Thinking of Magnepan ... finally!

anzaanimalclinic, I’ve had 4 sets of various Maggie’s over the past 25yrs and none sounded great “out of the box”. It takes a while for them to reach their full potential. Could be the ones you heard in the store weren’t broken in yet. Myestands are a great addition to an already fantastic speaker.

I'm going to pull mine out. They've been packed away for 6 months or so. It will be nice to hear them again.

I have a pair of original LRS and I must say,  never heard Magnepan before, but all the rave reviews and the low cost, I was curious and ordered a set from the factory. I was truly blown away for the price, never hearing Magnepans before was a real ear opener for me.  I drive them with a Peachtree Gan 400 without any problems.  I also high pass them at 80 hz and run a sub.  Some people claim they don’t image well but I disagree.  They throw such a large soundstage that the speakers just disappear.  The depth to the sound stage is amazing and on recordings with multiple voices for example I can pinpoint different voices within inches of each other.  I find I get the best imaging with the tweeters on the inside and the speakers toed in to cross just in front of my seating position.  After my experience with Magnepans I would have a hard time justifying spending 10s of thousands of dollars on box speakers when you can have such amazing sound at a very modest price range in the Magnepan lineup. 

I only heard a used pair of affordable maggies in a little 10x10' room at a local dealer, but for the $600 he was asking I was impressed! The kind of magic those speakers were making is generally reserved for the $10k and up club. 

@aamiransari 

I listened to 3.7i’s at a dealer in Woodland Hills and was unimpressed.  They actually sounded harsh and edgy.  Maybe it was the electronics, I don’t know .  I had previously purchased 1.7i’s from them.  The 3.7i’s did not audition well in store,  in purchased a used pair online with mye stands as I got the bug to hear their ribbon tweeter.  They are phenomenal in my home.  I thought it odd that they did not have them set up well.

when a product/brand has sooo much market presence and success, such legions of owners across generations who love the performance, there are bound to be some that don’t get it

nature of the beast --- unanimity of opinion and preference is simply unachievable in this field

we all hear differently, we value different sonic traits, expectations can affect what we perceive as well (i have been to so many highly touted gourmet restaurants with expectations so heightened it become impossible to be ’pleasantly surprised’ ... or maybe the demo(s) are/were simply faulty in some significant respect

I had the 1.7 and 1.7i with a Parasound HINT and they sounded amazing, plenty of top end, it makes me wonder if the resistors or connectors were inserted properly on the speakers you heard or maybe just a lack of synergy with the amps.

aamiransari

11 posts

06-17-2023 at 01:11pm 

I've gone to my local dealer in SoCal a couple times now to listen to the Magnepan 1.7i speakers. I've heard them with both the Hegel integrated amplifier as well as the Rogue Pharoah. While the sound is nice, I'm not sure I see what the hype is about. Even in a controlled setting with optimally placed speakers and listener, they didn't draw me in. Maybe I need an even more powerful amplifier to draw out their magic? I don't know. For now I'm sticking with my box speakers. 

Yea I got that impression with the 1.7i as well. They seemed sort of dull on the top end. Had 20k worth of amps running them too. 

I am back to listening to the LRS+ with the modded PeachTree GAN1, which is a heck of an amp. It would be perfect if I did not listen to FM over the airwaves. FM is a big part of my day, so I need to use an amp | preamp | tuner and so cannot just use the GAN1.

I returned the PeachTree GAN400 which is pretty good but not as amazing as the modded GAN1. The GAN1 has shown me that 200 watts is good enough for the LRS+ in my small room. I am thinking of getting a Benchmark AHB2 again to rotate the CODA #16 and the AHB2 with both speakers. The 100 watts on the AHB2 and almost 200 watts at 4 Ohm could be good enough.

The NS5000 is sounding great. I moved things around in the Livingroom/son’s playroom and I have a good placement now. Essentially nothing of consequence in-between the speakers. The sound of the NS5000 takes me away into the music, it is even better than the RAAL SR1a phones and VM-1a tube amp. I never thought would say that.

