Adrian--these videos are sooo much better than anything previous. They are mature, thoughtful and useful and I don't miss the exhausting snarkiness of some previous ones.
As a Maggie owner myself, I think you hit everything right on the spot. One thing I was puzzled about with my 1.7s was that they had an optimal volume level where imaging and soundstage come alive. I didn't know why but now you've explained the micro- vs macro-dynamics, it makes perfect sense. Thanks.
I have 1.7i, everything you said, both good and bad is true. The one thing I would add is that they don't sugar coat poor recordings. The difference between good and bad recordings is huge, so much so it will change what you listen to.
Magnepan owner since the early 80's, just gotta have'm (from the MGIIIa's to currently 3.7i's) - everything Adrian says here is true, the thing is, and the reason for my personal addiction, the "goods" are off the chart good - - the image controversy, the pin point thing, to me that type of presentations sounds hi-fi, maggies sound natural, maggie imagining is spell binding, dynamic speakers do in fact provide a more "pin point" presentation, but by comparison, the pin point, cookie cutter edging sounds unrealistic (because it is) I love how magnepans image and with a decent front end, they image top to bottom too, not just in the typical sound stage horizontal layer that dynamic speakers tend to present - and yep, they're happier with a top shelf front end but I can personally attest that reference Class D (because of the less expensive power) with a reference front end will provide the wonders these puppies can give a listener - and don't listen to those that claim one needs a gigantic room, that is simply not true, (do you hear me Mr. Guttenberg?) relative near field gives one all those same qualities - I know, I've had 'em all kinds of sized rooms. A tip, because of the way they radiate, the larger panels are definitely better, the smaller versions give that magnepan thing, but the taller models bring you all the way including that massive, realistic, unrestricted, scaled up sound stage.
Great video. When I got my Maggies (IIb's, used, $250), I hooked them up to my Denon AVR3803 and set them in the room. I sat down and listened to a disc that I had listened to hundreds of times and it was like Johnny Cash was sitting ten feet from me. Outstanding. I have since rebuilt the bass coil on each of them, dead simple. The factory was a huge help, they sold me the kit and provided instructions. The engineer I spoke to was great, he had recently rewritten the instructions and followed up with a call for my feedback. Learn how to tell your friends that, 'they aren't that kind of speaker' when they ask you to crank it. I have since built new frames with a sand-filled, spiked box base and they seem a bit punchier.
I just got my LRS+’s from the factory(10 week wait!)I love❤them, but I have always loved electrostatic and planar speakers. I had a pair of MG-1’s back in the ‘80’s. I agree with your assessment, they aren’t for everyone, but if you love their strengths they will compete with speakers costing thousands more. Add a REL subwoofer as I did and I think they’re the best value in audio today..jmo!
Who the hell listens to Maggies standing up? Loss of high frequencies while doing housework? LOL. Totally agree with everything Adrian said, though many of those "bads" aren't really bad at all. As far as dynamics, they'll be improved dramatically if you cross them over to a good subwoofer. Maggies can play loud, just not at low frequencies due to the limitation of panel excursion.
@@jayem1826 Why? He said the big ones work fine when standing up. Besides, it’s not like I can’t make it work somehow. I have a dedicated room. So no WAF to worry about. ✌️
Thanks for the honest look at the pluses and minuses of the Maggie’s . Also congrats 🍾 on the award at the Audiofest last week. I thought the show was amazing. Take care and enjoy the weekend.
This series highlights the knowledge, experience and value high end audio dealers can bring to their clients. More insightful and honest than views from other industry participants; impossible for other influencers to replicate. From the comments, it sounds like owners agree w Adrian. Just subscribed.
I wanted to mention something about soundstage with (tall) maggies. I have 1.7's and the pinpoint thing can be true to some extent. However, when I listen to classical, I can still close my eyes and envision the musicians sitting on the stage exactly where they should be. They're also so tall, it was the first speaker I ever heard that had my head tilting back because the soundstage was coming from so far back and high above my seated position, it was like I was in the front row of a symphony. I fell in love right then. What I don't get is how people always say they are hard to set up right and/or only have one sweet spot, because I have not experienced that at all with the 1.7's. Sitting slightly off axis still provides a great experience. We use ours for movies, almost never sitting in the sweet spot. Anything recorded well that is acoustic sounds amazing, but I feel like where they lack is with rock music. Some albums can sound good, don't get me wrong, but I'm almost always left with some disappointment. When I listen to rock, I listen to mostly indie rock, which is generally pretty lofi, so it's not a huge concern me.
Hi Adrian, firstly, many congratulations on the award!! Keep rocking!!😊 You’re right regarding the soundstage.. I heard the new Wilson Sabrinas and the Maggies have a better soundstage any day! Another +ve is their midrange is excellent and they can really bring out the quality of the recordings.
As a .7 owner (formerly owned 1.6qr), as well as a home audio reviewer, I agree with 99% of what you said Adrian. My one quibble is that the .7's perform just as well in my small 11x10 space at 3ft out from the front wall.
Being the owner of a pair of MG12/QR’s from Magnepan I find this review quite honest. Mine are powered by an original Adcom 555 mk II and they do sound good. My room is small but I do move them away from the wall when I’m listening to them. I love the openness of sound they give me. You’re right, most people that see them can’t believe they’re speakers and even better they are surprised how they sound. I have a single sub that handles the bass below 48Hz. Due to the size of my room the Maggie’s have good bass but where the bass rolls off is where the sub takes over.
I've owned MG III, MG 3.6 improved, and went for the MG 20.1 (second generation). I mated a monster high current amp. When they were brand new the 20.1 completely exceeded my expectations. I cranked them to ear bleed levels and they performed without any issue. The base was powerful and slapped me in the face. However, as they aged and broke in that rap slap did appear when once it had not. Other than that everything else was and is still the same. So the early super load days are gone, but they are still amazing. No regrets. I can not argue with your Maggie assessments.
A couple of things Adrian forgot to mention; Maggies need *time* to "break in"!! Fresh out of the box, they will sound really "thin" (no pun intended). Just let them play at a moderate level, leave the house and do something outside. Do this for 2-3 days and the change will astonish you!! Also, these are *sit down and listen to the music* speakers as the "sweet spot" is relatively small. I have 1.7is with a JL Audio F112 and couldn't be more satisfied!
I have the .7s with dual SVS SB-16 Ultra subwoofers. The sound stage width and depth is superb. Maggies require high current amps like the Parasound JC5 or Bryston 4Bcubed.
Great video, I pretty much agree with everything Adrian said. I have never heard Magnepans before so just out of curiosity and the low price and great reviews I bought a pair of LRS. The LRS are amazing, I do not believe there is anything else in this price range that would match or exceed the performance of the LRS. Yes they do need good power and IMO they do need a sub. I am running mine with a Peachtree Audio gan 400 and a HSU 15” sub and this combination works quite well for me. As for the negatives mentioned the only negative for me would be serviceability. Maybe they won’t play quite as loud as an efficient box speaker but they will play quite loud nonetheless. One negative I see mentioned often is that they make everything sound large. For me this is a huge positive NOT a negative. When I attend a live performance it is a huge sound that fills the venue, whether vocals or instruments, it does NOT sound small. That is one of the greatest strengths IMO, I do NOT want a soundstage that gives the impression of a bunch of mice running around on stage playing mini guitars. The depth and bloom and air around instruments and vocals are amazing. I am more impressed with a small speaker that sounds large more than a large speaker that sounds small. They do so many things right and as mentioned you would have to spend a LOT of money to equal or exceed that performance with a conventional speaker. I don’t see myself going back to a box speaker anytime soon, but I am considering upgrading to a larger set of Magnepans.
I bought a pair of MG2s in 1976 and I loved them. I was driving them with a Phase Linear 700 p9ower amp and I made them scream. The bass wire on one of them delaminated , I was able to get the sock off and epoxy the wire back in place successfully.
I miss the SMG's you sold me many years ago. Love your videos. People he is up front in his opinions and in his values. After years of Dreaming I finally moved up to a McIntosh system... mostly, and almost 20 years later. The 2nd system I purchased from him after spending years returning to the store. Thank you
I am an original owner of a pair of 20.1s. Eventually I finally put enough power into my Maggies that the bass came alive. They now have a surprising amount of bass. I am using 2 MC402s in mono-block configuration for 800 W/ch. I was surprised at what a difference it made when I added my 2nd MC402. It also makes them sound better at low levels, but they still run best from medium to higher sound levels. Nice review.
