Comments on: High End Audio in the Age of Uncertainty Part 2: The Wonderful Magneplanar 1.7i Loudspeakers

By: Greg B.

Greg B. — Sun, 18 Feb 2018 21:12:00 +0000

I've had a pair of 1.7's for 5 years now and I'm using an Audio Space Ref 3.1 KT-88 tube integrated amp. It puts out 45 watts but has LOTS of current which easily drive my 1.7's in my 24' L x 13 W ' and 9' high ceiling living room with hardwood floors. I have them set up in one half of the "H" shaped room which is roughly 13' x 14' on the long wall and about 3' in from each wall there's a 6' H x 3'.5" W x 2' deep armoire in between the 1.7's. The speakers are roughly 1.5 feet from the armoire (which contains my components) and they sound amazing. Recently I've added 2 pre owned REL R 205 10" subs which are close to the corners of the 13' X 14' room. What I found with the subs ( they're not bi-amped so the 1.7's run full range ) the definition clarity and extension from the 1.7's improved an appreciable amount which I hadn't expected having grown accustomed to the Magnapans without the subs in the system for a few years. The REL's are set very low in both volume and frequency, just enough to flesh out what little is missing from the 1.7's. That being said it seems to have increased the perceived volume and clarity of the whole system opening everything up in a good way! So don't be frightened away from Magnapans requiring "gobs" of power - remember to bring as much "current" as you can afford ( i.e. most good quality tube amps with 45+ watts either integrated or stand alone qualify ) will allow your 1.7's to really "sing". The rest of my system consists of: - Modified Rega P5 with Denon DL-S1 low output MC. - Michell GyroDec SE with RB-250 tonearm and Benz Wood medium output MC. - Fosgate Signature Phono pre amp with Klyne SK 1 Step up device. - Shanling CD 300 tube CD player. - Monster Cable power conditioner 12 outlet bar written up years ago in "The Absolute Sound". - Shunyata power cable for the Audio Space Ref 3.1 and Kimber power cable for the Shanling and Fosgate. - Anti Cable quad speaker cable for the 1.7's. - Assorted Kimber Silver and Copper RCA interconnects. I hope this may help anyone who's trying to decide on Magnapans. My first pair were MG-II's then Acoustat 1+1's (when Maggies weren't available in my area for a few years) then 1.6's and now the amazing 1.7's. If and when a major upgrade comes along, 1.8's possibly, you can always find used previous models for a very reasonable price also their trade in value is quite high mine was with my 1.6's when I traded up to the 1.7's! Definitely a SOLID hi-fi investment which is, as you know, very hard to find these days and you'll get years of enjoyment out of them and not suffer any "Hi-Fi envy"! Thanks, Greg B. .

By: Magnepan 1.7i | Magnepan

Magnepan 1.7i | Magnepan — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 23:34:07 +0000

[…] The Wonderful Magneplanar 1.7i Loudspeakers […]

By: Maurice Jeffries

Maurice Jeffries — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 22:53:00 +0000

In reply to snowpuppy77. The real question is what your amp can deliver into a 4 ohm load as that is how the Maggies are rated. Having said that, lots of Maggie fans use NAD gear to drive their speakers. I think your safe with your older amp.

By: Maurice Jeffries

Maurice Jeffries — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 22:53:00 +0000

In reply to johnww. Your welcome, and thanks for reading PF.

By: Maurice Jeffries

Maurice Jeffries — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 22:50:00 +0000

In reply to JOE. Thanks, Joe.

By: johnww

johnww — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 17:52:00 +0000

To the Professionals at Magnepan

First off, let me say that I can’t thank you enough for your quality customer service. The gentleman at LivingSound in Wichita, KS got me in contact with the wonderful folks at Magnepan in White Bear Lake, MN when I recently had a warranty issue with my Magneplanar 1.7 speakers. They worked together to make sure I got a quick response. At 2 years and 9 months into a 3 year warranty, they went out of their way to make sure I was satisfied with their product.

And by the way, I am! I originally purchased the speakers at LivingSound. They are out of this world in the way they reproduce lifelike sound across the entire range of music. I listened to several types of high end speakers, including B&W, but I kept coming back to the Magneplanar 1.7.

They are certainly the best I have ever owned, and I am very particular about my sound. The price, though, is not out of this world. In my opinion, they sound better than much more expensive speakers. I never thought I would be able to afford incredible sound like this on a working man’s budget, but that is exactly what Magnepan has done.

Do yourself a favor and try out the Magneplanar speakers. You won’t be sorry. And when it comes time for me to upgrade, I’ll be shopping at Magnepan and LivingSound!

Thanks so much,
John

By: snowpuppy77

snowpuppy77 — Sun, 04 Jun 2017 00:14:00 +0000

I have an older 225wpc 8 ohms NAD amp that weights about 70 lbs along with an NAD preamp. Wattage of the amp increases with lower resistance doubling at 4 ohms. Do you think this amp would have enough wattage and quality to at least get me started with these Maggy 1.7i's?

By: JOE

JOE — Thu, 04 May 2017 20:30:00 +0000

I too, have Maggies, 1.6's. Driven with an Audible Illusions M3a, Aragon 8008 MkIII (Indy Audio Labs), Marrantz UD8004 Blue Ray, Linn LP12, and COUDN"T AGREE WITH MORE!!!

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