I think the Zylon drivers on the NS5000 are more advanced than the almost 15-year-old Thiel CS3.7 drivers. The soundstage on the Thiel CS3.7 may have been a bit bigger. Though the NS5000 is good at that too. Looking at the old fashioned NS5000 you would not think it sounds as good as it does, but Yamaha seems to know what they are doing. It is a very beautiful speaker. My wife was happy that I sold the 2 pen_s’s, which she called the CS3.7.

A shame I am not really able to listen too much. That will happen on Jan 1, 2024.

@yyzsantabarbara Thanks for sharing your impressions of LRS+. Looks like you're really enjoying the speakers. I almost bought 1.7s from a local seller but we're building an outdoor kitchen so all my audio funds were diverted towards it :(

I heard so much about the LRS+ punching way above their price bracket, provided you supply ample power to them, and perhaps a pair of subs. Your impressions are in line with what I've been reading.

How do you compare the NS5000 to your Thiels btw?

I've gone to my local dealer in SoCal a couple times now to listen to the Magnepan 1.7i speakers. I've heard them with both the Hegel integrated amplifier as well as the Rogue Pharoah. While the sound is nice, I'm not sure I see what the hype is about. Even in a controlled setting with optimally placed speakers and listener, they didn't draw me in. Maybe I need an even more powerful amplifier to draw out their magic? I don't know. For now I'm sticking with my box speakers. 

@arafiq I am now somewhere around 300-400 hours on the LRS+. I listen to it from 9AM to about 9PM, later headphones, I am busy with work so a lot of music these days.

I have noticed that the speakers have really opened up and sound very clean. It has more bass than expected. However, I finally got my KEF KC62 sub positioned properly with longer Benchmark RCA interconnects.  I crossed over at 50Hz on the sub. Wow, that made the system go up several notches. The KEF sub is very fast as is the LRS+.

I was using the PeachTree GAN400 amp with the LRS+ and Holo Serene preamp. It was OK for the longest time, and I was considering returning the GAN400 because I wanted great. However, adding the sub and maybe more hours on the LRS+ just blew those plans out of the water. The GAN400 is staying. It is a fast-sounding amp and I think mates well with the fast LRS+ and KC62 sub. A lot of toe-tapping listening.

I have a better speaker in the Yamaha NS5000 downstairs but listening to the LRS+ does not make me feel I am losing out. It is a different presentation from the NS5000. The LRS+ has a more wall-of-sound presentation in my small room and I like that. The NS5000 has a more traditional cone speaker presentation but those drivers are incredible.

The LRS+ sounds a lot like the RAAL SR1a phones with my VM-1a tube amp. The RAAL sounds a bit better but maybe moving up the Magenpan lineup evens things out.

I like the NS5000 setup a bit more than the RAAL setup.

arafiq OP

1,468 posts

05-20-2023 at 02:17pm

@yyzsantabarbara How are the LRS+ doing after you’ve probably put few more hours on them? How would you compare them to more traditional/box speakers?

Incredibly well. I’ve put a few hundred hours on them. My Forte 1’s and Heresy II’s have a thicker sound which is typically the case with box speakers but the LRS Plus produce a wall of intricate, 3 dimensional detail. I just got the new REL T Zero MkIII two days ago and it’s a stunning match! I’m working on a part 2 LRS Plus review which will have sound demos with and without the T zero. I also have DAC shootout coming out.

I lucked out and managed to grab my Benchmark LA4 preamp before the CVS drugstore where it was dropped off closed. A total mess-up on UPS delivery.

I now have the CODA #16 | LRS+ | KC62 sub setup and the bottom-end is now present. It is a nice combo, and I am glad I bought back the KC62 after I just sold it. I got it just for the LRS+ thinking I would like the LRS+. A good move. I need to setup the sub better, but I have a winning combo now (a little too much bass at present).

BTW - my wife came into the office and said I have new speakers. The LRS+ has been there for 2 weeks. She said that it looks great though I am not that impressed by the looks. She also said it is a much better-looking speaker than the 2 penises I had before, the Thiel CS3.7.

@arafiq Unfortunately, I have not been able to hear the LRS+ at its best. I think I need a sub and I cannot use a sub easily without my Benchmark LA4 preamp. I sent the preamp in for repairs, and it was found to be working fine. So, when the unit returns today, I will be interested to see if the sub will work.

