Dave,
I currently listen to 1.7 driven by 4b3 and am in the process of placing an order for a pair of 3.7i. There is so much I like about them that given the small negatives, I would never go back to boxes. First is the cohesion during playback. I can not locate any crossover point while listening and the top to bottom design strengthens this effect from ceiling to floor. Secondly, the accuracy of the midrange and upper end. Since my planars do not suffer the inertia limitations of cones, the pace is quick and when a passage is staccato, it is truly on time. I also think this adds to the sustain and release giving me that extension on vocals that ethereal. Altogether the realism from the combination of cohesion and reset quickness of the panel can be spooky. When listening to woodwinds the vibrato and natural tone is so good I honestly want to look around the room to see the musician play. I am past the phase of wanting gut punching bass and more prefer accurate bass. When we played music, the tympani and drum sets were always well in the rear because we did not want a forward or "loud" bass presentation which is popular amongst younger folks today. Often forward bass is mixed in with the phrase dynamic imho. The dipole design in my space adds to the immersive presentation and overall room interaction is wonderful. At the end of the day there is a reason the 3.7i won "best sound cost no object" at 2015 Axpona and so many box designers want to match that sound or use Mag as a benchmark. They are that good. My experience with the 1.7 has been similar and am looking forward to the upgrade. Cheers.
I currently listen to 1.7 driven by 4b3 and am in the process of placing an order for a pair of 3.7i. There is so much I like about them that given the small negatives, I would never go back to boxes. First is the cohesion during playback. I can not locate any crossover point while listening and the top to bottom design strengthens this effect from ceiling to floor. Secondly, the accuracy of the midrange and upper end. Since my planars do not suffer the inertia limitations of cones, the pace is quick and when a passage is staccato, it is truly on time. I also think this adds to the sustain and release giving me that extension on vocals that ethereal. Altogether the realism from the combination of cohesion and reset quickness of the panel can be spooky. When listening to woodwinds the vibrato and natural tone is so good I honestly want to look around the room to see the musician play. I am past the phase of wanting gut punching bass and more prefer accurate bass. When we played music, the tympani and drum sets were always well in the rear because we did not want a forward or "loud" bass presentation which is popular amongst younger folks today. Often forward bass is mixed in with the phrase dynamic imho. The dipole design in my space adds to the immersive presentation and overall room interaction is wonderful. At the end of the day there is a reason the 3.7i won "best sound cost no object" at 2015 Axpona and so many box designers want to match that sound or use Mag as a benchmark. They are that good. My experience with the 1.7 has been similar and am looking forward to the upgrade. Cheers.