As a long time Maggie owner, I identify with the idea of liking something that looks different. I also drive a hot rodded stationwagon. I like weird. Maggies can be taken to an entirely new level with outboard crossovers with high quality caps and air core inductors. Lot of compromises to shove an xover into the speaker. I'm building a pair now for my LRS. Oh and a properly designed crossover will take a lot of the lower frequencies out of the tweeter, eliminating need for a cheap fuse in the circuit.
Love Maggies . One of the things I would add as a caution is subwoofer integration can be difficult. From the ones I have heard, they need to be mated with a sub that is snappy, tight, and has a very fast attack. Otherwise, the low-end seems to smear, its timing seemingly off where the system's low-end is playing catch up to what the midband and treble is doing.
The best subwoofers to use with the smaller Maggie's are Vandersteen 2w's or Magnepan's own panel subwoofers. They are fast enough to keep up with Maggie's, Quads and classic Stax F-81's.
I would to agree that servicing can be expensive, but delamination isnt an issue anymore since they switched adhesives and went completely quasi ribbon.
I’ve been contemplating a pair of Mags for years; loved planars for so long. I know you’ve had them for a while, but the chrono’s hovering in the back waiting to attack must still make you happy every day!
Shout out from a fellow panel lover! I have the MartinLogan CLX Art and agree with Adrian on the pros & cons of panels. They absolutely need moah powaaaaaaaaaaa! Mine went from okay to amazing when I went from the PS Audio BHK 300’s to their BHK 600’s; simply revelatory, like a different speaker altogether. And frankly, panel speakers’ slightly subdued bass response is ideal for a condominium dweller 😊 I have had to do some repairs on one, including replacing a Curvilinear Stat panel and the crossover unit. From what Adrian described, MartinLogan’s repair process is easier. You correspond with them at headquarters, and they send you PDFs with photos and instructions on how to test and find the problem, followed by sending out replacement parts to you. Replacing the panel was easier than what Adrian described for doing so on a Maggie.
Good review. I own a pair of 1.7s and I love them. These have gone up in price with newer 1.7i current model pricing and I'm not sure I'd get them overr something else at that price, but they are still a good value. You do have to love or at least find the aesthetic pleasing as spending $200 or whatever the cost for the more expensive trim options isn't going to give you a dramatic improvement over what you would get with upgrading the finish on box speakers. It's just the side strips that cover the staples of the grill cover that get the finish. My Maggies replaced a pair of Vandersteen 1Cs and even the upgraded finishes on these are drastically more of an improvement over the base finishes. You can at least see the finish from listening position with the Vandersteens. My Maggies have Mahogany trim and the truth is that you don't see the trim even from the side. The presence of the monolithic form it all you really notice. I have the black grill covers, perhaps it's more noticeable with the other fabric colors (white, beige or grey) might offer more contrast, but I wouldn't recommending paying more for the finish. Just order the color grill covers you want and match the trim to blend is what I'd would do.
This video provides the best practical and useful information on Magnepan speakers I've watched or read. And I'm a fan of Magnepan so I have taken in a lot of Maggie information. Well done!
By far the best overview/resume of Magnepans in general. You mention exact the pro's and non's. Oke', a large TAD is a less compromise, but costs a fortune.
Great review, I started with the MG1 long time ago. Then a pair of matin Logan Sequel II, traded them for the MG3. I have the Tympani 4a now playing powered by an old Krell KSA80. So much musicality, it’s emotional 😏 I still have all the maggies I ever owned
Great video Adrian. You nailed the sound. If you like what they do well, you have to spend a ton to find anything better. I have a pair of 1.7s driven by vintage ARC and CJ gear and REL subs. I am in my own audio heaven! Cheers from the right coast!
Bought mine new and first impressions were very positive. I couldn’t get to enjoy long listening sessions and it likely came down to the room size being too small. Even with the original LRS they need lots of space. Upper frequency energy was too high and perhaps I may have tamed it with diffusers. Switching to traditional dynamic speaker brought back that joy
I go with Bryston 4BSST and the LRS and two REL T5 subwoofers. Have the subs set for about 50 Hz. I have Bryston BP20 preamp and BDA1 DAC. I listen to them mostly in another room. I like your comments on this very detailed and true from my experience.
Adrian, I enjoy following your podcasts, they are very good - thank you for that. My problem is that I already own a NAD C658/298 combo, and I would like to buy an LRS+ for my 7x4.2m listening/living room, but I can't see anywhere that this is a good decision. This is a particular concern to me because on the Magnepan website they specifically disclaim Class D amplifiers. In any case, I would rather give up on the LRS+ than have to look for a new amplifier for the LRS+. Unfortunately, I haven't found anywhere on the internet an assessment of how the Magies match the NAD C298 output amplifier, especially compared to other Magies-friendly amplifiers (eg Hegel...). This surprises me, since the NAD C298 with its 2x185W sine power generated a lot of attention and positive reviews among the audiophile public, especially because of the Purify module. I didn't even find anything in the comments about the combination of LRS+ and Nad C298. I would like to hear at least some experience, if not a complete review. Can someone at least help me with advice or a link?
Even an old 0.5 has surprised a lot of visitors. They were very cheap, but the electronics were not. My Ayre V6 brings them to life. The musicians are playing in my room.
It's like you read my mind to get your opinions. I have the lrs+ and couldn't be happier. I have two svs sb2000 subs to handle the bass. Great combination. The aperion supertweeters work great with maggies. Watched the movie Greyhound, and the soundstage was amazing.
Thanks for this video. I have listened to the Magnepan several times and I intend to purchase the 1.7i. In addition to these speakers I will alternate them with the Klipsch HeresyIV based on the musical genre to listen to. I believe that a speaker with the merits of Klipsch and Magnepan would cost over 10,000 euros.
Love my 1.7i’s previously had the lrs and Hegel h160 combo before trading up. Open baffle for life crew. Currently looking at a new set of Caladans from Clayton Shaw around the $3k price point. He previously was at spatial audio labs and created the m3 sapphires and x5 s which are both fantastic open baffle options.
I heard the 1.6’s at Audio Excellence back in 2004 and bought them. Hadn’t heard anything like them before, open and airy, great on vocals. Doesn’t sound like a speaker in a box. Then they had a trade in 1.7 and I bought them too. No trouble selling the 1.6’s for a reasonable price. Have I heard better speakers? Yes, but way more expensive. What you save in the cost of the Maggies you can spend on better electronics. I use a tube pre and power amp with no problem. I find it a good combination. Play plenty loud too. I don’t find myself wishing for more base response. They go low enough but that’s just me. If you’re a rocker then maybe these aren’t the speakers for you. Good review Adrian! I love my Maggies and have no desire for anything else. Only thing I’d like to try is using my tube preamp feeding a high power SS amp which I hear is a good combination. Maybe one day.
I heard a pair of 1.6 at a friend's house. They were part of a theater system employing, among other things, an 18-inch velodyne sub-woofer. I was impressed with their low distortion, even at high volume (plenty loud for me), and their treble was adequate. As with planer and electrostatic speakers, the midrange presentation was outstanding. The aesthetics, well, that would be a major drawback for me. Looks do count in audio, and my ADS 1230s look so much better in a room than speakers akin, looks-wise, to screens or room dividers.
I owned various speakers through decades of searching. Finally took a chance on MMGs and stopped searching. I love their “goods” and can work with the “bads” and haven’t had to deal with the “uglies.”
Undisputed ultra high end speakers on the budget, the only budget speaker that Harry Pearson of Absolute Sound could live with if forced to downsize not cheap though with the 3.7. But for many the 1.7 could be the one for audiophiles. Cheers.
Adrian I thought your comments were spot on (Maggie owner). I designed some wall mount brackets where I can move them away from the wall when in use, and move back easily (like LCD brackets). Working on the next gen using motors and encoders to do it automatically and have several settings. Sound is very subjective. Thanks for your effort and time you put into the reviews.
