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Magneplanar .7 speakers. Have you heard or own them??

I have owned a pair of Golden Ear Technology for about 8 months. I generally like them because of their high level of accuracy and general transparency   However, despite those virtues, I find them to sound cool, and not very involving, or engaging.  Everything being equal, they don't seem to convey the emotional content of the music. I also been finding it difficult to get them to sound right. They can sound a bit bright on some CD's and also provide an overtone on vocals 

I would like to get  feedback from owners of the Magneplanar's .7 speaker, or even if you have only auditioned the speaker a few times in anticipation of buying. Some of the reviews I have read claim that with a fairly powerful amp or integrated, they can cleanly down to 45Hz, but their major strength is a superb midrange and smooth high end. Of course, being familiar with "Maggies" they can give a buyer ulcers trying to get them to sound right especially in medium size room because of their design.  My room is 12.5 X 15 and is separated by a couch to a dining and kitchen area.of almost the same size 

Therefore, I am curious if the .7 can convey that  emotion of music with the same clarity of a  dynamic speaker.  My system is a Rogue Sphinx integrated  amp (100 RMS @ 8ohms, and 200 RMS at 4ohms.  CD player is a Ayre CX-7e mp.

Speaker cables are Harmonic Technology PRO 11+ and  HT Truthlink IC.  I  plug the system into the less expensive Blue Circle's  conditioner which is outstanding,  Thanks to all!!

BTW , I heard the .7 once but not for long, and in a audio shop that carries both Maggies and Golden Ear Technology speakers  However , the owner never seems to have .7 and the GET model 7 on display for audition at the same time.  .   

 

 

sunnyjim
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
Solution :

1) Use them in a small room any way - I have, and they work well.

2) Keep your wife out of the room.
papermill's avatar
papermill
80 posts
 
Sunnyjim,
I've recently bought the Magnepan .7 for my modest AV setup.
I highly recommend these quasi-ribbon Maggies. I had a concern regarding dynamics, center imaging and bass response. With the tweeter array to the inside, the speakers have very good impact and focus. I supplement the low frequencies with a subwoofer with fine results. What is especially gratifying, is that I'm finding myself in front of these for change-of-pace music listening. The magic of the Magnepan presentation is very refreshing and engaging. As is often advised, make sure you have enough power/current to drive these.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

Papermill,  Thank you for the comments they are useful.  I have a Rogue Sphinx V.1 hybrid integrated amp which is 100RMS, and supposedly more into 4 ohms.  I have read in the  separate reviews in Stereophile and TAS that depending on the room size, 100RMS can drive Maggies .7  well enough to sound full, and even reach down to 45 Hz 

This claim was made by  Herb Reichert of Stereophile who is a overly enthusiastic and therefore needs to be taken with a grain of salt.  In his review, he drove the .7  first with the Rogue Sphinx and was a happy camper, but in the end he fell back on his favorite amp, the Vinny Rossie LM218 integrated which is about $4300. Therefore, I don't really find his  reviews credible or the method he uses to review speakers by changing amplifiers to a more expensive and possibly better sounding.

Nevertheless, I am just looking for a speaker that is smooth and enjoyable to listen to despite having to sacrifice some low bass. BTW, what is the size of the room your .7 are placed, and what type of amp are you using.

 I am not wedded to the Rogue Sphinx, especially since they made  important changes to the model about 8 months after I bought it.  It is now the Rogue Sphinx v.2   BTW, to upgrade from v.1 to v.2 is $400. plus the cost of round trip shipping  That would add $200 extra because I live in Los Angeles and Rogue is located somewhere in Pennsylvania.  I don't find this to be so-called customer friendly.   

   

papermill's avatar
papermill
80 posts
 
Sunnyjim,
Glad to help.
Reviewers in general have a propensity to be over enthusiastic of the equipment they review. However, there are a few good ones out there that I trust. I especially appreciate Doug Schroeder of Dagogo and Art Dudley of Stereophile....
I can't overemphasize the need for a good amount of power/current for the Magnepan. 100RMS into 4 ohms sounds a little light to me, but I'm unfamiliar with Rogue -  although I understand they are very nice.
My .7s  are powered by an EMOTIVA XPA-2, 500RMS into 4 ohms.
The basement room is irregularly shaped, but the width of the area where the Magnepans are situated is about 10 ft. 3.5 feet off the front wall, 7 feet apart, the listening/watching couch is about 7.5 feet from the speakers. If you intend to forgo the use of a sub, then the size of the panels will make a significant impact on bass response. I've also been told that the distance from the front wall significantly impacts the bass response. IF you have a larger room that can accommodate the 1.7, then maybe you could consider them. I recommend, if feasible, audition them in your room. Their clean, open soundfield  is very musically enjoyable. There are many forums here and elsewhere regarding all things Magnepan - with much greater experience/expertise than I'm able to offer...
All the best and good luck.

sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

Correction of reply to Papermill: Reviewer Herb Reichert used the Rogue Sphinx integrated almost exclusively to drive the Magneplanar .7. 

I was mistaken also about the amp; he generally cites the glories of the Line Magnetic LM518IA  a tube amp of 22 watts per channel which this month he used to audition the inexpensive Elac B6 bookshelf 

As far as power, I could sell the Rogue and look for a used Parasound Halo integrated which is 160RMS or its equivalent.  I just need an integrated that has a good MM/MC  phono stage  I don't need a DAC because I have no desire to stream music. It  would only be a benefit  if integrated's DAC was superior to the DAC in my Ayre CX-7emp CD player

However from what you  noted about room size and distance from the back wall. I might not have it.  I can get them out about 4 ft from the back wall, and still be seated at least 8ft from center point between  the speakers   However, 6 ft apart is about all I can manage in my current living room set-up. 

I took an interest in this model because of its more compact size compared the larger Maggies, and because I would like a more open soundfield or sound stage and a smoother top end  Musicality is the key.   Thank you for the advice.  

 BTW, how do you handle the speaker terminals on the Maggies. I am running another thread in "Tech Talk" about the ridiculous terminals they have used for 30 years. Any fire hose speaker cable with quality larger  banana plugs will not fit in that hole which secures the male connector with a  screw lug. ( A standard banana plug might work)     

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