[TJHUB]

Unfortunately, the dealer network has been shrinking. Many people don't have even a single dealer within a reasonable distance. It's a problem for everybody in high end audio.

I spoke to Wendell today for a bit about all of this.  He confirmed that their dealer network is shrinking.  I think we all know why that's happening.

Wendell is a very nice man, but the conversation didn't yield much for me.  It seems that there must have been something wrong when I heard the 1.7's and 3.7's at the dealer.  I'm still perplexed as to why the 1.7's and the 3.7's sounded so very differently.  Wendell didn't have much to say about that; just that the level of difference is different for people.  I thought the difference was surprisingly night and day, but maybe that's just me. 

It seems the only next step is the actually hear the 1.7's in a different, and hopefully better, environment.  I unfortunately don't think this is going to happen any time soon.  If John (posted above) wants to make the long trek to Chicago, I'll certainly be more than happy to go with him.  I won't be going on my own though...

I guess for now, all the wind is out of my sails.  Too bad as I was very hopeful I'd be listening to a pair of Magnepan's every day. 

[josh358]

It really is setup dependent, bad acoustics or placement will kill the sound.

As I think I mentioned, I'm talking to someone who heard a demo at which the 1.7's sounded better than the 3.7's! And then he went to another dealer, heard the 3.7's there, fell in love with them, and is planning to buy a pair.

Sadly, there's no easy solution to this. There's always a certain amount of you don't know until you get it home, unless you know somebody who has what you're interested in and can listen at their house.

[SteveFord]

Are there any members close by who could give Tjhub a demo? 

[johzel]

  If John (posted above) wants to make the long trek to Chicago, I'll certainly be more than happy to go with him.  I won't be going on my own though...

Love Chicago . . . I'd be very happy to go along.  The Twin Cities might be an easier drive actually.  Your call, TJHUB!!  Just let me know when.  Sort of disappointing to hear of Wendall's response - thought it might be more solution oriented.  No offense to anyone but why ask someone to call if you don't have a solution for them . . . just my 2 cents. Oh well . . . the good thing TJHUB is that you still have a system most people could only hope for.  A Maggie-less life isn't the end of the world - still a bit frustrating to simply want to honestly consider bringing such a heralded product into your house and finding it so difficult just to receive a decent audition.  A Packer fan has to go to Chicago Bear Land to hear something made in Vikings country . . . go figure   

[TJHUB]

John and I will be headed to Chicago next week Wednesday to listen to both 1.7's and 3.7's.  I hope this dealer has a better setup so I can actually hear what the 1.7's have to offer.

[TONEPUB]

Agreed the setup is key.  The 1.7's (as with all magnepans) are great speakers that really shine with a high performance amplifier, often much more expensive than what you might expect to spend for a pair of $2000 speakers.  I've been listening to Magnepans on and off for 30+ years now and that's always been the case.  Back when I had a $3500 pair of Tympanis, I was using a $7000 pair of Levinson ML-2 amplifiers to drive them.

My 1.7's turn in an ok performance with a modest amplifier, but when I plug them into the big Pass Class A monos or the Burmester 911, or the Premier 350 they just become a completely different world.

While this may be an unpopular view here, if you can't really dedicate the room to them and you can't use top flight electronics with the Maggies, I think the experience is less than stellar.  I know plenty will chime in that their Maggies sound great with a pair of Outlaw amps, etc etc, but that's really about 20% of what the speaker is truly capable of.

You don't have to spend killer money either.  There are a handful of vintage SS amps that work well that don't cost an arm and a leg.  Another favorite is the Levinson 23.5.  You can usually find a clean one for about $2000 and it is a fantastic combination with the 1.7's, especially with your favorite tube preamp.  Something like an ARC SP-9, CJ PV12 or even a Modwright 9.0 all have great synergy with the 23.5 and a pair of 1.7's.

As for the sound - you'll either love em or hate em.  I've always loved the panel sound, whether it be esl or magnepans.  All different, all have strengths and weaknesses, but wonderful nonetheless.

Hope you have a good experience....

[jtwrace]

I spoke to Wendell today for a bit about all of this.  He confirmed that their dealer network is shrinking.

I can't say I'm surprised.  I went TT shopping this past weekend and my local store has Maggies.  They had 20.1's against the wall in the middle of the hallway. 

I'm sorry but Magnepan shouldn't allow a retailer to present their speakers that way.  Bottom line is there is little to no way they will sell something like that.  No sales means less dealers. 

[TJHUB]

Agreed the setup is key.  The 1.7's (as with all magnepans) are great speakers that really shine with a high performance amplifier, often much more expensive than what you might expect to spend for a pair of $2000 speakers.  I've been listening to Magnepans on and off for 30+ years now and that's always been the case.  Back when I had a $3500 pair of Tympanis, I was using a $7000 pair of Levinson ML-2 amplifiers to drive them.

My 1.7's turn in an ok performance with a modest amplifier, but when I plug them into the big Pass Class A monos or the Burmester 911, or the Premier 350 they just become a completely different world.