Really appreciate the 'real and honest' observations of living with Maggies. They have always been a speaker of interest over the years. However, I have stuck with Martin Logan Expression ESLs and upper end Focal speakers. Would like to listen to the upper end models someday.
To be honest, I rarely use the ML 13a at the moment, but I can't part with them. Anyway, I have used Rogue Audio Cronus, Audio Research i50, Hypex NC1200 based monoblocks amps and Benchmark AHB2. For my listening space, I don't need huge wattage. 50 to 100 watts is sufficient. Best amps for ESLs are amps with lots of current with power that doubles as impedance haves. Parasound JC5+ and above fit the bill. Sanders ESL amp is from what I hear, very good for MLs.
Have owned multiple Magnepan’s over the last 20+ years. Love them. I destroyed a MMG once but it was my fault (used a cheap Sony theater amp and cranked it - blew up the amp too 😂). Planning to get a 3.7.
I wish you would have included Maggie's with subs as a bonus. Its a game changer. Ive had 2 pairs of MG12 for about 20 years added subs a few years ago.
I used my 1.7 as my main surround speakers with Denon AVR and Emotiva Power Amp driving the maggie. No floorstanders can beat it except if it is as tall as the 1.7.
I have had a pair of modified one point sixes for a long time. They are incredibly hard to beat. They do so many things better than traditional speakers. They do have a few uglies as you point out. Recently purchased a set of JBL 100 classics. Beautiful speakers. Listened to them for several months, then switched back to the Magnepans. The monstrous sound stage returned. The music stopped sounding like it was coming out of boxes and started sounding like the artist was standing at the end of the room. That’s good. There’s lots and lots of good.
I have owned MG II A's for 20 years, and I also own some smaller MMG model speakers. The thing that is the most endearing quality of the Magneplanar models is the acoustical accuracy, and the live "attack". When you place them in your room with proper distance from the rear wall, and play them at "live" music volume; as if the Artist whom you are listening to was actually performing in your home. That being said; I was a pro drummer for about a dozen years, and have played live rock music many, many times; the amount of bass that you get is typical of what you would hear at a live venue - in MY opinion. I hear from people that the bass is too shallow, but I just smile and accede that a sub-woofer would definitely augment the bass, but to the already artificially boosted levels of some music. If you want speakers that make you feel as if you have an actual concert pianist in your home; or a jazz band across the room from you; IN MY OPINION, these are the speakers I have personally found that most match that. If you like bass you can feel, then get a box reflex speaker, and you won't need to buy a subwoofer. But if you like crystal clear high's WITH tremendous and accurate mid-range sounds, then electrostatic speakers are hard to beat. Yes, unfortunately the Magnedyne Company is not interested in the repair of the speakers which have either had oxidized wires in the tweeter section, which have effectively "shorted out" the tweeter; or wires that have vibrated themselves off of the mylar, and need to be glued down again to stop buzzing. It's a relatively stratight-forward repair. After disassembling the speakers and removing the 100 staples securing the bottom of the sock fold; the actual job involves masking off the silver tweeter wires, and using acetone to dissolve the adhesive enough to let go of the coiled wire loops, and then you peel the tweeter wires off of the mylar, and clean it with acetone again. Once fully clean; spray on 3M spray adhesive onto the mylar and replace with the new wire, molded into the shape required. You have the old one as a "template" as it were. If you simply must be completely precise with the wires, buy the products from Magnedyne and then make a "jig" from a 5 foot long 2" x 4" board, and drill holes into the board to press in wooden dowels to match the radius of the turns, and the super straight sections can come out more taut than if you did it by hand. Tap or press the wires flat, and then gently lay them on top of the sprayed adhesive and tap them down. Once it's dry, and secured to the mylar, de-solder the old wiring from the connection point, and use silver solder to solder the new wires to the points made visible by removing the old connections. Test them before putting them back in the socks and wooden frames, and if they sound normal once again; then re-assemble them. It's honestly not that difficult, truly only mostly "work", to be honest. You want to do it as well as you can, but in the end, it will be under the sock, and your repair will not be visible to people, so even if it's a little "squiggly", and not perfectly straight; the wires will still vibrate the mylar, and the sound will still transmit fine. I think the kit from Magnedyne is about $140 U.S.. If you can solder, then this is definitely a "restoration", or "repair", or whatever you want to call it, that YOU can do. It is not "rocket science"; it's just "work". I don't take issue with the other brutally honest comments, but I do think that the blown tweeter issue repair is super over-hyped and made to be a much larger issue to resolve than what is accurate. The process mostly takes time, and tedious care. Because of their "issues"; they can often be purchased inexpensively, especially when in the no longer working tweeter condition. They do take up space; my Ex-wife referred to the band room they were in as "speaker henge" because of their large size, but everyone who came over always commented how amazing they sound. Also, they do indeed need "juice". In my opinion, you need to have up their rated maximum of 200 watts per channel, for them to really open up, and "come alive". So in conclusion, I would encourage anyone wanting really good speakers, to go somewhere where they themselves can hear Magneplanars, because in my opinion, except for the lack of what I think is mostly "artificial bass"; they have amazing sound properties and few other speakers can compare to them. Until you have heard a properly working pair, you simply can't understand how they're "special", but once you hear them, you will never ever forget their sound reproduction. It is honestly, like nothing else. Like an eccentric person; they may be a bit unusual and have some of their own "minor issues", but if you refuse to meet them, you'll never know what you're truly missing. I have not owned another type of speakers since I first got them, and I will always prefer them over traditional speakers, because I like "live" levels of bass, and tremendous musical clarity and "attack".
Thanks Adrian! You know what you are talking about. I am at my 7th Maggie so I guess it is still worth the effort regarding the bad and ugly. Room setup is THE key when it comes to dipoles (too!). You must try everything before you count them out as a close front wall position really breaks all the attributes Magnepan stands for. I totally agree - 4->5 feets out is the best position and there are no short cuts if you care for a true "High-End" sound stage...
I agree with a lot of what's said in the video. It's my first time trying this type of speaker, but a lot of the bad is a wash for me. Like the size of them or standing up and losing some of the highs. Big speakers take up room and standing up while listening to music is not really something I do if I'm in a listening session. I own .7s for my fronts and MC1s for my rears. I even went against all the naysayers who said it's a bad idea to use an MC1 as my center speaker. It sounds great and as of right now it's the best home theater setup I've owned. Of course I have them paired with a (Rythmik F12) sub and they sound great together. If I listened to all the comments about side walls and needing to pull them out so far that they are practically in another room, I would have never bought them.
Great comments... Very helpful.. I am looking for the right speakers for me and I am quite confuse. You help me a lot. And what about apogee? Similar comments?
I have very good electronics and a pair of LRS+. These speakers are so revealing that you will definitely notice if you have cut corners in the associated equipment! That doesn't mean you won't get good sound out of them with mid-fi equipment.
In my opinion these kind of speakers can be too revealing… good recordings sound out of this world but bad or even average recordings sound well.. bad. To the point that you are becoming more interested in finding good recordings instead of just enjoying music.. for example the KLIPSCH Cornwall is the opposite of maggies. They make everything sound good, even bad recordings but nothing sounds out of this world.
I had a pair of LRS+ W/2 REL T5X. My first panel speaker. I enjoyed the transparency and soundstage. However, I missed the macro dynamics and felt the music had no weight. I moved on to a pair of Eminent Technology LFT 8b's. They ticked all the boxes. Also a planar design but with some twists. The aluminum coil is etched on to the mylar, like a printed circuit board. There are two sets of magnets on either side of the membrane for a push/pull effect. Also the bass is handled by integrated dynamic wooders. Only downside, you are not going to be moving them around, they weigh 100 lbs each.
How do the ET LFT8 b compare to the lrs+? I am thinking of upgrading from my LRS to either the 1.7 or 3.7 but was also considering the Eminent Technology. Do you find them harder to drive than the LRS+? How does the imaging and detail compare?
