Speaker suggestions – Possible Magnepan 3.6R or Dunlavy SC-IV


Ideally I could audition speakers for months then make a decision. Problem is, I retired to a place where the closest decent gear is 300 miles away. Also my budget is only going to support used gear so I'm going to have to be mostly certain its a fit before I head out.


I've been a huge Maggie fan for years, love the rich warmth and "you are there" presence that I've never heard in box speakers except in extreme $$$ demo rooms.


Currently I have a 20 year old pair of entry level Magnepans supported by an MK sub

Arcam A32 integrated amp

Musical Fidelity X-DAC V8


My wife loves the sound of the small Maggie's and is cool with me going even bigger. She is sooo a keeper!


The downsized home is really a dictator regarding speaker placement. Speakers can be with 11' or 15' apart and the sitting area is about 6' wide and about 12' from the wall. 7'6” ceiling in a great room setting.


I was able to listen to a new pair of Logan's locally and I'm still not a fan . Dealer told me that's the best fit out of the selection they had so I don't have other options around here. Looking at all options that might give a big step up from what we have now.


I found a pair of Magnepan 3.6R within a day's drive. I'd end up bringing in a much better amp to drive these. Then came across a pair of Dunlavy SC-IV if I drive in another direction 300 miles. Not finding tons of info on these old guys except there great, still used in studios and were product of the year long ago. Both sets are sub $2000 which I can live with.


Concerned that the Dunlavy will have a small sweet spot like the Maggie's but then think they might sound better when way off axis, like when I'm cooking at the other end of the room. My old Infinities carried the major off axis so much better than the Maggies but didn't cut it for critical listening.


An suggestions, opinions, or alternatives; I'm not in a hurry, just need to get last setup right without many options at hand


Thanks in advance


Keith


128x128doitwithlife

Showing 2 responses by doitwithlife

Thanks for all the feedback. 

I started out wanting 3.7i's but haven't found a pair locally. The 3.6r's sold on Monday, figure they weren't meant to be. 

For now I am just gonna keep my ears open. Will most likely plan an overnight trip to Seattle or Portland to audition whatever I can find at the time. Perhaps the Dunlevy will still be an option, but we'll see

Part of me has been thinking what I'm experiencing will become the norm moving forward as more things are only available online. Since audio is so subjective and personal how can we find the right fit when all the shops have closed? Can only tell so much from a review and hearing a speaker on Utube over my computer just leaves me dazed. Not expecting an answer, just reflecting