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Magnepan Full-range ribbon and planar speakers |
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#1
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Magnepan 3.7-My Impressions
Hi guys, it’s been a while since I was on here. It’s been a very busy year or so but wanted to let you know my impressions of the new Magnepan 3.7s. I now have about 300 hours or so on them so they’re pretty much run in. I went from 3.6s to the 3.7s so I was familiar with what Maggies do right. Most of what they have historically done “wrong” is by omission: lack of real dynamics, not being able to play loudly, somewhat vague imaging, need for a pretty powerful amp. That being said, the 3.6 is a very good speaker when taken on its own, especially when driven by Mac or Krell amplification.
The 3.7 gives you much more of what Maggie does right, primarily in an incredibly coherent top to bottom presentation and even deeper and wider soundstage imaging. Both macro and micro dynamics are vastly improved, I was kind of expecting that given the early reviews. What totally shocked me though was the level of impact in dynamics, there is real “thwack” there now. And overall they seem to play louder than the 3.6 does, though Magnepan didn’t change the sensitivity spec. Resolution and transparency are also considerably improved. One review I read said it seemed like a sheet or veil had been removed from in front of the speakers. I have to agree, there is more of a sense of immediacy and clarity of articulation. Probably the most surprising characteristic of all though is the 3.7s imaging. Where before images were a bit diffuse, they are now almost mini-monitor precise. Almost, I’m certainly exaggerating with the mini-monitor reference but the difference is striking. Especially the center image. That is a bit startling on it’s own since the 3.6 was actually very good at center image projection. I don’t know how much this has to do with Magnepan’s new crossover and mid and woofer panel designs but I have felt no need to even try experimenting with the tweeters on the outside edge. Those of you familiar with Maggies will understand they have historically recommended the tweeters be on the outside, where for the 3.7 they recommend inside placement. BTW, toe-in with the 3.7 needs to be more pronounced than with the 3.6. So to sum up, I’m extremely happy with the 3.7s, though it did take a number of months for them to arrive after ordering them. (PS - If anyone is interested in buying a pair of well cared for 3.6s let me know. I’ll be posting them in the for sale section soon.)
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Pass XP-20, Oppo BDP-103, PS Audio DSD DAC, PS Audio P5 Powerplant, ATC SCM 19A speakers, Aurender N100H, ACI Force XL sub, Transparent, Wireworld |
#2
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salmtpa,
Everything I have read about the 3.7's was very positive. I see you are not running sub's. I have the 1.7's and they definitely needed the JL 110 subs to bump up the low end. Enjoy your new speakers and thanks for the review. ~Mike |
#3
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Great post!
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Karl Listening Room (2 Channel): Vandersteen 5A speakers, Simaudio Moon Neo 400M Mono Block Amplifiers, Esoteric D-07X DAC (preamp) via Apple Mac Mini (Roon), Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Cond., Wireworld. Listening Room (HT Portion): Vandersteen VCC-5 Center, Vandersteen VSM Signature Surrounds, JL Audio CR1 Crossover, JL Audio f110 v2 Subwoofer, Marantz SR 5010 Receiver, Wireworld Office: KEF R500 Speakers; Sonos Amp fed by Roon Family Room: Monitor Audio Silver RX6 speakers, McIntosh MA6600 Integrated Amplifier, Pro-Ject RME 9.1 TT w/ Sumiko Blackbird MC Cart. |
#4
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Great post. I bought the 3.7s a few months ago and love them. I had maggies 20 years ago as a teenager, and the 3.7 are the first maggies i have heard as an adult that i had to have (coherent, balanced in frequency extension, not too aggressive/bright, musical, dynamic, to scale, etc).
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#5
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Great hearing from you Sal, best of luck with your new 3.7's
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#6
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salmpta great post, great avatar and great choice in speakers and also a big +1 on your thoughts on your 3.7s...
They have certainly gone way beyond my expectations... There were the expected improvements you get over the first few hundred hours but some real magic surprisingly kicked in at about 500 to 600 hrs... hoping it comes your way also. The panels freed up a bit more taking micro dynamics, transparency and focus to another level... I thought it was good before then but it is really something now. A definite shift in bass integration came also about at that time which adds a touch of real meatiness... having zero desire for a sub now. Best move was getting a pair of stands (the standard ski's definitely hold them back as well as up :-)... I went with Sound Anchor stands... almost like an order of magnitude shift... Hifi Tuning fuses also have made a difference for the better and am just about to change the stock jumpers out for a set of silver jumpers... all a bit slow (the fuses and me) but getting there eventually. Look forward to sharing even more of your and dpod4's thoughts down the track... best wishes... cheers Graham Last edited by audiot servant; 11-01-2011 at 03:33 AM. |
#7
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Nice review Sal!
Thanks, Mike |
#8
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Quote:
I'd love to try something like the Mye stands but my system is in my living room and I'm afraid they'd look too industrial.
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Pass XP-20, Oppo BDP-103, PS Audio DSD DAC, PS Audio P5 Powerplant, ATC SCM 19A speakers, Aurender N100H, ACI Force XL sub, Transparent, Wireworld |
#9
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I plan on getting the Mye stands in a month or two once my Maggies are broken in. I want to hear the difference after speakers are broken in more. I bought the HiFi Tuning Supreme fuses for my 3.7s (have them in all my components right down to my headphone amp), and immediately, surprisingly noticed a tightening and deepening of the bass. I thought I would hear changes in high frequencies so was pleasantly surprised to notice most immediate change in the lower frequencies including mid bass. I ordered Duelund Cast .6 10 watt premium resistors for the tweeter attenuator (1.0 was too damped thru my tube front and my end tube amp; and zero attenuation is just a little bright for my room). To replace stock U pin jumpers I am trying out Mapleshade (made for maggies), Cardas GR, and customized Empirical Design jumpers. The latter sound the most promising since the designer obsesses phase, signal flow, etc. and has done these for Maggies before. The best thing, tho, is these 3.7s sound awesome with no tweaks and not broken in. Question for 3.7 owners....current amp and dream amp? I love how my VAC 300.1a tube amp sounds....dream on certain types of music to have a little more muscle, so bi-amping 300.1a to 300 wpc, or if there is a benevolent ARC dealer willing to be kind to me, I'd buy the Ref 250s in a NYC minute...
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