Differences between Magnepan 1.6qr and 1.7i


I owned MG1s way back in the '70' and a year ago picked up a well-worn pair of 1c's for $100 and fell in love with the "Maggie Sound" all over again.  But I've been using Thiels for years, and no longer can live without high transparency.  Also my room is a little small for the 1's and probably would be better with a slightly smaller speaker ... thus my interest in a pair of used 1.7i's or 1.6qr's.  My understanding (but not certainty) is that these are basically similar in materials, technology, and concept.  Can anyone confirm that who knows both.  And if then the big question (if similar):  how different do they sound.  My internet browsing leads me to believe that the main difference is in the high frequency balance, with the 6's perceived as a bit (too much) brighter?  Again, anybody heard the pair side by side, or at least in the same environment.  Any such info would be appreciated.
harrylavo

Showing 1 response by bdp24

Another way to go is a pair of the new LRS and a couple (or even better quad) of subs. Though Steve Guttenberg continues to mischaracterize the smaller Maggies as ribbons, they are NOT. All the drivers in the sub-3.7 are magnetic-planar. You have to move up to the 3.7 to get a true ribbon tweeter.

The Eminent Technology LFT-8b ($2499/pr) consists of a pair of magnetic-planar "midrange" drivers (covering 180Hz all the way up to 10kHz!), a ribbon tweeter for 10k and up, and an 8" dynamic woofer in a sealed enclosure. Some consider it superior to the 1.7i.