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First Trip outside of Best Buy, a real newbie.

I am a commoner; I have never been to a real stereo store until this weekend. The big box of Best Buy was all I ever knew.

I went out with my wife, Music Librarian with a Phd in Music who has been happy with her 1980’s Denon but the CD recently player broke on our system. I talked to a friend who loves audio and wanted something I have never heard of called. . . Magnaplaners?

Me I love beauty and things that last, I brought my Claudio Arrau Beethoven Emperor movement 3 DDD disk to test some stuff with and Clara Nunes a great Brazilian singer.

First we hit a place that had some “Maggies” to see and hear for the first time. We walked in, I told them I have a big bonus check and I want to hear the Magnaplaners against the best other speakers you got. The lined up these huge 6 foot panels against some giant B&W box type speaker and plugged these Mark Levinson power blocks. I stuffed in the Beethoven into a Classes CD player that would probably kill my whole bonus.

The Maggies took up this awesome Piano piece and the speakers just disappeared. It was an airy and transparent sound that was not really powerful but beautiful. We compared the B&W and it sounded boxy in immediate comparison. We played a bunch of stuff, but at the first place I was impressed by the Magnaplaners.

Then we went to another shop that had Kef and Spendor. My wife immediately liked the Spendor S9. It was pretty nice, It had a punchy quality but did not have the clarity of the maggies, but good all around power. Then we heard some Kef 207 / 2. The owner cranked up the volume so I am not sure it was fair, but Beethoven was totally epic with some soaring highs. I told the Kef guy that I also listened to the Maggies. He said the Maggies were too specialized and would not work as an all around solution.

I am going to spend another 2-4 weeks working this out and then spend my bonus on a new system. I think I want a good 2 channel system that I can use with my TV. From the thread it sounds like 5 of 7 channel is not worth it.

So what to get? Where to go from here? What will fit in my space well?

My home is open, modern with lots of glass, but small. Where I will put the new system will be in a long thin room. About 12 feet wide and 30 feet long. It is open to other areas of the house and is both a living room and dining room.

I want something beautiful that will last a long time. I loved the Maggies for being invisible, but I also loved the Spendor and Kefs for being powerful.

My house is small and I plan to use the new system as a stereo and 2 channel home theatre.

Thanks for whatever advice you want to give me,
Scott
128x128scottlanterman
peter_s
1,317 posts
 
The Maggies are great speakers. Not all that dynamic, but so clear, so nuanced. I had 20.1's. It's true that you need them about 5' out into the room, that you may need something on the front wall to deal with the rear wave, and that they tend to need alot of power so you have to factor that into your budget (a powerful amplifier). They can go closer to the side walls. Quads will have similar acoustic considerations but require less amplification. They are less dynamic than the Maggies, but even clearer in the midrange and can really dissappear. So many choices - but you are looking at good stuff!
lokie's avatar
lokie
528 posts
 
A couple of suggestions are:

1. Slow down and take your time. If you hear of or actually hear a pair of speakers that peak your interest research those speakers using the search engines on the Audiogon and Audio Assylum websites. There are plenty of other websites but this is a good place to start.

2. Use the search engine on Audiogon to search for a used pair. Similar to cars, a used pair of speakers can be purchased for 50% retail with 90% of it's useful life. Buying used speakers can be a little tricky for a rookie but if you buy local you can reduce most of the risk, and all of the dreaded shipping issues and cost.

On Audiogon's home page click on the search button. In the "by zipcode" tab type in the first two digits of your zip code. You should see a list of items for sale in your area. If you see a pair of speakers you are interested in go check them out. You'll want to evaluate the owner as much as the speaker.

3.One last thing when considering loud speakers. Think of the speakers and amps as a package. Pick the speaker first to match your room and listening desires, and then pick your amp to match the speaker.

You have taken the proper first step by asking questions.

Good luck and happy listening.
erider
39 posts
 
If you like the transparency of the Maggies but the heft of dynamic speakers try to find a pair of Apogees anywhere near you. Though no longer made you can still find them in the used market. They have a devoted following (me included) and nothing I have heard comes close !!. Be careful of the "buzz". There is a blog dedicated to them. You can find an inexpensive pair of Centaurs which will beat the pants off any of the speakers you have heard.

I have been involved in this hobby for over 35 years and have tried everything.
undertow
1,033 posts
 
Well I have one comment, you don't need 5 or 7 channel as you state..

Definitely go for the best 2 channel gear that you like. I can suggest going and finding some shops that take in good used gear and speakers, you can find some gems that way too... Although today not as many hi end places with upper used gear around unless your in some of the bigger cities.

Good Luck
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Deposit and home audition anyone??????
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