I have a pair of 3.7i with Parasound JC 5. They are setup to in a 2 level theater with discrete HT 7.3 with bypass to the Parasound so that 2 channel stereo can be accessed by my TT. I run the 3.7i with REL 9x/T. I am amazed by the positive change in sound when I stand in the upper seating level. Some music sounds best at speaker level in equilateral distances between speakers and the listening position. Some music sounds best above that position on second level when standing. Ears are at top of the speakers dispersion. Speakers 4+ feet from back wall.
one thing I will say in defense of the Maggies is they've been in business for a very long time, so there are lots of people who like their products. I remember listening to them back in the early 80's and only thoughts were, okay cool, but that was about it. At the time I think I had some Quad electrostats, so I wasn't that interested in the Mags.
I have had a pair of MG IIbs now for 5 years. I had to repair lifted wire, (but not replaced.) I use them with a pair of Quad II's the originals. 12 to 15 watts per channel. They sound wonderful, even on flea power. Disclamer: I use them in a bedroom, and I am not interested in pipe organ bass or volume. To me, claiming that they need lots of current, (solid state amp, anyone?) is misleading. (off of my soapbox)
Thanks. I agree, fantastic but awkward. I am owner of a pair of 12 since many years, and love them most of the time. A fun aspect is that some of the “bads” are easy to overcome or reduce. For example “Treble loss when standing up”. I changed the stands and raised my panels 20 cm from the floor. It reduced that problem and improved the soundstage sitting down. And to compensate for “Lack of macro dynamics” I use a big sub, SVS SB 3000, carefully set up, and it makes wonders to the perceived dynamics, not only adding low frequencies. Any other hacks anyone?
I like the Maggie soundstage/imaging. I prefer the big presentation over some 'pinpoint' image thing. But it all comes down to personal preference vs good or bad iMO. I think they do vocals and standup bass like nothing else within a similar price point. But they don't 'slam' so I get why some don't like.
Adrian, I understand magnepan has an in house sub that is supposed to be good & a good sub from a reputable brand could help with the bass shortcomings. Your thoughts?
Great video, another ugly is build quality I have owned a lot of speakers over the past 40 years and I purchased 1.6s brand new. I take care of all my gear and the magnepan 1.6s delaminated after 2 years. I never had any other brand of speaker fail
" Hmm"......It took almost 20 years of "rockin", "jazzin," "hip-hoppin," "bluesin," and classical "fortisimo's" for that to happen to my 1.6's. I think the problem is endemic with only one particular cd I play. All the other play fine.
I've been electrostatic curious for years and last week a friend gave me his old Acoustat 2+2 speakers. They sound good, but even with my treble at maximum on my integrated amp they sound dull and dark. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Own 1.7i s. 2 biggies. True, very revealing. What goes in comes out! True, need high current amp. Even with sub, not a great rock speaker, but WOW for female vocals, most jazz, indie, bossa nova. Prog and electronic create a WALL of music. Sox (grills) come in several colors for the decor concerns.
I have owned many Maggies and I always seem to return to them. I currently have LRS+'s in a second system and they can't be beat for the money. My biggest "Bad" that I have heard Adrian talk about on other videos are the binding posts. They are horrible.
As a maggie owner since 1982 having owned 9 pairs of all sizes and currently owning 4 pairs, you are so wrong re bass, they are very sensitive to the type of speaker cables (transparent I find to be the best), and amplification, with the right set up they can rattle my concrete floor and triple glazing. They take a very long time to break in. Some amps just cannot drive them e.g. Bryston mono blocs sound poor as do most valve amps I've tried. Solid state for power and valve for pre works well. Pure class A amps are tremendous with them in the 1990 I used a Krell KSA 150 and they sounded stunning. Constellation mono blocs sound superb with them,. Not sure that you've actually lived with these speakers in a home environment they need a minimum of 6feet behind them and a high room, my listening room is 20 feet high with a vaulted ceiling and deliberately "no square walls" to stop standing wave reflections. To summarise, no big high room, wrong amp = poor sound, class A or high bias A/B are best. Pass Labs class A amps drive them well. Some amp manufacturers will advise that using Maggies voids their warranty as the impedance can drop so low when driven hard.
Magnapans are fantastic at what they do right, 200hz-100KH. but absolutely horrendous at what they don't. The low frequency spectrum vibe is soooo absent that it cancels the positive aspects. Pairing with a sub doesn't work either.
Magnepans are made of MDF ..This material will not resonate at low frequencies ,,So one fix to improve the bass is to change the MDF and use wood instead ..Maggies become other thing
I owned a Maggie before moving on to something else. Everything about the Maggie is great except the bass, it just sounds weak to me. Having a subwoofer just makes the bass become worse. Another weakness is the off-axis performance. I feel like every time I listen to a Maggie, I have to force myself to not move away from the center of the soundstage. Just moving my head a few inches left or right, and I will lose all the soundstage magic. That is not acceptable in my opinion.
@@LoniGuitarChannelHr I have the Monitor Audio Platinum 500 PLII's which stand more or less the same height as a Planny or any other electrostatic at 6ft 2" - walking around is not a problem - the soundstage is very wide on these especially if you don't toe them in - many other speakers including bookshelf or stand mounted image wider - which is why I have never been a fan of them (also bass is usually a little tricky) - however with that said I love my Stax headphones for which I def sit down - have a good one
@@nelsonclub7722 It is not hard to find excellent speaker for 15.000 €. Problem is to find very good speaker for 1.000 or 2.000 € who can compare or beat x2 , x3 times more expensive one. Although I had Sonus Faber towers, Martin Logan electrostats , Magnepans are unbeatable in sound per money value. Cheers…
I am sorry, but who listen seriously when standing? It depends on the model , depend on angle ( just 5 % back angle will help) You put just to many “bad” points…. not fair ! Video needs edit.
Saludos, no estoy de acuerdo con sus apreciaciones, conozco 20 marcas de parlantes con cargas mucho más difíciles de operar que Magnepan; de igual manera no comparto sus comentarios respecto de la ubicación tan grande que necesita, todo esto son estereotipos creados para alejar a los posibles clientes de Magnepan. Igualmente deje de compararlos con los altavoces tradicionales, ni estos ni aquellos son mejores o peores, sencillamente son tecnologías distintas. Que falta de objetividad, de honestidad, de ética profesional, que tristeza que existan personas como ustedes, que en vez de allegar personas a la Alta Fidelidad, lo que hacen es alejarlas...
I haven't found that with Maggies, but then we only get high humidity in Ontario Canada for a few days/weeks in the summer, and most people have A/C here
Adrian--these videos are sooo much better than anything previous. They are mature, thoughtful and useful and I don't miss the exhausting snarkiness of some previous ones.
Thanks, glad you like them
Agreed. We still miss Vilip, anyway 😂
@@adrianlow2114You fired Vilip? How's he gonna earn his daily bread and curb his hunger now??
As a Maggie owner myself, I think you hit everything right on the spot. One thing I was puzzled about with my 1.7s was that they had an optimal volume level where imaging and soundstage come alive. I didn't know why but now you've explained the micro- vs macro-dynamics, it makes perfect sense. Thanks.
I have 1.7i, everything you said, both good and bad is true. The one thing I would add is that they don't sugar coat poor recordings. The difference between good and bad recordings is huge, so much so it will change what you listen to.
Magnepan owner since the early 80's, just gotta have'm (from the MGIIIa's to currently 3.7i's) - everything Adrian says here is true, the thing is, and the reason for my personal addiction, the "goods" are off the chart good - - the image controversy, the pin point thing, to me that type of presentations sounds hi-fi, maggies sound natural, maggie imagining is spell binding, dynamic speakers do in fact provide a more "pin point" presentation, but by comparison, the pin point, cookie cutter edging sounds unrealistic (because it is) I love how magnepans image and with a decent front end, they image top to bottom too, not just in the typical sound stage horizontal layer that dynamic speakers tend to present - and yep, they're happier with a top shelf front end but I can personally attest that reference Class D (because of the less expensive power) with a reference front end will provide the wonders these puppies can give a listener - and don't listen to those that claim one needs a gigantic room, that is simply not true, (do you hear me Mr. Guttenberg?) relative near field gives one all those same qualities - I know, I've had 'em all kinds of sized rooms. A tip, because of the way they radiate, the larger panels are definitely better, the smaller versions give that magnepan thing, but the taller models bring you all the way including that massive, realistic, unrestricted, scaled up sound stage.
As a newbie, this is one of the best audiophile videos I have ever watched. Period. Excellent job. In the points and in their delivery.
