Magnepan 3.7 - 3.7i owners need help please


Hello, I have owned a pair of Magnepan 3.6r's for quite some time. I was assured that the 3.7i's were a big step in sonic improvement over the 3.6r's. So, I went and bought a brand new pair of 3.7i's. Got them home, set them up, and have approximately 20 hours of play on them.

I am using the exact same equipment as I had with the 3.6r's which is a Sanders Magtech amp, a Benchmark 3 hgc dac, and the exact same decent quality cabling. The 3.6r's had a partial external crossover and I was bi-wiring. The 3.7i's do not have anything but a single pair of binding posts, so I am using the exact same speaker cable but not a bi-wire version.

What I have noticed it that they definitely do not have the depth, spatial characteristics, or openess of the 3.6r's. They do however have maybe a more predominant midrange but, at the sacrifice of the midrange being bloated or muddled at moderate volume levels. I have noticed that the 3.7i's have sort of a filter membrane behind the midrange section which my 3.6r's did not. Maybe a smaller rear dipole radiation pattern? The bass is also lacking compared to the bass response of the 3.6r's

The Dealer said they may need more break in to loosen the mylar. However if that were the case, the midrange would get worse, but thembass may get better. The passive crossovers may need some more break in time, but to be honest, i'm skeptical about all of it!

So, anyone out there that can offer some insight would be greatly appreciated. I am just a working class hero with limited financial resources. I cant afford to spend a large sum of money for something no returnable, and go backwards with disappointment. Needless to say I did not get much sleep last night. Might need a prescription for xanax at this point!
 Thanks, Steve.. 
sfrounds

Steve, the change is perhaps not as big as I had hoped, they still sound a bit leaner than the 3.6...if memory serves. The 3.7 sounds slightly different but not necessarily better, different strenghts and weaknesses.

When I asked Wendell about the tape he replied, "what tape" :) Please let us know what he sez.


Have you tried them with tweeters in?

It may have been an upgrade in model number, but not worth the trouble.  You probably have to break the new ones in more to achieve their potential. Just enjoy the music and don't try to find flaws.  If something REALLY sticks into you THEN you ugrade.
+1 on breaking in. Your description of 'compression' definitely sounds like things need to break in.
I would let them play background music and not listen to them critically for a week, at least.
Do you still have the 3.6's?
Bob
I agree with calling Wendell.  Tell him what music is lacking depth, spatial characteristics, or openess (& tell us what he says)...

I also suspect a breakin period will help.

I cannot speak to the 3.6s as I am just now upgrading from 1.5QRs to 3.7i's (which I found used).
Greetings
the 3.7 as all magies need run in
you can relax and just know this is normal
leave it playing low for about a week strait and don't judge it
you will start to feel it relax and
get clearer and with stronger body
with time
did you put the resistors in?
best JohnnyR