@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.
Thinking of Magnepan ... finally!
Until recently, most of my amps have been tube-based with the exception of a few great SS integrateds thrown into the mix for fun. That's probably the main reason I have stayed away from Magnepans (or other speakers of its ilk) thus far. Now that I have an Aavik U-280 integrated amp that can do 300 watts @ 8 ohms and doubles to 600 @ 4, I would love to scratch that itch finally. Keep in mind that I do not intend to get rid of my other speakers (Joseph Audio Perspective2 Graphene, Harbeth SHL5+, Fritz Carrera BE) since I love them all for different reasons. The Magnepans will be rotated in the main listening room with Joseph Audio Perspectives. One thing I like about Maggies is that they are relatively lightweight so I can move them to the closet without breaking my back when not in rotation.
Since I've never owned Magnepans before, I have a ton of questions and doubts. So here we go ...
Bass (or the lack thereof) -- I've been told that the Magnepans are very light on bass and definitely require at least on subwoofer. Is this true in all cases? Anyone using them without subs and happy with the performance? TBH, I really would prefer that I don't use subs but not set in stone for sure.
Breathing Room -- my room is 20' x 15' with 12 foot ceilings. The speakers will be placed along the short wall (15'). I can pull them out by about 4.5 feet from the front wall and 3 feet from the side walls. Seating distance will be approximately 8 - 9 feet. Is this good enough or do you think more distance, especially from the front wall, is required to truly enjoy the speakers?
Mods -- I've also heard that the stock components (crossovers, fuses, etc.) and stands are suboptimal. Is this true? If so, what are the minimum requirements to bring the speaker to a higher standard and at what cost?
Value -- For someone who is just starting out with Maggies, which model is a good entry point? I know that LRS+ is a good value, but my other speakers are very very good, so I want to do justice to the Maggies as well. But at the same time I don't want to spend more than I need to. Where do you think the sweet spot lies, i.e. which model(s)? I will be looking for used only since I've already spent way too much on other speakers.
Imaging -- I've also been told that imaging on Maggies is not that great. I have never heard Maggies before so I have no idea if this assertion is true or not. Your thoughts?
And finally, I want to hear from folks who love their Maggies. What is that you love most about the speakers? What qualities do they bring to the table that no other speaker does? Are there magnetic planar speakers from other brands that I should also be considering? Keep in mind they have to be readily available in the used market. So please don't suggest something that doesn't meet this requirement.
However, to bring some balance to the feedback, I would also love to hear from those who tried Magnepans and moved on to something else. Why? What was it that you didn't like about them? What did you move on to?
Thanks in advance and a sincere request: Please keep it civil ... no need for haters of Magnepan to use this as an opportunity to diss the brand.
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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. |
+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. |
@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. |
@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. |
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