Adrian, I wish your shop was local to me in DC. Your integrity is unparalleled.
Great video. When I got my Maggies (IIb's, used, $250), I hooked them up to my Denon AVR3803 and set them in the room. I sat down and listened to a disc that I had listened to hundreds of times and it was like Johnny Cash was sitting ten feet from me. Outstanding. I have since rebuilt the bass coil on each of them, dead simple. The factory was a huge help, they sold me the kit and provided instructions. The engineer I spoke to was great, he had recently rewritten the instructions and followed up with a call for my feedback. Learn how to tell your friends that, 'they aren't that kind of speaker' when they ask you to crank it. I have since built new frames with a sand-filled, spiked box base and they seem a bit punchier.
I just got my LRS+’s from the factory(10 week wait!)I love❤them, but I have always loved electrostatic and planar speakers. I had a pair of MG-1’s back in the ‘80’s. I agree with your assessment, they aren’t for everyone, but if you love their strengths they will compete with speakers costing thousands more. Add a REL subwoofer as I did and I think they’re the best value in audio today..jmo!
Try listening to “Take You There” by H.E. R. The bass is like magic on Magnepan’s.
Who the hell listens to Maggies standing up? Loss of high frequencies while doing housework? LOL. Totally agree with everything Adrian said, though many of those "bads" aren't really bad at all. As far as dynamics, they'll be improved dramatically if you cross them over to a good subwoofer. Maggies can play loud, just not at low frequencies due to the limitation of panel excursion.
Well, you may be a lover, but you ain’t no dancer!
Don’t have Maggies, but I always listen standing up. For various reasons. ✌️
@@amb3cogGood for you. Don't get Maggie's. Simple as that. Sheesh
@@jayem1826 Why? He said the big ones work fine when standing up. Besides, it’s not like I can’t make it work somehow. I have a dedicated room. So no WAF to worry about. ✌️
@@amb3cog No WAF. That's even better.
Thanks for the honest look at the pluses and minuses of the Maggie’s .
Also congrats 🍾 on the award at the Audiofest last week.
I thought the show was amazing.
Take care and enjoy the weekend.
Thank you!
This series highlights the knowledge, experience and value high end audio dealers can bring to their clients. More insightful and honest than views from other industry participants; impossible for other influencers to replicate. From the comments, it sounds like owners agree w Adrian. Just subscribed.
I wanted to mention something about soundstage with (tall) maggies. I have 1.7's and the pinpoint thing can be true to some extent. However, when I listen to classical, I can still close my eyes and envision the musicians sitting on the stage exactly where they should be. They're also so tall, it was the first speaker I ever heard that had my head tilting back because the soundstage was coming from so far back and high above my seated position, it was like I was in the front row of a symphony. I fell in love right then. What I don't get is how people always say they are hard to set up right and/or only have one sweet spot, because I have not experienced that at all with the 1.7's. Sitting slightly off axis still provides a great experience. We use ours for movies, almost never sitting in the sweet spot.
Anything recorded well that is acoustic sounds amazing, but I feel like where they lack is with rock music. Some albums can sound good, don't get me wrong, but I'm almost always left with some disappointment. When I listen to rock, I listen to mostly indie rock, which is generally pretty lofi, so it's not a huge concern me.
Hi Adrian, firstly, many congratulations on the award!! Keep rocking!!😊
You’re right regarding the soundstage.. I heard the new Wilson Sabrinas and the Maggies have a better soundstage any day!
Another +ve is their midrange is excellent and they can really bring out the quality of the recordings.
Thank you!
You should do a tour of your shop I’d love to see it
As a .7 owner (formerly owned 1.6qr), as well as a home audio reviewer, I agree with 99% of what you said Adrian. My one quibble is that the .7's perform just as well in my small 11x10 space at 3ft out from the front wall.
Being the owner of a pair of MG12/QR’s from Magnepan I find this review quite honest. Mine are powered by an original Adcom 555 mk II and they do sound good. My room is small but I do move them away from the wall when I’m listening to them. I love the openness of sound they give me. You’re right, most people that see them can’t believe they’re speakers and even better they are surprised how they sound. I have a single sub that handles the bass below 48Hz. Due to the size of my room the Maggie’s have good bass but where the bass rolls off is where the sub takes over.
I've owned MG III, MG 3.6 improved, and went for the MG 20.1 (second generation). I mated a monster high current amp. When they were brand new the 20.1 completely exceeded my expectations. I cranked them to ear bleed levels and they performed without any issue. The base was powerful and slapped me in the face. However, as they aged and broke in that rap slap did appear when once it had not. Other than that everything else was and is still the same. So the early super load days are gone, but they are still amazing. No regrets. I can not argue with your Maggie assessments.
A couple of things Adrian forgot to mention; Maggies need *time* to "break in"!!
Fresh out of the box, they will sound really "thin" (no pun intended). Just let them play at a moderate level, leave the house and do something outside. Do this for 2-3 days and the change will astonish you!! Also, these are *sit down and listen to the music* speakers as the "sweet spot" is relatively small. I have 1.7is with a JL Audio F112 and couldn't be more satisfied!
Hey I’m using the same speaker with the REL’s T9X’s and feel exactly the same!!😊😀
I have the .7s with dual SVS SB-16 Ultra subwoofers. The sound stage width and depth is superb. Maggies require high current amps like the Parasound JC5 or Bryston 4Bcubed.
Very true. I visited the factory and was told they definitely sound better after using them for awhile.
Absolutely true. After the break in period they sound much more open and I'll never go to a box. On my second set.
If I want "punchy" I'll stick my head out of the window and hear some stupid flip playing crap out of his multi-cab. How efin dumb the locals are.
Thank you for your honest review; have owned Maggies since '94, 3A and now 3.7i. Love them for many of the reasons you mentioned.
Great video, I pretty much agree with everything Adrian said. I have never heard Magnepans before so just out of curiosity and the low price and great reviews I bought a pair of LRS. The LRS are amazing, I do not believe there is anything else in this price range that would match or exceed the performance of the LRS. Yes they do need good power and IMO they do need a sub. I am running mine with a Peachtree Audio gan 400 and a HSU 15” sub and this combination works quite well for me. As for the negatives mentioned the only negative for me would be serviceability. Maybe they won’t play quite as loud as an efficient box speaker but they will play quite loud nonetheless. One negative I see mentioned often is that they make everything sound large. For me this is a huge positive NOT a negative. When I attend a live performance it is a huge sound that fills the venue, whether vocals or instruments, it does NOT sound small. That is one of the greatest strengths IMO, I do NOT want a soundstage that gives the impression of a bunch of mice running around on stage playing mini guitars. The depth and bloom and air around instruments and vocals are amazing. I am more impressed with a small speaker that sounds large more than a large speaker that sounds small. They do so many things right and as mentioned you would have to spend a LOT of money to equal or exceed that performance with a conventional speaker. I don’t see myself going back to a box speaker anytime soon, but I am considering upgrading to a larger set of Magnepans.
I bought a pair of MG2s in 1976 and I loved them. I was driving them with a Phase Linear 700 p9ower amp and I made them scream. The bass wire on one of them delaminated , I was able to get the sock off and epoxy the wire back in place successfully.
I miss the SMG's you sold me many years ago. Love your videos. People he is up front in his opinions and in his values. After years of Dreaming I finally moved up to a McIntosh system... mostly, and almost 20 years later. The 2nd system I purchased from him after spending years returning to the store. Thank you
I am an original owner of a pair of 20.1s. Eventually I finally put enough power into my Maggies that the bass came alive. They now have a surprising amount of bass. I am using 2 MC402s in mono-block configuration for 800 W/ch. I was surprised at what a difference it made when I added my 2nd MC402. It also makes them sound better at low levels, but they still run best from medium to higher sound levels. Nice review.
Hello Adrian. Another awesome insightful and educational video. Thank you 👍😎
As a long time Maggie owner, I identify with the idea of liking something that looks different. I also drive a hot rodded stationwagon. I like weird. Maggies can be taken to an entirely new level with outboard crossovers with high quality caps and air core inductors. Lot of compromises to shove an xover into the speaker. I'm building a pair now for my LRS. Oh and a properly designed crossover will take a lot of the lower frequencies out of the tweeter, eliminating need for a cheap fuse in the circuit.