I have been using the LRS+ with my modded Peachtree GAN1 and it sounds great. The sound is clear, large, and COHERENT. I think this coherence thing is the most important to me. I say this because my RAAL SR1a and CA1a phones are incredibly coherent and the best things I have ever heard, until today.

I got delivery of my Yamaha NS5000 speakers yesterday. The 3 drivers are made out of the same material, and I believe that aids in the coherency of the sound. Listening to the not even broken in NS5000 with my Peachtree GAN1 was mind-blowing. That was goosebump level sound.

The LRS+ has a similar quality above the low bass region to the NS5000. In my small room the speaker is the best I have had in this space. The others include, LS50, LS50 Meta, Audience 1+1, and Thiel CS3.7. The LRS+ is better than all of these. The LS50 Meta + KC62 sub is maybe equivalent. I preface this by saying in my small room.

In an hour or so, when my preamp returns, I will hook up the LRS+ with my CODA #16 and the KC62 sub. If you are not familiar with the #16, it is in my opinion one of the best amps at any price.

The LRS+ is my long-term keeper now, even before I hear it with the sub. It is that good. It lacks a bit of the dynamics of the LS50 Meta and the KC62 sub, but I have the LS50 Meta available to switch it around if needed. However, now that I got the NS5000 I have a feeling the LS50 Meta will not go back into rotation.

The NS5000 is substantially better than the LRS+ and maybe anything else I have heard except the KEF Blade. Though the driver on the LRS+ and the NS5000 are likely better than the Blades.

BTW - over 125 hours on the LRS+.

I was going to buy this one but got an incredible trade in offer for my Lumin X1 DAC. Bonus points for the NS5000 being the most attractive speaker I have seen. The photos do not do it justice. The LRS+ not so much.

Yamaha NS-5000 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers with Stands Customer Return (P — Safe and Sound HQ

@yyzsantabarbara How are the LRS+ doing after you've probably put few more hours on them? How would you compare them to more traditional/box speakers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bBabp2a7LM

On second thought, I am going to wait on the LA4 coming back from repairs. I want to test out the modded GAN1 with the Yamaha NS5000 speaker I have coming in the next 2 weeks.

If the NS5000 sounds as good as the LRS+ on the GAN1, I should dump the 2nd preamp and just get a second GAN1.

I setup the LRS+ this morning in my office, 12 x 11 x 9 with 4 additional feet in the closet where my desk is stuffed. The room is treated, and I think it is sonically in very good shape.

I learned over the weekend that my Benchmark LA4 preamp has an issue with the RCA outs and maybe the mono summed XLR outputs for a sub. I was blaming the KEF KC62 sub all this time for my sub issues, it was the RCA and mono summed on the LA4. The LA4 was sent back to Benchmark this morning for repairs.

I only have my modded PeachTree GAN1 available now with 'preamp' capability and I cannot use my KC62 sub with it (at least the way I want to do it). 

I have connected the LRS+ to the GAN1 and put them 3 feet out and 60 inches between the speakers. I am 84 inches away, so 70% space between the speakers and my distance from them. I sit with my back to the speakers and have 4 feet extra space in front of me.

My initial reaction. This thing kicks arse. Have 200-300 hours more to hear the full deal.

I decided to use the GAN1 as my RAAL CA-1a headphone amp. I got a 25-foot headphone adapter cable from RAAL on Sunday and that is amazing, so I now have headphones in 2 rooms with 1 system. That also means I need to buy a second preamp, a Benchmark LA4 or a Rotel Mitchi P5 for my office and Livingroom. Thus, the KC62 sub will soon be setup with the LRS+ and the 2nd preamp. A CODA #16 will be the amp for the LRS+.

BTW - If you only want to stream, the modded GAN1 at $1500 is a screaming deal for the LRS+. I have tuners and DACs to add into my office system so the GAN1 will not work there.

@ketchup  Sounds interesting.    Any chance of getting a photo so I understand your placement?
 

@tomrk I just added some pics to my system.

@ketchup  Sounds interesting.    Any chance of getting a photo so I understand your placement?

3.6R’s, purchased used as a trade-in from a local audio/video store. The price was extremely aggressive since they just wanted to get rid of them (look up the used price online and it was 1/3 of that).

