New Magnepan 1.7 R

I am so geeked about the new 1.7s. The promise of quality crossover components, and a frame that is not made of MDF has me through the roof. My only wish is that they have five way binding posts. Also to throw my two cents in about the bass, I have a pair of 1.5s and I listen to 90% rap/hip-hop music (50 Cent, Lupe Fiasco, Tech N9NE) which relies primarily on drum beats for rhythmic flow. I have heard no speaker which can match the timing and realism of bass like maggies. For a reference I have owned B&W 802s, Kef 205s, and Martin Logan Spires.

Where did you get the info that the frames were not made of mdf? The side trim panels are metal or you can get old style wood trim as an option.

I collect different technologies and what i discovered for myself that each technology has it's own UNIQUE capabilities. I just don't think in the 20th and 21st century you're going to have a total agreement on any loudspeaker design or any other component irregardless of price. I agree with many of the commentators that it's about INDIVIDUAL taste. Most audiogon members have experienced MANY loudspeaker design. That's why SOME purchase and KEEP various designs. For me, I love maggies or planars, I own the 2.5r, mglrs 1, sold my .05 and SMGC, have the eminent technology LFT 8A and will be upgrading to B tweeter which is the competition to maggies more like in between a martin logan and a maggie without having a step up transformer which my ACOUSTAT SPECTRA 33 w/spl subwoofer (huge electrostat). I also have and acquired the OHM 300 mk 2, ohm walsh 4x0, walsh 2x0, ohm pro 200 cylinder (using as a center for HT) srslabs klayman signature(discontinued) and yes I use subs, SVS and DCM subs. I also have klipsch, optimus/rca linaeum, whaferdales and started with BOSE 601 and 901 in the 80's! My conclusion is, NO one design is really superior to the other and if I had the wealth I would own ALL the members loudspeakers. I envy many of the members here, some own INFINITY RS series, MAGICO, DALI, B&W, avant garde, anthony gallos, GERMAN PHYSICS, MBL AND DUEVEL, mcCintosh,
Transmission audio, von schweikert, I could go on. BUT MY FAVORITE PERSON I ENVY is the one that BUILT his own multi ribbon TRANSMISSION LINE design for his HT setup, never seen so many ribbons and drivers in one huge speaker cabinet, and he bult five 7'6" cabinets and his own subs. My opinion is that the LOUDSPEAKER people like here I would enjoy personally irregardless of manufacturer and design. Dynamic, hybrid, planar, electrostat, coherent line, use of wave guide and most of all various TWEAKS are all great in my book. Been an audio enthusiast or audiophile for 32 yrs now. MAGGIES are not for everyone and neither is HORNS or any other design such as electrostats. Some loudspeakers are just not designed for certain room characteristics that's why they sound awful to the listener irregardless of equipment used to drive them. If loudness and heavy bass is all what makes someone happy , i suggest pro LOUDSPEAKERS like MACKIE, JBL, GEMSOUND, ALTEC LANSING, ELECTROVOICE and many others. I owned pro speakers too where imaging is not important in those designs made for dj and live music.