Love Maggies . One of the things I would add as a caution is subwoofer integration can be difficult. From the ones I have heard, they need to be mated with a sub that is snappy, tight, and has a very fast attack. Otherwise, the low-end seems to smear, its timing seemingly off where the system's low-end is playing catch up to what the midband and treble is doing.
The best subwoofers to use with the smaller Maggie's are Vandersteen 2w's or Magnepan's own panel subwoofers. They are fast enough to keep up with Maggie's, Quads and classic Stax F-81's.
I would to agree that servicing can be expensive, but delamination isnt an issue anymore since they switched adhesives and went completely quasi ribbon.
I’ve been contemplating a pair of Mags for years; loved planars for so long. I know you’ve had them for a while, but the chrono’s hovering in the back waiting to attack must still make you happy every day!
Shout out from a fellow panel lover! I have the MartinLogan CLX Art and agree with Adrian on the pros & cons of panels. They absolutely need moah powaaaaaaaaaaa! Mine went from okay to amazing when I went from the PS Audio BHK 300’s to their BHK 600’s; simply revelatory, like a different speaker altogether. And frankly, panel speakers’ slightly subdued bass response is ideal for a condominium dweller 😊
I have had to do some repairs on one, including replacing a Curvilinear Stat panel and the crossover unit. From what Adrian described, MartinLogan’s repair process is easier. You correspond with them at headquarters, and they send you PDFs with photos and instructions on how to test and find the problem, followed by sending out replacement parts to you. Replacing the panel was easier than what Adrian described for doing so on a Maggie.
Good review. I own a pair of 1.7s and I love them. These have gone up in price with newer 1.7i current model pricing and I'm not sure I'd get them overr something else at that price, but they are still a good value. You do have to love or at least find the aesthetic pleasing as spending $200 or whatever the cost for the more expensive trim options isn't going to give you a dramatic improvement over what you would get with upgrading the finish on box speakers. It's just the side strips that cover the staples of the grill cover that get the finish. My Maggies replaced a pair of Vandersteen 1Cs and even the upgraded finishes on these are drastically more of an improvement over the base finishes. You can at least see the finish from listening position with the Vandersteens. My Maggies have Mahogany trim and the truth is that you don't see the trim even from the side. The presence of the monolithic form it all you really notice. I have the black grill covers, perhaps it's more noticeable with the other fabric colors (white, beige or grey) might offer more contrast, but I wouldn't recommending paying more for the finish. Just order the color grill covers you want and match the trim to blend is what I'd would do.
Adrian... Can't wait for your takes on Wilson's speakers 😊
Great points. I have the 1.7i Maggies and can’t see going back to box speakers anytime soon.
This video provides the best practical and useful information on Magnepan speakers I've watched or read. And I'm a fan of Magnepan so I have taken in a lot of Maggie information. Well done!
By far the best overview/resume of Magnepans in general. You mention exact the pro's and non's. Oke', a large TAD is a less compromise, but costs a fortune.
Great review, I started with the MG1 long time ago. Then a pair of matin Logan Sequel II, traded them for the MG3. I have the Tympani 4a now playing powered by an old Krell KSA80. So much musicality, it’s emotional 😏 I still have all the maggies I ever owned
Great information and honesty about the repair.
Great video Adrian. You nailed the sound. If you like what they do well, you have to spend a ton to find anything better. I have a pair of 1.7s driven by vintage ARC and CJ gear and REL subs. I am in my own audio heaven! Cheers from the right coast!
Bought mine new and first impressions were very positive. I couldn’t get to enjoy long listening sessions and it likely came down to the room size being too small. Even with the original LRS they need lots of space. Upper frequency energy was too high and perhaps I may have tamed it with diffusers. Switching to traditional dynamic speaker brought back that joy
I go with Bryston 4BSST and the LRS and two REL T5 subwoofers. Have the subs set for about 50 Hz. I have Bryston BP20 preamp and BDA1 DAC. I listen to them mostly in another room. I like your comments on this very detailed and true from my experience.
Adrian, I enjoy following your podcasts, they are very good - thank you for that. My problem is that I already own a NAD C658/298 combo, and I would like to buy an LRS+ for my 7x4.2m listening/living room, but I can't see anywhere that this is a good decision. This is a particular concern to me because on the Magnepan website they specifically disclaim Class D amplifiers. In any case, I would rather give up on the LRS+ than have to look for a new amplifier for the LRS+.
Unfortunately, I haven't found anywhere on the internet an assessment of how the Magies match the NAD C298 output amplifier, especially compared to other Magies-friendly amplifiers (eg Hegel...). This surprises me, since the NAD C298 with its 2x185W sine power generated a lot of attention and positive reviews among the audiophile public, especially because of the Purify module. I didn't even find anything in the comments about the combination of LRS+ and Nad C298. I would like to hear at least some experience, if not a complete review. Can someone at least help me with advice or a link?
Even an old 0.5 has surprised a lot of visitors. They were very cheap, but the electronics were not. My Ayre V6 brings them to life. The musicians are playing in my room.
It's like you read my mind to get your opinions. I have the lrs+ and couldn't be happier. I have two svs sb2000 subs to handle the bass. Great combination. The aperion supertweeters work great with maggies. Watched the movie Greyhound, and the soundstage was amazing.
Thank you for this well articulated and comprehensive report ..)
Thanks for this video.
I have listened to the Magnepan several times and I intend to purchase the 1.7i. In addition to these speakers I will alternate them with the Klipsch HeresyIV based on the musical genre to listen to.
I believe that a speaker with the merits of Klipsch and Magnepan would cost over 10,000 euros.
Love my 1.7i’s previously had the lrs and Hegel h160 combo before trading up. Open baffle for life crew. Currently looking at a new set of Caladans from Clayton Shaw around the $3k price point. He previously was at spatial audio labs and created the m3 sapphires and x5 s which are both fantastic open baffle options.
Did you get the chance to hear the Caladan's? How do they compare to maggies?
I heard the 1.6’s at Audio Excellence back in 2004 and bought them. Hadn’t heard anything like them before, open and airy, great on vocals. Doesn’t sound like a speaker in a box. Then they had a trade in 1.7 and I bought them too. No trouble selling the 1.6’s for a reasonable price. Have I heard better speakers? Yes, but way more expensive. What you save in the cost of the Maggies you can spend on better electronics. I use a tube pre and power amp with no problem. I find it a good combination. Play plenty loud too. I don’t find myself wishing for more base response. They go low enough but that’s just me. If you’re a rocker then maybe these aren’t the speakers for you. Good review Adrian! I love my Maggies and have no desire for anything else. Only thing I’d like to try is using my tube preamp feeding a high power SS amp which I hear is a good combination. Maybe one day.
I heard a pair of 1.6 at a friend's house. They were part of a theater system employing, among other things, an 18-inch velodyne sub-woofer. I was impressed with their low distortion, even at high volume (plenty loud for me), and their treble was adequate. As with planer and electrostatic speakers, the midrange presentation was outstanding. The aesthetics, well, that would be a major drawback for me. Looks do count in audio, and my ADS 1230s look so much better in a room than speakers akin, looks-wise, to screens or room dividers.
I owned various speakers through decades of searching. Finally took a chance on MMGs and stopped searching. I love their “goods” and can work with the “bads” and haven’t had to deal with the “uglies.”
Thanks...I will stay with my Paradigm Speakers..
Undisputed ultra high end speakers on the budget, the only budget speaker that Harry Pearson of Absolute Sound could live with if forced to downsize not cheap though with the 3.7. But for many the 1.7 could be the one for audiophiles. Cheers.
Adrian I thought your comments were spot on (Maggie owner). I designed some wall mount brackets where I can move them away from the wall when in use, and move back easily (like LCD brackets). Working on the next gen using motors and encoders to do it automatically and have several settings. Sound is very subjective. Thanks for your effort and time you put into the reviews.
The best review of Maggie’s I ever heard
Really appreciate the 'real and honest' observations of living with Maggies. They have always been a speaker of interest over the years. However, I have stuck with Martin Logan Expression ESLs and upper end Focal speakers. Would like to listen to the upper end models someday.
