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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
mechans
3,048 posts
 
This is going to be the type of buying we are going to be faced with in the near term future and it is only going to get worse -in audio and probably many other commodities. We have created this problem by insisting on the best possible deal and buying from some saavy person selling whatever it is, for less on the internet. The lure of lower price is difficult to resist for most people. As you said, in this economy, we can't afford a bad purchase decision.
The only salvation maybe the emergence of a new business plan/model where regional "Demo" stores somehow supported by the manufacturer will exist to audition before purchase. This has been done in a way with regional home based audition/sellers.
I haven't heard much about this since leaving my old home area where there was a home distributor audition person or two, and some brick and mortors that still survive.
It is only gonna get worse until we come up with some kind of solution.
Personally I had to go through several years worth of making a bad purchase for my taste and selling at a loss. I had to buy most of my components on faith. It is an expensive way to go. Strange all that in the name of buying for less actually costing more.
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
I wonder if this will backfire. I bought my 3.7's back last November, while Magnepan was blowing smoke about the 20.7 rumors. As it is, I like my 3.7's well enough there is no way I will take a beating on reselling the 3.7's, then buying the 20.7's without a decent audition. If I heard the 20.7s at my dealer, who knows? I can't get too mad at Wendel though. The 3.7's perform way above their cost.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
I agree, the business model going forward on $10K and up speakers will be buy on the review. Dealers have little incentive to stock demo's on those price points as auditioning them is so subjective. Only in hearing in the listeners environment will work for many. Also, a dealer stocking problem exists as few manufacturers will 'floor plan' the units for more then 30 days. Even with the dealer getting list price, it will be hard to make money on the carrying cost of the demo and inventory.
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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?
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