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Trading Magnepan 1.7 to Martin Logan Impression 11A worth it?

The subject title is my question. I primarily listen to vinyl on the system. The preamp is a McIntosh C2300 tube, and the amp is a Bryston B4 cubed. My Magnepan 1.7's have Mye stands. I also use two SVS subwoofers. This is in my living room, an asymmetrical room approximately 17x17, with the right and rear walls opened to other rooms. I like the sound of this system usually - depending on the quality of the recording - the soundstage can be large, with good air around instruments and quite revealing. I like the Magnepan sound.
I would like MORE of that sound! Magnepan's 3.7i would be the natural upgrade that I think of. The thing is, my wife might flip if she came home and saw panels that are even larger than the 1.7's, which she already considers too large. So... I thought I'd throw the question out here and ask for some thoughts on this. The Martin Logan 11A's would appear to be smaller than the 1.7s, and they are definitely sexier looking than a large flat panel. I could also lose the subwoofers. However, I certainly wouldn't want to compromise on the sound quality. In fact, for the price difference I would expect an improvement in that regard! I guess I'm looking for something with a good WAF and an upgrade for me! Maybe at this point it would be just a matter of preference. Thoughts?
thewetdog59
dougsat
374 posts
 
The ML Should cover the WAF quite nicely.
Magnepan’s and ML are going to sound different,
whether or not you think it is better or worse is entirely subjective.
Plus your SVS subs most likely will provide a better bass punch than the woofers integrated in the ML. Seems like a big change for a system that you already enjoy, but as audiophiles, this is what we do. If it were me I would go audition the ML for an extended period before pulling the trigger. 
 
thewetdog59 OP
26 posts
 
Dougsat - thank you for the response - good advice! While authorized dealers are scarce near me, I will look into an audition. I heard them and was impressed 2-3 years ago, at Axpona, but it’s hard to tell what they’re going to sound like in the home. It is interesting to me that there’s not a chorus of support for a $10,000 speaker vs. a $2,100 speaker - maybe that’s telling. Thanks again... Dave
jcwaudio
7 posts
 
I had the Martin Logan 11A and found them to be bright and forward sounding. Absolute Sound reviewed the speaker and felt the same way. I compared them to 2905 quads which had a much better midrange. I preferred the older Martin Logans model as being more musical and balanced which is also what the review stated
mtmug
14 posts
 
The Absolute Sound reviewer, Paul Seydor, found the 11A’s to be more forward and less forgiving of poor recordings than the Montis, which he seemed to indicate might be very slightly recessed in the midrange. In his opinion, the tonal balance of the Montis was more in service to the music. However, check forums online and you will find the 11A’s described as "dark", "bright", "warm", "lean", and everything in between. To my ears, they are fairly neutral and my experience is that their transparency simply makes them sound like whatever is upstream.
I spent about 9 months shopping for speakers before I settled on the 11A’s and I have had them now for nearly two years with no regrets. I may represent a minority view but, naturally, since I own them I feel motivated to defend them a bit. For me, the stats build an acoustic landscape that I find very appealing while at the same time the woofer modules, using ARC, are able to provide good bass extension and articulation. I think they are fantastic speakers.
I do agree with dougsat that the overall presentation of Magnepans and the Martin Logan hybrids is different enough that you could have a strong preference for the sound of one over the other.
thewetdog59 OP
26 posts
 
Thanks all! The advise is great food for thought. Last night I put on Eric Clapton "Unplugged", and I was thinking, "How much better can it get?". I suspect that it can get better though, the question for me will be "Is it worth it?". The question also arises: Magnepan's 1.7 has been around for about 10 years now - when will the new generation arrive, and what will it's features be? They may incorporate the true ribbon into a 1.7 - size panel (1.8?). That would be cool. I'd then be able to keep my Mye stands. It looks like they've been messing with dsp-controlled woofers - who knows what they'll come up with? I see that they've been taking some heat on some of the chat forums, for marketing methods or secrecy or other things, but from where I sit, they're giving incredible performance at great value, and they almost deserve for me to wait and see what they come up with. For now - I sit on the fence!
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