Magnepan 1.7

The high power being used to demo the 1.7's in many cases is not representative of what the average audiophile will experience/hear from these speakers at home.

When one pushes past 500 toward 1,000wpc the results with virtually any full range larger floor standing speaker move toward the scintillating end of the experience spectrum. I have experienced this with all manner of speakers, from concentric high efficiency speakers like the Tannoy Glenair to planar hybrids like the Eminent Technology LFT-8B, to the dynamic/planar hybrid Legacy Focus SE (all reviewed). Speakers simply do not sound as "frisky" or vibrant when powered by 200wpc, say, versus 500-1,000wpc.

Some dealers may be showing them with more realistic amplification for most people, which might explain some of the disparity in reports on their sound.

Could differences in amps make that much of a difference? Absolutely. :)

Just heard the 1.7s at a local dealer. He was using NAD electronics. The amp had 150 watts and didn't seem to bring out the best in the speakers. Sounded good but there seemed like more could be pulled from the speakers.
Maggies are one of those speakers that sound better as you move up the amp food chain, both in quality and power.
Always seems counter intuitive to spend so much on amplification on a relitively inexpensive speakwer.

I am looking for new speakers and listened to the Magnepan 1.7 speakers a couple of weeks ago. They seem like such a bargain until you realize that you have to spend thousands on 500 watt mono blocks and a pair of subwoofers to get them to sound their best.

Mchd,
I have had a pair of 1.6QR's for 11 yrs. In that time I've gone from an Adcom 5500 to a McCormack DNA 0.5 deluxe to McCormack DNA 1.0 deluxe monoblocks to Cary 500 MB's. Each step in the progression was a step forward, but I had a pretty nice system with the DNA 0.5 (for which I paid $750.00) driving the Maggies. If you listen to music that requires 25 Hz, then maybe these aren't the speakers for you. Personally, once I got the room placement figured out, I lost all interest in augmenting with a sub. Most of us build systems over time. I chose to build a system around the Maggies, because their strengths play to my preferences. If their strengths appeal to you, you might consider a good used high current amp as a stop-gap until later.

I agree 100% with Brownsfan.

While lots of good power helps it is not needed. A good cheap amp will get you 90% there. The 90% of the 1.7 is much better than 100% of other speakers in its price range IMO.

I you need a cheap amp try Wyred 4 Sound ST500. It is $1500 and 250 watts @8ohms and 550 watt at 4ohms. Maggies are a pretty solid 4ohm load and one of the reason why they need lots of power.