioneer M-73 Urushi Reference Power amplifier, which appeared to be a perfect match for my .7’s. Dynamic of this system is unbelievable! The drums introits, acoustic guitar solos or even the symphonic music, including the operatic performances, are completely different with the wider, more rich and articulate sound. The same symphonic orchestra with the old Marantz amp sounded like half-sleeping bunch of guys led by the lethargic conductor. After changing the amp the same record was a completely different story. The whole orchestra was playing better, conduction was energetic and the sound performance was far, far wider, I would say, with no precedence.
I recommend to everyone while using the planars you must consider and think well about the proper amp, matching this type of loudspeakers. If you’ll ignore this passage, your Maggies will never sound on the top of their capabilities.
Cheers and enjoy Your top quality Maggies!
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Agreed chosing the right amp for Maggie's should be a number 1priority.
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