It's a good thing to OP knows everything. Geez.
Auditioning Magnepan MMGi's and 1.7i's (and possibly the 3.7i's) on Monday
I'm taking a trip, bringing my dad and my best friend, to a dealer just north of Chicago to audition the Magnepan MMGi's (http://www.magnepan.com/model_MMG) and 1.7i's (http://www.magnepan.com/model_17) (and possibly the 3.7i's (http://http//www.magnepan.com/model_MG_37)). I currently have a pair of Mirage M7SI's that I bought used (with an Onkyo TX-SV717PRO receiver) from a friend for $300. He really hooked me up. However, the speakers aren't very transparent/accurate. They have a nice, warm, and smooth sound to them (which I, and I think most would, prefer to a bright, metallic, and dry sound). They also are limited by their bass response. The woofer simply can handle only so many watts of power before it starts to clip (don't worry, I'm not frying them). It also does not go that low, but that's to be expected from a bass woofer, it isn't a subwoofer, after all. However, I still enjoy every minute of music when listening with them and don't see me selling them anytime soon.
Unfortunately, my end-game HIFI audio system's goal is to have an extremely transparent signal chain (very low distortion and very accurate/flat frequency response) with a great soundstage, one that totally immerses you. Any warmth, coloration, or general EQ I will add with a DSP (I am almost exclusively using digital mediums, usually FLAC files, for playback), as I see fit. So my Mirage's are a stepping stone.
Originally, my plan was to save up for a pair of Philharmonic's "3"'s (http://philharmonicaudio.com/phil3.html). They have ruler-flat frequency response and go all the way down to 20hz without the aide of a subwoofer. They use great, exotic (which I'm attracted to for some psychologic reason, probably to feel unique in owning unconventional technologies) drivers for their tweeter and midrange driver and a "regular" dynamic driver for the bass. They're only $3,500/pair, which, in my opinion, is a total steal (especially since a subwoofer isn't needed).
But recently, via the "audiophile" Subreddit, I was introduced to Magnepans. I knew OF them, but never really researched them and what they're about. So far I've come to these conclusions after a few days of research: Because of it's dipole design, there are more room reflections, which contributes to a large "soundstage". On top of that, the Quasi-Ribbon drivers themselves have excellent (horizontal) dispersion, making said "soundstage" even bigger and more immersive. The Magnepan's bass characteristics are superior to that of conventional, dynamic driver because of how fast-acting the Quasi-Ribbon is. It responds instantly and stops instantly (well, at least REALLY, REALLY fast). This equates to bass that has definition and accuracy, rather than be "boomy" and "flubby" as is more prevalent with dynamic drivers. The Quasi-Ribbon bass and midrange drivers, paired with the True Ribbon tweeter, deliver accuracy, nuance, and detail that is difficult to compete with without spending a LOT more than you would the Magnepans. My only concerns so far are the aforementioned room reflections being mishandled, such that I get phase cancellations, ruining the frequency response and sound, in general and the poor frequency range when it comes to the bass and sub-bass (they only go down to 40hz). This means that I'm going to have to place them very carefully in my listening room (the basement) and possibly treat specific walls with foam padding and then get a subwoofer (I'm looking at the Rhythmik L12 (http://www.rythmikaudio.com/L12.html) with my current budget.
The dealer that I'm visiting has a plan where you can upgrade your speakers (that you buy from them, of course) within one year and get your full money back of the speakers you are upgrading from. So, this would allow me to purchase the EXTREMELY affordable MMGi's, at $650/pair, and then later, after I've gotten my pay raise at work and saved up some money, upgrade to the 1.7i's, which are $2,000/pair. I MIGHT audition the 3.7i's just to see how much of a difference there is between it and hte 1.7i's, but I can't afford the $6,000/pair pricetag. But that means that I'll spend, on what I would consider end-game (or very near that) components of my HIFI system, $2,500, which includes the L12 subwoofer. That's $1,000 less than I was intending on spending/saving up for AND I get to own the MMGi's while I save up for the 1.7i's.
I guess my question to you guys is, what are your opinions on Magnepan speakers? What have been your experiences? Am I right in my assessment of their qualities, both bad and good? And ultimately, do you think that Magnepans are a good match for my particular sonic requirements?
Thanks in advance!
Unfortunately, my end-game HIFI audio system's goal is to have an extremely transparent signal chain (very low distortion and very accurate/flat frequency response) with a great soundstage, one that totally immerses you. Any warmth, coloration, or general EQ I will add with a DSP (I am almost exclusively using digital mediums, usually FLAC files, for playback), as I see fit. So my Mirage's are a stepping stone.
Originally, my plan was to save up for a pair of Philharmonic's "3"'s (http://philharmonicaudio.com/phil3.html). They have ruler-flat frequency response and go all the way down to 20hz without the aide of a subwoofer. They use great, exotic (which I'm attracted to for some psychologic reason, probably to feel unique in owning unconventional technologies) drivers for their tweeter and midrange driver and a "regular" dynamic driver for the bass. They're only $3,500/pair, which, in my opinion, is a total steal (especially since a subwoofer isn't needed).
But recently, via the "audiophile" Subreddit, I was introduced to Magnepans. I knew OF them, but never really researched them and what they're about. So far I've come to these conclusions after a few days of research: Because of it's dipole design, there are more room reflections, which contributes to a large "soundstage". On top of that, the Quasi-Ribbon drivers themselves have excellent (horizontal) dispersion, making said "soundstage" even bigger and more immersive. The Magnepan's bass characteristics are superior to that of conventional, dynamic driver because of how fast-acting the Quasi-Ribbon is. It responds instantly and stops instantly (well, at least REALLY, REALLY fast). This equates to bass that has definition and accuracy, rather than be "boomy" and "flubby" as is more prevalent with dynamic drivers. The Quasi-Ribbon bass and midrange drivers, paired with the True Ribbon tweeter, deliver accuracy, nuance, and detail that is difficult to compete with without spending a LOT more than you would the Magnepans. My only concerns so far are the aforementioned room reflections being mishandled, such that I get phase cancellations, ruining the frequency response and sound, in general and the poor frequency range when it comes to the bass and sub-bass (they only go down to 40hz). This means that I'm going to have to place them very carefully in my listening room (the basement) and possibly treat specific walls with foam padding and then get a subwoofer (I'm looking at the Rhythmik L12 (http://www.rythmikaudio.com/L12.html) with my current budget.
The dealer that I'm visiting has a plan where you can upgrade your speakers (that you buy from them, of course) within one year and get your full money back of the speakers you are upgrading from. So, this would allow me to purchase the EXTREMELY affordable MMGi's, at $650/pair, and then later, after I've gotten my pay raise at work and saved up some money, upgrade to the 1.7i's, which are $2,000/pair. I MIGHT audition the 3.7i's just to see how much of a difference there is between it and hte 1.7i's, but I can't afford the $6,000/pair pricetag. But that means that I'll spend, on what I would consider end-game (or very near that) components of my HIFI system, $2,500, which includes the L12 subwoofer. That's $1,000 less than I was intending on spending/saving up for AND I get to own the MMGi's while I save up for the 1.7i's.
I guess my question to you guys is, what are your opinions on Magnepan speakers? What have been your experiences? Am I right in my assessment of their qualities, both bad and good? And ultimately, do you think that Magnepans are a good match for my particular sonic requirements?
Thanks in advance!