Best souding speaker I have ever heard, transparent sound

Not very efficient, lacking on low end thump,

A brief story on Magnepans. I have a 10 year old pair of Klipsch KG4's that I was trying to sell to a friend. When I set them up next to the Magenepan 1.6's and listened to them side by side for the first time I couldn't believe the difference. The Klipsch are great speakers but the sound seemed like it was coming from this tiny location below ear level and although it had the kick that the Maggies lacked it did not seem natural. Apparently my friend thought the same thing and I lost a sale because he bought a pair of MMG's. Another friend of mine who owns B&W CDM7's is not particularly impressed by the magnepans. The point of this rambling story is that if you like the kind of sound that the magnepans make then you will love the 1.6's because they are the best speakers that magnepan has ever made (I have heard the 3.6's and I don't like them that much). If you don't like the sound, all of the drawbacks like size, lack of efficiency, having huge 2001 style monoliths in the middle of your living room and the rest of the complaints people have about magnepans will concern you. I like the sound so much that I have started adjusting my musical tastes to the music that sounds good on the magnepans. I only listen to AC/DC in my car now. I listen to Lyle Lovett's "Joshua Judges Ruth" everyday because it sounds amazing on the speakers. Steely Dan's "Two Against Nature" which sounds incredible on computer speakers even gives the magnepans some of the lower bass that they are missing on most music. You would think that the more that you spend on audio equipment the more universal it would be but now I spent over $1200 on speakers that doesn't sound good with a good chunk of my music collection. Why would anyone get speakers that are 5 1/2 feet tall, 1 1/2 feet wide and have to sit in the middle of the living room, don't work well with a good chunk of harder rock, suck up every watt of a 60 wpc NAD receiver at normal listening levels and cost $1700 a pair if you can even find a dealer that has them? Because what they do well they do so much better than any other speaker that you don't care about the inconvenience, price, rearranging your house, declawing your cat, selling the car and biking to work so you can buy a more powerful amp, and only listening to AC/DC in the car or at the gym on the walkman (where it has the best effect anyway). They have to be listened to. The two times I tested them at stereo stores before I bought them they sounded amazing but they did not have anywhere near optimal placement and sounded much better when I got them home.
I play the speakers through an NAD 760 receiver which is very often pushed to the limit and can't help but think that with a little more power they would sound even better. However, I live in an apartment and have neighbors that never have complained about how loud I play the music. These speakers are perfect for apartments. Since they don't have wall shaking bass you don't get the neighbors banging on the floor with a broom. They are also much louder in the sweet spot so they don't even sound that loud in other rooms.
I have a cheap Velodyne subwoofer. I only use it for home theater. I have tried using it with the maggies and it just muddies up the sound. Occasionally I want a sub woofer while listening to music. If anyone has any good ideas about matching subwoofers I would love to hear of a good one.
The bottom line: If you heard maggies and like them you will love these ones. If not, these speakers are overpriced, cumbersome, and don't disappear into the home decorating scheme like the Bose Accoustimass.

Similar Products Used:

Magnepan SMGa

Everything but home theatre

Boomy home theatre sound not reproduceable I think this is a strength for pure music reproduction

Nearly the best I ever heard for accoustic instruments and jazz before the upgrade of the Xover...simply the best after upgrading the xover with mundorf caps and mundorf foil inductor (www.mundorf.com)Guitars voices and pianos to die for. It would be not my recommendation for this heavy metall freaks out therebut I am not used to listen to that kind of music.
I compared this fine speaker in a price range up to 15k US$ and purchased them as the cheapest I listened to. And believe me that was not a matter of money.

Similar Products Used:

nothing

Very clear, transparent, and open
Great midrange and treble
Excellent value!!!

