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Tweaking the Magnepan 1.7s

Looking to tap the Audiogon crowd to come up with inexpensive tweaks for my new Magnepan 1.7s. Here is what is planned so far:

Have room treatments. I am a bigger fan of sound absorption than sound dispursement. I have four 2' x 4' x 2" sound absorption panels that sit on each side of my stereo shelving unit between my speakers. Does a great job of removing the reflections off of my electronics.

Having Magnepans for 30+ years, I do like to deaden the front wall behind the speakers a little bit. From hanging an oriental rug to curtains or whatever. Will be trying out some of these ideas with my new location.

Mye stands. I am waiting for my bank account to grow a bit before I go for these. I believe Mye has the new updates for the 1.7s (although, I can't see any difference between the 1.7s and my old 1.6s).

I want to bypass the fuse and that stupid metal jumper with the least disruption of the speaker itself. Anyone remove the back panel and replace with better speaker connects? If so, what do you recommend? How about wiring tips - anything I should be know before I start the project?

Debating on using a 1 ohm resistor to tame the high end. Any suggestions for high quality 1 ohm resistors?

Anything I am missing?

Sound notes: full description of my experience with Magnepan 1.7s and the electronics I am using in other Audiogon threads, just search for ronwills.
ronwills
ronwills OP
52 posts
 
OK, here is the update on turning the Magnepans around . . . no difference! I couldn't hear any difference after a week of turning the speakers away from the listening position. In fact, I felt they were slightly better detailed in their proper position but I doubt I would be able to pick out front or back in a double-blind test.

Took off the back speaker connection panel to investigate the wiring. Was a little surprised how cheap the panel was and the wiring didn't look like anything special. It looks very easy to bypass the fuse and jumper. Need to find my old soldering gun or get a new one.

Also I am looking for some new copper speaker connectors to replace the standard issue. I like solid copper speaker connectors so you don't have copper wiring to brass/gold speaker connectors to copper wiring. I am going to try to find some that will replace the existing ones without modifying the back plate.

By the way, I agree with Utley1 that the speakers sound so realistic and musical and not to be overly concerned about the modifications. I will complete these minor modifications and then sit back for the next couple of years and enjoy the music!
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Glad you at least gave the pole piece forward a try. Cheap and easy.

Sorry you didn't have a positive experience. Mine will stay rotated and be installed that way sometime in '11, when I can build new hardwood frames.
kehonka
5 posts
 
just read tweaking magnepans and just wanted to briefly describe my experince. I have owned a pair of 1.6 qrs for about 12 years and the two tweaks that worked in my room are first: the tweeters are on the inside not the outside. I have tried many times to reverse them, but there is a huge improvement by placing the tweeters to the inside. second,I do not use any jumpers,but bi-wire them with reasonably good speaker cables.I love the sound and have not found a speaker I like better{yet}.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Keyonka,
When you put your tweeters 'in', did you rotate the panel in place or do a L/R swap?
I did the rotate in place, the tweeters are now 'in' and I am listening to the pole piece side, NOT the mylar. Big change for the better!
kehonka
5 posts
 
Magfan,

I did not rotate the speakers, but did the left right swap. The original owners guide from magnepan wanted the tweeters to the outside. Is that still what they recomend?
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