I have a pair ESL Martin Logan 11a, just got used, what amp and source requirements would you recommend thanks
Stephen
To be honest, I rarely use the ML 13a at the moment, but I can't part with them. Anyway, I have used Rogue Audio Cronus, Audio Research i50, Hypex NC1200 based monoblocks amps and Benchmark AHB2. For my listening space, I don't need huge wattage. 50 to 100 watts is sufficient. Best amps for ESLs are amps with lots of current with power that doubles as impedance haves. Parasound JC5+ and above fit the bill. Sanders ESL amp is from what I hear, very good for MLs.
Have owned multiple Magnepan’s over the last 20+ years. Love them. I destroyed a MMG once but it was my fault (used a cheap Sony theater amp and cranked it - blew up the amp too 😂). Planning to get a 3.7.
I wish you would have included Maggie's with subs as a bonus. Its a game changer.
Ive had 2 pairs of MG12 for about 20 years added subs a few years ago.
They are awesome, love them. Wanted to know about how they would be in a home theatre set up?
They can't play very loudly, but if you enjoy medium volume, they are fantastic. Make sure your receiver has power to drive 4 ohms
I used my 1.7 as my main surround speakers with Denon AVR and Emotiva Power Amp driving the maggie. No floorstanders can beat it except if it is as tall as the 1.7.
I have had a pair of modified one point sixes for a long time. They are incredibly hard to beat. They do so many things better than traditional speakers. They do have a few uglies as you point out. Recently purchased a set of JBL 100 classics. Beautiful speakers. Listened to them for several months, then switched back to the Magnepans. The monstrous sound stage returned. The music stopped sounding like it was coming out of boxes and started sounding like the artist was standing at the end of the room. That’s good. There’s lots and lots of good.
I have owned MG II A's for 20 years, and I also own some smaller MMG model speakers. The thing that is the most endearing quality of the Magneplanar models is the acoustical accuracy, and the live "attack". When you place them in your room with proper distance from the rear wall, and play them at "live" music volume; as if the Artist whom you are listening to was actually performing in your home. That being said; I was a pro drummer for about a dozen years, and have played live rock music many, many times; the amount of bass that you get is typical of what you would hear at a live venue - in MY opinion. I hear from people that the bass is too shallow, but I just smile and accede that a sub-woofer would definitely augment the bass, but to the already artificially boosted levels of some music. If you want speakers that make you feel as if you have an actual concert pianist in your home; or a jazz band across the room from you; IN MY OPINION, these are the speakers I have personally found that most match that. If you like bass you can feel, then get a box reflex speaker, and you won't need to buy a subwoofer. But if you like crystal clear high's WITH tremendous and accurate mid-range sounds, then electrostatic speakers are hard to beat.
Yes, unfortunately the Magnedyne Company is not interested in the repair of the speakers which have either had oxidized wires in the tweeter section, which have effectively "shorted out" the tweeter; or wires that have vibrated themselves off of the mylar, and need to be glued down again to stop buzzing. It's a relatively stratight-forward repair. After disassembling the speakers and removing the 100 staples securing the bottom of the sock fold; the actual job involves masking off the silver tweeter wires, and using acetone to dissolve the adhesive enough to let go of the coiled wire loops, and then you peel the tweeter wires off of the mylar, and clean it with acetone again. Once fully clean; spray on 3M spray adhesive onto the mylar and replace with the new wire, molded into the shape required. You have the old one as a "template" as it were. If you simply must be completely precise with the wires, buy the products from Magnedyne and then make a "jig" from a 5 foot long 2" x 4" board, and drill holes into the board to press in wooden dowels to match the radius of the turns, and the super straight sections can come out more taut than if you did it by hand. Tap or press the wires flat, and then gently lay them on top of the sprayed adhesive and tap them down. Once it's dry, and secured to the mylar, de-solder the old wiring from the connection point, and use silver solder to solder the new wires to the points made visible by removing the old connections. Test them before putting them back in the socks and wooden frames, and if they sound normal once again; then re-assemble them. It's honestly not that difficult, truly only mostly "work", to be honest. You want to do it as well as you can, but in the end, it will be under the sock, and your repair will not be visible to people, so even if it's a little "squiggly", and not perfectly straight; the wires will still vibrate the mylar, and the sound will still transmit fine. I think the kit from Magnedyne is about $140 U.S.. If you can solder, then this is definitely a "restoration", or "repair", or whatever you want to call it, that YOU can do. It is not "rocket science"; it's just "work".
I don't take issue with the other brutally honest comments, but I do think that the blown tweeter issue repair is super over-hyped and made to be a much larger issue to resolve than what is accurate. The process mostly takes time, and tedious care. Because of their "issues"; they can often be purchased inexpensively, especially when in the no longer working tweeter condition. They do take up space; my Ex-wife referred to the band room they were in as "speaker henge" because of their large size, but everyone who came over always commented how amazing they sound. Also, they do indeed need "juice". In my opinion, you need to have up their rated maximum of 200 watts per channel, for them to really open up, and "come alive".
So in conclusion, I would encourage anyone wanting really good speakers, to go somewhere where they themselves can hear Magneplanars, because in my opinion, except for the lack of what I think is mostly "artificial bass"; they have amazing sound properties and few other speakers can compare to them. Until you have heard a properly working pair, you simply can't understand how they're "special", but once you hear them, you will never ever forget their sound reproduction. It is honestly, like nothing else. Like an eccentric person; they may be a bit unusual and have some of their own "minor issues", but if you refuse to meet them, you'll never know what you're truly missing. I have not owned another type of speakers since I first got them, and I will always prefer them over traditional speakers, because I like "live" levels of bass, and tremendous musical clarity and "attack".
Thanks Adrian! You know what you are talking about. I am at my 7th Maggie so I guess it is still worth the effort regarding the bad and ugly. Room setup is THE key when it comes to dipoles (too!). You must try everything before you count them out as a close front wall position really breaks all the attributes Magnepan stands for. I totally agree - 4->5 feets out is the best position and there are no short cuts if you care for a true "High-End" sound stage...
I agree with a lot of what's said in the video. It's my first time trying this type of speaker, but a lot of the bad is a wash for me. Like the size of them or standing up and losing some of the highs. Big speakers take up room and standing up while listening to music is not really something I do if I'm in a listening session.
I own .7s for my fronts and MC1s for my rears. I even went against all the naysayers who said it's a bad idea to use an MC1 as my center speaker. It sounds great and as of right now it's the best home theater setup I've owned. Of course I have them paired with a (Rythmik F12) sub and they sound great together.
If I listened to all the comments about side walls and needing to pull them out so far that they are practically in another room, I would have never bought them.
Great comments... Very helpful.. I am looking for the right speakers for me and I am quite confuse. You help me a lot. And what about apogee? Similar comments?
Hope you can do a Focal segment!
I have very good electronics and a pair of LRS+. These speakers are so revealing that you will definitely notice if you have cut corners in the associated equipment! That doesn't mean you won't get good sound out of them with mid-fi equipment.
In my opinion these kind of speakers can be too revealing… good recordings sound out of this world but bad or even average recordings sound well.. bad. To the point that you are becoming more interested in finding good recordings instead of just enjoying music.. for example the KLIPSCH Cornwall is the opposite of maggies. They make everything sound good, even bad recordings but nothing sounds out of this world.
I had a pair of LRS+ W/2 REL T5X. My first panel speaker. I enjoyed the transparency and soundstage. However, I missed the macro dynamics and felt the music had no weight. I moved on to a pair of Eminent Technology LFT 8b's. They ticked all the boxes. Also a planar design but with some twists. The aluminum coil is etched on to the mylar, like a printed circuit board. There are two sets of magnets on either side of the membrane for a push/pull effect. Also the bass is handled by integrated dynamic wooders. Only downside, you are not going to be moving them around, they weigh 100 lbs each.
How do the ET LFT8 b compare to the lrs+? I am thinking of upgrading from my LRS to either the 1.7 or 3.7 but was also considering the Eminent Technology. Do you find them harder to drive than the LRS+? How does the imaging and detail compare?
