Most significant product of this decade? Magnepan LRS+ Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- Tom Martin goes into detail about how the new Magnepan LRS+ loudspeaker works, and tells why he thinks it could be one of the most significant products of the decade.
Be sure to check out our other videos about the Magnepan LRS+, including a first listen with Chris Martens and a background with Magnepan's Wendell Diller.
I went from a 15k speaker to the LRS with a Kef sub. It’s that special.
We also heard them and the dipole woofer at Texas Audio Roundup, they were both great!
Which Kef sub do you apply?
@@hifiGlobalNetwork Hey I was there in Austin as well and your right, with the new Magnapane subs, the set sounded incredible and the LRSs were only driven with one Schitt Vidar !!!
@@peterlommelKC62
Aren't you curious about the at least 1.7's? There's a Magnepan subwoofer that only goes down to around 30, but apparently gives you a lot without break the Maggie's speed award. That way your deeper fastest dynamic sub you can get can be set to a 30 high cutoff.
Need to shorten up your videos and leave out repetitive analogies. Otherwise content on the magnapan lrs+ was good.
🤣🤣So true
You are correct ~ Skip the first 12 minutes ~
That was pure excitement about what he heard in the Magnapans :)
I always play this guys video at 2X 😂
Fizzled out could not hang thru the content.
I went from Maggie 1.7i to LRS+ and perfectly happy that I did. Reason, less footprint and in fact more detailed. Yes, they don't "Go Down to 40 Hz", but, the music is just as enjoyable. Nothing is perfect. One last thing, with the larger Maggies, be prepared to keep them because reselling with the exception of local pickup, the shipping costs are very significant.
I am sorry. The narration is just too long. Be concise next time please.
Great review! I have a pair of MG 1.7i’s, and everything said about partnering equipment and subwoofing is spot-on. Maggies are true hobbyists’ speakers and reward effort (in placement, front-end system matching and room treatment).
Wow, your wife deserves a medal!
Really interested in these speakers but I gave up hope when you started waffling about sports.
Jeez Louise!!
I found your analysis to be spot on and exactly describes the virtues that I hear. I do find that a very fast sub such as a REL T7x just adds the icing on the cake and improves the imaging even more!
Go to 8:10 if you want to avoid a lot of talk about basketball players and race car drivers.
I had it at 12 minutes
I'm still laughing at the speaker cables 😂 Talk about overkill. A regular 4mm2 cable is more than enough...
Tom’s assessment of the LRS+ is spot on. Feed it with the right electronics and it reproduces all types of music that I enjoy from Rock, Reggae, Jazz, Blues, Bluegrass, Chamber, Classical, etc. and especially Acoustic with a “being in the room” intimate experience. Vocals are life like. I’m not into Hip Hop, Rap or more recent highly processed Autotune music so I can’t comment upon those genres. The LRS+ will reveal the flaws in bad recordings.
Based upon my experience setting up the LRS+ was not that difficult in my 1000+ Sq Ft open floor plan. Place 85 cm (about 34 inches) from the back wall, tweeters on the outside, with no toe in. The LRS+ fills the space with an average 80 dB+ (as loud as I care to listen) C Weighted Fast with peaks 90+ dB. My Parasound A23+ ran cool even on extended listening and could easily drive the speakers another 10dB+. The LRS+ and A23+ tempts you to continue to raise the volume with no signs of harshness or distortion. Use a Sound Pressure Meter to preserve your hearing ;-) The LRS+ is also very satisfying at low, mid and high volume levels.
I tried to drive the LRS+ with a vintage (1990’s) integrated amp rated at 40 amps of current and it worked for acoustic music but had less than articulate bass in recordings such as Dark Side of the Moon. I purchased a Parasound A23+ power amp and problem solved. I paired the Parasound A23+ with an Oppo BDP-105D as a DAC / Preamp / Transport and an older MacBook Air for a killer system at less than $4000.
Note: In my other system I own electrostatic speakers that retail well over 10x the price of the LRS+ and I enjoy listening to both systems equally. The LRS+ is worth the wait. Make sure to feed it with a high current amp like the Parasound A23+. The bass of the LRS+ does not match the electrostatics, but it has very satisfying bass and I don’t feel the need to add a subwoofer. YMMV.
