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
@daveyf 
Yes, indeed. I have now unsubscribed. And maybe I'll re-read Cervantes while I'm at it.  :)  The ol' Don came to mind as well, but not quite as apt as Congreve's words.
A remarkable thing about life is that if you have patience, perseverance and a talent, time is your ally. 
Another interesting thing is that some people become flustered when someone who is no one to them disapproves of what they are doing. Especially when you are doing that thing well.
ejlif1,304 posts05-23-2021 8:53pmI bought a pair of the LRS just for fun.  I've had a lot of expensive speakers over the years and these little guys just blew my mind.

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Everywhere I turn, , the comments on the magnepan's can be summed up with  one word
~~WOWWW~~~
All the audiophiles can;t be wrong.
Its like Magnepan are Kings of the speaker hill. 
Trying to find cash now for a  pair. 
Under 1G, the LRS is affordable for any level audiophile. 
If they prove as good as what I am reading, I just don't see how any  other speaker lab will be around in the near/distant  future.
The current state of the economy is **best bang for the buck** unless you own alot of stocks,, well then you can get the Wilson's $975,000 speaker,,,but for most of us, a  LRS is really all we need. 
Under 1G.
WOW



Over the course of the last several years, notwithstanding last year, on several occasions many of us in the local audio club would gather at a local member’s house. He is a dealer for several brands and always has something new to listen to in one room. In the other room, in the main portion of the house, are the 3.7i speakers - many have come and gone... the 3.7i have see many a Johnny come lately come and go. Invariably, during the course of the visit, everyone would matriculate from the new stuff to where the Maggies are, me included. Lot’s less talking going on and a lot more record spinning.  There was always something "right" going on in there. So me, being the smart guy I am, put 2 and 2 together and told myself, "Hey Dufus, you should get a pair of those speakers." So, last year I bought a pair of barely used 3.7i speakers and could not be happier. I don’t know what I would upgrade to.

It is interesting that the OP complains about a lack of upgrades being offered, then performs an upgrade to his 1.7i speakers which was engineered / measured, and concludes the process to be... "a waste of $290".

So much bitchin’ about Wendell not offering an upgrade... upgrade performed... upgrade not worth it.

Am I the only one noting the irony?