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Can Magnepan survive Wendell Diller?

I bought my first set of Magnepans in 1976, and I currently have a pair of 1.7i's.

It is difficult for me to upgrade to the 3.7i's because their are so many things that the company can do to improve their product that they simply won't offer; upgraded crossover components, a solid wood/rigid frames and better stands are examples.

Other companies are now doing this, but Magnepan always says Wendell doesn't think that is a good idea.

Can a man who suggests using lamp cord for his speaker line really have that much control over an otherwise unique technological approach to speaker design? I must be missing something obvious when a product is hand assembled in MN and any of these upgrades would, in my mind, warrant factory upgrades. Who wouldn't spend an extra $1k for a 1.7i with a hardwood frame and an upgraded x-over? Adding a ribbon tweeter to the 1.7i would warrant an additional $1k, still bringing them in $2k under the 3.7i.

Is it common for one person to hold an entire company back in high end audio? 
128x128william53b
krelldreams
128 posts
 
Sorry, I meant to say that you being put off by them saying they can’t keep up with all the amps doesn’t make sense. I should’ve proofread my post before I sent it. Lol
william53b's avatar
william53b OP
211 posts
 
@krelldreams

I don’t mind your comments, some valid points.
Actually I helped a little, I bought three pairs of speakers from them. Others heard mine and bought more. No one has heard these and bought some though, mostly the MGII.

I only became upset when Benchmark told me it may be my cables and I bought some from them. Night and Day. And they didn’t think I was imposing on them by contacting them, they were very helpful. They put Customer in customer service.

So I bought one of their DAC’s as well. There is exceptional attention to detail in these two boxes.





mschott's avatar
mschott
132 posts
 
Wendell is the public face of Magnepan. He is their marketing philosophy. The make great speakers that have room for improvement at extremely competitive prices. Many hifi components benefit from upgrades such as capacitors and wiring. 
One poster commented that the 30.7’s are a failure. A few years ago I met Wendell and his comment to paraphrase, was they are basically an engineering exercise as the ultimate extension of the Magnepan design. They are massive and few have rooms big enough to house them. The large room at the dealer where they were demoed could barely contain them. 
coltrane1's avatar
coltrane1
754 posts
 
Hmmm... the guy sounds a bit arrogant and full of himself. 
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