Your experience mirrors mine with the older LRS speakers! Thanks for sharing your experience. 😅
Listen ti Kronos Quartet “Landfall” and Brubeck’s “Time Outtakes” I’ve regular LRS with Schiit Audio Freya+ and Vidar. Go to valves and magic happens in my 400 ft2 open plan lounge. Pro audio cabling from Blue Jeans. Speaker cable is recommended Belden. DAC is a Gunmby.
Agree on the bass with Maggies so I use a very good sub that integrates pretty well. My older model LRSs do not sound "bright" and are, in fact, less bright than a number of my other speakers using the same electronics. Detail is wonderful and the bipolar effect is pleasing to me. Power? Lots of current is really needed for good dynamics. A real power amp is best or a high current 4 ohm stable integrated amp might work just fine. Most receivers don't have the true power needed. No, it's not a speaker to play at 95+ peaks.... which is really very loud Or full a large space I've played the LRSs at 95db peaks at my listening position (medium size space) with no problem ...which is really loud.... but the sound remained clean, detailed and clear. Placement is critical on these things too and most folks will find that to be a problem. Enjoy the music and don't fret over the sound system so much. 😂
Agree with others on paring down the repetitive statements and multiple analogies - time which could’ve been spent better describing details/impressions or giving more recommendations for equipment matching and speaker placement. As with any product that has already been reviewed to death by others, it’s better to quickly touch on the common features/characteristics and get right to your own personal take.
there's some really good recording quality, I think, in that Black Keys stuff that surprised you. I imagine you were streaming the highest quality available on that. I, too, was impressed by the ultra HD tracks that I auditioned from this artist recently.
Ridiculous waste of time talking about sports athletes for ten minutes. This could be s ten minute video and cover the relevant information
OMG you can talk, but I am following you... :) I have had some dipols in the past and knows theirs pros and cons. I currently use CLS Ib and Magnepan 1.6 and I am curious to if there are any gains in sound quality in these new LRS+ vs my relatively old 1.6? I listened to the 1.7i a while ago and I was not even close to make the jump to change, but listened at a dealer and not in my room with my setup so... One perspective regarding LRS; there are one thing for new comers and there is one thing for people already in the game (as me). What do you think the evolution in Magnepan is? All quasi ribbon is one change, but does it only taste different or is it better quality wise...? Thanks for your insights.
They found a basic way to improve the LRS+ -- not just window dressing or minor tweaks. They won't say specifically what it is, but the reviews say better clarity (I haven't heard them myself). I don't think I'd throw over the 1.6's for the LRS+, with the caveat that I haven't heard them! The 1.6's have deeper bass and play louder, even if the LRS+ is more refined.
Agree on the value of being less verbose, being briefer.
I have the Lrs..not plus..your description if them is accurate.
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I'm hesitating between the Audio Physic Step 35 or the Magnepan LRS+, I have a relatively small space (20m2) and I want a speaker with a very good 3D image. I mainly listen to classical music. What do you think about this dilemma?
What about the LRS + with Hegel h190?
Skip the sports analogies next time. 😉
The reason why, is because after releasing the original LRS knowing that they already set a new record for their price, they had to keep the improvements in the + model a secret, because after a while, they realized they had made a mistake for already should have known what would work better for the same price. That's the real reason why Magnepan must be too good to be true, and since I have a buyer lined up for my current speakers in October, the LRS model people are selling at half price because they got the 1.7's will be mine. Obviously if a + model shows up, I'll snatch it, but people must not want to sell those.
I'm reallly intrigued by these , but after watching this, I'm thinking that my Yamaha A-S801 might not have enough current to run these. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Upgrading amp is not an option at this time.
Does the LRS+ do well at late night low volume listening ? or do they need to be played loud ?
That is a great question, hope he answers that.
Your mic level is too low. The video is fine as is your presentation.
What are the speaker cables in this video?
What stands are they? Why no spikes on them?
