.7's in for review

[longbowbbs]

Just got the .7's up and running for review. This should be fun! :banana:

[cma29]

:lurk:

[dolsey01]

It's been a few weeks, any updates?

[longbowbbs]

They are nicely broken in. I finally decided that I prefer the tweeter to the outside. The PS Audio BHK 250 has plenty of juice as it puts a max of 500 watts into 4Ohms. They really just disappear. Solid bass to mid 40Hz area. They also really pair well with the bel canto Ref600M's. Adding in the bel canto 2.7 DAC as pre you get a killer under $10k system.

[david45]

They are nicely broken in. I finally decided that I prefer the tweeter to the outside. The PS Audio BHK 250 has plenty of juice as it puts a max of 500 watts into 4Ohms. They really just disappear. Solid bass to mid 40Hz area. They also really pair well with the bel canto Ref600M's. Adding in the bel canto 2.7 DAC as pre you get a killer under $10k system.

thanks for the review!!
do you think they would integrate nicely with a pair of OB servo subwoofers?

[david45]

They are nicely broken in. I finally decided that I prefer the tweeter to the outside. The PS Audio BHK 250 has plenty of juice as it puts a max of 500 watts into 4Ohms. They really just disappear. Solid bass to mid 40Hz area. They also really pair well with the bel canto Ref600M's. Adding in the bel canto 2.7 DAC as pre you get a killer under $10k system.

I wonder what they would sound like with a cheap Crown xls-1500 and IFI i-Tube combo...

[longbowbbs]

I have a Definitive Technology sub that worked just fine wi A pair should be fine with them.

As to what they would sound like with a Crown, I expect they would surprise you.

[Route 66]

I have a pair of .7s and they pair beautifully with my JL Audio Dominion d108 subwoofer in my small listening room (which used to be my son's old bedroom).

As far as I'm concerned, it's a match made in heaven.

[SomeGeoffGuy]

I owned a set of these for six weeks and ended up returning them. They sounded awesome, but they needed more current than I could supply. I am running 200 WPC MAC6700 receiver. To get the .7's loud, the meters were completely pegged on my 6700 with the powerguard lights almost always on. The fins were getting hot to the touch after a few minutes of listening. One of them had to go - I had to choose and I picked keeping the McIntosh.

That being said, the .7's sounded awesome. I just like to listen to loud rock and roll, and I didn't want to give up the McIntosh to keep the Magnepans. I would highly recommend them if you have the power though.

-Geoff

[longbowbbs]

I was running 600 wpc through them via the Bel Canto Ref600 Mono's. I had no issues getting them loud.

[d700]

Hi,
I'm new here, first post.
Wondering if any of you would care to comment on difference between .7 and 1.7? Do they have similar power requirements or is 1.7 a much bigger drain? The price is negligible within my budget. I'll be using these as primary speakers for TV/Music listening in a largish 15x18 living room for a few years, then moving them to a 12x15 office/listening room in a few years. Planning to drive them with either an Outlaw R2160 or a Rotel RA1592.

[longbowbbs]

I would get the 1.7's in a room that size and would suggest at least 100wpc to power them The more watts the merrier however.

[ATC2]

Do you think that a McIntosh MC252, rated at 250watts per channel would be good enough to power the .7’s ?

[vegaracer1]

Do you think that a McIntosh MC252, rated at 250watts per channel would be good enough to power the .7’s ?In my opinion the Mc 252 would power them nicely.
I have played my 3.7 with the Mc 1700 and it was pleasing.

[longbowbbs]

250 watts per channel would be more than adequate. McIntosh makes wonderful amps. This should be a very nice pairing.

[ATC2]

Thanks for the response guys, know I’m starting to wonder if I could bump it up a notch and run the 1.7’s. Just from the bigger is better perspective.

[longbowbbs]

You will get more bass for sure. They will also be fine with 250 wpc from that amp.

[Formerly YB-2]

My introduction to Maggies those many years ago was a pair of the 3.0s with a McIntosh MC2055 (50wpc) and they were glorious. An MC252 & pair of 1.7i should be a wonderful match.

[Gdfein]

I was able pickup a 2nd hand pair of .7 and while my room is not ideal or treated, I was not blown away to say least.

C2600 pre and Anthem SS 225x2. The low end was totally anemic. Wish I had ability to measure in room rolloff but I’m guessing they were down 6db at 200hz and dropping steeply.

[TOGA]

Do you think modern Class-D amp such as NAD M33
Will drive .7 well ?
I wanna a casual system but with good quality that .7 deserves.
Mostly I will need an amp with a DAC to
1. Amplify sound from TV ( HDMI ARC or Optical)
2. Stream from TIDAL and SPOTIFY
NAD M33 can do all that, I am just not sure about
How Maggie go with class D of moderate price.
Thanks

[longbowbbs]

Maggies sound just fine with a quality class d amp. (Now I start the Battle over whether or not Quality Class D is an oxymoron!) :)

[Formerly YB-2]

Do you think modern Class-D amp such as NAD M33
Will drive .7 well ?
Believe Magnepan recommends against Class-D amps on their website. Read their FAQ section about same.

