Magnepan 1.7i Impressions
I don’t think they ever revealed the details. I recall at the time you could ship 3.7 in and they’d upgrade to “i“ for $500 (Assume similar for 1.7) so not extensive, but worthwhile by most accounts.
Ross6860
Super Member
I have the 1.7i
I also have tried Danny Ritchie's x-overs on another speaker and was not disappointed (other than 5 dB lower sensitivity, but my amp is big enough).
I certainly don't want to ship a pair of 1.7i to Texas for a new x-over, but he has developed an "improved" x-over for the 1.7 so curious if the panels are the same, the x-over for the 1.7 should work for the 1.7i
Seeing the measurements, I'm sure there's some gas left in the tank. Hence the X versions?
If Magnepan designed them with holes in the FR to begin with, I'm not sure their X is any better. Maybe just better parts with the same values?
The “x” are reported to be a much more significant improvement over the “i“ than that was over the base.
And a helluva lot more $ … $2000 to upgrade to “x“
Ross6860
Super Member
...and still no real description other than "it's better"?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not getting rid of my speakers until we have to move/downsize, but they could be a little more transparent.
There is a little more info, let me see if i can find again.
Edit: here it is
magnepan.com
Edit: here it is
The 'X' Series
Magnepan is the leader in high value, high quality, flat panel audiophile speakers for stereo and multi-channel use.
magnepan.com
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Ross6860
Super Member
There is a little more info, let me see if i can find again.
Edit: here it is
The 'X' Series
Magnepan is the leader in high value, high quality, flat panel audiophile speakers for stereo and multi-channel use.
So the 1.7x is a two way.........
Lots of words, some even misspelled, but Magnepan has never been known for their stellar web site.
Some FR graphs would be nice, and less flowery words.
Ross6860
Super Member
I got mine whenever the first LRS came out (2019, also?), factory direct only. I tried the LRS and liked them enough I sent them back and bought the 1.7i from a local dealer.
Pretty sure they were $2200 out the door. No discount, no haggling. No home trial (what a bunch of crap).
For $5k, I would be looking at something else.
When I had the 1.7i in a room quite similar to the OP's, the biggest improvement in SQ came from placing a pair of the cheap 4'x2' sound absorption panels from that huge e-tailer (<$100/pair) against the front wall behind the 1.7i's. They are a great pair of speakers when set up correctly.
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Mine were the oak trim base level version. I ordered at a dealer in Madison, WI. Shipped direct from Minnesota.
ejman
Super Member
Magneplanar has always represented a taste of the high end in speakers for reasonable money but many owners have complained about the serviceable but not fancy at all components and connectors. It will be interesting to see if the market is really there for basically the same speaker with premium components for an almost doubling of the price.
sqlsavior
Lunatic Member
Regarding the 1.7 'X' version, why would the changes more than double the cost of the speaker?
An extra $3000 for some better caps and coils, another brace, and maybe some measurement-based QC? Seems like a lot. Like when Grado came out with that $12K cartridge, all of a sudden. A 'whole different speaker'? I suspect the better explanation is that Magnepan has discovered the power of mysticism in hi-fi marketing.
But no, I haven't heard them.
An extra $3000 for some better caps and coils, another brace, and maybe some measurement-based QC? Seems like a lot. Like when Grado came out with that $12K cartridge, all of a sudden. A 'whole different speaker'? I suspect the better explanation is that Magnepan has discovered the power of mysticism in hi-fi marketing.
But no, I haven't heard them.
Seems like people would do better to buy older maggies and upgrade the crossovers via GR research or other sourced caps and inductors. I am still running Magnestand MMG's that I bought in 2008. I am the second owner after the mods were done, so the panels were probably made in 2006 or so. They have the foil tweeters and the modern adhesive, and show no sign of delamination. I felt that I spent a lot when I bought them, but looking back, they were a good investment. John (AKA Peter Gunn) still provides support for them, he sent me a pair of Jupiter caps a couple years ago to upgrade the crossovers.
ejman
Super Member
ejman, Thanks for that info , I had not heard about him passing. He was an interesting guy, didn’t get along with everyone. I hope whatever he died from wasn’t due to years of woodworking, some wood dust is carcinogenic. I see now he had a heart attack at his desk. 61, too sad. RIP sir, so glad I have a working example of your fine work.
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Has anyone upgraded their stands from stock up to magne risers?
if so which model did you go with as they have a newer model the 2nd airborne and the original ascension risers.
magnarisers.com
if so which model did you go with as they have a newer model the 2nd airborne and the original ascension risers.
Our Products
Here is a list of Magnepan models which pair wonderfully with Magna Risers stands.
magnarisers.com
There is also a significant upgrade program for $2k that Maggie now offers to take hour 1.7i model to an X product their latest revision.
magnepan.com
The 'X' Series
Magnepan is the leader in high value, high quality, flat panel audiophile speakers for stereo and multi-channel use.
magnepan.com
Sorry to revive an old and morbid (in the end) thread. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has subsequently modified their Gunned cigar box crossover. I've never peeked inside my Magnestand modified MMG's that John did for me about 7 years ago. The craftsmanship on the stand itself is extraordinary. Mine still look as they did the day I brought them home. They continue to be the mains for my home theater system that really spends most of its time doing 2.1 channel music and are driven by a Schiit Vidar amplifier (soon to be a Schiit Wotan amplifier).
I'm not sure what did John in. I only met him a few times as I live close enough to drive up to his place. He was a VERY hefty guy and quite opinionated, but I did enjoy our chats and he did fantastic work. When he wanted to hear your opinion, he'd gladly give it to you.
It was obvious he clearly loved what he was doing. RIP
Best,
Ritz, The last thing I did in my crossovers was install the Jupiter caps I got from John And also installed path resistors in place of the original expensive and fragile ones he had used. (Dueland) . Happy with the way they sound, I play them full range.Sorry to revive an old and morbid (in the end) thread. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has subsequently modified their Gunned cigar box crossover. I've never peeked inside my Magnestand modified MMG's that John did for me about 7 years ago. The craftsmanship on the stand itself is extraordinary. Mine still look as they did the day I brought them home. They continue to be the mains for my home theater system that really spends most of its time doing 2.1 channel music and are driven by a Schiit Vidar amplifier (soon to be a Schiit Wotan amplifier).
I'm not sure what did John in. I only met him a few times as I live close enough to drive up to his place. He was a VERY hefty guy and quite opinionated, but I did enjoy our chats and he did fantastic work. When he wanted to hear your opinion, he'd gladly give it to you.
It was obvious he clearly loved what he was doing. RIP
Best,
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