I have a pair of 3.7i with Parasound JC 5. They are setup to in a 2 level theater with discrete HT 7.3 with bypass to the Parasound so that 2 channel stereo can be accessed by my TT. I run the 3.7i with REL 9x/T. I am amazed by the positive change in sound when I stand in the upper seating level. Some music sounds best at speaker level in equilateral distances between speakers and the listening position. Some music sounds best above that position on second level when standing. Ears are at top of the speakers dispersion. Speakers 4+ feet from back wall.
I have a a Rotel 1080 and a set of 1.6qrs from 2000 they still sound better in my room then a lot of box speakers i have tried in here.
one thing I will say in defense of the Maggies is they've been in business for a very long time, so there are lots of people who like their products. I remember listening to them back in the early 80's and only thoughts were, okay cool, but that was about it. At the time I think I had some Quad electrostats, so I wasn't that interested in the Mags.
I have had a pair of MG IIbs now for 5 years. I had to repair lifted wire, (but not replaced.)
I use them with a pair of Quad II's the originals. 12 to 15 watts per channel. They sound wonderful, even on flea power. Disclamer: I use them in a bedroom, and I am not interested in pipe organ bass or volume. To me, claiming that they need lots of current, (solid state amp, anyone?) is misleading. (off of my soapbox)
Thanks. I agree, fantastic but awkward. I am owner of a pair of 12 since many years, and love them most of the time. A fun aspect is that some of the “bads” are easy to overcome or reduce. For example “Treble loss when standing up”. I changed the stands and raised my panels 20 cm from the floor. It reduced that problem and improved the soundstage sitting down. And to compensate for “Lack of macro dynamics” I use a big sub, SVS SB 3000, carefully set up, and it makes wonders to the perceived dynamics, not only adding low frequencies. Any other hacks anyone?
I like the Maggie soundstage/imaging. I prefer the big presentation over some 'pinpoint' image thing. But it all comes down to personal preference vs good or bad iMO. I think they do vocals and standup bass like nothing else within a similar price point. But they don't 'slam' so I get why some don't like.
I buy all my Maggie’s from Adrian! Great speakers for the money.
Thank you!!!
I love my LRS+ speakers
Adrian, I understand magnepan has an in house sub that is supposed to be good & a good sub from a reputable brand could help with the bass shortcomings. Your thoughts?
Cool room.
Maggies sound: permeating like getting a refreshing shower, enveloping like getting a calming sonic hug.
You, sir, are a poet!
@@adrianlow2114 ;) LRS made me!
Great video, another ugly is build quality I have owned a lot of speakers over the past 40 years and I purchased 1.6s brand new. I take care of all my gear and the magnepan 1.6s delaminated after 2 years. I never had any other brand of speaker fail
Should be under warranty!
" Hmm"......It took almost 20 years of "rockin", "jazzin," "hip-hoppin," "bluesin," and classical "fortisimo's" for that to happen to my 1.6's. I think the problem is endemic with only one particular cd I play. All the other play fine.
I've been electrostatic curious for years and last week a friend gave me his old Acoustat 2+2 speakers. They sound good, but even with my treble at maximum on my integrated amp they sound dull and dark. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Own 1.7i s. 2 biggies. True, very revealing. What goes in comes out! True, need high current amp.
Even with sub, not a great rock speaker, but WOW for female vocals, most jazz, indie, bossa nova. Prog and electronic create a WALL of music.
Sox (grills) come in several colors for the decor concerns.
I have owned many Maggies and I always seem to return to them. I currently have LRS+'s in a second system and they can't be beat for the money. My biggest "Bad" that I have heard Adrian talk about on other videos are the binding posts. They are horrible.
I love my MG12/QR's!
Quad or Magnepan? what do you think?
Maggies are beamy to me (head in a vice to maintain the stereo image). I'm staying with my Legacy Whispers.
Thanks Adrian :)
My pleasure!
MAGNEPAN is the top selling audiophile speaker.
i whats ur recommended amp for 1.7i ??
20.7s & Rel carbon specials
Coda Ts v3 800w@4ohm
SR Denali 6000s 20amp ded
JLA cr-1 active crossover
Shunyata Python xlr's 2.5m
Kimber Kable Select KS6063
W4S 10th edition DAC2V2SE
Bluesound Node N130 😊
The binding posts are another bad/ugly. I hate them.
Yes, forgot those! Though in fairness, they actually are very good as they clamp down well. Just a pain to use the tiny allen key!
@@adrianlow2114 yes and yes
As a maggie owner since 1982 having owned 9 pairs of all sizes and currently owning 4 pairs, you are so wrong re bass, they are very sensitive to the type of speaker cables (transparent I find to be the best), and amplification, with the right set up they can rattle my concrete floor and triple glazing. They take a very long time to break in. Some amps just cannot drive them e.g. Bryston mono blocs sound poor as do most valve amps I've tried. Solid state for power and valve for pre works well. Pure class A amps are tremendous with them in the 1990 I used a Krell KSA 150 and they sounded stunning. Constellation mono blocs sound superb with them,. Not sure that you've actually lived with these speakers in a home environment they need a minimum of 6feet behind them and a high room, my listening room is 20 feet high with a vaulted ceiling and deliberately "no square walls" to stop standing wave reflections. To summarise, no big high room, wrong amp = poor sound, class A or high bias A/B are best. Pass Labs class A amps drive them well. Some amp manufacturers will advise that using Maggies voids their warranty as the impedance can drop so low when driven hard.
Magnapans are fantastic at what they do right, 200hz-100KH. but absolutely horrendous at what they don't. The low frequency spectrum vibe is soooo absent that it cancels the positive aspects. Pairing with a sub doesn't work either.
Magnepans are made of MDF ..This material will not resonate at low frequencies ,,So one fix to improve the bass is to change the MDF and use wood instead ..Maggies become other thing
I owned a Maggie before moving on to something else. Everything about the Maggie is great except the bass, it just sounds weak to me. Having a subwoofer just makes the bass become worse. Another weakness is the off-axis performance. I feel like every time I listen to a Maggie, I have to force myself to not move away from the center of the soundstage. Just moving my head a few inches left or right, and I will lose all the soundstage magic. That is not acceptable in my opinion.
Cold in there?😂
Speaker connections are very bad
Never been a fan of the 'stand up and the music is gone' kinda speaker
It is not like that, if you change angle for just 4 - 5 percent up it will sound ok when you standing. But, do you listen for real and standing?
@@LoniGuitarChannelHr I have the Monitor Audio Platinum 500 PLII's which stand more or less the same height as a Planny or any other electrostatic at 6ft 2" - walking around is not a problem - the soundstage is very wide on these especially if you don't toe them in - many other speakers including bookshelf or stand mounted image wider - which is why I have never been a fan of them (also bass is usually a little tricky) - however with that said I love my Stax headphones for which I def sit down - have a good one
@@nelsonclub7722 It is not hard to find excellent speaker for 15.000 €. Problem is to find very good speaker for 1.000 or 2.000 € who can compare or beat x2 , x3 times more expensive one. Although I had Sonus Faber towers, Martin Logan electrostats , Magnepans are unbeatable in sound per money value. Cheers…
Minus? Lack of dynamics & extended treble..SOSO imagianing
😮i8
I am sorry, but who listen seriously when standing? It depends on the model , depend on angle ( just 5 % back angle will help) You put just to many “bad” points…. not fair ! Video needs edit.
Saludos, no estoy de acuerdo con sus apreciaciones, conozco 20 marcas de parlantes con cargas mucho más difíciles de operar que Magnepan; de igual manera no comparto sus comentarios respecto de la ubicación tan grande que necesita, todo esto son estereotipos creados para alejar a los posibles clientes de Magnepan. Igualmente deje de compararlos con los altavoces tradicionales, ni estos ni aquellos son mejores o peores, sencillamente son tecnologías distintas. Que falta de objetividad, de honestidad, de ética profesional, que tristeza que existan personas como ustedes, que en vez de allegar personas a la Alta Fidelidad, lo que hacen es alejarlas...
I guess you forgot to mention the biggest problem with maggies or other panel speakers like martin logan is that they dont like humidity
I haven't found that with Maggies, but then we only get high humidity in Ontario Canada for a few days/weeks in the summer, and most people have A/C here
can you elaborate what happens to the sound when humidity is a factor? thanks.