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Opinions on Magnepans sales/marketing approach to

Is anyone else somewhat frustrated at the inability to audition the 20.7s except at a very very few locations in the country? The fly to MN to hear does not really appeal to me either because let's be real, an hour listening to decide on 14K speakers in a strange system is simply not enough and in MN they do not do a side by side with the 3.7s to allow auditioning both through same electronics any way.

I recently purchased Maggie 3.7s with the option to upgrade to 20.7s within 6 months . The 3.7s to my ear are a cut above the 3.6s when it comes to sounding like a single cohesive speaker versus the ribbon tweeter always drawing some attention to itself.

Problem is how do you tell if upgrade from 3.7 to 20.7 is worth it if the dealers do not have them on floor? The best would be to audition in you home on your equipment but at least if the dealers had both you could audition where the only variable is the speaker.

I have spoken wo Wendell about it and there is 1 dealer who Boston who will let you try and return but that is virtually an isolated approach..one which I applaud. Of course they have to really qualify the buyer but again, if you have 3.7s and want to upgrade, Magnepan and most dealers expect you to "buy on faith or reviews" which in my mind, in today's economy, is simply ridiculous. While I am sure some have bought them "blind", the argument that the 20.1s were better than the 3.6s so imagine how much better the 20.7s are the the 3.7s will not make me pull the trigger.

Long winded way of asking about others experience and opinion of how Magnepan and dealers are handling the 20.7s

MikeH
mn2hifi

Showing 5 responses by mn2hifi

mn2hifi OP
31 posts
 
Elizabeth, You may be right about keeping the company the size it is, I guess, we will see. The 3.7s were my 4th set of Maggies I have purchased and I for one will not buy the 20.7s without audition. I am fairly sure I would buy them IF I could hear them 1st and cannot imagine I am alone.

Having said theat there are only 2-3 dealers in country with 20.7s on floor where as almost every dealership had 20.1s to audition. From my recent conversation with Wendell I do believe he realizes he has a challenge and flying folks to White Bear Lake isn't going to work too well. The back order ststus will subside as all the "early adopters buying the latest and greatest with no audition" comes to an end

I also have to ask how can you have a "statement speaker" when no one can hear it?
mn2hifi OP
31 posts
 
Funny! :-)

BTW my initial post/question was about business judgement and current dealer situation not about the character of the folks at Magnepan or dealers. Everyone at Magnepan I have ever talked with have been helpful and wonderful to work with over the last 25+ years I have owned Maggies

Having said that the fact is in the DC/Baltimore area you cannot hear 20.7s a 14k flagship speaker for Magnepan. You can however hear many Wilson, Avalon, Magico, Meridian models costing 2-6 times their price.

I am not really sure what that says but I do find myself asking how many dealers have actually heard the 20.7 and if not how can they recommend them? What is their "value add" if they themselves have not heard them?

Not crying poverty and I have been a Maggie guy forever, but I still cannot see spending 14k on something I have not heard.

Thanks for feedback.
mn2hifi OP
31 posts
 
Stickman,
I got the same update. Originally was told to not expect them until November so this was great news!
mn2hifi OP
31 posts
 
Now that I have heard both the 3.7 and 20.7 in the same room with the same electronics, I have to say that the 20.7s better the 3.7s enough out of the box to warrant the upgrade.

The 3.7s are a great speaker and a steal at their price point but to my ears the 20.7s offer a fuller richer sound, above just "more bass".

Everyone needs to make their own decision on whether the price vs sound differences justify the upgrade, but for my part and situation, I have no hesitation saying yes.

Regardless, if you have the chance to hear these wonderful speakers, do yourself a favor and give them a listen

Unless they re-release a 3 panel Tympani type speaker, I cannot imagine ever looking to change them out
mn2hifi OP
31 posts
 
Stickman,,
It is amazing how a 79 inch tall speaker can simply disappear and all you really seem aware of is the music.

Maggie's have always sounded musical to me but the 20.7s seem to do more than reproduce, they recreate with a realism that startles me on occaision.

Simply a wonderful speaker. Jim Winey would be proud.
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