Way too much irrelevant waffle. Could have been a 10 minute video and said everything it needed to.
I gave up and looked elsewhere for a review.
Magnepan for unknown reasons to me does not show the LRS's on there website and as far as the sub goes , it seems to be forever in development.
That's since been fixed, although there isn't much on the page yet. The sub that they've shown is a prototype of the sub that's used with their new wife-friendly speakers, it's probably going to be too pricey for the LRS+ but they're working on less expensive subs that would mate with the LRS. Hopefully, that won't be terribly long.
I've had my LRS+ for almost 2 months. I was prepared to buy a pair of subs but I find the bass satisfying and don't feel the need to add subs. YMMV.
Enjoyed your rant. Since I am thinking of getting one, the length and detail was welcomed.
I don't hear a rant. What I'm hearing is a honest review. But if you thinking about getting one, I would suggest getting two.
The rant reference was tongue in cheek. I did buy two. I'm smarter than you think.😂
Looking forward to your amplifier investigation.
I am a retired Audio/Video Engineer of 34 years and an Audiophile for 55 years, why does the reviewer community not see a product that has potential but hype on what it could be. Your assessment of the Magnepan LRS+ is either lack of knowledge or just not being honest of what the LRS+ sound quality is
You have to realize the crossover parts quality are inferior, the mid panel and tweeter are not proper implemented as the drivers are literally playing on top of each other, the crossover is a total joke a simple
for order filter and the connection to the drivers has all steel parts which should never be used in an audio
path
Loudspeaker of the Decade WOW you surely don’t have a clue on how live music sounds simply unbelievable Journalism at is worst
I'm a little surprised at the shoddy workmanship in the absolutely necessary optional stands. The weld spots are downright sloppy.
I think these were prototypes.
New JERN 35 Monitors made out of High-Graphite CAST IRON are an Major-Breakthrough for speakers !
Real Game-Changer !
What about the class d hypex/purify/pascal amps? Decent power for relatively cheap.
I ordered a buckeye amps
PURIFI 1ET400A to power my Maggie LRS+, lead time is 3 weeks. I’ll report back for ya. I’m very optomistic
I could have done without the first six minutes of the lame sports analogies. Geez.
Lrs + very high and Amplifier combination =👍
Is your experience specific to the LRS + , or would they apply to models up in the Magnepan lineup?
Old Magnepans need a top capacitor , i have Mundorf in my old SMGb , and the difference is jaw dropping.
Too bad you can't get them due to what I assume are supply chain and staffing issues. They're not available on Magnepan's site.
The page is up on their site now.
If you are interested, check with Magnepan on the approximate backlog. As a point of reference, I ordered my LRS (not + model) in the beginning of Jan 2022. I switched my LRS to LRS+ in Apr 2022 and Magnepan kept my place in the queue. My LRS+ was delivered in early Oct 2022. I was told when I made the switch that the LRS Nov 2021 orders were in production.
It is well worth the wait. Pair it with a high current amp like a Parasound A23+ and it is magical.
There not $1000 there $3000 on there site hes wrong calling them cheap
I think what hes saying is that they're magnetostatic.....07:10
I love this guy !
Poor sales technique
I don’t think he is pitching a sale necessarily I think he is sharing his experience and trying to explain it the best way he can….. at least that’s what I gathered from this video.
Get your act together. Wasting too much time about nothing.
Stop it. Dog,
Waste of 41 minutes viewing time, you need to take a break and get some meaning and purpose into your life. though I'm curious as to why you have identical wristwatches on each wrist...... Tell the time in stereo?
I am wondering how you took to break in your LRS +? What did you do to break it in, procedure?