While this may be an unpopular view here, if you can't really dedicate the room to them and you can't use top flight electronics with the Maggies, I think the experience is less than stellar.  I know plenty will chime in that their Maggies sound great with a pair of Outlaw amps, etc etc, but that's really about 20% of what the speaker is truly capable of.

You don't have to spend killer money either.  There are a handful of vintage SS amps that work well that don't cost an arm and a leg.  Another favorite is the Levinson 23.5.  You can usually find a clean one for about $2000 and it is a fantastic combination with the 1.7's, especially with your favorite tube preamp.  Something like an ARC SP-9, CJ PV12 or even a Modwright 9.0 all have great synergy with the 23.5 and a pair of 1.7's.

As for the sound - you'll either love em or hate em.  I've always loved the panel sound, whether it be esl or magnepans.  All different, all have strengths and weaknesses, but wonderful nonetheless.

Hope you have a good experience....

I run a Rogue Audio Perseus tube preamp, and a pair of Odyssey Audio Stratos Mono Extreme SE's.  The amps are around 350wrms into 4 ohms.  If I need more amp that what I have, that's not going to make me want the Maggie's. 

[NIGHTFALL1970]

TJHUB,
I think that what you have for an amp and preamp will be fine with 1.7s.

[josh358]

I can't say I'm surprised.  I went TT shopping this past weekend and my local store has Maggies.  They had 20.1's against the wall in the middle of the hallway. 

I'm sorry but Magnepan shouldn't allow a retailer to present their speakers that way.  Bottom line is there is little to no way they will sell something like that.  No sales means less dealers. 

Ouch. Unfortunately, I don't think manufacturers have much of a say in how their products get displayed.

[josh358]

I run a Rogue Audio Perseus tube preamp, and a pair of Odyssey Audio Stratos Mono Extreme SE's.  The amps are around 350wrms into 4 ohms.  If I need more amp that what I have, that's not going to make me want the Maggie's.

There was a "how loud to you listen" thread on the Planar Asylum the other day and of the respondents, only one would have needed a megapower amp with his Maggies, even after adding 10 dB to account for the ballistics of the analog Radio Shack meter. (He has one, too, 2500 watts on the woofers of his Tympani IV's!) So I'm guessing you'll be fine.

[thunderbrick]

If I need more amp that what I have, that's not going to make me want the Maggie's.

I have a Rogue 66 magnum pre with a Moscode 300 (tested out at 140wpc @ 8 ohms) in a 572 sq ft room.  They drove my 1.6s nicely, and do a pretty good job with the 20.1s.  And I like loud.

[TJHUB]

Thanks gents.  I'll post my impressions after the visit to the second dealer next week.

[Kinger]

Subscribed..........

[Freo-1]

Agree with TONEPUB.  Maggies are not for everyone, but panels can be VERY seductive.  Your electronics will work just fine, no worries there.

[johzel]

Thanks gents.  I'll post my impressions after the visit to the second dealer next week.

And it looks like Evanston.  Libertyville doesn't have both pairs for demo.  Hinsdale is further down the road.  Hey TJHUB, there's also a store "downtown" . . . we could go down and stay the night, have a great Chicago steak, bottle of wine, after dinner cigar, take in a show!! The trip would cost more than the 1.7's!!!    Plus my wife would insist upon coming along . . . never mind   

[TJHUB]

And it looks like Evanston.  Libertyville doesn't have both pairs for demo.  Hinsdale is further down the road.  Hey TJHUB, there's also a store "downtown" . . . we could go down and stay the night, have a great Chicago steak, bottle of wine, after dinner cigar, take in a show!! The trip would cost more than the 1.7's!!!    Plus my wife would insist upon coming along . . . never mind 

That sounds like a great way to do a Chicago trip right.  But I'd rather go on a Monday and see Patricia Barber at the Green Mill.  I need to do that some day...

[johzel]

That sounds like a great way to do a Chicago trip right.  But I'd rather go on a Monday and see Patricia Barber at the Green Mill.  I need to do that some day...

I think that's just a tad south of Evanston actually . . . there's a thought.  Next Wednesday is ALFONSO PONTICELLI and SWING GITAN.    I'm starting to ruin your thread aren't I . . . oops.  Sorry.  See you next week!!  With a resulting conversation about the 1.7's and 3.7's.

[WilCox]

I think that's just a tad south of Evanston actually . . . there's a thought.  Next Wednesday is ALFONSO PONTICELLI and SWING GITAN.    I'm starting to ruin your thread aren't I . . . oops.  Sorry.  See you next week!!  With a resulting conversation about the 1.7's and 3.7's.

Sorry I didn't respond to your PM, but for some reason, I'm not seeing a response button on your message!   Maybe I'm restricted as a newbie.

In any event, looks like you've got the Evanston trip planned out.  Suggest working with Simon at the Evanston store.  He's the owner and has been very helpful over the years.  If you're hungry after the demo, suggest dining at Davis Fishmarket at 501 Davis Street, just a few blocks away.  Best of luck and hope you enjoy the Maggies.

[SteveFord]

Pardon me but I've been remiss in my duties.

 

PERSONAL ATTACKS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Thank you,
Steve Ford