[bart]

Those Purifi Eigentakt amp modules are fabulous...

[longbowbbs]

Believe Magnepan recommends against Class-D amps on their website. Read their FAQ section about same.

That FAQ is ancient. Class-D amps work just fine. Bel Canto, Wyred 4 Sound, Merrill Audio, no problemo.

[TOGA]

Oh I can also add HEGEL H390
Or CAMBRIDGE CXN V2 or Blusound Node 2i+ KRELL 300i
To the options.

I heard this KRELL with .7 before using Cardas Iridium SC,
And it sounded fantastic, but the source was R2R deck.

TOGA

[longbowbbs]

I do not know the power rating for the M33. Even the .7's crave some nice power. If the M33 is over 100WPC for 8 ohms then it likely would suffice.

[TOGA]

Believe Magnepan recommends against Class-D amps on their website. Read their FAQ section about same.



They didn’t mention Class A at all in FAQ
I think Luxman L590 AX II is nice.

How about Mcintosh like MA5300,8900 where they don’t doubling down output Power into 4 ohm, but they are mostly very powerful.

[TOGA]

I do not know the power rating for the M33. Even the .7's crave some nice power. If the M33 is over 100WPC for 8 ohms then it likely would suffice.



200W into 8.

What I like about it is the one-piece does it all concept.
But because of being a mass market products, chance of
Borrowing for home audition is none, unlike some higher end brands.

Toga

[gumbypimp]

Hi,

I'm new here, first post.

Wondering if any of you would care to comment on difference between .7 and 1.7? Do they have similar power requirements or is 1.7 a much bigger drain? The price is negligible within my budget. I'll be using these as primary speakers for TV/Music listening in a largish 15x18 living room for a few years, then moving them to a 12x15 office/listening room in a few years. Planning to drive them with either an Outlaw R2160 or a Rotel RA1592.



The critical factor for any Maggie is current delivery and damping factor above 1000, I am currently driving 1.7i with a Hegel H390 with a damping factor of 4000, it has vice like grip on the panel and the bass is superlative no sub woofer needed

[Formerly YB-2]

They didn’t mention Class A at all in FAQ
I think Luxman L590 AX II is nice.
How about Mcintosh like MA5300, MA8900 where they don’t doubling down output Power into 4 ohm, but they are mostly very powerful.
I'm thinking the Pass XA-25 at 50wpc of Class-A @ 4ohm would be an excellent match.
McIntosh amps with the autoformers, like the MA8900, are rated at the same power regardless of the speaker's impedance. With their non-autoformer amps, like the MA5300, they do have a higher power rating at the lower impedance. Either should be fine.

[TOGA]

The critical factor for any Maggie is current delivery and damping factor above 1000, I am currently driving 1.7i with a Hegel H390 with a damping factor of 4000, it has vice like grip on the panel and the bass is superlative no sub woofer needed



Very much interested in this one, but not quite understand what app to use with it ?
Wanna access Spotify and Tidal Masters, or perhaps MQA.

[TOGA]

I'm thinking the Pass XA-25 at 50wpc of Class-A @ 4ohm would be an excellent match.

McIntosh amps with the autoformers, like the MA8900, are rated at the same power regardless of the speaker's impedance. With their non-autoformer amps, like the MA5300, they do have a higher power rating at the lower impedance. Either should be fine.



I read in stereophile that INT-60 made .7 sounded too rounded and soft. Also read that XA200.8 made Wilson Alexia sounded loose in the bass. But it sure sounded sweet and musical.
Quite interested in Ma5300 too, but then I will need areasonably good streamer to connect to it, may be Node 2i, SoTM 200 Neo, Cambridge CXNV2 or Azure 851N

[Formerly YB-2]

The INT-60 is not Class A, but Class AB. The last sentence in HR's Stereophile review is, "Despite my dashed expectations, the INT-60 was still the best amp I've used with the Magnepan .7s."
HR also did the Pass INT-25 and XA-25 reviews. He owns both of them and his XA-25 review includes using with the .7 Maggies. Informative to read all three for comparison.
Remember, reviewers pick the smallest of nits and wish to tell all. But, that he kept the INT-25 & XA-25 tells you something.

[TOGA]

Yes I loved Class A, I had XA160.5 before with Revel Salon2.
Then not long ago I had Gryphon Mephisto with my Magico.
It was really a magic in class A sound.
For the new .7 of mine. These will be in a second room with
Mainly will play TV sound from optical output or HDMI ARC, mostly will be NETFLIX and YOUTUBE. Then it will be played Spotify streaming.
It is not gonna be much of an audiophile use at all.
First choices will be one piece system.
NAD M33 < which I am not sure of its class D nature, but love the interface.
HEGEL H390 < good, but not really Made in Norway
Gold Note IS-1000D < not report power in 4 ohm load, which is suspicious.

