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Thinking of Magnepan ... finally!

Until recently, most of my amps have been tube-based with the exception of a few great SS integrateds thrown into the mix for fun. That's probably the main reason I have stayed away from Magnepans (or other speakers of its ilk) thus far. Now that I have an Aavik U-280 integrated amp that can do 300 watts @ 8 ohms and doubles to 600 @ 4, I would love to scratch that itch finally. Keep in mind that I do not intend to get rid of my other speakers (Joseph Audio Perspective2 Graphene, Harbeth SHL5+, Fritz Carrera BE) since I love them all for different reasons. The Magnepans will be rotated in the main listening room with Joseph Audio Perspectives. One thing I like about Maggies is that they are relatively lightweight so I can move them to the closet without breaking my back when not in rotation.

Since I've never owned Magnepans before, I have a ton of questions and doubts. So here we go ...

Bass (or the lack thereof) -- I've been told that the Magnepans are very light on bass and definitely require at least on subwoofer. Is this true in all cases? Anyone using them without subs and happy with the performance? TBH, I really would prefer that I don't use subs but not set in stone for sure.

Breathing Room -- my room is 20' x 15' with 12 foot ceilings. The speakers will be placed along the short wall (15'). I can pull them out by about 4.5 feet from the front wall and 3 feet from the side walls. Seating distance will be approximately 8 - 9 feet. Is this good enough or do you think more distance, especially from the front wall, is required to truly enjoy the speakers?

Mods -- I've also heard that the stock components (crossovers, fuses, etc.) and stands are suboptimal. Is this true? If so, what are the minimum requirements to bring the speaker to a higher standard and at what cost? 

Value -- For someone who is just starting out with Maggies, which model is a good entry point? I know that LRS+ is a good value, but my other speakers are very very good, so I want to do justice to the Maggies as well. But at the same time I don't want to spend more than I need to. Where do you think the sweet spot lies, i.e. which model(s)? I will be looking for used only since I've already spent way too much on other speakers.

Imaging -- I've also been told that imaging on Maggies is not that great. I have never heard Maggies before so I have no idea if this assertion is true or not. Your thoughts?

And finally, I want to hear from folks who love their Maggies. What is that you love most about the speakers? What qualities do they bring to the table that no other speaker does? Are there magnetic planar speakers from other brands that I should also be considering? Keep in mind they have to be readily available in the used market. So please don't suggest something that doesn't meet this requirement.

However, to bring some balance to the feedback, I would also love to hear from those who tried Magnepans and moved on to something else. Why? What was it that you didn't like about them? What did you move on to?

Thanks in advance and a sincere request: Please keep it civil ... no need for haters of Magnepan to use this as an opportunity to diss the brand.

128x128arafiq
yyzsantabarbara
4,820 posts
 

After selling the LRS+ a few weeks ago I turned around and got a used Magnepan Mini for my new smaller office space.

A question for you Maggies owners out there? I was using the Audience FrontRow speaker cables with my LRS+, but I need more speaker cabling for the Mini since it has 3 panels.

I read a single post online from someone that seemed to know their stuff. That person stated that Maggies are not that dependent on speaker cables. The person also said to use 10 AWG or 12 AWG speaker cables. Is this something that others have noticed with their Maggies? What cables are you using?

I plan to do a shootout with the Schitt Aegir v1 monoblocks (70 @ 8) vs the Sanders Magtech (500 @ 8 | 900 @4). I have both in the house. I am hoping that for the Mini’s the Aegir will be good enough and I can sell the Magtech to raise cash. Anyone using Aegir monos with the Maggies?

@arafiq You should have a listen to the Diptyque panel speakers.

Shop New Diptyque - The Music Room (too bad they raised the prices)

before you get deep into the Maggies. There is an interesting YouTube video where one of the Maggi principles hears one of the Diptyque at an audio show. He was impressed.

 

 

northman
251 posts
 

@yyzsantabarbara, for what it's worth, I went from moderately expensive Ohno speaker cables (no idea what gauge but light and thin) to some inexpensive 10 AWG Blue Jeans cables--and the improvement in sound was considerable. The Ohnos sounded great with other speakers but were easily bested by the Blue Jeans cables. (Magtech > 1.7i) So my experience jibes with the post you read.

yyzsantabarbara
4,820 posts
 

@northman Thanks, I just ordered the 10 AWG Blue Jean cable. I need 2 sets for the Mini and it cost $200 for all of it. I will put my Audience FrontRow with 1 set of the Blue Jean and compare it with the 2 sets of the Blue Jean. 

Unfortunately, my second set of Audience FrontRow is spade-2-spade and that will not work with the Mini. That would have been an apple-2-apples comparison.

The FrontRow has been significantly better than all other speaker cables I used with my prior speakers and also my current Yamaha NS5000.    I used it with the sold LRS+ (my current spare cable) and it was better than my WyWIre speaker cables, so that is interesting.

rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
273 posts
 

Bass (or the lack thereof) -- I've had 1.7's and now have 3.7's and they are OK in the Bass but adding a pair of subs is worth it and the effect is not just bass, somehow it smooths out the highs.  I have REL S510's on the longbow wireless system and upgraded XLR cables, it makes placement much easier without wires.  Per REL it is best to run them directly off the amp (s).  As the Maggies are a very fast speaker the subs need to be fast to keep up and sound proper.

The one weakness is lack of slam but that is a strength when reproducing acoustic's and vocals, lots of layering and texture revealed.  Blues guitars are amazing;  Allman brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughn etc.

Breathing Room -- If you want imaging and air get them away from the rear walls.  I have mine about 5 feet.

Mods --I haven't done much except MYE stands, Jumpers and Fuses, and yes it is worth it.  I lack the courage and dedication to mess with the crossover but hear it really helps.  https://gr-research.com/product/magnepan-3-7i-upgrade-kit-pair/

Value -- If you can swing it, nothing less than 3.7's for silky highs and sighs.  The true Ribbon panel is in another world compared to the 1.7 and below.

Imaging I don't have much to compare to but I am getting a very Holographic 3D sound stage with precise instrument location.  

Bottom line they are unforgivingly revealing of your gear, if your preamp does not image well or if your amps or DAC doesn't have clear concise bass you will hear that.  If your system has digital noise or electrical noise you will hear that also and I think that is why many feel Maggies can be biting in the upper registers.  But if you give them a great signal they should sound silky.   

secretguy
1,704 posts
 

I recently got a deal on 3.7 with Mye Stands. They are magnificent. So I guess the 1.6 will be sold and the Goldenears are back to tv duty.

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