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Which Magnepans for my small room?

I'm thinking of Maggie's because of the huge amount of praise I see for them especially for the money. My room is 12x16x8 feet and I already have two 18 inch PSA subs. Right now running paradigm signature s8 v2.

I ideally want something significantly better. What would be the right Maggie for my space? I'm thinking Max I would go to Mag 20.7 and get it used.

I'll be driving them with dual bryston 4bsst with 4bsst2 motherboards which are class d and rated at close to 1000 watts per channel in bridged mode.

Also any kind of cover you can recommend to protect them from my cats?
smodtactical

Showing 5 responses by bdp24

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bdp24
10,190 posts
 
Ain’t it the truth, uber. Brings to mind the old joke: Why is divorce so expensive? ’Cause it’s worth it.
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bdp24
10,190 posts
 
It’s great just to see so many planar appreciators in one place! Loudspeakers are the most personal of all the links in the music reproduction chain, and from my perspective, I really don’t understand how anyone can spend more than $6k on a pair when the 3.7i is available for that amount. Unless, of course, that someone lacks the space (and/or power amp) to accommodate a pair. But then, like I said, loudspeakers are very personal. It’s like choosing a spouse.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,190 posts
 
@smodtactical, if at all possible, try and give a listen to the Eminent Technology LFT-8b. It contains a pair of magnetic-planar drivers (in some ways similar to the 1.7, different in others) for frequencies 180Hz to 10kHz, a ribbon tweeter for 10k up, and an 8" sealed woofer for 180Hz down. You might find it more to your liking that the 1.7i. Pro reviews available on the ET website.
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bdp24
10,190 posts
 
Touche', Mike! I very much agree, the 3.7 is a far better loudspeaker than the 1.7, which I don't much care for (preferring the ET LFT-8b). The 20.7 I have not heard, but the 30.7 I would kill for. Just kidding, FBI.
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bdp24
10,190 posts
 

The max you would go to is the 20.7? That model IS the max Magnepan, except for the new 4-panel 30.7. I don’t recall what size room Elizabeth has her pair of 20.7 in, but 12’ x 16’ may not be big enough for the 3.7, let alone the 20.7. Either would need to be on the short wall, firing down the 16’ room length. Assuming you place each 18"-wide 3.7 panel 1’ from the side walls, that would put the inside edges of the panels only 7’ apart. Being only 1’ from the side walls, the tweeters would need to be on the inside, making the left-to-right tweeter separation about 6’---not much.

Have you seen the 20.7 in person? They are HUGE! They would absolutely dominate if not overpower a 12’ x 16’ room, but then so would the 3.7. The 1.7 would look more room size-appropriate, as would the similarly-sized Eminent Technology LFT-8b.

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