Yes, these particular speakers need a lot of power. They will suck up the entire output for an 380wpc amplifier and bring it to a reasonably loud presentation.

As far as light bass.... well... yes and no. Some of it is the room and placement, but if you want that tight-punchy bass that you can feel in your sternum, they won’t do it by themselves. I may try a subwoofer, but I tend to listen to all types of music, and I think the presentation is well balanced and very relaxing to listen to.

@tomrk  I’m finally getting punchy bass from my 3.6Rs that I can feel. I always had them in really good custom made stands, but the thing that transformed the bass was to bolt the driver panels into the mdf frames with 28 bolts per speaker (the factory staples are not good enough) and add stiffening members to the speakers that attach to the newly installed panel bolts. If it sounds a little crazy, it is, but it’s so worth it. They sound like a completely different pair of speakers.

Thanks for the information. I'll call them Monday. These won't be my primary speakers, but the price is low enough I want to give them a try. I've heard them several times at the shows. TMR was telling me approximately 10 weeks wait. I wonder if they can get them quicker than directly from Magnepan. I called Scott Walker Audio and they have them in stock but won't ship them to me even though I'm also in California.

Please call me at 651-262-1936 if you want to place an order for the LRS+

Thank you and best regards,

Eric

eric@magnepan.com

@willywonka 

Phone call.  The wait time when I ordered mine was approximately 6 mos.  I should have them the beginning of July.

This may sound like a stupid question but how exactly do you order an LRS+ speaker on Magnepan's web site? The closest dealer is 3 hours from me. I heard they would let you order this speaker direct. There web site has no ordering options. They do have a speaker request form link but that's all I see. I filled that out several days ago and no reply back. I understand there is a several weeks waiting list.

3.6R's, purchased used as a trade-in from a local audio/video store. The price was extremely aggressive since they just wanted to get rid of them (look up the used price online and it was 1/3 of that).

Yes, these particular speakers need a lot of power.  They will suck up the entire output for an 380wpc amplifier and bring it to a reasonably loud presentation.

As far as light bass.... well...  yes and no.   Some of it is the room and placement, but if you want that tight-punchy bass that you can feel in your sternum, they won't do it by themselves.   I may try a subwoofer, but I tend to listen to all types of music, and I think the presentation is well balanced and very relaxing to listen to.

I can't speak to the newer speakers, as this particular dealer doesn't not sell them new, but I did listen to the speakers  for an hour or two and I bought the integrated amp at the same time since the two seemed a good match (NAD M33).

Someone else said to listen to them, and I think that's a good place to start.

@arafiq I got lucky. When I called the dealer on Monday they said a new delivery was expected the next day. Lucky for me they had an extra unclaimed pair. I will pick them up on Sunday but will only be able to listen on Monday.

@jjss49 I sold my AHB2 monos because I liked the modded PeachTree GAN1 more and I also like the simplicity of the GAN1 system. My CODA #16 has become my favorite amp now, The PeachTree GAN1 next fav, and then the AHB2. They AHB2 have a sonic signature that I think I like the best, but I am finding it underpowered. For high sensitivity speakers I would put them on the top of my list, but I never get high sensitivity speakers.

I also got a great deal on the Yamaha NS5000 speaker yesterday (for a bigger Livingroom) and bought them too. I had to trade in my Lumin X1 DAC for that, but that is where the PeachTree GAN1 saves the day. I am done now speaker shopping.

I was hoping to use the AHB2 mono's + Audience FrontRow speaker cables (very short length) for the NS5000 if that ever materialized. I really did not expect this purchase to happen, However, I sold the AHB2's before I got the very agreeable deal on the NS5000. I think the PeachTree GAN1 will work very nicely but if it does not then another CODA #16 would be great. 

I see now you mentioned the Coda 16, should be quite the pairing 

Did you say what amp you’re using with them?

@yyzsantabarbara Congrats! How were you able to get them so fast? I've heard the wait times are quite long ... unless you're buying used. Looking forward to your impressions.

I'm still on the lookout for a used pair of 1.7i's in the DFW area. Nothing so far.

@yyzsantabarbara 

did you still keep your benchmark ahb2's?  they should do well with the lil maggies in your room!

Got some good news today. My LRS+ is ready for me to pick up. Problem is finding time to make that 1-hour drive.

