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Magnepans and dogs

I used to own a pair of Proac Response 3s - loved them, and I still miss them sometimes. But during my listening sessions my dog would soon get up off the couch and head into another room. Recently I bought a pair of Maggie 1.7s. Now my dog stays in the room when I listen. And, she jumps up into the listening chair when I get up. Nothing else in the system changed - electronics are all tubes.

I am guessing this has to do with the fact that dogs are more sensitive to sounds in  high frequency ranges. Did the ProAcs sound shrill to her?

Also, my wife LOVES the Maggies. We both have always enjoyed our listening sessions. But now she hogs the listening chair and stays up late to listen to music. I think she would divorce me if I tried to sell the Maggies (only a mild exaggeration). I have read that females have better hearing than men. Plus, I'm getting up there in the years, and my hearing probably is not what it used to be. I like the Maggies too and am quite satisfied with them, but it appears not to the extent as others in my household. 

Can anyone provide a (semi-) scientific answer to this phenomenon?

PS. I am not a shill for Magnepan, just trying to understand what is going on.

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asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,841 posts
 

I greet strange dogs with "Hi, Killer!"  since one never knows....

99% react favorably, since tone of voice infers I like them.....since I do....

Recently had to put down Sunny after 15+ years, our quiet seldom barking companion....50ish lbs. of Plott/Pitt, always ready for an 'out?' a treat a meal a play.

Bad back knees (both operated upon), hips, gone deaf, bad eyes, blind in the left, walking into a bush and speared it and infection took over.

Even our 2 cats miss her, Klio' esp.

Her big dog buddy.....with similar coats of color...

We still feel her loss....

...just cats for awhile....

deep_333
1,708 posts
 

There is some tribal hearsay out there that magneplanars induce more limbic brain activity than regular speakers. It could also be fake news.

I have 2 dogs and 2 cats. When they are in the room I turn the spl levels wayyy down and swap to simpler unplugged strings, solo flute, etc.  They are not fans of complex music, dense orchestra, heavy metal, etc...Huge dynamic swings can be startling, uncomfortable to them. Dogs and cats are similar to human infants in that regard.

chenry's avatar
chenry
236 posts
 

I have read that a dog can hear you whispering from 80 feet away. So not only are they capable of hearing (listening, that is another thing) at higher frequencies than humans, but also at lower SPL.

And of course, hearing isn't their most developed sense.

czarivey
5,946 posts
 

@chenry

You’ve brought up very important points about owning dog and stereo that should NOT be turned loud while dog is near. It can damage their extremely sensitive hearing. Same applies to cats.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,443 posts
 

 

 

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jrsyby OP

8 posts

...but still curious about others’ experience with dogs in their listening rooms.

Our previous dog liked the Martin Logan Montis and my Wilson Audio Sabrina. He wasn’t a fan of the Dynaudios (and neither was I) as he would go out if the room after only a few minutes.
The new dog seems to like the Sabrinas as well. She comes over and just chills on the floor right in front of a left speaker every time (for some reason). She would nap there until I’m done listening. Sometimes if I get up to fiddle with something in the rack she would just take my seat.
And yes, with her in the room I never blast it.

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