Magnepan 1.7i Impressions

[Old Guy8]

I still think you need some diffusion behind those Maggies. Those walls look awfully bare to me, just put some stuff on them! Not absorbing things like pillows, just some odd angle reflecting hard stuff.

I have made some attempt at diffusion on right and left short front walls, behind Maggie's. Fake plants and plastic crates, so far. I just don't currently have budget for $$$ audio diffusers. And no good substitution yet, come to mind.

 

[ejman]

I really don't think that spending $$$ for "officially audiophile approved audio diffusers" is necessary. The items you have placed behind the speakers look sort of soft absorbing stuff to me. Just anything that's hard and reflecting and at odd angles will probably help. Basically, the sound from the back of the speakers should be reflected in random directions. Also, because the 1.7's are tall speakers, "stuff" should be placed at various heights behind the speakers, not just at the bottom.

 

[ejman]

Dunno if this helps at all but anyway, this is what's behind my Maggies, which are 6 ft from the front wall

 

[Old Guy8]

The tweeters are still on the inside. The Maggie's manual recommends having the tweeters behind the woofer side. It's very difficult to measure.
I've now used a 4' drywall T-square on floor at front of speakers to measure toe in.. I have tweeters 1" farther away than woofers, same on both.

 

[onemug]

I have tweeters 1" farther away than woofers

Try 2", then go forward or back from there. Experiment with the tweeters outside also. See what your ears like best.

 

[Old Guy8]

Try 2", then go forward or back from there. Experiment with the tweeters outside also. See what your ears like best.

Will try Some experimenting.
Because they're tops are at my eye level, was tough to gage toe-in. The T square is a great help.

Edit: Trying tweeters 2" farther away than woofers. Will leave there for a while. Like so far.

 

[Old Guy8]

I found the pictured steel wall art at a SA store, for diffusion behind Magnapans. They have curved convex surfaces.
Mounted at speaker height, although with pic distortion doesn't look like it.
I think the diffusion has improved sound.
I'm going to keep looking for more diffusion wall objects.

Edit:
I have updated pictures after I adding body pillows as bass traps behind crates, used as diffusers.

 

[Archguy]

May I ask: what exactly are those crates, and where did you find them? If they are spray-painted in your choice of color, and then filled with sheet foam, crushed foam or your choice of absorbing material (even packing peanuts) they might work quite well as diffraction/absorbtion devices. I really like their form factor & perforation patterns. Were they purchased as LP racks?

 

[Old Guy8]

May I ask: what exactly are those crates, and where did you find them? If they are spray-painted in your choice of color, and then filled with sheet foam, crushed foam or your choice of absorbing material (even packing peanuts) they might work quite well as diffraction/absorbtion devices. I really like their form factor & perforation patterns. Were they purchased as LP racks?

I bought them, maybe in the 70's. Vertical ones for vinyl. Horizontal version for RtR tapes. At a Venture store, like a Kmart. They are just plastic.
As you say I'm useing for diffraction. Maybe pillows inside for absorption?

 

[Archguy]

I bought them, maybe in the 70's. Vertical ones for vinyl. Horizontal version for RtR tapes. At a Venture store, like a Kmart. They are just plastic.
As you say I'm useing for diffraction. Maybe pillows inside for absorption?

Aww crap. The 70s! Oh well, I actually don't need more stuff around here. Thanks

 

[renault4]

New user here, enjoying this thread! Planning on a two-channel purchase in fall of this year (to coincide with retirement). I've been auditioning Magnepans where I can, mostly 0.7is so far. I have a few questions for Maggie 1.7i owners from this prospective buyer:

• What sort of variation of price did you experience? I'm seeing a range of $1995 to $2200; I imagine some of that is driven by the choice of accent materials (I'd probably stay with black/grey shroud and black aluminum side accent).
• I live in a state that has no listed dealer (Boise, ID) will Magnepan ship direct (I have a call into their customer service)
• Its also possible I could pick them up from a nearby dealer in a neighboring state (UT, OR), what is the size and weight of the box?

thanks for your help!

