I’ve had LRS+, .7, 1.7i and 3.7i at home for long weekends. In my room and setup, the .7’s were the most coherent and impressive. The 1.7i had more bass but just didn’t have the same midrange magic. The LRS+ and the same type of cohesiveness as the .7’s but lacked too much low end and just sounded small. The 3.7i’s felt like two separate speakers… the ribbon tweeter just never connected to the rest.
The LRS+ are very special, but you need a small to medium room and gobs of clean current. I used my Gryphon Diablo 300 and even that isn’t overkill
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The LRS is a poorly measuring and sounding speaker with readily apparent sonic colorations. Stick to the larger Magneplanars.
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Hey thanks. There’s something you don’t see too often- an honest, blunt answer!
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Audiojan- It’s interesting that the .7’s are the sweet spot for you. I’ve seen others who have expressed that they think the .7’s are Magnepans best value for the money.
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Jasonbourne52 is just repeating what Amir at ASR said, and he only listened to one speaker not 2. I would be surprised if Jasonbourne52 even heard the LRS+.
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I've owned numerous speakers in my relatively short time in this hobby (about 6 years now).
They include:
Vandersteen 1ci
Vandersteen 2ce Sig II
Tekton Electron
Paradigm Prestige 75F
Kef R11
HHR Exotic Ohm F redesign (TLS1 hybrid)
Vandersteen Treo CT
Fritz Carbon 7
Wharfedale Diamond 12.2
Klipsch RP600M
Magnepan .7
I've sold all of them and have kept the Vandersteen 1's and the .7's. For my room and my tastes, these have been the best sounding speakers I've owned. There's something about the coherence of a 2-way speaker that appeals to my ears.
I've read it numerous times both here and on other sites, that Maggies don't do bass or slam. In my 11' x 13' room, that couldn't be further from the truth.
I'm not saying I won't buy other speakers in the future. But for me, I think the .7 could possibly be a lifetime speaker.
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@audionoobie What amplifier were you using with the speakers?
I also have been keen on 2-way speakers. My room is only slightly larger than yours, ~11 by 15.
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It’s a shame so few people have heard the Eminent Technology LFT-8b ($2900/pr). Like Magnepans, a planar-magnetic dipole, but with a sealed dynamic woofer (180Hz down). I’ve owned three pair of Magnepans (one currently), but listen to the LFT-8. Some current LFT-8b owners are former MG3.7 owners. I heard the LFT-8 side-by-side with the MG1.7, and the contrast was dramatic. I'm sure the dealer was relieved when the LFT-8 sold---only after that was he able to sell the 1.7 ;-) .
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@mesch All Belles. Aria Signature pre and Aria 112wpc monos. The guy makes great affordable gear.
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@audionoobie Thanks. Have always heard good things about Belles. Never had opportunity the hear the gear.
I have always wanted to try the smaller Maggies (LRS+, .7). My system is set up such that the speakers are set up along the long wall. To make use of the Maggies I am concerned that it would be truly near-field, maybe too much so.
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The .7's might be the best value for money, but I'm not concerned about that. I was basing my comment solely on how they sound. The .7's are very coherent and engaging. The LRS+ could probably do the same, but would require to be more nearfield than I can place them in my room (which is relatively large at 15x25x8); speculation and nothing else based on what I heard.
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When I spoke to Magnepan, they said the LRS+ would be the best sounding speaker in my small room...it sounds great, sometimes use with REL T/Zero lll sub
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My room is about the size of yours (11x15), so I wonder how you have your .7s placed?
My understanding is the Maggies do best pulled out from the front wall about 3-4 feet. My speakers have to be on the long wall (Vandersteen 2CE Sig III), due to doors and other factors, and I can’t pull them out far. My 2CEs are about 24" out.
I could rearrange the room and put .7s on the short wall, but they would only be a max of 2 feet from the side walls, maybe.
Do Maggies need to be well away from the side walls? How far is ideal?
You’ve also had the Treo CT—which I have considered seriously. One appealing feature of them (besides #1, the sound) is they do well right up against or very close to the front wall. Designed for that, per Richard Vandersteen.
Thanks
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The LRS (original) was basically a gateway drug for me. It shows you a sound that is incomplete. You love it but want more. If you are new to planar speakers it is a fine, inexpensive introduction to this sound. However, you do need some power to drive it well.
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Dipole have very little interaction with side walls.
As far as front walls go, I've found people tend to exaggerate the distance necessary.
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I used to have the .7's but ended up selling them after about 2 years because they didn't image that well with jazz. Huge and incredible soundstage though.
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@rankaudio That's interesting. I primarily listen to jazz: Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Chet Baker, Wes Montgomery, Ray Brown, etc. etc. and find they image exceptionally well. I'm discovering that Maggie's - in my application - need to be placed a little closer together than conventional box speakers with significant toe-in.
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I find the LRS+ and Magnepan in general, are easier than expected to set up sounding good, but that to do "everything" set up becomes much more exacting...
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I currently have 3.7i and 2 subs in a 12 x 15 room and love everything about them. Previously had 1.7i and a friend brought his LRS over and they just weren't the same with dynamics, imaging or anything except maybe a bit of midrange magic. As others have said you do need plenty of power , I'm using a Pass 250.8 . I've tried other lesser amps and they just didn't do it.
Hope that helps.
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Hi audionoobie,
Here's a link with a bit more details. I'm glad you are enjoying yours. That's all that matters. Happy listening.
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I wasn't impressed with the older LRS when I heard them at the store. Bought the LRS+ when they came in because of the great reviews. The last pr. he had in white....Wow...Totally different sound. Beautiful...Musical....get a pr. Can't go wrong for a grand....
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+1 for the .7, have mine for over a year, amazing Soundstage and imaging. You just have to play with positioning, and add a sub to help the bottom end.
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Magna Riser stands and a jumper wire that came with the stands finally arrived after maybe 6-months of waiting.
I am not sure which is part should get credit but my already excellent sounding LRS+ system (with Sanders Magtech amp) just went up to another level of greatness. What an upgrade.
More clarity, more bass, more depth. I have not even taken time to dial in the positioning. The jumper had about 8 hours on it before I listened to it.
- Small office 12 x 11 x 9 (+ 4 feet)
- Magnepan LRS+
- Sanders Magtech amp
- Holo Serene preamp
- Audience FrontRow speaker cables | Audience AU24 SE XLR + RCA | Benchmark XLR + RCA
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