I will have the KEF KC62 sub arriving on Friday. Since I listen for about 15 hours a day in my office these 2 units should get worked in fairly fast.

Interestingly, I think the LRS speakers I purchased last year just opened up.

I'm mentioned here that I switch them with another pair of speakers (Fritz) and they probably see 25% of the play-time ...So even though I took delivery of them almost a year ago, they have very low hours.

I thought they were fully broken in and I've been happy with them after about a couple weeks of listening and adjusting.  Then sometime over the winter I started to feel that they were getting better.  The 'diffuse' nature of Magnepans kind of sync'd up and, at once got both more focused but also deeper.

Then , just last month I had them out for a week...rediscovering how good they are.  And the sound got better again.

In my case, contrary to what a lot of ppl say, I felt that out of the box the treble was soft .  It was confusing since so many ppl say the highs can be difficult.  Well they have sharpened while the bass has also extended into a satisfyingly deep and controlled musicality ...even without a sub.  (although I do usually use subs with them).  I would articulate it as a bigger sound , focused yet relaxed.  

I wish I had tracked the number of hours until this point.  Also, I wonder if taking them out of rotation so much starts the process over in some way?  The only reason they get less playtime is the visual aspect as I have to keep the living room usable in other ways.  Plus the Fritz speakers sound amazing too and the LRS are so easy to move as long as you have a good place to stash them when not in use.

I have them on Magnarisers "Slimline 2" stands that I purchased when I was waiting the 6 months for the LRS to get to me.  They are powder coated in the same cream color as the LRS's.  I prefer tweeters on the outside.

thanks

JS

Not sure if I have vast experience, just recent experience. I placed a 50% deposit on the LRS+ today. I may get lucky and get the LRS+ this week, otherwise, maybe another 3 months of waiting.

I emailed Maga Risers earlier today and will order a stand from them when they get back to me.

I can get about 36 inches from the front wall. I also have the room treated. I had the Thiel CS3.7 in the same room for 2 years and while not allowing it to shine at its full potential, it was not a bad setup. The LRS+ should be a bit easier to setup. I will sit about 8 feet away. I sit with my back to the speakers and have an additional 4 feet of open closet space in front of me. That extra space was a big help. I can keep the speakers about 6-7 feet apart.

I also have the KEF KC62 subwoofer, which I sold last month and bought back last week (for the LRS+). That was a painful $200 loss.

BTW - after about a decade of waiting, I also plan to buy my Livingroom speaker tomorrow, the Yamaha NS5000. I will be using my modded PeachTree GAN1 on it (don’t laugh it is an excellent amplifier after the mods). In my office, I will be using a CODA #16 amp on the LRS+.

I was expecting to get the KEF Blade 2 Meta but I have a kids birthday party happening this month at my home and the thought of all those kids near an unprotected Blade drivers made me go with the NS5000. The GAN1 can also drive the NS5000, I doubt the GAN1 could properly drive the Blades.

@yyzsantabarbara I'm so excited that you're planning to give LRS+ a shot. Given your vast experience with gear at different price points, not to mention your ability to always keep an open mind, I can't wait to hear your impressions.

How far out are you able to pull out the speakers from the front wall? Do you plan to augment them with a sub? I've also read that replacing the stock stands with Magnarisers have a huge impact on sound quality. IMO, if you order the LRS+ you should also order the stands at the same time.

@krelldreams, true dat! Every model I’ve had sounded a bit disappointing out of the box. Fortunately, they get better with age. I’ve found that about 3 months is a good break in period but they still continue improve after that.

+1 @campoly : These speakers take time to break in… more so than any other speaker I’ve had experience with. I believe it’s due to the fact that the entire panel needs time to “relax”, rather than just the surround material. Even used ones need a bit of time if they haven’t been played for awhile. They’re very special, but they need a little consideration of their unique characteristics. 

I think they will work too. Especially since you have some room treatments. I find (in my room) that absorption on the front wall kills some of the sense of spaciousness. I have absorbsion/scattering panels on the rear wall and diffusion panels on the front and side wall. Maggies require an extended break in period. Don’t expect miracles out of the box but when they open up, it’s a beautiful thing.

