Magnepan LRS compared to the .7 or the 1.7i ?

I own a pair of Magnepan 1.7i. I spoke to Wendell of Magnepan and demoed the LRS. My 1.7i are larger and give a larger soundstage. But the LRS are really excellent, as well, on an absolute basis and especially for the money. Personally, before I mounted my 1.7i speakers on MyeStands, I did use a subwoofer. But it was a pain. The setup of the sub to work just right with the Maggies is difficult. But then I mounted the 1.7i pair on MyeStands. The difference is not subtle. Bass is tighter and deeper. Overall definition and focus of the speakers across the range is better. I also got the Mike Powell silver jumper and cylinder (instead of fuse) upgrade. That resulted in further improvements in the highs and other aspects. Personally, I think that Magnepan should adopt the MyeStands and upgrades like Mike Powell’s or Cardas as either standard equipment or an option you can order. They make that much of a difference. Having done all of that, my subwoofers are gone. I am selling them. 

I think if you or anyone gets a pair of LRS, you should seriously consider ordering what ever stand Grant VanderMye from MyeStands constructs for them. Then get the fuse and jumper upgrade. After that determine if you need a subwoofer. I don’t think you will. But if you want one a dipole sub, sealed sub (no ports) would be best. REL or Rhythmik. But personally, I don’t need them now. YMMV. 

Lots of good info, but all tangent to the original question

LRS vs .7 vs 1.7i

anyone?

Here's the link to Planar Speaker Asylum Forum and the Magnepan section:https://www.audioasylum.com/forums/MUG/bbs.html
RE: the LRS, I ordered a pair in mid-April and I've had no news on when they will be shipped. Unfortunately, I don't have any personal basis for comparing the 0.7 and 1.7i to the LRS, but the MUG forum is worth consulting.

Hello kingbarbuda,

     In my experience, it's very difficult to integrate a single sub, no matter the quality or price, seamlessly and well with Magnepans.  You'll get more bass but it won't be the same fast, smooth, tight and articulate bass that Magnepans naturally produce although with significantly limited authority, extension and impact, with the exceptions of the top models. 
     The bass from single subs with a large driver typically sounds slow, lagging and disconnected from the fast, smooth and detailed response of planar-magnetic panel speakers producing the remaining frequency range because a single large point source bass driver lacks the speed and agility of a planar -magnetic panel transducer. A single sealed sub with a smaller driver or a dipole sub are better matches but lack the bass authority, extension and impact.

     2 sealed subs with smaller drivers or 2 dipole subs are a better match for Magnepans.  Based on personal experience, however, the Audio Kinesis Swarm and Debra distributed bass array systems using four relatively small subs, each 1ft W x1ft D x2ft H and 44 lbs, with 10" drivers are definitely the best bass system solutions I'm aware of for use with planar-dynamic and electrostatic panel type speakers.  
     The key features of a dba system's effectiveness being the presence of 4 separate subs and their rather random positioning within the room.  This means that an effective custom dba system can be created using virtually any 4 subs an individual prefers, for example 4 larger ported or sealed subs with larger 12-15" drivers if even more bass authority is desired.
 The bass produced by a 4-sub dba system has the speed, smoothness,agility and detail required to blend seamlessly with the fast, smooth, agile and detailed sound performance characteristics of planar-magnetic and electrostatic panel speakers while also producing the bass authority, extension and impact smaller Magnepans lack. 

Tim