Listened to the new Magnepan LRS speakers today.

Good job you didn't post this at Planar., posted on July 9, 2019 at 15:11:30
13th Duke of Wymbourne Audiophile Posts: 2799 Location: Orange Co., Ca Joined: September 19, 2001	Though if you want to sell them I expect you will find takers there. Regards 13DoW

"Dull and uninvolving.", posted on July 9, 2019 at 15:12:08
volunteer Audiophile Posts: 5666 Location: Louisville, KY Joined: January 7, 2012	Couldn't disagree more. -Wendell

I really wanted to like them., posted on July 9, 2019 at 15:15:56
Mr. Dick Hertz	Maybe my expectations were too high.

RE: I really wanted to like them., posted on July 9, 2019 at 17:29:57

sbrook
Audiophile

Posts: 232
Location: Florida
Joined: November 3, 2004

What is the basis of your expectations? That is to say, experience with Maggies and affections or disaffections for planars?

My only experiences are an extended listening session on 1.6's at Lyric Hi-Fi in NYC back in the early 2000's and a home audition of MMG's. While I did ultimately go with ET LFT-8's (A rev and subsequently upgraded to the B rev tweeters), I found enough similarity in the sound of the MMG's vs the 1.6 to presume that all Maggies have a similar sound (short of the true ribbon designs).

In the right room I would be very happy with the MMG's and a small sub so I would have expected the LRS to be no worse.

RE: Listened to the new Magnepan LRS speakers today., posted on July 9, 2019 at 19:22:23
Bry Manufacturer Posts: 5610 Location: S. Florida Joined: July 21, 2005	I don't have any experience with the LRS, but there are few speakers more setup and room dependent than planars.

RE: I really wanted to like them., posted on July 9, 2019 at 20:03:07

Mr. Dick Hertz

I guess I expected them to sound better than they did. Bass was better than I expected, mid range was OK, but high frequencies just weren't there for me. Biggest disappointment was sound staging. Almost no fill between the speakers. The LRS did not have the focus I'm used to getting with my current set up. There was a right channel and a left channel. I played two albums of which I was very familiar. I expected them to disappear, but they never did. I asked the salesman if the tweeters were on the inside edge or the outside. "They are marked left/right," I was told by the somewhat indifferent gentleman. Didn't answer my question though.

RE: Listened to the new Magnepan LRS speakers today., posted on July 9, 2019 at 20:12:04

Mr. Dick Hertz

Set up was a big concern of mine. I would have liked to bring a pair home to listen to them in MY room. I asked if I bought the speakers, took them home and decided I didn't like them, could I return them? After all Magnepan offers a 60 day return. I would know in just a day or two. His response was "We don't do that". He did say I could come back late in the week and pick up the demo pair for the night.

But but, it's on the cover of Stereophile and Highly Recommended ;-), posted on July 9, 2019 at 21:29:15
AbeCollins Audiophile Posts: 46291 Location: USA Joined: June 22, 2001 Contributor Since: February 2, 2002	.

RE: But but, it's on the cover of Stereophile and Highly Recommended ;-), posted on July 10, 2019 at 01:49:30

PAR
Audiophile

Posts: 1732
Location: South London, UK
Joined: June 4, 2019

But, Abe, did the OP read the Stereophile review?

If he did then he might find a couple of possible explanations for his opinion.

In regard to the OP's inability to get them to image correctly, Herb Reichert begins his explanation of their set up by pointing out that they are left and right handed. You need to establish which is which by looking through the grille ( possibly using a flashlight) to work out which side of the speaker the ribbon ( or quasi-ribbon) tweeters are placed. Place the tweeters on the inside for better focus ( true for most "handed" speakers). There are also other placement issues (including that of the vertical plane) to consider. Wrong positioning could make the speaker sound from "hard and shouty" to " thick and slow and soft".

Later in the review Reichert speaks of amp matching - a well known issue with Maggies in general. With a PrimaLuna Premium it was anticipated that for some the sound would be too tubey and lacking "bass punch and transient snap". Reichert's experience with a Pass XA25 appears to have seem more successful.