@campoly I did read that FAQ and also asked Magnepan a question about my room (no response yet). Whatever the case I am going to buy it and give it a try. Reading here about the popularity of the LRS+ makes it an easy resale. Though I think it will work based on what I have read and the feedback I got.

Thanks for the feedback. I am going to give it a try. One reason I want to do this is because I was reading a review of my RAAL CA-1a headphones, and the reviewer stated that it sounded like a Maggie without the room issues. I have both the RAAL SR1a and CA-1a phones and I have yet to hear speakers that sound better than them (the room is a big factor as is the ribbon driver).

SAEQ Hyperion Ge and RAAL Requisite CA-1a | HFA - The Independent Source for Audio Equipment Reviews (hifi-advice.com)

I also have a great amp in the office, a CODA #16, and it is not really getting a workout with my KEF LS50 Meta.

I sold my KEF KC62 sub last month and bought it back yesterday for the LRS+. That was a $200 loss.  😀

I will alternate between the LS50 + KC62 and the LRS+ and KC62. 

yyzs I had the LRS+ in a room your size and they sounded great...sometimes used REL T/Zero lll subs...amp was odyssey Cyclops Integrated...the speakers are so easy to move ...

@yyzsantabarbara :  I used to sell Magnepan speakers (and I’ve owned several models myself). There were times, as a salesman, when I cautioned a potential buyer that the room “may be” too small for a model they were considering. I always (almost always) hand delivered, set up, and made initial adjustments for each pair… plus our store had a generous return policy in case they didn’t work out. I was pleasantly surprised by how they sounded in a room “too small” on many occasions. They “blossom” more effectively in a larger room, but the tone, detail, and clarity were still present. I believe it would be worth the try! Even though they may sound “better” in a bigger room, I believe they will still sound great, and provide a healthy dose of the magic they’re capable of. Good luck!!

@yyzsantabarbara, I’ve never had Maggie’s in a room that small so I won’t speculate on how they would sound. Apparently Magnepan says yes.

Here is what Magnepan says about that from their FAQ section:

“A typical consumer question-- "Is the _________(model)_________ too big for my room?" From an acoustical standpoint----No.

Ideally, the _______(model)_________ should be 8 feet tall so it goes all the way to your ceiling. The ideal line-source speaker would be very narrow like a pole from floor to ceiling (and have no mass).

The Magneplanars are large because of the bass section. If Magnepan sold only the portion of the 3.7i or 20.7 that operated from 200 Hz and up, the question of speaker size would seldom come up. Most of the area of a Magneplanar is needed for bass reproduction.

The larger, higher definition Magneplanar will sound better than a lower-priced model, even in a small room. To use an analogy, a high definition video monitor does not lose resolution when placed in a small room. Buy as much Magneplanar resolution as your budget will allow. Accuracy (or high definition) is the most important feature of the larger, more expensive models. To use a video analogy, with a high definition monitor, you can see the individual blades of grass, not just a sea of green. The smaller models may fit into a room more easily, but for accuracy, they can’t equal the larger, more expensive models.”

Will the LRS+ fit into a 12 x 11 x 9 treated room?

Office System | Virtual Listening Room (audiogon.com)

I am interested in the active crossover idea. Keep my XA25 free from driving the lower base. Maybe I will check out that First Watt - B4 DIY kit.

Dang, this thread is giving me a big itch to try a Magnepan. 

Yes, If I had a larger room I would love to try the 1.7i.  In my room I am truly enjoying my LSR+s. 

@arafiq : I was pretty satisfied with the low frequency response of my 1.7i, but I wanted “more of a good thing”, so I bought a pair of DWM bass panels. They added a bit of meat to the sound, but they were tricky to set up to blend with the mains, and they added too much, visually, to my room. I sold them, and frankly, don’t miss them. I loved the sound of my system with the 1.7i, but ultimately decided to buy a pair of 3.7 to “try out”, expecting “more bass” and “better highs”. Honestly, there was only a small increase in bass response, but the “overall presentation” of sound was better with the 3.7. Without hearing them side by side, I’m not sure the differences would be so apparent. As @jjss49 wrote; they load the room differently, and I preferred the sound. I’ve appreciated the sound of every Magnepan speaker I’ve owned, but these are clearly the best.