Evaluation of the Magnepan 1.7

[Fred]

Did they come in yet?

Yes, I've had them in my sytem for about 3 weeks now. I've told several friends that I really believ the $2099.99 is the best money I have ever spent in my life. These speakers are amazing sounding and are a very honest speaker. By that I mean, brutally unforgiving to poorly recorded music. But the resolution and detail are unmatched by any speaker I've ever come into contact with. They produce such a huge soundstage. Wide, deep and tall.

They have also exposed the weakness in my amp as they do need real power to get the best out of them. That's purchase for another day, but also something to look forward to. I really enjoyed the research process that led me to the Maggies and I will have an equally good time searching out the right power to drive them.

Anyone in the market for a new pair of speakers (that have the requisite room) and are in the $2,000.00 up to $10,000 price range would do well by auditioning a pair of the 1.7's. The sound speaks for itself, this is a product that absolutely stands on its own merit.

[Fred]

George I heard there was a six week backorder.

Not true, mine where in at 2 weeks.

I understand the 3.7's are backordered though.

[kach22i]

Yes, I've had them in my sytem for about 3 weeks now.

Did you have to do anything special to get the center image/stage to "fill-in"?

Tell us about your room and speaker set up, some dimensions would be nice.

Perhaps a few photos?

What is your current amp, and why do you feel it is the weak point in the chain?

[Fred]

Did you have to do anything special to get the center image/stage to "fill-in"?

Tell us about your room and speaker set up, some dimensions would be nice.

Perhaps a few photos?

What is your current amp, and why do you feel it is the weak point in the chain?

Glad you asked. My room is small at 12x14. The Maggies stand just a 3 feet off of the back wall and are about 16 inches from the side walls. (Side walls being far less of a factor for this design). The Maggies are shipped as a matched pair with identical serial numbers, differentiated only by a 1 and 2. The ribbons for the super tweeter is set to the inside of the speaker and Magnepan suggests that the setup is optimal for the sweet spot with both left and right speakers orienting the supertweeter on the inside each speaker. Magnepan also suggests that the speakers be set up with some degree of toe-in. This set-up offers a focused, almost pin-point setup. In a room a bit longer than mine I think this would work well.

In my setup, however, I have chosen to orient the speakers opposite to this set-up. Instead, I have reversed the orientation and have the supertweeters set to the outside. I did this because in this near-field listening room, with 2 large theater style chairs, I needed to balance the soundstage so that each chair offered a satisfying listening experience. The result has been a very expansive soundstage. Perhaps less in pinpoint detail, but broader, taller and deeper. In my view, a more satisfying sound as the entire room is alive from nearly anywhere that you stand or sit. It's a trade-off, but I spent several days moving the speakers around in both configurations and finally settled upon a toe-in alignment with the ribbons oriented to the outside of each speaker. I like it this way. A LOT!

Pictures are something I will post in due course, but I'm not completely finished with the front end yet and want to wait until it's done to my satisfaction. Hope you can understand that.

BTW, Alvin Lee and Ten Years After (Ssssh) on the original Deram label sounds really good with these speakers. Just happen to have that spinning as I post this.

[DaveyF]

Fred, I would be very interested in photos, once you have a chance to post them. Have you tried the Maggies without any toe-in? When I owned Maggies, I slightly preferred them with no toe-in in a room of approximately the same size as yours. OTOH, the Maggies did like to be as far out into the room as was possible, I managed to pull mine out about to the middle of the room; and since i was listening like you in the near-field, the impression of depth was increased in this manner.

[Gregadd]

Not true, mine where in at 2 weeks.

I understand the 3.7's are backordered though.

Things change. Different dealers have different priority.

[Fred]

Things change. Different dealers have different priority.

My post was made from the point of view that at the time my order was placed the dealer called Magnepan to be certain that they were not back-ordered at the factory. I assume that status is subject to change without notice.

As for dealer priorities I would hope that every dealers concern is only to get the product into the hands of the customer at the earliest possible moment. Unless, of course, your reference to priority concerns the dealers status with Magnepan. If that's the case I wouldn't know what to say about that.

[Fred]

Fred, I would be very interested in photos, once you have a chance to post them. Have you tried the Maggies without any toe-in? When I owned Maggies, I slightly preferred them with no toe-in in a room of approximately the same size as yours. OTOH, the Maggies did like to be as far out into the room as was possible, I managed to pull mine out about to the middle of the room; and since i was listening like you in the near-field, the impression of depth was increased in this manner.

I tried them without toe-in. Too much imaging is lost in this setup. No, for me, toe-in for sure.

[Gregadd]

My post was made from the point of view that at the time my order was placed the dealer called Magnepan to be certain that they were not back-ordered at the factory. I assume that status is subject to change without notice.

As for dealer priorities I would hope that every dealers concern is only to get the product into the hands of the customer at the earliest possible moment. Unless, of course, your reference to priority concerns the dealers status with Magnepan. If that's the case I wouldn't know what to say about that.

Fred I forgot to say you were right about the two weeks. When I originated this thread the dealer said the back order was six weeks. Not surprising for the initial launch of a hot product. No doubt the buzz has died down and they have caught up with the back orders.

I have had discussions with lots of dealers. Big store often get priority because they can submit multiple orders and pay up front.

I never meant to contradict you.

[jadis]

the Maggies did like to be as far out into the room as was possible, I managed to pull mine out about to the middle of the room; and since i was listening like you in the near-field, the impression of depth was increased in this manner.

Hi Davey,

The position for my Maggies for the longest time has been like that, about in middle of the room, and indeed, it provides the best depth and front to back layering in the soundstage in this position. Early on when I placed them like this, a lot my friends frowned upon it because very few people I know would place speakers almost in the middle of the length of the room. I'm not too concerned about how things look in my listening room, but how they sound, and this is how I like them best.