How much room for Magnepan 1.6qr?


I'm setting up a secondary system for my office. I've got a Bryston amp and I've heard they pair very well with Maggies. I've never owned planars, and I wondered how much room I need. The room is about 10 by 12. I sit about 5 feet from the back wall, off center in the room, but centered between the current speakers, which are only about 5 feet apart from each other and about a foot off the front wall. I can bring them A LITTLE bit into the room, but not hugely. Are Magnepans appropriate for this set up? Thanks. -Dave
dbw1

Showing 1 response by onemug

In my home office, which is a little bigger, the best sound I have had in there was with the Maggies and a SET/single driver system. I tried many 2 and 3 way dynamic speakers that cost many times what the Maggies cost and it just didn't work.

I think it's partly because the reverberant field plays such a huge part in a room that small. When you have the sound of multiple drivers made from titanium, kevlar, whatever, bouncing all around, it's just something I didn't care for. That's what led me to single drivers fed from a SET. I actually prefer that sound to the Maggies in that room.

Seeing how you already have the Bryston, I would opt for the Maggies. Maggie + Bryston would make a good combo. Single driver + Bryston,,,,,,not so much.

Your goal is the best sound in "that" room. Even if the Maggies aren't optimal in there and may do much better in a larger space, they may get the job done the best.