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Vandersteen Treo CT vs Mag 3.7i speakers

I've listened to both at my local dealer.  I have sufficient space for either one in my living room (16x21).  If you have some ideas/a clear opinion on which one to purchase I would very much appreciate hearing from you..thanks.
newton
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
True dat.  I personally like diffusion more than absorption in so many instances.  I think all too often folks make their rooms deader than they should be.  All to often diffusion will keep the room alive while stopping any problems you may have.  I personally love 4-5 foot high plants (I use nice silk ones).  There are plenty of ways to do this.  

That said, this is one of the reason's I'm loving the Vandersteen's as they are so easy to place out of the way and you get a huge soundstage when that's what is recorded. You end up using a possibly room problem for helping rather than hurting.  JMHO.  Many ways to skin the cat.
helomech
1,673 posts
 
Can't speak for those models but I much prefer Vandersteen's entry-level 1Cis to the Magnepan 1.7i. To my ears, the Vandys have better detail, tone, bass depth, note decay and a wider sweet spot. They also require less volume and power to wake up.

The 1.7s had a slightly deeper soundstage and faster mid-bass.

On a more minor note, I find it much easier to get in contact with Vandersteen than Magnepan if questions arise.
gdnrbob
4,444 posts
 
I like both of these manufacturers. But, if positioning is a problem, the Vandy's are the way to go.
Even with the 1Ci's and a pair of subs, you'd have a remarkable system.
OP, do you have any way to listen to them in your area?
Bob
jhills
614 posts
 
I have the Maggie 1.7s. I have a fairly large audio room (14' W x 28' L x 10' H) They are about 4' from a treated front wall and am running a ADS-12 sub. So far I am most happy with the 1.7s but then I listen mostly to, light jazz, and contemporary pop or Celtic with good vocals and live acoustic orchestration. I'm considering  moving up to 3.7i  but not sure that my room size warrants the move.
I've long been a Vandi fan and have had the 2c and the 2ci and liked both but, for the style and volume of music I listen to now I truly love the Maggies.
Good luck with your quest...Jim
 

 
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 

Not yet mentioned here is that some find Maggies lacking in low-level dynamics---the ability to go from 0 to 60 in 3 seconds, as more dynamic speakers appear to do. They need to be listened to at higher SPL than other speakers in order to "break through" what is called the "Maggie Mist". At lower volumes, Maggies sound slightly veiled, thick, and slow to some people. That is less true than it used to be, with improvements to the basic magnetic-planar design Magneplanar has been using since the early 70's.

Planars---all of them, not just Maggies---sound very different from box speakers, even one's with as "open" a design as Vandersteens. Some people prefer planar sound to any other, but one doesn't know if that is true of himself until living with them for awhile. Some listeners tire of the planar sound, missing what dynamics and horns do better. As with everything in hi-fi, one must discover his own personal priorities in music reproduction, and find products that excel at those. Magnepan offers a 60-day trial period for their $650/pr MMG. That's a great way to find out if you like the Maggie sound. 

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