Magnepan, Ohm, Spatial or ??


I've heard the mag 1.7s and like the "openness" and other attributes.  However, the size and placement requirements are a killer for me.   I'm thinking Ohm and Spatial would be somewhat similar.  However, I can't demo them.  Any thoughts on these compared to the mags and any other "open" speakers I should consider?

Thanks all as usual!!


soundchasr

Showing 8 responses by audionoobie

The Kef R3 plus a sub or two I think would work well. What are your other components?
I would think due to room size and placement limitations that planars and OB would be out. 

The Ohm Tall 1000's could work and they offer a generous home trial period. 

I heard Wharfdale's Diamond 10.7 several months ago and thought they decent little speakers. 

You could always go the bookshelf route too. Lots of great choices. 

Do you have a budget you're working with?


A couple people recommended the Vandersteen 2ce Sig II. I’ve had the 2ce and the 1ci in a small room similar to the OP, and I would highly recommend the 1ci over the 2.
I also had the Spatial M5 Sapphire for a few weeks and couldn’t stand them. They had none of the magic that the Vandy’s have. AND the speakers were damaged in shipping returning them to Spatial and Clayton put me on the hook for the costs. If it wasn't for the buyer protections on my Citibank credit card I would have been out the $2300 or whatever the costs were. Buyer beware.....
@helomech 
I also had the Spatial M5 Sapphire for a few weeks and couldn’t stand them. They had none of the magic that the Vandy’s have. AND the speakers were damaged in shipping returning them to Spatial and Clayton put me on the hook for the costs. If it wasn't for the buyer protections on my Citibank credit card I would have been out the $2300 or whatever the costs were. Buyer beware.....

"Strange. I had quite the opposite experience with Clayton and Spatial. While I ultimately didn't keep the speakers due to room constraints I had at the time, the transactions were smooth and painless. "

My experience was also wonderful. Right up to the point when the speakers returned back to him damaged. He remained cordial and civil but seemed quite ok with me being out $2950. 

I don't wish to derail this thread. If you want to discuss further please DM me. 


@asvjerry  "Dale Harder opined that my cones were too heavy, which I readily agreed to.  The originals were 5 mil litho aluminum, which I got a sleeve of 100 sheets gratis from a friend 2 decades ago. Since I've moved on to 2 mil alum and titanium. The tweets are 1 mil alum, and a PIA to form; look at it hard, and it creases...

Dale ( http://www.hhr-exoticspeakers.com/HHRhome.htm  ) does the closest thing to the original Ohms that I (and likely anyone else) does...

The prices are what I would call reasonable for owning any of his units.
His 'normal gig' is owning a company that (I believe) makes laser equipment....HHR ES is his labor of love, and it shows. *S*

I've never had the chance to hear them. He 'does' shows occasionally, but likely only those that happen to be nearby."

I sometimes think if everyone heard Dale Harder's Ohm F reproductions, this forum wouldnt exist. Everyone would just own them. My good friend has a pair of his TLS-1's. Just truly remakable instruments. 
I may be in the minority here but I strongly prefered the Vandy 1ci over the 2ce in two rooms in my house that are similar in size as yours. I made the mistake of thinking bigger is bettter. I suspect if you go with the 2's, the bass will quickly overload your room.

I also agree with the recommendation to take a road trip. If you come to NJ you can demo both the Vandy's at Audio Connection in Verona, NJ and the Ohms in Brooklyn, NY. 

You will learn a lot in the process and be in a much better postion to gauge what you want. 

Good luck!