What speakers can make a convert of Maggie lovers?


After living with Magneplanars for many years (1.6qr's at present,) I'm wondering what other speakers Magneplanar owners have fallen for. I'm sure this topic must have covered before, but this site's search engine leaves a lot to be desired. There are many things that I like about Maggies, the expansive soundstage, well integrated drivers, and value for the money among their many virtues. Ideally, I'd like speakers that would have better low level detail and palpability, be less picky about amplification, and have better percusive/ dynamic qualities. The need for augmentation with a subwoofer would ok. My listening room is about 15x20' with a 12' ceiling height. I don't favor any one type of music, my tastes are musically omnivorous. Price of contenders would have to be no more than $5-6,000 new. Of course, something less expensive like the Gallos would be fine too, it's good to have money left over to buy more music. I know everyone says "go listen at your dealers." I've done that, but I find dealer's rooms sound so cruddy compared to my acoustically treated room that I can't make really meaningful comparisons.
photon46

Showing 1 response by gonglee3

I would try to hear paper cone speakers - they have warmer sound than metallic sound of the maggies. In fact, many audiophiles still think the paper cones give the best tone.

Try to hear classics like Tannoy, Jensen, JBL, Klipsch, and EV. I fell in love with their sound of alnico magnets. They don'
t build them like they used to, unless you pay mega-bucks these days.

I love their wide and deep sound stage of 15 incher coaxial.

Try to hear Tannoy coaxial big ones - not the plastic ones. If you like the sound, you probably like other ones I mentioned as well.

They do sound different from Maggies - warmer.

If you are into rock, JBL 4312 might be good for you - you can get them for a couple of hundred $ used. Not as good as Tannoy, but rock fans seem to like them.