$800 Magnepan 1.7

[thought91]

Hey folks, I was browsing Craigslist last night and I happened upon a pair of 1.7's for 800 dollars. I'm not too familiar with Magnepan, although the descriptions online seem appealing. Well, I did some research, and read that 1.7's seem not to be particularly great. I thought for 800 dollars though, it might be worth a try. My current mains are the Vandersteen Model 3's, running off of a Nikko Alpha 1 (220 WPC). I won't get rid of the Vandersteen's if I buy these, and I have Klipsch Chorus' for rock speakers. My plan was to wait for some Infinities for about the price the guy's asking for the Magnepan's, but these popped up and have caught my attention. I am looking for an upgrade from my Vandersteen's, so if these would be a side step I guess I'll hold off.

https://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/d/magnepan-17-speakers/6546784624.html

 

[trinhsman]

Hard to say if an upgrade. Well regarded speakers. Many feel the best bang for buck in the Maggie line. Vandy’s Are great. I owned a set. Maggie’s, when set up right are very special. If you had the chance to listen to them I would do it. Amazing price. Just make sure ther’s no buzzing at higher volumes.

 

[thought91]

Hard to say if an upgrade. Well regarded speakers. Many feel the best bang for buck in the Maggie line. Vandy’s Are great. I owned a set. Maggie’s, when set up right are very special. If you had the chance to listen to them I would do it. Amazing price. Just make sure ther’s no buzzing at higher volumes.

They're about an hour away, but I'll ask if I can audition them.

 

[hjames]

Magnepans can be a most intriguing speaker with a great sound with the proper powerful amp -
they can also be a tinkerer's nightmare if they start buzzing and need to be reglued/rebuilt.
I'd probably stay with the Vandy 3s if you like the way they sound - unless you just like projects.
Honestly, Mags are fine - but - some day they will need a rebuild ... its just their nature.

 

[thought91]

Magnepans can be a most intriguing speaker with a great sound with the proper powerful amp -
they can also be a tinkerer's nightmare if they start buzzing and need to be reglued/rebuilt.
I'd probably stay with the Vandy 3s if you like the way they sound - unless you just like projects.
Honestly, Mags are fine - but - some day they will need a rebuild ... its just their nature.

the Vandersteen's do what they do well enough that my mind has adapted to love their sound, but I've always leaned more towards the sound Magnepan's seem to reproduce. I'm a recovering headphone addict, and I always loved the vintage planars. Cold and thin has always been my cup of tea. Not that the Maggies sound cold and thin, I have no idea. Based on the descriptions I've read though, and what I tend to like, I think I'd enjoy them.

 

[hjames]

the Vandersteen's do what they do well enough that my mind has adapted to love their sound, but I've always leaned more towards the sound Magnepan's seem to reproduce. I'm a recovering headphone addict, and I always loved the vintage planars. Cold and thin has always been my cup of tea. Not that the Maggies sound cold and thin, I have no idea. Based on the descriptions I've read though, and what I tend to like, I think I'd enjoy them.

My wife says with Magnepans, its like swimming in the music ...

 

[trinhsman]

I owned a set of Tympani 1C’s in the 70’s and 80’s. Had them rebuilt once during my time owning them. When all was right, they were spectacular. Total wall of sound and incredible depth. As they age, you really don’t notice it. But once the rebuild is done, you wonder how you could have listened to them. My bottom line is now would I own Maggie’s again? Hard to say. Probably only if they were fairly new and I knew they would be good for several years before needing the rebuild.

 

[swechsler]

I haven't heard the 1.7, but if it was me I'd wait for a set of Magneplanars with ribbon tweeters to come up. But I like a clear and sparkling top end.

 

[HH-Bham]

I listened to a pair of those recently and was very impressed. However, the owner told me that starting with about a 250 watt amp (if I recall correctly) he had been on a journey of buying more and more powerful amps as the speakers sounded better each upgrade. I don't recall exactly where he ended up but seem to recall that it was over 400 watts, but I'm sure I did not see the amp as it was in a closet behind the sound room so that the fan noise would not be bothersome.

 

[thought91]

I listened to a pair of those recently and was very impressed. However, the owner told me that starting with about a 250 watt amp (if I recall correctly) he had been on a journey of buying more and more powerful amps as the speakers sounded better each upgrade. I don't recall exactly where he ended up but seem to recall that it was over 400 watts, but I'm sure I did not see the amp as it was in a closet behind the sound room so that the fan noise would not be bothersome.

I have faith in my Nikko, although I do need to update it. Well, I'll go check them out. Even my lovely Vandersteen's sounded pretty average to me in the seller's setup though, nothing seems to sound good until I bring it home. If I do buy them and find that I don't like them, I don't think I'd struggle to make my money back.