PS, I do not have any pets! though had a Golden retriever for 13 lovely years

 

[Old Guy8]

New user here, enjoying this thread! Planning on a two-channel purchase in fall of this year (to coincide with retirement). I've been auditioning Magnepans where I can, mostly 0.7is so far. I have a few questions for Maggie 1.7i owners from this prospective buyer:

• What sort of variation of price did you experience? I'm seeing a range of $1995 to $2200; I imagine some of that is driven by the choice of accent materials (I'd probably stay with black/grey shroud and black aluminum side accent).
• I live in a state that has no listed dealer (Boise, ID) will Magnepan ship direct (I have a call into their customer service)
• Its also possible I could pick them up from a nearby dealer in a neighboring state (UT, OR), what is the size and weight of the box?

thanks for your help!

PS, I do not have any pets! though had a Golden retriever for 13 lovely years

Hello Renault,
Welcome to AK.
If you went through this thread, see l've had about a year. Mine are lowest price version, at $2k. Has a black oak strip on two narrow side edges. The $2200 version I believe has a wrap around aluminum edge. May help stiffen panel. And if you move them, you could grip aluminum instead of cloth. I bought at a shop and by miscommunication didn't know about aluminum option was extra cost. Ordered and shipped direct my door in two weeks. One box, 6' tall & weight 93#s.
There is a guy in Canada has a side business making heavier stands for Maggies, called Mye stands. If in future interest of an upgrade.
Demo in audio shop I had was not well placed in room. So I bought with a lot of faith would work for me, my room and electronics.
Do investigate for matching amp to any Maggies. Inefficient 4 ohm load they are, wants a good good match. Either of my Rogue amps have enough power for my listening jazz. Under 70 db sound levels in 400 sf bright room with two doorways.
Do call Magnepan and discuss your needs.
I've been considering a REL T7i or T9i sub. Maybe a second later.
Magnepans, at least these smaller models don't go low.
Keep undated on your quest. I like them for my jazz. Positioning is critical to get most out of them. Well into room. Diffusion on front wall.
I'll pic the edge on my panel.
Ask any questions. There is a thread in AK about the new LRS $650 model, also. Much of that discussion could apply to this model.

You might get more responses if you start a thread for your questions in the Speakers thread. There is more traffic there. But, your welcome to ask in this thread.
I believe there are other AK members in Boise.

 

[renault4]

Hello Renault,
Welcome to AK.
If you went through this thread, see l've had about a year. Mine are lowest price version, at $2k. Has a black oak strip on two narrow side edges. The $2200 version I believe has a wrap around aluminum edge. May help stiffen panel. And if you move them, you could grip aluminum instead of cloth. I bought at a shop and by miscommunication didn't know about aluminum option was extra cost. Ordered and shipped direct my door in two weeks. One box, 6' tall & weight 93#s.
There is a guy in Canada has a side business making heavier stands for Maggies, called Mye stands. If in future interest of an upgrade.
Demo in audio shop I had was not well placed in room. So I bought with a lot of faith would work for me, my room and electronics.
Do investigate for matching amp to any Maggies. Inefficient 4 ohm load they are, wants a good good match. Either of my Rogue amps have enough power for my listening jazz. Under 70 db sound levels in 400 sf bright room with two doorways.
Do call Magnepan and discuss your needs.
I've been considering a REL T7i or T9i sub. Maybe a second later.
Magnepans, at least these smaller models don't go low.
Keep undated on your quest. I like them for my jazz. Positioning is critical to get most out of them. Well into room. Diffusion on front wall.
I'll pic the edge on my View attachment 1752321 panel.
Ask any questions. There is a thread in AK about the new LRS $650 model, also.

You might get more responses if you start a thread for your questions in the Speakers thread. There is more traffic there. But, your welcome to ask in this thread.

Thanks!

Talked to both Magnepan directly and Dealer in UT; basically Dealer in SLC would order from Magnepan and have them drop shipped to my Boise Address--unless I was lucky at the time I was ready to buy, seems like a lot of dealers don't carry the 1.7is in stock except for demos. I'm looking at Schiit Vidar (actually a pair as mono amps); though not strictly rated at 4 ohms (400W into 8 ohms) they should handle them at my listening levels without going into protection. I hope to get a listen to both in about a month at Schiit HQ.