Revealing so use good components and speaker cable

Current Components:

McIntosh C-38 System Control Center/Preamp
McIntosh MC162 Power Amp
McIntosh MR7084 Tuner
Audiomeca Keops as CD Transport
Perpetual Technologies P-3A DAC
Perpetual Technologies P-1A DSP
Pioneer SL-D2 Turntable w/Grade Preference Gold
Kimber Silverstreak Balanced Interconnects
Kimber 4TC Speaker Cables
Magneplanar MG1.6/QR Speakers

After years of living with my old system from my college days, it was time to construct a reasonably priced but great sounding hi-fi system. I anticipated spending around $2000-2500 per component. For months, I read every review I could get my hands on. I listened to an endless selection of hi-fi equipment...speaker after speaker, amp after amp. You get the picture. For my musical tastes, I constructed the system listed above. The components were chosen to suit my layed back, eccentric, and discriminating taste. The sytem was constructed with both new and used equipment. Some of the components were not the best that money could buy (if I had deep pockets, I'd bought the Nearfields I heard) but the best I could afford with the intent to be replaced in the future after some competing standards settled and new techonolgies introduced.

So, my search for speakers led me the Magnepan MG1.6/QRs. Why? I just could not find a better sounding speaker in my price range. The maggies sounded better than some speakers costing twice or more. They were the first component of my new system to arrive. Subsequently, new components arrived over the next few weeks or months. I moved from one component to another spending several weeks per component for reviews and demos.

It was interesting to hear the effect a new component introduced into the system. To my surprise, the Maggies sounded good even with my mid-level consumer receiver from my college days. Sure they lacked bass punch but they weren't broken in and did not have adequate power. Then I received my McIntosh equipment. What a difference a day this equipment arrived makes. I got the much needed power, transparency, and quality these speakers deserve. Once I completed the system by adding the CD transport, DAC, and DSP, I was absolutely amazed at the sound!!! After a month or so, I got a new surprise when I realized that there seemed to be some new found bass punch. Yes, the speakers do need some break in time. Sure, the maggies don't have a deep, low, earth shattering bass but I don't think a subwoofer is necessary. The Tannoy S10 or Joseph Audio RM22si speakers are good all around performers for the buck if you listen to all kinds of music and want more bass. The Martin Logans have similar performance but a much higher price tag. B&W 805s couldn't compare with the Maggies. The B&W 803s sounded wonderful but cost three times as much as the Maggies.

These speaker are truly amazing for the price!!! Living in Nashville I am fortunate to hear all kinds of fantastic live music (jazz, blues, folk, rock, pop, symphony, fusion, etc.). I can not believe how close the Maggies sound to live music. They envelope you in music and show you how the artist intended you to hear them. Through the Maggies, every CD or album will produce sounds you never knew existed. Of course it helps to have other components that are quality. The Maggies like good gear to accompany them.

Words of advise. If you demo a pair, listen to a pair that has been used often. Right out of the box, the speakers are a little tinny and lack bass punch. After break in, the speakers are so transparent that they will reveal any weaknesses in your system. You'll wish you could upgrade all your components. Fortunately for me, it was my intent all along.

It wasn't easy for me to let go of $12,000+ for my new system. I have found myself going back to listen to some of the components I did not choose only to reconfirm that I made a wise choice, especially the Maggies. Don't get me wrong, I'd gladly purchase any of the other speakers listed in the "Similar Products Used" on merit alone, but I just wouldn't be getting the best bang for my buck.

Similar Products Used:

Martin Logan SL3, B&W Nautilus 803 & 805, Spendor SP-1/2, Joseph Audio RM22si, Tannoy S10

Natural and realistic sound. Good for jazz classical, and soft music.

At Low volume resolution [detail] is not that great.
Cannot be played at very loud level. Not for rock music.

This speakers are good, as long you use high current amp, or powerful 200-300 watts tube amp. One thing about them, is that, they need to be played at higher volume than normal
to come alive. This is not just my opinion, but three other reviewers in the great Absolute magazine (Harry pearson, Neil Gader, Roman Zajacew) mentioned it. When it is played little bit higher than normal level, then this speaker sound wonderful with all the detail and soundstage you want.
Imaging is not as good as narrow profile dynamic speakers like Merlin, Proac, Audio physic, jmlab, and dunlavy type speakers.

Finally, the previous writer name Robert B played a joke with you guys, when he mentioned that this speakers are the finest at low listening level. It should be the opposite, what he wrote, have to be played higher level to get all the details.

Similar Products Used:

Martin Logan, Eminent Technology

Superb accuracy and soundstage at low listening levels.

3 month wait.

