Magnepan 3.7

I Don't see what all the hype is about the new magnepan speakers, infinity speakers had that technology back in the early 80's, just search for infinity IRS betas the one with 4 12 inch woofers per side and planar mid bass panels, midranges and tweeters with aluminum traces glued to Mylar or the IRS epsilon too for that matter, they were also push/pull designs way back then, their drivers were improved a step further when they replaced the Mylar with kapton in their renaissance speakers and their IRS series speakers omega/sigma/epsilon, so to me the new magnepan technology is not so new at all, it's actually quite old and i'm surprised it took magnepan that long to figure out what infinity knew way back in the day.

Well, Magnepan had this technology in the 70's, so I don't really know what you are getting at?

Are you really comparing 80's era Infinity's, which were inferior to the comparable Magnepan's then, to the modern improved Magnepans?

You obviously never heard them.

BTW, the Magnepa Tympani's from the 80's are about the best speaker I have heard from that era, and some of the best ever made.

Another aside to Podeshi and his crew, I recently went back to a dealer and listend to the 3.7 and 20.1 both with Bryston electronics all around (VPI Classic 3 table) and if you are pimping the 3.7 over the 20.1 you are talking your book; your pocket book. If you can afford the 20.1 it's in a whole differnt league. Deeper for sure, and every bit as fast or faster, bigger soundstage.

It's one of the best speakers ever built. The 3.7 may be as well, but it's not on the same level. Enjoy your 3.7's but when/if you can afford it, buy the 20.1's.

infinity made planar speakers in the 70's too, i'm talking about the newest magnepan designs with the aluminum traces glued to Mylar 1.7's,3.7's, infinity had that type of planars in the 80's that's why i said it took magnepan along time to design what infinity had many years ago, infinity made the irs V speaker in the mid 80's that sold for $60,000.00 back then, these are considered to be one of the best speakers ever made, it would be embarrassing to compare any magnepan speaker ever built to them as the irs v's would put them to shame, i have a pair of infinity IRS epsilons that i thought about replacing because they're getting up in age with the magnepan 3.7's but when i auditioned them a few times i always felt like something was missing and was very disappointed, they're not even in the same league as the epsilons, not even close, check out these.
[img]http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6060/6380912979_79a8db596e_z.jpg[/img]
[img]http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6054/6380968449_774007251a_z.jpg[/img]

11-21-11: Epsilonman
infinity made planar speakers in the 70's too, i'm talking about the newest magnepan designs with the aluminum traces glued to Mylar 1.7's,3.7's, infinity had that type of planars in the 80's that's why ... etc.

Infinity abandoned the technology and Magnepan kept developing it. We're talking about the SOUND of current production Magnepans here, not the history of the technology behind it. If Infinity had a competitive product in that realm, we'd be listening to Infinity panels today. Do you think--for even a moment--that the 1980's Infinity panel could equal the performance of today's Magnepans? If not, then the point is moot.

Given the development of magnet and membrane technology in the past 15 years (stronger magnets, lighter membranes) it would be hard to find a panel element from 30 years ago that could compete with what we take for granted today.

09-19-11: Mikesclee
Like the new 3.7 but would like to add a subwoofer for that 20hz low. Would like to know what's the best sub to go with it.

There are several powered subs that would do what you're looking for. You'll want a sub with a special driver with exceptionally rigid frame, long voice coil for linearity through long excursions, acoustically dead cabinet (usually very heavy), and lots of power. A sealed enclosure may be preferable too.

Two brands that fit this and have proved to mate very well with Magnepans are the ones from JL and the Velodyne DD+ series. A third possible candidate is SVS. I have an audiobuddy who has 1.7s teamed up with a pair of these and he likes his rig a lot (especially since he switched his amplification to a Rogue Cronus Magnum). This model sub may be a little light for your requirements, but I suspect something from SVS would work well too and would cost a bit less than the JL and Velodyne DD+ offerings. Most of SVS's other subs are ported but include foam plugs to change the damping and the lower rolloff profile. The driver for their best box sub looks to be built to about the same level as the JL drivers.