I've had these new Magnepan 1.7i quasi-ribbon dipoles a month. Thought I would post impressions. Not a review. I likely don't have a great ear. A little hiss in ears with alergies/ear issues.
Setup in a bright 26' long x 14.5' to 18.5' wide L shape x 7' high finished basement. Vinyl plank floor, drywalled, carpet sided bar. Area rug between speakers and me.
Sources: NAD 546 CD, Linn LP12 and Radio Shack Lab 400 TTs, Schiiit MB dac, CCA streamer.
Power: Rogue Sphinx hybrid tube/Class D, 200 wpc @ 4ohms. (NOS Mullard 12au7 pair)
1.7i are on shortest wall. 4 feet from front wall. ~3 feet from side walls. 7.5' between. 13' to listening chair. Tweeters on inside. Aimed at listening chair.
Impressions:
All my other speakers are vintage. ADS L880, Ohm C2, Canton Karat 200, BA A100.
Mainly listen to jazz - small group, vocal, large band/orchestra. At 45-55 dba average sound levels.
The Maggies seem to turn the whole front wall into music source. Not beaming from two spots. They bloom with a little volume. Doesn't have to be really loud. 10 oclock on my amp. Edit: I'm careful of volume with tinnitus.
I think they like well recorded music. Not so kind to poor or compressed recordings. Modern jazz recordings like any Diana Krall do well.
Bass is on verge of going low enough for me. Do hear double bass notes. A nice fast sub might be added. Mye Stands maybe, also.
Piano and vocals are really the forte of these Maggies, IMO. They give a wide stage. Won't mistake for a live unamplified performannce. But, there can be with some recordings, a LITTLE feeling of being in room with musicians. Closer to live and more detailed than my other speakers.
The notes are faster than any of my vintage speakers. Homogenous tone treble to bass.
A friend came over to hear them. Said he could hear Diana Krall breathing in his ear.
You can add your your impressions if you have this model, or similar Maggies.
Setup in a bright 26' long x 14.5' to 18.5' wide L shape x 7' high finished basement. Vinyl plank floor, drywalled, carpet sided bar. Area rug between speakers and me.
Sources: NAD 546 CD, Linn LP12 and Radio Shack Lab 400 TTs, Schiiit MB dac, CCA streamer.
Power: Rogue Sphinx hybrid tube/Class D, 200 wpc @ 4ohms. (NOS Mullard 12au7 pair)
1.7i are on shortest wall. 4 feet from front wall. ~3 feet from side walls. 7.5' between. 13' to listening chair. Tweeters on inside. Aimed at listening chair.
Impressions:
All my other speakers are vintage. ADS L880, Ohm C2, Canton Karat 200, BA A100.
Mainly listen to jazz - small group, vocal, large band/orchestra. At 45-55 dba average sound levels.
The Maggies seem to turn the whole front wall into music source. Not beaming from two spots. They bloom with a little volume. Doesn't have to be really loud. 10 oclock on my amp. Edit: I'm careful of volume with tinnitus.
I think they like well recorded music. Not so kind to poor or compressed recordings. Modern jazz recordings like any Diana Krall do well.
Bass is on verge of going low enough for me. Do hear double bass notes. A nice fast sub might be added. Mye Stands maybe, also.
Piano and vocals are really the forte of these Maggies, IMO. They give a wide stage. Won't mistake for a live unamplified performannce. But, there can be with some recordings, a LITTLE feeling of being in room with musicians. Closer to live and more detailed than my other speakers.
The notes are faster than any of my vintage speakers. Homogenous tone treble to bass.
A friend came over to hear them. Said he could hear Diana Krall breathing in his ear.
You can add your your impressions if you have this model, or similar Maggies.
Last edited: