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
I thought that the rooms at Audio Perfection were decent (for typical stereo shop these days); it's worth the trip...
Mrschret,

Were you able to do the Magnepan tour in White Bear Lake? Give us a report....
I had my 3.6s for 8yrs and 2.5s for 13yrs before the 3.6s, and MG1s for 13 years before the 2.5s. I always demo'd every component before purchase. Until the 3.7s. That was a mistake. I have yet to discern a major sonic benefit over the 3.6s in my system. Always audition before you buy, preferably in your own system at home. Reviewers and the opinions of fellow audiophiles is not a substitute.
I would agree that the differences between the 3.6 and 3.7 may not seem as major as reported in the Audio press. However, in my brief listening sessions I did feel that the 3.7 was a more 'coherent' sounding speaker overall; the blending of the three drivers is more complete in the 3.7, especially with regard to the ribbon tweeter. To me that is the "largest" overall difference in the 3.7. I would say that the bass sounds a little more potent also, not by a great deal, but I do hear a little more snap and force in the 3.7 than the 3.6. Worth the price of admission for a new 3.7; that's a real individual value question for sure. I have the 3.6's now and have ordered the 20.7's, and there is a LARGE difference there!