Vandersteen VLR signature w carbon tweeter a sub3 on Sound anchor stands.
Need help replacing my beloved Magnepan....
I have been using Magnepan for years in my basement and I am moving to a new space where I need to set up a new listening room in my living room. I am looking for Bookshelves or small tower speakers' recommendations because I won't be able to use my beloved 1.7i Maggies anymore in my new space. I loved the huge wall of sound and the amazing transparency my 1.7i produce. Which speakers can get me close to what Magnepan can do? I listen to a lot of Jazz vinyl and my system consists of: Atoll IN200SE integrated amp, Tube Phono preamp: Rega Planar 3 with Nagaoka cartridge, denafrips dac with all acoustic zen interconnect + Clear Day DSG speaker cables. Thank again for all your recommendations in advance.
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I replaced my Quad 57’s with Bache Audio Tribeca speakers and couldn’t be happier. Those are above your budget but I believe they are going to introduce a new smaller tower. My Tribeca’s have a wide open sound that’s coherent and holographic and just plain fun to listen too. The combination of a wide band driver and a very simple crossover is special. |
I would take a look at a used pair of Revel Ultima Gem speakers. These were Revel's first product. I owned a pair for many years and regret selling them. They don't play super deep without a sub, but produce the clean, clear, natural sound that Revel has become famous for. Excellent imaging and soundstage. The Gems include a rear-firing tweeter that adds some of the openness that you're used to with your Maggies. There is currently a pair for sale on Ebay for $2200. |
My first actual audiophile system included the Magneplanar Tympany 1Bs. Loved those speakers, but had to sell due to space limitations as well. Went through a number of iterations and finally settled on the Dunlavy lineup. Some of the speakers are huge, but the Signature 1s are bookshelf size and match up well with some of the newer sub manufacturers such as SVS. Dunlavy closed shop a couple of decades ago, but the brand still enjoys a loyal following. |
Unfortunately, no dynamic driver in a box type speaker is going to come close, not even a Wilson or Magico. It is Apples and Oranges. Your sound stage will be smaller and you will suffer from more room interaction. In terms or transient response you might try looking at a small horn loaded speaker like the Klipsch Heresy. On the good side they are very efficient so, if you were driving the Maggies to adequate levels you will blow the roof off with the Heresy's. They also have beautiful walnut cabinets so I am sure the wife will approve. |
What in the new space would prohibit the use of our 1.7i, is there any way you could move them against the wall when not listening. Although the LRS is touted as a great speaker will it really save that much space. I would try to stay with what I love. You'll really have to get out there and listen if a change is indeed needed. |
+1 with @johnto and others who suggest replacing Maggies with Maggies. No other speaker reproduces music as accurately as Maggies, IMO. The limitations you note are evidently size. Move them when you are not listening, or go with the smaller Maggies. You will be glad you did in a year or so, I am sure. Listening fatigue is NOT a pretty thing, and box speakers give you that, unfortunately. Cheers! |
I'm not going to offer a specific recommendation, but I am going to offer a word of experience in moving in the direction of monitors. I owned Maggies for years, starting with SMGA's, moving to 1.6 QR's, and finally to 3.7Rs. I bought a pair of Coincident Triumph Extreme II monitors to use in a second system, and I was floored by how they stacked up against the 3.7Rs. While the monitors couldn't match the true ribbons in the 3.7Rs, they were as good or better in most other respects, even giving better and lower bass response than the 3.7's in my room. I've since gone to boxes in both of my systems, and at least in my main rig, I get much better imaging etc than I ever got in multiple rooms using Maggies, and I had considerable placement latitude for optimally positioning the Maggies. As always with speakers, audition! If I were in your position, I'd take a hard look at what Fritz has to offer. He has got a lot of satisfied customers. |
