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REVIEW: Magnepan MG2.7QR Speakers

Model: MG2.7QR
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $2000
Description: 3-way quasi-ribbon dipolar 2'x6' panel speaker
Manufacturer URL: Magnepan
Manufacturer URL: Magnepan

Review by Mart on December 17, 2001 at 04:05:42
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for the MG2.7QR

These MG-2.7/QRs are Magnepans only single-ended 3-way model ever made. Why I purchased this model over the others available was quite simple.

1st, I can't afford Magnepan's flagship MG-20.1s, or the MG-20s which were the model at the time.

I noticed that the Magnepan MG10/QR (not the later & shorter MG-10.1) was astounding as the slim midrange was positioned so close to the adjacent slim tweeter. These two line-sources sounded almost concentric as their centers were less than a ¼-wavelength apart. I fell in love, but it had no bass. No other speaker except MG-2.7?QR had this charm.

Not the MG-1.5/QR, nor the MG-3.5/R. The MG-1.6/QR & MG-3.6/R models are clearly improved from their respective predecessors with their new phase-aligned XO (especially in the eccentric listening position as the tone of the speaker no longer changed, still don't rival that level of the aforementioned holographic sound, stock, IMHO. However, my MG-2.7/QRs did. It was as if someone slapped on a bass panel to the MG10s. The MG-1.5/QRs clearly suffered from a lack of a dedicated midrange, This won't bother anyone who loves instrumentals but anyone who wants tight vocals will notice (especially a cappella). Again, MG-1.6/QRs are much better in this respect but still are incapable of the holography since the mid-treble driver source (center of the driver) is nearly a ½-wavelength away from mid-bass driver's. OTOH, the MG-3.5/Rs had this delightful true-ribbon tweeter but the dynamics of the tweeter only emphasized the compression of the rest of the drivers IMHO. Again, the MG-3.6/R phase-aligned XO has improved the sound of this driver configuration as the dynamics of the tweeter aren’t asked to blend with the compression of the midrange in their XO helps tremendously. However, the increased distance between drivers still poses a problem. IMHO, I wouldn’t recommend critical listening closer than 12’(4m) away.

Is the MG-2.7/QR a be-all or end-all? No.

Is this obsolete planar still a highly recommended speaker in my opinion? Yes, it remains a great bargain IMHO.

Plus, the perceived speed of air-dielectric silver-ribbon cabling seems to compensate for “some” of the compressed dynamics of the single-ended planar magnetic drivers.

FWIW, if you’re into something more forgiving, I do recommend shotgunning NBS:Monitor-IVs with each terminal leg having a coaxial & braided cable. These are made for bi-wiring MG1.6/QRs IMHO.

Product Weakness: dynamic compression & a hint of cellophane in the comb type planar breakup. Also, speakers adore tons of current.
Product Strengths: close proximity of adjacent tall line-source drivers comprised of uniform voice pleasantly devoid of caverous sounds

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Krell:KAV-1500 w/ Shakti:Stone atop Marigo:Bearfeet
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): EAD:Ovation-Plus w/ Shakti Stone atop Marigo:Gemstone cones
Sources (CDP/Turntable): CAL:CL-10 w/ 5 Marigo:CD mats atop Aurios
Speakers: Magnepan MG-2.7/QRs
Cables/Interconnects: Audio-Magic(AM):Sorcerer RCAs & speaker cables - & - AM:Illusion digital w/ Shakti:Online - & - AM:Illusion power w/ AudioPrism:WaveGuides
Music Used (Genre/Selections): just about everything except stereotypical 90's crap as summarized here
Room Size (LxWxH): 21' x 14' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments: eggcrated the entire rearwave of the maggies with an ecapsulating open-ended hemi-cylindrical enclosure as illustrated here
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Tice:AV Solo w/ 3 BC:NoiseHounds
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner


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Topic - REVIEW: Magnepan MG2.7QR Speakers - Mart 04:05:42 12/17/01 (14)
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