Thinking of Magnepan ... finally!

I really appreciate the input and feedback from everyone. This is exactly the kind of input I was hoping for. It will be difficult for me to address and thank each one of you individually but please know that I really appreciate the detailed, high quality responses. Regardless of the outcome, the advice to try it in my own system is on point!

I think buying a used 1.7i is the right path for me at this time. If the sound appeals to me then perhaps I can think about upgrading in the future. If not, as mentioned earlier, it should not be difficult to resell it without incurring a major loss. 

Also, thank you for the placement tips. Based on what I'm hearing I have enough amplification and room to allow the Maggies to shine. I will, of course, tweak with placement as that's part of the fun anyways. Unfortunately, I ended up selling my REL subs to make way for another purchase. I might have to buy another pair some time in the future, but only if I decide to stick with the Maggies. The Aavik and Joseph Audio combo really made the subs redundant, but who knows I might get one in the future.

As someone with cats in the house, I am a bit concerned of the damage they can cause. I usually keep them out of the media room but it's impossible to always keep an eye on them. My fear is that they might scratch and tear the front fabric. Not sure how costly it will be to replace the fabric just in case.

Lastly, I looked at the Soundlabs suggestion by another poster. Definitely looks like a higher-end and possibly better built version of the Maggies. But they are a bit outside of my budget (new) at the moment. Plus, I don't see anything in the used market. But it's good to know that an alternative exists.

I will be on the lookout for a used 1.7i pair to show up in the local market (Dallas, TX). Kinda weary of buying it unheard from the online markets.

+1 @jjss49 

The level of enthusiasm by Magnepan owners is commendable for sure. You can just sense how passionate they are about their speakers and how it connects them with the music first and foremost. Love it!

I have thought about the 3.7s but I think 1.7 is a good introduction to the world of Maggies. I don't know how the wife will react if she walks in and sees the massive 3.7s in the same spot as my Joseph Audios. I think 1.7s can act as the canary in the coal mine so to speak, lol!

As enticing as the 3.7 model is, I feel it’s prudent to stick with 1.7i for now. I have no doubt that the 3.7 is possibly the sweet spot in the Magnepan lineup. But considering that I’m only trying to explore the Magnepan sound signature at this time without a serious $$ commitment, 1.7 is the more suitable entry point for me. If I like what I hear, and knowing myself, I have no doubt that I will be moving up the chain soon after.

@mijostyn I appreciate the offer. I will contact you once I get the speakers -- most likely around June of this year. Thank you!

@yesiam_a_pirate 

Don't be a dick and wring him out then shop for used ones. That's manifestly selfish and unfair.

Thank you for chiming in. My room is quite well treated so I'm hoping that will not be an issue with the Magnepans. But I'm open to add more if needed.

I totally agree with your comment regarding supporting retailers and dealers. I practice this myself as much as possible. Having said that, this is an audio form and we're all adults here. We should let people decide what's best for them and leave any moral posturing at the door. Just my 2 cents. Hope you don't mind.

+1 @jjss49

I have no doubt that Dannie Richie is very good at what he does. But at the end of the day it’s not that difficult to play monday morning quarterback. I have a lot more respect for folks who design, build, and sell their own speakers -- quirks, warts and all. I understand that it’s part of his business model but I have to admit that it leaves a bad taste in my mouth when he talks trash about other manufacturers. There has to be a better and more classy way to run his business without denigrating others’ creations. Oh well ...

Thanks for the input and feedback guys. Reading the responses, I see a number of folks who don't feel the need for very high powered/high current amplification and are happy with relatively medium powered amps. Based on my own experience, I think there are many speakers that are considered hard-to-drive but there are many people who are happy with all sorts of medium powered amps. The question though is how much are you leaving on the table? From what I understand, yes you can drive Magnepans with decent amplification with great results, but they really show you what they can bring to the table with big iron amplifiers. Since my amp is 300 watts @ 8 ohms and doubles to 600 at 4, I'm this will allow me to tap into the full potential of 1.7's. 

I've been trying to find something local so I can listen before buying, but surprisingly not much available in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I'll continue to look though.