Hi Analoguefan, Take a look at Tetraspeakers.com. First photo you see is Keith Richards saying “These are not just ANY pair of speakers!”. And then an amazing group of some of the world’s greatest musicians saying even more superlatives. Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, et al. After almost 50 years of constantly upgrading my system and speakers especially, I am off the merry-go-round for good. I currently have two systems with two pair of Tetra speakers-the $1500 entry level 120Us and the $16k Phoenix TZs. Of course, the Phoenix have a more complete and fuller sound but they both have the Tetra house sound. They sound right. They grab you with truth unlike any other speaker I have ever heard. Tetra sells direct and can fix you up with one of their bookshelves. I was absolutely convinced by the comments on their website and am, obviously, thrilled and no longer tempted by any other speaker. Other than a Tetra, I lived with Quad 57s for 10 Years. I still miss the Quads but will never listen to anything but a Tetra. |
WAIT I'm selling my two-channel gear which includes Magenpan MMG Super, (pair of MMGs + Bass panel). I also have the Maggie Minis with 3.7 ribbon. They are listed here
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa1j07-magnepan-mmg-super-planars . I bought them new in 2013 when I downsized. If you decide to stay with maggies, let's chat. I don't want to hijack your post so please pm me if you want to chat by phone. |
Many box-type speakers are capable of similar transparency, and many more are capable of better resolution. I love Maggies for what they do well. Yes, they sound boxless but they’re lacking in resolution. For your budget, a pre-owned pair of Audio Physics should do the trick -- Virgo Tempo, or Avanti. |
In 1981, I brought a second hand pair of MG-1s. Over the next 35 years I owned another 4 pairs of Magnepans. I went from the 1s to 1Cs and then to 1.4s. After that I owned 1.6s and finally 1.7is. Each time I changed speakers, I would listen to other brands but I always ended up buying the Magnepans. As my retirement approached, I realized I was going to need something that would work in a smaller space. I found a local dealer who sold Harbeths. I started by auditioning the 30.1. Great speaker! A couple weeks later, I went back and listened to the 7ES. Another great speaker!! A couple weeks later, I listened to the SHL5 Plus and I realized that was the one the checked all my boxes. I spent the next year auditioning amplifiers and eventually settled on the Leben CS600X. With the music I enjoy, the combination is simply sublime. I don’t miss the Maggies at all. Having said that, Magnepans are wonderful speakers; they do so many things so well. It’s easy to get hooked. I enjoyed every minute I spent with them. My point is, there are many great speakers. They are not going to have all the strengths of Maggies but they will thrill you in new and different ways. You need to take your time and audition everything you can. Find the ones that work their magic for you. It’s a journey; enjoy it. |
direwolf336, Thank you very much for sharing with me your journey! |
Tend to agree with Sunmoon upthread who says ribbons or AMTs might be in your future. Modestly sized towers with ribbon tweets convinced me that I don't need Maggies to get most of what Maggies deliver, along with a couple of good things they're missing (dispersion in particular). That said, I now have three pairs of Harbeths and I'm finding them all impossibly seductive. At some point I'll have to let a pair or two go, but I will have a devil of a time deciding which. So I agree with Direwolf too. |
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa1104-avalon-acoustics-arcus-full-range
This listing will expire pretty soon. But you can still contact seller. I had used Avalon Ascent II after using Apogee Duetta. Avalon give very transparent and refined sound. |
I wanted to thank you all for sharing with me your recommendations and thoughts. I ended up purchasing a Scottish loudspeakers by the name of Fyne audio from a great Dealer in CA. He recommended for me to try their small floorstander model f501. I will follow up with my thoughts about the speakers in couple weeks. Thank you again and y’all stay safe! |
Good job; smart to audition. Enjoy! When you stop licking your wounds about the Maggie sound you will realize that when alternative systems are put up well, they can outperform panels in other aspects of performance. Panels in no way have it all, and you can enjoy different technological expressions. That from a panel, and especially ESL, lover. :) |
I just wanted to again thank all the Agon wonderful members For all the recommendations that I received. I ended up with a pair of Fyne audio F501 and they are really wonderful speakers! Obviously Different than Magnepan but they are as enjoyable with fantastic low end that I missed a lot with my previous Maggie’s. |