 

[Old Guy8]

Thanks!

Talked to both Magnepan directly and Dealer in UT; basically Dealer in SLC would order from Magnepan and have them drop shipped to my Boise Address--unless I was lucky at the time I was ready to buy, seems like a lot of dealers don't carry the 1.7is in stock except for demos. I'm looking at Schiit Vidar (actually a pair as mono amps); though not strictly rated at 4 ohms (400W into 8 ohms) they should handle them at my listening levels without going into protection. I hope to get a listen to both in about a month at Schiit HQ.

An outside chance, maybe an AK member near you has Maggies and would offer demo.
There are many Maggie owners on AK, to offer amp advice. Search Google for other threads here and that Vidar amp. Lot of helpful people here.
I have Schitt Multibit dac and Loki equalizers. Work well for me.
Good luck.

 

[Silentnet]

Thanks!

Talked to both Magnepan directly and Dealer in UT; basically Dealer in SLC would order from Magnepan and have them drop shipped to my Boise Address--unless I was lucky at the time I was ready to buy, seems like a lot of dealers don't carry the 1.7is in stock except for demos. I'm looking at Schiit Vidar (actually a pair as mono amps); though not strictly rated at 4 ohms (400W into 8 ohms) they should handle them at my listening levels without going into protection. I hope to get a listen to both in about a month at Schiit HQ.

Look in to a refurbed Nakamichi PA-7AX (I/II).. Should run you about $1500; STASIS / Nelson Pass design, good for 400+ WPC in to 4 ohms, stable down to 1 ohm.

This thing can't be beat for under $5k

Edit: was quite a ways along when I posted this. Toned it down some.

 

[sqlsavior]

Mine are lowest price version, at $2k. Has a black oak strip on two narrow side edges. The $2200 version I believe has a wrap around aluminum edge.

Hmm. The pricing may have changed since I got my 1.7s, because I paid $2200 (an extra $200) to get the oak strip w/off-white cloth (same as post #43), while the aluminum-sided ones were standard, and cheaper. I think they may have figured out which option actually cost them more. They may have also been busy trying to keep up with demand at the time. I had to wait awhile.

 

[Old Guy8]

Hmm. The pricing may have changed since I got my 1.7s, because I paid $2200 (an extra $200) to get the oak strip w/off-white cloth (same as post #43), while the aluminum-sided ones were standard, and cheaper. I think they may have figured out which option actually cost them more. They may have also been busy trying to keep up with demand at the time. I had to wait awhile.

I thought my black oak, black cloth version 1.7i are same edge design as 1.7. Other color oak and cloth choices were extra cost.
My dealer had a set with 2 inch semi-circular aluminum wrapping vertical edges and had color options for aluminum and cloth. This option started with 1.7i for $2200. This option was supposed to add stiffness, also. I'm sure the added aluminum pieces added to manufacturing costs.
If I had been informed of all options by the dealer, would have added aluminum edge option, for $200.

I'd advise any one thinking of buying some. Review the options so they are clear to you. Their site was not clear to me.
And after market Mye stands are available in versions for either the 1.7 style (mine) or 1.7i style (with aluminum edge). If planning on adding Mye stands for rigidity, maybe forgo aluminum edge $200 option. Use saving toward Mye stands. But I've not seen Mye stands in person.

 

[Old Guy8]

I've added a little more random diffusion behind the panels. Also body pillows in corner behind crates. It helps.

 

[Old Guy8]

Though I would add that I have viewed an interesting U Tube review of the 1.7i. Audio Excellence Canada has about a half hour review. And they also did separate review comparing LRS and .7is. Three guys discuss thier views on them. Thier takes.
Interesting when they talk about sub woofers with them. They aren't fans because they aren't fast enough for them.
I have no connection to thier Canada store.

 

[E-Stat]

Pretty much what I expected. LRS is great deal, but there's no substitution for panel area and height.

Love the Clearaudio Statement behind Jake.