Thinking of Magnepan ... finally!

@swede58

there is a subtle but definitely noticeable difference as i heard them ... non i sounds leaner through lower register of piano and male voice... mostly in the midbass/upper bass is the impression i get -- both are limited in true bottom octave - but the i has more ’bloom’ around bowed or plucked acoustic bass for instance

but not so much that amp choice, sub support and placement cannot bridge the tonal gap between the two i believe

@arafiq

knowing you through this forum, i would definitely start with 1.7i over 3.7i you can always go to 3.7i later if you fall in love with what maggies do -- 1.7i much less expensive, less imposing in the room, and if you get light colored cloth they are quite ’architectural’ and some think even pretty standing there - 1.7i set up right driven right will definitely give you the true maggie excellence and sonic experience from which to assess next steps (if any) - but be sure to have at least one rel sub to support the bottom end

As enticing as the 3.7 model is, I feel it’s prudent to stick with 1.7i for now. I have no doubt that the 3.7 is possibly the sweet spot in the Magnepan lineup. But considering that I’m only trying to explore the Magnepan sound signature at this time without a serious $$ commitment, 1.7 is the more suitable entry point for me. If I like what I hear, and knowing myself, I have no doubt that I will be moving up the chain soon after.

I’ve loved Maggies since the first time I heard the Tympani T-I in 1972. I bought a pair that year, bi-amping them with ARC amplifiers. I later owned a pair of T-Id’s, and now have T-IVa’s (using a First Watt B4 crossover in place of the stock one).

I have heard the MG1.7’s and didn’t think much of them. I compared that model with the Eminent Technology LFT-8b (like the Maggies a planar-magnetic, but with a dynamic driver for 180Hz down), which I found to be considerably more to my liking (I bought a pair). Some guys prefer the LFT-8b ($3200/pr) to the MG3.7i ($8000/pr), which I have not heard. Speaking of the 3.7i, here is a video made by Danny Richie of GR Research regarding a pair of that model sent to him for evaluation and possible upgrading:

https://youtu.be/_bpDP0jxj4k

Even if you don’t agree with Danny’s opinions of the 3.7i, and the "fixes" he designed for it, the video should be of interest to anyone considering a Maggie purchase. I just checked the video post, and it is for some reason starting about 2/3rd’s of the way through it. Just click on the far left end of the red line and the video will play from the beginning. The comments in response to the video are also worth reading.

A few things from a many Maggies owner since 1977:

There is a conspiracy in White Bear Lake MN. Audio Research guys collaborate with Magnapan guys in the depths of winter when there's nothing left to do. therefore; one must drive a Maggie with a pair of  ARC tube amps. It's the alchemists law. :)

Maggies will bend your perception of sound. Maybe literally- they are so very different that there aren't words. You will either love them or be selling them in a few months. 

If you like acoustic music there is a transcendental event as you listen to it on a properly placed set of Maggies. If you like to rock out with your socks out buy something else. They don't have the capability to replicate the big speaker distortion gear Uncle Ted or Neil Young like to play through.  If you want to use them for home theater you will be sorely disappointed. 

A properly treated listening room, proper placement with TUBE amplification and lots of watts in reserve will change your HiFi arc. For the better. Every time. 

One last thing:  Try them at home before you buy them. A good retailer will allow a qualified buyer to do this, Also, treat your retailer right. He needs to make a fair profit on them so he can bring you the atelier services you are seeking. Don't be a dick and wring him out then shop for used ones. That's manifestly selfish and unfair. Moreover it will help eliminate retailers who in this hobby are essential. (no I'm not a dealer or broker. Just a realist) We are loosing the great enthusiast old school retailers. They are going broke while selling some of the best knowledge, experience and  gear out there. Support them. 

sorry but i snorted my morning coffee through my nose... laughed so hard at the earlier post

omg -- we idiots have all been listening to complete crap before dannie richie came along, and made all walks of speakers listenable -- no doubt that jim winey and wendell diller have been lost souls with cotton balls in their ears for 40+ years - if they only had mister speaker savior danny r as a childhood mentor 🤣😂😁

i had to get that lick in... no offense to @bdp24 -- but this danny richie stuff gets me going... so never mind me, back to your regular programming...