MG-1.7 Improved?

RE: MG-1.7 Improved?, posted on November 14, 2015 at 09:22:54
Bert_2 Audiophile Posts: 141 Location: Quebec, Quebec Joined: April 23, 2001	I have the same question. Insights?

I went from the 3.7 to the 3.7i's...here is what I know..., posted on November 14, 2015 at 12:00:02

Mark Man
Audiophile

Posts: 1079
Location: MN
Joined: January 31, 2010

First the I's changes stem from what they learned on the 20.7's, last of the X.7 models...

The new .7's already incorporate the I's upgrade...since it was the last model released...so NO I's version on the 20.7's or the .7s...

Do a search on the web for the difference of 3.7 verses the 3.7i's...I believe What Hi-Fi has an comparison and one more article also...

I have posted pictures of the OLD 3.7 X-over and Neolith just took his "new" 3.7i's apart and schematic is posted in the tweaks section of this board...

Now...I have heard the 1.7's at two different dealers one in KC and one in Omaha...was not overall impressed and thought there was not much difference from my tweaked out 1.6's with an outboard passive X-over the Ed Hsu X-over using the same parts also in the tweaks section...

About a month ago I went with a friend to listen to the 1.7i's at a dealer...in less than 15 minutes of listening...he bought them...

I have too many posts on the differences between the 3.7 and the 3.7i's just search my moniker in April and May of 2014 and I have many more after that...

Here is what I know for sure, which is not much...there has been damping tape added to back side magnets that were NOT on the original 3.7's and 1.7's...that tape is on 20.7's and .7's, since they were never tweaked by Magnepan for the above reason..."some" x-over changes have been made...what those are...NOBODY really knows...Neolith is the only one who has ripped into the 3.7i x-over...other than the picture I have posted of the old 3.7 x-over off Ebay from a guy in Canada...

In a nutshell the i's play much bigger, more coherence, more extension top and bottom with greater detail and more precise imaging...IMHO...on my 3.7's to the i's $500 upgrade worth every penny...I had no shipping because I live 20 minutes from the Magnepan Factory...

1.7i post...

RE: I went from the 3.7 to the 3.7i's...here is what I know..., posted on November 15, 2015 at 06:50:20

JNorrell
Audiophile

Posts: 11
Location: North east Pennsylvania
Joined: September 10, 2015

Thank you for the post. The reason I had for posting the question was that one of the 1.7s that I purchased new in 2011 developed a problem with one of the panels and had to be sent to Magnepan for repair. I asked Magnepan if, since they had to replace the panel,if they'd upgrade my speakers to "i" status. Their answer was "We don't offer an upgrade for the 1.7." Ok, so be it... I liked my speakers, so no big deal. Long story short: they called me back after checking the problem out and said they are replacing both panels right from the assembly line, but wouldn't say much more than that. Well, when I got the speakers back, they were new "different" speakers... new panels (with magnetic strip like what comes with ribbon tweeters), new crossover parts, new white tuning buttons, and new heavy metal braces on the backside. I called them and was told the only thing they used from my old speakers was the input plate... so I'd have the same serial number! Total cost for this... shipping both ways plus $85 bucks toward labor (they split labor cost with me!). The speakers have been up and running for several weeks now, and let me tell you, they are definitely NOT the same speakers! Mark is right on the nose... they sound bigger and better in every way. Most noticeable is the unbelievable improvement in low frequency output. They're just as clean and tight, but now have more output down low. The second thing that was obvious to me was the way the speakers float the sound of individual voices and instruments in the air in the room... they were good at this before, but they're spectacular now! I didn't figure the "i" upgrade was more than just fine tuning, but these speakers are now playing at a much higher level! I've owned 5 different Magneplanars over the last 30 years, and these are the ones that I'm enjoying the most... even more than the 3.3/Rs I had years ago (they were my previous favorites). Anyway, I can't say enough good about Magnepan the company, or Magneplanar the speaker. Nothing else compares in my opinion.

RE: I went from the 3.7 to the 3.7i's...here is what I know..., posted on November 15, 2015 at 06:58:25

Mark Man
Audiophile

Posts: 1079
Location: MN
Joined: January 31, 2010

J...

Look on the back side where the magnets are and look at the tweeter side and see it the damping tape is there...I am just curious about that...you may have gotten a hell of deal and a sneaky "I" upgrade without them telling you...

I have been there sever times and Shelia is joy to work with...ALWAYS treated fairly and they go the extra mile...

If the damping tape is there...they you definitely got the "i's" IMHO...

Congrats...
thanks
Mark

RE: I went from the 3.7 to the 3.7i's...here is what I know..., posted on November 15, 2015 at 07:14:25

JNorrell
Audiophile

Posts: 11
Location: North east Pennsylvania
Joined: September 10, 2015

Hey Mark, I don't see tape on the back, but there are definitely bigger, beefier caps in the crossover, the light colored tuning buttons, and 2 square-tube metal braces on the backside of the panel. Highs mids and lows are all noticeably improved over what was already great before. Another thing. .. when I first got the original speakers, I experimented with the tweeter position and tweeters inside was clearly better, but after these broke in I did the same experiment, and tweeters on the outside is very clearly superior... wider sound stage with better depth, and a better ability to "float" sounds in the room, without sacrificing the tight focus on the center images. It's an impressive improvement.