So this speaker seems very fussy. Taking the trouble to meet its needs may explain the highly recommended rating. I wonder if the OP went to these lengths?
"We need less, but better" - Dieter Rams

RE: But but, it's on the cover of Stereophile and Highly Recommended ;-), posted on July 10, 2019 at 04:20:34
sbrook Audiophile Posts: 232 Location: Florida Joined: November 3, 2004	So are we to conclude that the LRS is more placement and amp sensitive than other Maggies of yore?

RE: But but, it's on the cover of Stereophile and Highly Recommended ;-), posted on July 10, 2019 at 05:23:10

PAR
Audiophile

Posts: 1732
Location: South London, UK
Joined: June 4, 2019

As far as I am aware Maggies of yore were/are pretty sensitive to these issues too. I have a friend with a pair that he bought in NYC in the late 1980's/early 90's. He bought them with a big ML pre/power combination. As for placement his wife allows him a fair amount of space for them but not all that is needed and I can hear that things might be better ( hope he doesn't read this!).
"We need less, but better" - Dieter Rams

RE: But but, it's on the cover of Stereophile and Highly Recommended ;-), posted on July 10, 2019 at 08:41:16

Mr. Dick Hertz

I subscribe to SR, so I read the review. I specifically asked that the speakers be positioned with the tweeter ribbon on the inside. According to the salesman they were set up with the proper LR orientation. I tried toe in and out positioning, but could never get satisfactory center fill between the speakers, nor could I get satisfactory treble response.

I was aware that there is an amp compatibility issue with Magnepans. There always has been AFAIK. But wholesale slaughter of my system to accommodate the LRS speakers was NOT in the cards.

RE: Listened to the new Magnepan LRS speakers today., posted on July 10, 2019 at 09:10:11

Jim Treanor
Audiophile

Posts: 2167
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: June 1, 2003

From Magnepan's blurb on the LRS:

"The LRS will perform nicely with a receiver, but it was intentionally designed to extract the most from high-end amplifiers and electronics. The LRS expects more from a properly designed high-current amplifier. That is a radical departure from most entry-level loudspeakers. If you put your expensive high-end amplifier on the LRS, you will hear the difference."

From your description (not least his "they're marked left and right" and "we don't do that"), I infer--and I could be wrong, since you don't indicate what the driving electronics were--that the dealer wasn't interested in demo'ing the LRS at its potential best re setup and amplification in his surroundings.

Maybe you should take him up on his offer to take home his demo pair for the night to see how they do in your setup...without slaughtering your system, of course.

Jim

RE: But but, it's on the cover of Stereophile and Highly Recommended ;-), posted on July 10, 2019 at 09:38:14

PAR
Audiophile

Posts: 1732
Location: South London, UK
Joined: June 4, 2019

Thanks. That makes your comments even more interesting. At the end of the day I get the impression that you appear to have been trying to do business with a dealer who really doesn't want to stay trading. No 7 day home trial on a speaker = No deal IMO.

It reminds me of a dealer I once used to buy (or to try to buy) an interconnect from. In virtually the same breath he told me that the interconnect takes up to 30 days to burn in but that he only offered a 7 day return period. Or there was the dealer who I found trying to adjust the set up of a Linn LP12 with a serrated bread knife! Would I trust the salesman that he had set up the LRS as required? Not without checking it myself.
"We need less, but better" - Dieter Rams

RE: Listened to the new Magnepan LRS speakers today., posted on July 10, 2019 at 09:40:09

Mr. Dick Hertz

Let me say the salesman seemed pretty indifferent to the fact I was even IN the store. He didn't seem to give a rat's patoot about my concerns regarding proper positioning of the LRS's. They were being powered by NAD electronics. I use a Parasound A-23 amp and Halo 5 pre-amp, so I thought the results with mine wouldn't be too much different. Source was digital controlled via Apple I-pad. I wanted to ask to use vinyl, but at that point in the audition, I was feeling uncomfortable about the whole thing.

RE: But but, it's on the cover of Stereophile and Highly Recommended ;-), posted on July 10, 2019 at 09:51:32

Mr. Dick Hertz

The dealer in question has been in business for 35+ years. It mystifies me how they've managed. It's been a long time since I had been to the establishment. Since they are the only Maggie dealer where I live, the ONLY reason I reluctantly went back was to hear the Magnepans. I had cash in my pocket, ready to pull the trigger, but I decided the LRS speakers didn't offer any improvement over my existing speakers. In fact, it made me feel better that my DIY transmission line speakers were better than I thought!

