I owned the Magnaplanar Tympani 1Ds way back in 1979 and would probably still own them today if I had the room and power. That was a long time ago, but I never had as much fun enjoying a speaker until my Zu Definition 1.5s. Like the Maggies back then with a sound un to their own, the Zucable Definitions are so live, dynamic, powerful, detailed,holographic and "planar" fast: it is like nothing I ever heard before. Different sound, but the same feeling and fun I had with the Maggies. peace, warren
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.