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Can Magnepan survive Wendell Diller?

I bought my first set of Magnepans in 1976, and I currently have a pair of 1.7i's.

It is difficult for me to upgrade to the 3.7i's because their are so many things that the company can do to improve their product that they simply won't offer; upgraded crossover components, a solid wood/rigid frames and better stands are examples.

Other companies are now doing this, but Magnepan always says Wendell doesn't think that is a good idea.

Can a man who suggests using lamp cord for his speaker line really have that much control over an otherwise unique technological approach to speaker design? I must be missing something obvious when a product is hand assembled in MN and any of these upgrades would, in my mind, warrant factory upgrades. Who wouldn't spend an extra $1k for a 1.7i with a hardwood frame and an upgraded x-over? Adding a ribbon tweeter to the 1.7i would warrant an additional $1k, still bringing them in $2k under the 3.7i.

Is it common for one person to hold an entire company back in high end audio? 
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Showing 3 responses by ml8764ag

ml8764ag's avatar
ml8764ag
481 posts
 
Magnepan has survived very nicely... Probably due to the fact they have NOT gotten unnecessarily exotic... And remain very affordable. I’ll bet their established supply chain simplicity has made them somewhat immune from the Covid excuses too.

I had the 1.6s....favorite speakers I’ve ever owned.... Wife loved them too... Unfortunately our new listening space/position can’t accommodate.

Manufacturers are damned if they do and damned if they don’t with some of you guys.

P. S. OP and others... I think it’s very rude to call out an individual’s name like this.
ml8764ag's avatar
ml8764ag
481 posts
 
If you could not get Maggies to sound good you may have been lacking in proper room space /acoustics or... Most likely adequate QUALITY power.... They need a good POWERFUL amp to shine.

I’ve heard multiple accounts of people being disappointed in the sound... Having hooked them up to a low power home theater receiver. What a surprise my $300, 40 watt receiver doesn’t sound good through my Maggies 😂!
ml8764ag's avatar
ml8764ag
481 posts
 
Then buy something else... These are one of the few Audio Manufacturers left in this country and clearly have been very successful.

They’ve been in business for 47 years... Possibly longer than many here have been on the planet..but you’re going to diss their leadership and straighten out their very successful business model!😂

This has got to be Satire... Right?
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