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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? 
william53b

Showing 1 response by vinylzone

vinylzone
288 posts
 
Seriously?  The 1.7i's I got IMHO might just be the best value in speakers anywhere near it's price range.  Could it be better, maybe but at the time I ordered them, it was at the top of my budget, so it didn't really matter.

They made a great replacement for my dead Apogee Duetta IIs and have given me hundreds of hours of listening pleasure.

If you don't like the company, don't buy the speakers.  I had to wait almost 4 months to get mine, so there's no shortage of customers who want them.

ymmv.
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