[josh358]

Wendell asked me to pass this on --

Dear Press and Future Attendee,

Last night, I had the privilege to talk to Robert Deutsch of Stereophile at the "30.7 for Condos" event at Audio Excellence in Toronto. Robert was there to report on the concept of a public focus group (not on the speaker we were showing). As Robert noted, there has been a lot of research on the value of focus groups. Is a public focus group more effective? (good question)

Toronto was only the second stop on this tour, but it already has the same shortcoming as the 30.7 tour in terms of reliable feedback for Magnepan--- low participation.  Attendees on all the 30.7 tours were very vocal about their opinions of the 30.7, but when it came to making their opinion public, approximately 1 out of 20 attendees (or less) went online to give Magnepan feedback. This tour is much the same.

There is one obvious question on the minds of attendees--- "Has Magnepan 'sold out"? They were too polite to say it in such stark terms. Most attendees are familiar with Maggies and the problem of integrating a dynamic woofer with a panel speaker. This issue is the focal point of these tours and there was much discussion.

If you are able to attend one of the upcoming events, you can see the response of the group for yourself. But, in terms of an online consensus, the sampling rate will rate will probably be too small for a reliable indicator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ-R8MERlHQ&feature=youtu.be

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=55342

- Wendell Diller, Magnepan

[SteveFord]

https://6moons.com/industry_articles/magnepan-winter-tour/

[josh358]

Just saw that

[Wind Chaser]

Not scientific but research nonetheless.

[rollo]

  Why wait for attendee accounts at all ? Give them a questionaire to fill out before they leave. I am sure all will oblige. IMHO a 6'x12" design will sell. Obviously not everyone has a large room.


charles

[Elizabeth]

My personal bet is Wendel just LOVED going around to all the stores.. The experimental model is just an EXCUSE to do so again.. 

[Wind Chaser]

  Why wait for attendee accounts at all ?

So they can hear them. Dynamic driver were always regarded as anathema by Magnepan.

Now that they have finally had the wherewithal to incorporate them in a prototype and have heard the result, they are a little at a loss for words in view of the  position they held all these years.

I pitched this idea to them six months ago... 

I have a question based on the following statement taken from the Magnepan FAQ page...

“If we sold the portion of the speaker from 200 Hz up, you could put it in the average apartment. Yes, it would be tall, but very narrow.”

Magnepan says they “are not fans of hybrid speakers” BUT the fact is many of their customers use conventional subs with their Maggies. So assuming there was enough demand, would Magnepan be willing offer “the pole portion of the speaker from 200 Hz up”?

Subs are much smaller than large panels. And there are some subs (OB servo) that are probably every bit as good as large panels when it comes to extension, impact and high definition bass.

I hope Magnepan is open minded enough to at least explore this avenue.

[rollo]

  Wind Chaser not what I meant but OK.  I meant getting opinions at the demo in writing. I would agree 150% that if Magnepan would make a panel "only" it would sell like hot cakes. I can see a pair of SVS or Rythmic or GR OB subs waiting for them.
I would buy a pair in a NY minute. 
If you Gents recall GT Audio Works started with a planar incorporating a sub for cheap. That design WAS a steal. My memory tells me that was a seamless match. Too bad it is gone , now 30K with subs. Priced me out. Maybe Magnepan will succeed with a hybrid or panel only. Hope so.


charles