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What speakers can make a convert of Maggie lovers?

After living with Magneplanars for many years (1.6qr's at present,) I'm wondering what other speakers Magneplanar owners have fallen for. I'm sure this topic must have covered before, but this site's search engine leaves a lot to be desired. There are many things that I like about Maggies, the expansive soundstage, well integrated drivers, and value for the money among their many virtues. Ideally, I'd like speakers that would have better low level detail and palpability, be less picky about amplification, and have better percusive/ dynamic qualities. The need for augmentation with a subwoofer would ok. My listening room is about 15x20' with a 12' ceiling height. I don't favor any one type of music, my tastes are musically omnivorous. Price of contenders would have to be no more than $5-6,000 new. Of course, something less expensive like the Gallos would be fine too, it's good to have money left over to buy more music. I know everyone says "go listen at your dealers." I've done that, but I find dealer's rooms sound so cruddy compared to my acoustically treated room that I can't make really meaningful comparisons.
photon46

Showing 1 response by macdadtexas

macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
No cone speaker has ever sounded right to me, just my preference, properly amped and it's really not that hard, I don't think anything touches Maggies. That is why there are so many Audiophiles with relatively cheap Magnepan speakers (3.6R's) matched to obscenely expensive systems.

But, other speakers that I have heard that you may like? I think the Quad 988, and 989 are sublime. I love the way they match with the Quad amps, really something special. Also, a properly set up Klipschorn can be sublime. A very different, but really involving sound. I love the sound of these for Rock music, and heard them recently with the ASL Hurricane's and was very impressed. Vandersteens are a really special speaker up and down the line.

A great idea up near the middle of this string is the option of single drivers. I love those sytems. There is a great muscial coherence to them, and depending on the driver/cabinet combination they can play at surprisingly loud volumes. Additionally, I find them incredibly involving on delicate pieces and with jazz vocals.

I downsized my system tremendously recently, and sold my Maggie 3.6R's and I miss them everyday. But if you want to try something else, I would move to the Klipschorn or Klipsch La Scala. A very different, but very involving sound. I think I am going to move that direction myself soon.

Thanks.
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