Yeah that 'official' class D guidance from Magnepan gave me pause as well. Either they have not kept up with the advancements in class D or maybe their viewpoint is still valid for all that we know. As I've mentioned before, I was very skeptical of class D until I got my new Aavik integrated amp. That was a revelation, especially for a tube guy :)

My amp doubles from 300 watts at 8 ohms to 600 at 4. It drives my not-so-efficient speakers like a boss. But I don't know if class D uses the same level/type of current compared to class A/B. If there's a difference in that aspect, I would love to be enlightened. However, if Magnepan's official stand is that only high current class A/B are good enough to play ball in their backyard than I don't mind taking mine elsewhere. Not going to give up my class D amp for Maggies, that's for sure :)

did i stumble into a class d amp thread?

Well, I did mention in the OP that I will be driving the Maggies with a class D amp, so I think that part of the discussion is relevant and not off topic :)

I understand that Magnepan employees cannot possibly test every amplifier under the sun, but it will be beneficial to the audiophile community if they perhaps broaden their horizons a bit more and revisit their stance vis-a-vis class D amps. As we can see on this thread alone, there are several folks who have successfully paired class D with Maggies and are quite happy. Maybe they can pick some top shelf amps from the likes of Atmasphere, AGD, Jeff Rowland, or Aavik for that matter and see what the new (and improved) technology has to offer.

Anyways, regardless of their official stance, I intend to find out how the speakers perform with my class D amp. Hopefully I can find a nice used pair locally. Not much available right now though.

@mesch Congrats on your new LRS+ speakers. From what I read, they punch above their weight and scale with better components far beyond one would expect. Please share further impressions as you put on more miles on the speakers. 

Question for you: Is there a specific reason you went with LRS+ and not a bigger model like 1.7i? Thanks. 

@jjss49

as you know i have a set of agd audions, after trying many other class d amps i did not enjoy, and the agd’s do very well with my 1.7i’s as well as 3.7i’s...

It was, in fact, your glowing review of the AGD’s that made me re-consider class D to begin with :)

I was quite skeptical based on prior experience with class D stuff (Peachtree and NAD) which simply did not work for me. But I have to admit, things have come a long way. I’m looking forward to trying it with my Aavik amp. Having said that, this is a strange hobby. If I really love the Maggie sound, I’m not opposed to going back to a high current class A/B amp if it works better. One thing I’ve learned in this hobby is that there are no absolutes. You never say never, and never proclaim something as your ’endgame’ component (Steve Huff, are you listening?)

@mesch Thanks, and this makes sense. You did the right thing by buying what fits your room and budget. Regardless, I've only heard glowing reviews for this speaker.

@jjss49 I'm in Texas (Dallas). I saw only one listed but it's the original LRS version (not LRS+). Maybe the other ones sold already?

So a local audiophile was gracious enough to invite me to his house to listen to his Magnepan-based system. His speakers are 20.7 driven by Audio Research amps. I'm planning to visit his home in 1-2 weeks. I understand that 20.7 is way outside what I'm planning to spend on Maggies at the moment, but at least it will give me a taste of what these speakers are capable of. Looking forward to the visit. 

@jjss49 and @krelldreams Thank you for a real-world perspective of how these speakers behave in normal-sized rooms. My room is around 20x15 with 12 foot ceilings and fairly well treated. Based on what I'm able to glean from your experiences, I think 1.7i is definitely the right Maggie to get my feet wet. Is there a difference in bass response between the two, i.e. do you think the bass out on 3.7 is more compared to 1.7?

@yyzsantabarbara I'm so excited that you're planning to give LRS+ a shot. Given your vast experience with gear at different price points, not to mention your ability to always keep an open mind, I can't wait to hear your impressions.

How far out are you able to pull out the speakers from the front wall? Do you plan to augment them with a sub? I've also read that replacing the stock stands with Magnarisers have a huge impact on sound quality. IMO, if you order the LRS+ you should also order the stands at the same time.

@yyzsantabarbara Congrats! How were you able to get them so fast? I've heard the wait times are quite long ... unless you're buying used. Looking forward to your impressions.

I'm still on the lookout for a used pair of 1.7i's in the DFW area. Nothing so far.

@yyzsantabarbara How are the LRS+ doing after you've probably put few more hours on them? How would you compare them to more traditional/box speakers?

@yyzsantabarbara Thanks for sharing your impressions of LRS+. Looks like you're really enjoying the speakers. I almost bought 1.7s from a local seller but we're building an outdoor kitchen so all my audio funds were diverted towards it :(

I heard so much about the LRS+ punching way above their price bracket, provided you supply ample power to them, and perhaps a pair of subs. Your impressions are in line with what I've been reading.

How do you compare the NS5000 to your Thiels btw?