RE: I went from the 3.7 to the 3.7i's...here is what I know..., posted on November 15, 2015 at 07:16:28
JNorrell Audiophile Posts: 11 Location: North east Pennsylvania Joined: September 10, 2015	Tweeters outside is better on the "new" speakers is what I meant....

RE: I went from the 3.7 to the 3.7i's...here is what I know..., posted on November 15, 2015 at 07:38:21

Mark Man
Audiophile

Posts: 1079
Location: MN
Joined: January 31, 2010

With my 1.6's I played them tweeters out...my friend Bill, who bought the 1.7i's also plays them tweeters out...

When I first got the 3.7's I set them up tweeters out...but that true ribbon tweeter, which is amazing, gave me a real exaggerated sound stage, very cool...in my room with HK/Limage set-up tweeters in worked much better...

Part of the beauty of Maggies, IMHO, you can really change the musical presentation just by placement...as they really do play the room...

The floating voices and instruments, is the more precise imaging...as you have said they play bigger...which is the expansion of sound stage, both in width and depth...so IMHO, gives them room for the more precise imaging...one hand washing the other...

I was really blown away by the increased bass and how tight and musical it is...and as I have mentioned it sounds like a single drive which leads to them sounding MORE coherent...

You got a hell of deal...as Maggie owners they are already a great value, but when you also get world class customer service, when you need it...

I am really happy for you...one of my only frustrations with Magneplanar the company...they keep things really close to the vest...but in the long run what does it really matter...when they say it is an improvement...it is...

Welcome to the Flat-head board, lots of really smart and experienced peeps on this board and share freely...I have learned so much here, that it has increased my enjoyment of my music, so much more...

Tell us a little about your frontend...Pre-amp, amp, source...
thanks again
Mark

RE: I went from the 3.7 to the 3.7i's...here is what I know..., posted on November 15, 2015 at 08:16:11

JNorrell
Audiophile

Posts: 11
Location: North east Pennsylvania
Joined: September 10, 2015

Thanks! Glad to be part of this! As I mentioned, I've been a Maggie owner since 1986...model MG-1.4. In 1987 I started working as a salesman for a Magnepan dealer in Pa. In 1991 I bought a pair of 1.5qr's before they were even in stores. I also had SMGa's in another room at the time. I eventually upgraded to 3.3/R's, which I used for a long time as my main speakers... I also kept the 1.5's for the bedroom system.. still have them! I ended up selling the 3.3's and getting high-end box speakers (mistake). So, in 2011 I got rid of the ($5k) box speakers to get the 1.7's. As far as electronics goes, I have a highly modified conrad johnson Evolution 2000 200Wch hybrid power amp, a Rogue Perseus Magnum preamp, a VPI Scoutmaster signature 'table with a dynavector 20xh cartridge, a Sony ES 400 cd changer, and a Marantz universal player. I also have a Def Tech 15" sub connected, but only turn it on if we're watching action movies, or if I want to "rock out"! I play vinyl about 90% of the time. I mostly put cds on only when I'm working around the house (in shuffle mode), or when I want to hear something that I don't have on vinyl. I'd like to get a pair of 3.7i's, but I'm very satisfied with my "new" 1.7's!

RE: I went from the 3.7 to the 3.7i's...here is what I know..., posted on November 16, 2015 at 09:05:45
Hasse Audiophile Posts: 417 Joined: June 2, 2000	"Will continue to post noticeable changes...I still am not noticing any real changes in the Bass" "I was really blown away by the increased bass and how tight and musical it is" Hi Mark, hope everything is fine. Since you did not notice any change in the bass when you first got your upgraded (to i-status) 3.7�s back from Magnepan, are you sure your "original" 3.7�s were fully broken in?

RE: I went from the 3.7 to the 3.7i's...here is what I know..., posted on November 16, 2015 at 13:45:16
Satie Audiophile Posts: 5430 Joined: July 6, 2002	I think that bracing does allot to improve bass and reduce IMD in the midrange. I wish they had listened to us earlier on the matter. The most universally agreed upon mod on the forum is bracing of the maggies. Some even think of a maggie without Mye stands or a substitute as incomplete.

RE: I went from the 3.7 to the 3.7i's...here is what I know..., posted on November 16, 2015 at 16:32:30

JNorrell
Audiophile

Posts: 11
Location: North east Pennsylvania
Joined: September 10, 2015

I completely agree. I've actually never "modified" any of my Maggies, but I'm not opposed to trying... The tweaks that seem to make the most sense to me are panel bracing stands, crossover component upgrades, and higher quality fuses (or removing the fuses from the signal path altogether).I'd like to try a high quality all-tube power amplifier too. I've had some, but they were used on other speakers...

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MG-1.7 Improved?

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