RIP Jim Winey of Magnepan.

[jazzmans]

In Memory: Magneplanar Inventor Jim Winey (1934-2024) - The Absolute Sound

In Memory: Magneplanar Inventor Jim Winey (1934-2024) - Now, as I write, I just learned that another friend and high-end luminary, Jim Winey, founder of Magnepan and inventor of the magnetostatic or planar-magnetic loudspeaker, has passed.

www.theabsolutesound.com

Man, this one hits close to home.

I've loved magnepan ever since I first heard a pair of 3.3 in 1997 at shellys stereo.

My pair of 1.6QR get played every single day, ever since I bought them used in 2008 (I think)


thank you sir!

 

[squirrelnest]

R.I.P. ...

 

[Bodhi1]

Wow, that is sad news. So many luminaries of the Industry have passed in recent years, incl: Arnie Nudell. R.I.P.

 

[tarior]

RIP.
I gotta say, 90 years is a pretty good run.

 

[hjames]

Ah damn ... that's sad news! RIP Jim!

 

[RossW]

Very sad news indeed.
He was responsible for amazing speakers.

 

[DesertRatt]

I give credit to Mssrs Winey and William Zane Johnson (ARC) for spearheading the "high-end" audio scene in the 70s. In my area (NorCal) they really created the buzz. They were bucking all the conventional wisdom at the time. Love those Magnepans!

 

[lokerola]

RIP and thanks for the speakers.

 

[ejman]

I've been listening to Maggies since 1980 (MGI Imp) which I still have doing HT duties. Currently my main system speakers are 1.7's. Thank you so much Mr. Winey for bringing so much wonderful sounding music to so many. Rest In Peace.

 

[Old Guy8]

Have my 1.7i playing now.
RIP.

 

[Ds2000]

R.I.P.

 

[UncleAng]

Great sounding speakers. Thank You and RIP

 

[Jalousie]

Nothing original to add, just echoing comments above and another RIP. I was way late to Magnepans buying a LRS+ pair less than two years ago. Wonderful (and remarkably affordable) speakers.

 

[a_retent]

The following appeared in today's Pioneer Press paper (1/28/2024).

 

[JoeESP9]

The highest praise I can give to Jim Winey is that since 1976 the only speakers that have been in my room are Magnepans or ESL's. It's about 50% of the time for each type.

 

[Isotonic]

I've never heard a healthy pair of Magnepans, but I know that they are enormously popular and loved by many discerning audiophiles. We are losing so many mid century design giants. Rest In Peach Mr. Winey.

 

[onemug]

RIP Mr. Winey... thank you for leaving this world a better place.

I had the pleasure of getting to know his son Steve many years ago. He shared some personal info about his father and company that I treasured... made me love the Man and his Company even more.

 

[Bone Yard]

The good news is the factory is still chugging away in White Bear Lake (a great hockey town). Looks like Jim lived across the highway in North Oaks, an area originally owned by one of the original railroad barons, James J. Hill. Now it's full of one of a kind, funky fresh mansions in a rolling wooded hilled area.