The the second options will be separate streamers (that can do Spotify, Tidal Master(MQA). + conventional integrated amp like INT-25, MA5300,K300i. Not sure NODE 2i or Cambridge CXN V2 is good enough to show quality of Maggie when playing music.

For now HEGEL H390 is number one for me.

Toga

[TOGA]

Ok, I got the amp.
KRELL K300i. Very powerful and have a sweet Class A like
Sound.
Using loan Cardas for now, must find own cables next.
May be Kimber or Transparent.

Thanks or all advises.

TOGA

[TOGA]

Oh no. Driving .7 at fairly loud volume caused the Krell to have Over Temp shut down. Messaged a high 81 degree C.
On display after shutdown.
This Maggie must be very current hungry.

Toga.

[PHC1]

Oh no. Driving .7 at fairly loud volume caused the Krell to have Over Temp shut down. Messaged a high 81 degree C.
On display after shutdown.
This Maggie must be very current hungry.

Toga.

From Stereophile measurements.

I measured the Krell K-300i using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). I usually precondition amplifiers by running them at one- third power into 8 ohms for an hour. The Krell almost made it, turning itself off after 55 minutes, with the front-panel display showing the message "Over temperature left channel." The top panel over the heatsinks was hot, at 142.8°F (61.6°C), but cooler over the transformer at 113.1°F (45.1°C). This is a tough test for an amplifier with a class-AB output stage, as one-third power results in the maximum dissipation in the output devices. The Krell has just sufficient heatsinking for its power rating but should be given plenty of space for ventilation.

[TOGA]

From Stereophile measurements.



I measured the Krell K-300i using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). I usually precondition amplifiers by running them at one- third power into 8 ohms for an hour. The Krell almost made it, turning itself off after 55 minutes, with the front-panel display showing the message "Over temperature left channel." The top panel over the heatsinks was hot, at 142.8°F (61.6°C), but cooler over the transformer at 113.1°F (45.1°C). This is a tough test for an amplifier with a class-AB output stage, as one-third power results in the maximum dissipation in the output devices. The Krell has just sufficient heatsinking for its power rating but should be given plenty of space for ventilation.





Thank you, I read this before but never imagined the little .7 would taxed K300i so easily. I think the current draw was so high causing that the iBias logic pumping high Class A juice than most other speakers.
I did put K300i in a cabinet, with fully open front and back and 2 inches above and beside it, this met requirement regarding ventilation.
I noticed a small heatsink for such a power with highly biased designed too. I hope small USB fans to draw cool air in from front and exhaust out on back of cabinet will help.

Toga

[PHC1]

Thank you, I read this before but never imagined the little .7 would taxed K300i so easily. I think the current draw was so high causing that the iBias logic pumping high Class A juice than most other speakers.
I did put K300i in a cabinet, with fully open front and back and 2 inches above and beside it, this met requirement regarding ventilation.
I noticed a small heatsink for such a power with highly biased designed too. I hope small USB fans to draw cool air in from front and exhaust out on back of cabinet will help.

Toga

Magnepans typically like to spend their days in the shade of the 4 ohms or lower... As such, they are typically partnered with robust amps. They do like to sip on a refreshing cocktail of juice from the amp and are not shy about demanding it. Yes, the fans should help and if you are still running into the same problem, it will need even more ventilation. I do not think the amp is not up to the task but is simply producing enough heat where the engineer decided the cutoff point would be to prevent a thermal runaway.

[TOGA]

Magnepans typically like to spend their days in the shade of the 4 ohms or lower... As such, they are typically partnered with robust amps. They do like to sip on a refreshing cocktail of juice from the amp and are not shy about demanding it. Yes, the fans should help and if you are still running into the same problem, it will need even more ventilation. I do not think the amp is not up to the task but is simply producing enough heat where the engineer decided the cutoff point would be to prevent a thermal runaway.



And it was 81c at shutting down which is quite high. I measured heatsink temp of my Gryphon Mephisto and Pass XA160.5 at only around 55c in open space driving Magico and Salon2.

[Formerly YB-2]

81C (177F) is, indeed, very hot for a heatsink temperature. The .7 is definitely not a load that the K-300i is happy with. At least not at the listening levels you are using.

[TOGA]

81C (177F) is, indeed, very hot for a heatsink temperature. The .7 is definitely not a load that the K-300i is happy with. At least not at the listening levels you are using.



I installed USB fan blowing from the back, the top panel was still very warm, but no shut down in the first hour.

Toga

[Formerly YB-2]

I installed USB fan blowing from the back, the top panel was still very war, but no shut down in the first hour.
Toga
A good result. Still have the muffin fans from my Yamaha B-2 amp days. Just laid them on top of the vent over the heatsinks and did a good job of carrying away the heat.
Can now put the K-300i back on my radar. Happy listening. :music:

[TOGA]

Next is to replace .7 binding post with Cardas’s .

[TOGA]

The cure.

FYI, the Marantz network player is temporarily until Krell network card come.