"it made me feel better that my DIY transmission line speakers", posted on July 10, 2019 at 10:21:33
volunteer Audiophile Posts: 5666 Location: Louisville, KY Joined: January 7, 2012	Sounds reasonable. I like the LRS quite a bit but haven't given up on my Triton 7 which I know are a great speaker. -Wendell

RE: Listened to the new Magnepan LRS speakers today., posted on July 10, 2019 at 10:37:29
Coner Audiophile Posts: 3703 Location: S.W. Washington state, USA Joined: November 17, 2001	Maybe too "beamy"?. That is my main issue with Maggies in general. I like at least 90 degrees in nearfield listening.

RE: "it made me feel better that my DIY transmission line speakers", posted on July 10, 2019 at 12:34:55
Mr. Dick Hertz	I listened to the two albums on my system that I used to audition the LRS and the music came back! The sound stage was complete and the treble was there as it should be. I'm more firmly convinced that I made the right decision for me.

What? Magnepans fussy? No! , posted on July 10, 2019 at 12:38:20
Awe-d-o-file Dealer Posts: 21037 Location: 50 miles west of DC Joined: January 10, 2004	Of course they're fussy to all the things mentioned in these posts. I still like them. Anyone that says they're not fussy is in TOTAL denial. ET "If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

Hole in the middle, posted on July 10, 2019 at 12:41:21
Awe-d-o-file Dealer Posts: 21037 Location: 50 miles west of DC Joined: January 10, 2004	Happens often with planar. They are position fussy. But when properly set up with compatible electronics they're wonderful. ET "If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

RE: Listened to the new Magnepan LRS speakers today., posted on July 10, 2019 at 12:59:30
BillH Audiophile Posts: 3913 Location: Baton Rouge Joined: December 23, 1999	Doesn't this thread belong over in that funny ward where the mods clamped down the other day?

my Magnepan MMG speakers , posted on July 10, 2019 at 16:17:26

hifitommy
Audiophile

Posts: 15387
Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny
Joined: June 9, 2000

mine have a pair of different stands, the rais the spekers~8-10" off the floor and make them stand vertically unlike the stock ones that cause a lean back. is it luck that i can just plop them down and have experienced listeners perk right up?

tweeters in co course but on these, the grill stays. as for ampage, i have no problem with my ADCOM 555II with ANY speakers i have used at home. i look forward to hearing the LRS and wonder if the stands have the same bolt pattern as the MMG/Model 12.
...regards...tr

Used an Adcom 555II as well, when I had SMGs, posted on July 11, 2019 at 08:03:25

David S.
Audiophile

Posts: 3552
Location: Mountains of WNC
Joined: August 31, 2000

That system was an NAD cd player, an NYAL Minuet preamp, and the Adcom driving the Maggies.

No matter what room I used them in (even in various barracks rooms), I had great imaging, solid dynamics, and even some quite punchy bass. Heck, was VERY punchy when some caps in the NYAL failed while I was taking a shower & letting the system warm up - it sent a solid 60 hz through the system at super high volume, and it sounded & felt like there was a helicopter in the room!

Still didn't hurt the amp or speakers, but the Minuet was toast - so I replaced it with an ARC LS3. :)

easy way to identify left and right speakers, posted on July 11, 2019 at 11:06:37
mbnx01 Audiophile Posts: 7956 Location: Eagle, Idaho Joined: October 22, 2004	The serial number that ends in '1' is the left speaker, the serial number that ends in '2' is the right speaker. 'A lie is halfway around the world before the truth gets its boots on'. -Mark Twain

RE: easy way to identify left and right speakers, posted on July 11, 2019 at 14:15:12
Mr. Dick Hertz	Yes we were able to determine left and right, but not whether the tweeter was on the inside or the outside. I suppose it would have been too much to ask that the salesman knew enough about what he was selling to know how the tweeter was positioned.

RE: easy way to identify left and right speakers, posted on July 11, 2019 at 14:54:34
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37634 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	...but not whether the tweeter was on the inside or the outside. The narrow strip is the tweeter.

RE: easy way to identify left and right speakers, posted on July 11, 2019 at 15:33:07
Mr. Dick Hertz	Nahh! Really?

