Speaker Asylum: For me... by meilankev

The music as presented by planar speakers (to include Soundlab, Martin-Logan, Apogee, and yes, Magnepan) usually follows the following pattern:

First 5 minutes: "Wow - that's amazing!!!"
Next 15 minutes: "Oh my God - I have got to buy a pair of these babies!!!"
Next 10 minutes: "Hmmm, something is not entirely right here."
Within 10 minutes: "Okay, let me out of here - and I mean now!!!"

I have had Magnepans in my home for 3-day-weekend trials. I have spent hours with them in audio stores - driven by the finest equipment, and set up with exact precision. I have two good friends who swear by them, and I have spent many wonderful listening sessions in their homes. But while they have many, many admirable qualities, they just aren't my cup of tea. And most of my dissatisfaction comes down to "presentation". It seems unnatural to me, and after the "Wow" factor dissipates, I'm left scratching my head. I end up listening to the speaker, and not the music.

I fully understand that many listeners do not share in my opinion. That's cool - there is no "right" or "wrong" in audio - only preferences. And perhaps I am just too set in my ways, and close-minded. But then again, I started auditioning Magnepans for my home system back in the mid-1980s. They are always on my "must-audition list".

Funny, but the things that seem to bother other planar-phobes, such as "lack of bass", "impossible to mate with a subwoofer", "lack of macro-dynamics" - these things don't seem to bother me so much.

Look, having a speaker that can disappear like the 20.1 speakers can do is a great thing. Their speed, clarity, and attack are all very impressive. I very much understand why they are so popular. But none of the above named companies will likely ever get my cash - they just don't fit what I'm trying to achieve with my audio system.

Oh, and while I will refrain telling you my specific 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place choices, suffice to say they were all dynamic speakers - not horns, not ribbons, not electrostats, not hybrids, and not planar. Ahhh, now that is my cup-of-tea...

Kevin