Magnepan 1.7 compaired to 3.7's questions
 

I shouldn’t start down this path but here goes. Those of you that have the 3.7’s, did you happen to also listen to the 1.7’s? How would you compare 3.7’s to the 1.7’s? I currently have the 1.7’s with two JL 110 subwoofers. How much better would the music be do you think, with an upgrade to the 3.7’s? I would be keeping the JL 110 as they do a really nice job on the low end.
Just toying with the idea. :D

~Mike

First congrats on doing the subs the right way (two jl110s). That is sweet. I auditioned both 1.7 and 3.7 at my Magnepan dealer. Both had the fast transparent wall of sound that I have failed to hear in any box speaker. My ears are very sensitive to sharp etchy balance of tone. I tend to like rich midrange as the center of gravity. The 1.7s sounded too lean and bright to my ears demoed in the dealers system (1st with Mcintosh and then Ayre gear). The 3.7s have a center of gravity at a lower register than the 1.7s in my opinion so they struck me as more balanced, warmer, richer and dynamic. Same house sound of big transparency and speed and open sound field. I mate a Velodyne dd15+ sub and that adds more growl. With your JL110s paired in that might have made feel the same way about them as I did with the 3.7s. I am super happy with 3.7s and struggle to decide whether to trade up to 20.7s. For folks like us if the 1.7 or 3.7s are great there is logic in staying put and funneling $$ into music.

I am likely going to trade up to 20.7s so will have an almost broken in pair of 3.7s in perfect condition (4 mos old) for sale at discount off retail.

Darrin

Thanks for the reply Darrin. The dealer where I bought my 1.7s (the 3.7s weren't out yet) had a pair of Quad ESL 2905's is the same room. Everything was going fine till he switched over to the Quads. Wow what a difference. Of course we are talking a $15,000 speaker compared to a $2,000 speaker. I agree with you, 1.7's are a little lean by themselves especially when they are not broke in. Add one or two good subs and the sound becomes more full bodied. I was wondering what I would get for $3,500 more, since I already have the low range covered. Would I gain that much more? But from your comment, “they struck me as more balanced, warmer, richer and dynamic", that sounds like a definite yes.

~Mike

I have not heard Quad 2905s but I would definitely like to. For me there is a top to bottom seamless coherence to the 3.7s.

+100% on Darrin's thoughts. I auditioned both on same gear (no subs tho) and the 3.7s had it on correct weight on the left hand of the piano, bigger scale, more authority and even a shade more transparent and overall more compelling musical experience... more real.

The 3.7s are going to be hard to trade up for 20.7s as they certainly aren't the limiting factor in my system... since you're giving your 1.7's such great bottom end support with the JL subs it's hard to be sure total gain but I can guess that you might be able to cross them a touch lower and that might just make it a singularly more coherent, fleshier and possibly even bigger soundstage... I reckon the 3.7s are well and truly worth the price difference over the 1.7s as they are.

A well cared for well run in second hand set 3.7s would be great since they seriously are just getting on song at 600 hrs (and also speaker stands, good fuses and jumpers make the world of difference IMO). Could keep the 1.7s as rears if you wanted an amazing HT set-up in the future as well. Best wishes with it either way.

Graham

Thank you Graham for your input. Since you and Darrin got to hear both of them and noticed that big of a difference, I think the 3.7's would be the end of the road for me concerning speakers. Then I can start working on the room, speaker cables and other little tweaks. I did consider buying a high end pair of head phones but your comment Graham, that you were listening more to your 3.7's then your Audeze LCD 2's got me thinking about the 3.7's again.

Thanks again Graham and Darrin for your impressions.

~Mike

"....you might be able to cross them a touch lower and that might just make it a singularly more coherent, fleshier and possibly even bigger soundstage..."

Well stated Graham!

Heard both of them, but I never get a chance to compare 1.7 & 3.7 side by side. My short answer is go for the 3.7.

When I traded my 1.6 up to 3.6, not much regrets at all. There was really some minor coherence issue with 3.6, but those ribbon tweeters alone outweighed it. Larger sound field, better depth and soundstaging are obvious advantage too.

Already cancelled my order for the 3.7 (been waiting half a year now) and will pur more desposit for the 20.7 instead, as soon as Magnepan allows my dealer to send them a PO. Hope longer wait will be worth it. :)

Klao,

I don't think you will be disappointed. The 20.7's should be an awesome speaker. The wait has got to be tough. What electronics will you be using with them?

~Mike

I'm waiting to build a bigger listening room too, Mike. So it shouldn't be that bad of a wait. :)

My front end are only digital: BDP-1, BDA-1, & MWI Oppo 95 Tube. I have two preamps, either one of which I'm selling to finance new room and speakers: ARC REF40A & Aesthetix Calypso Signature. Hope my Bryston 7B-SST2 pair will do OK with the 20.7 as well.