It's easy to spot in those pics or in person, posted on July 11, 2019 at 15:36:54
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37634 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	perhaps you discovered that following your post: "Yes we were able to determine left and right, but not whether the tweeter was on the inside or the outside." Next time you'll know. :)

RE: It's easy to spot in those pics or in person, posted on July 11, 2019 at 15:49:36
Mr. Dick Hertz	As I explained in one of my earlier posts, neither myself or the salesman could spot the tweeter. He didn't have a flashlight which probably would have helped.

Do you spot them in the pics I provided?, posted on July 11, 2019 at 16:00:40
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37634 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	FYI, if you've got a smartphone you've got a flashlight. :)

RE: Listened to the new Magnepan LRS speakers today., posted on July 11, 2019 at 19:47:49

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

It could be that you just don't like the sound of Magnepans. I have met a lot of people over the years who just have not been impressed with the listening sessions. Me included.

But my suggestion with these sessions that don't go well is to try other models in different locations with different gear. The bad dealer in this case can also rub you the wrong way and negatively affect your listening.

When I heard MBL and YG Acoustics at an audio show they scored bottom 10 and dead last for me! Two huge heavy weights.

At the next show I covered both MBL and YG Acoustics were my co-winners of the show - so from dead freaking last to best of show!!!

Magnepan is not my cup of tea at all - I can say that because I have heard them since the early 1990s pristine set-ups using many many premium brands - more premium than most of the owners of the speakers.

But I always give them a whirl when I can just in case because of my MBL/YG Acoustics experience and because of their cult like fanbase. I like people who are huge fans of what they hold to be the best sound. They are passionate.

So I try now to make sure I hear something 3 times, 3 locations*, 3 systems that should be good enough to get the goods from them.

* locations should not all be at audio shows. If at a dealer the room should be dedicated to the loudspeaker system not a Wall-O-Speakers.

RE: Do you spot them in the pics I provided?, posted on July 11, 2019 at 19:49:26
Mr. Dick Hertz	Pretty sure I could detect the tweeters, but they're more visible in the pic than they are in real life.

RE: Do you spot them in the pics I provided?, posted on July 12, 2019 at 04:55:04
volunteer Audiophile Posts: 5666 Location: Louisville, KY Joined: January 7, 2012	Perhaps it was the lighting. I can see the tweeters from my listening chair. -Wendell

RE: Listened to the new Magnepan LRS speakers today., posted on July 12, 2019 at 06:35:58
Mr_Steady Audiophile Posts: 2042 Location: North Florida Joined: August 19, 2014	Possibly because YG Acoustics just plain ol' sucks. The only thing they are is expensive. Well, they may not suck, but nothing about them justifies their price. Big speakers and little amps blew my mind!

Cool. I also used MMGs with stands and Adcom 555II, posted on July 12, 2019 at 08:46:44
Feanor Audiophile Posts: 9864 Location: London, Ontario Joined: June 17, 2003 Contributor Since: March 12, 2004	I used MMGs and later MG 16QR for a total of 15 years. Both are great speakers. The Adcom GFA-555II is musical, slightly dark sounding amp, and VERY robust. It will drive 2 ohm speakers and certainly has no problem with Maggies. Dmitri Shostakovich

555II, posted on July 12, 2019 at 10:14:16
hifitommy Audiophile Posts: 15387 Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny Joined: June 9, 2000	Music that I have been enjoying lately is Harry partch. ...regards...tr

RE: Harry Partch, posted on July 18, 2019 at 09:02:47
David S. Audiophile Posts: 3552 Location: Mountains of WNC Joined: August 31, 2000	Not on "Maggies," but listened to some of his stuff on my main system. Pretty darn cool, from a "bangy, jangly" perspective. Quite enjoyed it!

RE: Listened to the new Magnepan LRS speakers today., posted on July 13, 2020 at 00:19:23
Delmonaco53 Audiophile Posts: 1 Joined: July 12, 2020	Just purchased some of these.Remarkable for their price.Ive paired mine with a newly bought Yammy 803D. Some music just sounds stunning. Not a bass head so won't need to augment with a sub. Best purchase I've made in years.

Speaker Asylum

Listened to the new Magnepan LRS speakers today.

75.80.184.102