@@vaejoviscarolinanus Dave, they can't be broken in, they look like a pair of wardrobe doors with no details of drive units - flat cones, ribbons. electrostatics? The first blight that stands out is Thiele Small parameters are ignored and abandoned, flat panels cannot produce low frequency waveforms - a box is needed. Thiele and Small were two blokes who defined and analysed the simple mechanics of low frequency/Bass production in a speaker - totally ignored with flat panels such as LRS. It will be over bright and at high volume quite brittle, "professional reviewers" will define it as detailed whereas enthusiasts who may buy into the hype will describe it as an expensive mistake. The above report starts off as "The most significant product of the decade" but near the ending the "Philophsey Dept" (Huh?) crumbles into some doubts about their high frequency behaviour, with a hint of a further overlong report on the LRS. He also attaches too much importance of watt input defining ability to drive - No it is a bloke named Ampere who lives in our amplifier's whose role is to maintain the integrity of the source signal into a speaker load as it is stepped up, the represented load is defined in ohms, the lower the trickier, and watts won't cope with a tricky load speaker.
@@FedUpLurker Maggies do need break-in, the thermal cycling limbers up the Mylar diaphragm and low frequency response drops down about 5 Hz.
Not sure why you say they don't use the Thiele-Small parameters. Planars have mass, inductance, compliance, yada, and the Thiele-Small parameters apply as they do to any speaker. If there's a difference in a planar, it's that the bass is underdamped and divided into tuned sections for 6 dB/octave dipole equalization. But those bass segments themselves should obey the T-S parameters.
Large flat panels like the 20.7 or 30.7 go all the way down to 20 Hz. Depends mostly on the size of the baffle. Being tiny, the LRS+ doesn't go deep, of course. But a Maggie or stat will sound just as detailed if it does go down to 20 Hz. I honestly don't know why -- it isn't nonlinear distortion (well, not in the Maggie, maybe in the ESL), and the waterfall of a large planar isn't good at a distance because of time arrival variations along a long line and maybe ungated room reflections, but you have to go to a very esoteric and hideously expensive dynamic to get that degree of transparency.
@@FedUpLurker Nice try troll get a life.
😂
your comparisons are extremely flawed as you clearly left out the greatest of all
- (SIR LEWIS HAMILTON ROYALTY) YES, would be better to keep to the speakers!!!
The *narcissist* who refuses to take responsibility when he runs people off the track? Or was the _only_ driver who didn’t remove this headwear after Justin Wilson had just been killed? It is _much_ easier to win with a better car hen you are on a team that can outspend the competition. 😂 Sportsman involves not just skill on the track but maturity off the track which sadly Hamilton lacks.
Everything he says simply boils down to bouncing soundwaves off the back wall of the room. Meanwhile... every recording he is listening to was mixed and mastered on studio monitors: ($1000 to $10,K) genelec, barefoot, jbl, adam, etc. speakers. But the hi-f world pretends it should not be listening on those kind of speakers, LOL, This is called willful self-abuse.
I worked in pro audio and listened to plenty of sound in the studio. Studio monitors aren't the best sounding loudspeakers and they are in an acoustical environment that doesn't exist at home, e.g., an RFZ room with serious bass trapping. What they are is very clean at high levels -- almost no home speakers will do this. And they can sound you-are-there realistic with a single instrument in the studio -- not so much ensembles in a larger space. (BTW, when recording classical music, not all studios use studio monitors, e.g., when I was consulting for Sony Classical, they used B&W.)
Bottom line: I wouldn't mix on Maggies, but I wouldn't want studio monitors at home because they'd sound less realistic than a pair of Maggies.
By the way, I'd say the front wall reflection is critically important to reproducing the sound in a large venue. That's because the real or convolved reverberation in a recording emanates from the direction of the speakers, and the ear is less sensitive to reverberation when it comes from the angle of the sound source. The front wall reflection is, in effect, artificial reverb, but it's necessary given the limitations of two-channel stereo. There are other advantages to the planar design. For example, dipole woofers excite fewer room modes than point source woofers. The studio, as I said, uses bass trapping, and equalization as well, but in a listening room, the dipole woofer will sound more natural. There are advantages to a line source, as well, though not so much the LRS+ since the line is so short.
For acoustical music at home, I'd go with the Maggies any day -- they just sound more like the real thing.
many of us who own maggies also own other speakers and yet still find ourselves going back to them regardless. i have multiple systems (80s B&W, goldenear, etc) but i love listening to music the most on my LRS's. have you ever heard any of their models? try the coolaid.