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Posted on June 27, 2015 at 19:46:59
neolith
Audiophile

Posts: 4842
Location: Virginia
Joined: February 21, 2002
Contributor
  Since: December 2, 2004
 I picked up my 3.7i today. They now have about 3 hours on them and I have no complaints even if they do not improve with "burn in". But the reason for this post is the MG-1.7. When I got to the shop there was a gentleman auditioning an amplifier with more heft than what he had been using with his 1.7s. This was my first listen and all I can say is what a GREAT speaker. The resolution, imaging, inner detail and most important the musicality of the 1.7 is outstanding. Sure it's not a 3.7i just like the 3.7i is not a 20.7 but I could go to my grave a happy man if my speakers were 1.7s. Anyone who owns these babies has one of the true bargains in audiophile land.



"Our head is round in order to allow our thoughts to change direction." Francis Picabia

 

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RE: Old news, posted on June 27, 2015 at 22:28:33
Davey
 I was very impressed with the pair of 1.7's I heard too. It's too bad it has that super-tweeter and needs a subwoofer. :)

Dave.

 

RE: Old news, posted on June 28, 2015 at 03:13:10
Satie
Audiophile

Posts: 5426
Joined: July 6, 2002
 I know it is still too early but how does the new version compare to what you managed to squeeze out of your modded 3's?

 

RE: Old news, posted on June 28, 2015 at 03:55:00
neolith
Audiophile

Posts: 4842
Location: Virginia
Joined: February 21, 2002
Contributor
  Since: December 2, 2004
 I put the new Maggies in the same position as my old IIIa's and they seemed to like the placement (put the tweeters out). Regardless I will need to spend a few hours (days) getting them in the right spot.
My impression so far is very similar to what I noticed at the dealers -- better integration and coherence, better detail at low volumes. The range is about the same and it's a toss up on the sound stage and depth, which is excellent.
I believe my IIIa's are a little better in the lower ranges in terms of definition and impact but of course the 3.7i's have virtually no burn-in and I suspect this will change over the next week.
I plan to take some measurements today and may even take a peak at the xo - hopefully I can see enough with just the opening of the rear panel.



"Our head is round in order to allow our thoughts to change direction." Francis Picabia

 

RE: Old news, posted on June 28, 2015 at 05:24:16
Swamis Cat
Audiophile

Posts: 272
Location: Illinois
Joined: September 7, 2013
 I made the same transition last year, with the exception that my IIIa's were stock. I found the 3.7i lacked coherence for several hundred hours. Images were confused and I was wondering if I made a mistake. Time and experimentation on placement cured all doubts.

The upper midrange is substantially smoother and laid back in the 3.7i. The bass gets better on the new models with break in, and the mid upper bass is great, but Magnepan clearly abandoned the lowest bass. It never reappeared.

In my room, the new model really seems to "like" being closer to the FW* than did the old, and to be aimed more directly at the listener. The IIIa's sounded best in a Limage setup, where as this set up is much more problematic with the new speaker in my room.

Let me know what you discover as I would love to borrow from your experience.

* the high frequencies on 3.7i just jump to another level of realism when ribbon tweets are aimed at the ears, though it may call for the use of resistors if too prominent.

 

RE: Old news, posted on June 28, 2015 at 08:46:59
neolith
Audiophile

Posts: 4842
Location: Virginia
Joined: February 21, 2002
Contributor
  Since: December 2, 2004
 Thanks for the advice. I notice the "confusion" when I first auditioned at the dealer with his amp (which had plenty of oomph). But when I substitued my W4S ST500 that went away. Maggies can be very picky with whom they hook-up. I have the speakers toed-in about 5" (tweets out) so the tweeters are pretty much aimed to by ears. Brightness does not seem to be an issue.



"Our head is round in order to allow our thoughts to change direction." Francis Picabia

 

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