I am continually amazed at the detail, presence and coherence of the 1.6 QRs. Having owned them for approximately 6 months I have now listened with a variety of music. They are particularly impressive with female vocals, accoustic jazz and classical music. My Martin Logan Sequal 2s were instantly blown away to the rear of the listening room.
Before purchasing the speakers I compared them back and forth with the 3.6Rs. Guess what? At low listening levels (where I spend 100% of my lisening time) the 1.6 sounds better (more detailed) !!!!!
The bass is clear, fast and dynamic. I would NOT add a sub since it would destroy the wonderful top to bottom coherence of the listening experience.
For low level listening these are the finest speakers I have ever heard at ANY price.

Associated equipment: BEL 1001 amp, Audible Illusion Mod 3 Preamp, BEL interconnects.

Similar Products Used:

Martin Logan electrostats

Image, sound clarity (specially the mid-range), feeling to be with the musicians

Treble could be more natural (MG1c), reveal flaws of recording/cd player/ampli/etc., need space all around them to sound properly

I have got a pair of Magneplanar MG1c for more than 10 years. This model was sold in 1985 approx. Recently, I placed an order for a pair of Magneplanar MG1.6 QR in Montreal and I expect to wait 4 months to receive them. Believe it or not, I have never heard the sound of the maggies MG1.6 before. Now, I just have the money to upgrade my system and according to audiophiles in Quebec (and on this web site), the MG1.6 are just fantastic speakers for the price!! I feel like I don't need to try them to know the great qualities of these speakers. Many people have said great technical things about maggies so I will rather talk about my own experience.

Maggies placement: I tried them in 3 different rooms and they sound incredible all the time. I really think all they need is some free space around them. I have them 8 feet apart, 2 feet from the side wall and 2 feet from the rear wall. I stand from about 10 feet from them. I have tried different configurations and for maximum bass, you'd rather put them close to the rear and side walls (2-3 feet). This way, it will be like a "echo box" around the speakers and bass will be just fantastic (drum will sound really like drum, try it!).

To be honest, I don't need to put them 4-8 feet from the rear/side wall to have a great feeling of soundstage. I feel like I can be with the musicians with my configuration (2feet rear/side walls). All the maggies need is some free space to breath around them. That's all.
Just find the best placement for bass (distance from you to speakers) and everything will be all right!

I feel the maggies could have more natural treble (MG1c). I go often at the theatre to hear classical music and I think the human voice could be less picky. However, cymbals and piano do simply sound marvellous!

With maggies, I can tell you right away weather it's a good recording. Moreover, It's amazing to find that some bad recordings do use only a small portion of the planar (say 50% of the entire surface of the magneplanar!!).

The maggies reveal the good sound of audio equipment so you would be better of buying good amp/preamp, cables and cd player. I have just bought a REGA Jupiter cd player and REGA Cursa/Maia amp/preamp. It's not a hi-fi sound and I feel that I listen to music instead of sounds. Timbres are very natural and bold, more the kind of things you can hear when you listen to a classic orchestra. Cables are also important and I use REGA and Audio Research interconnect as well as Van den Hull Clear Water.

The maggies sound better with piano, vocals (Tori Amos!!), classical music, opera, jazz and Pink Floyd (their mastering is the best in rock music). I will forget the maggies if I was listening to pop music or commercial music (box speakers will be more appropriate since there are more boomy and do not reveal sound imperfection).

Similar Products Used:

Magnepan MG1c

There is no weakness

See strengths

Simply put, at $1475 there is no other speaker pair on the planet that performs as well as the MG1.6s. For those of you who list "speaker placement" and "equipment sensitivity" as weaknesses, you are not truly interested in the music. These speakers are incredibly transparent - which is what every component should strive to be. The fact that they continue to improve with better equipment is a virtue, not a burden. Unbelievable detail and clean, dynamic midbass. You will fall in love with your favorite tracks all over again - hearing notes incapable of being revealed by other speakers. Once you experience the sound of Maggies, you will never go back to a boxed design...NEVER!!

After reading the rave review in this site, I went to auditioned the 1.6Qr at my local dealer. The word is dissapointment. Vocal sounded thin compared to thiel, no bass and etc. This is the conclusion of my first listened to these speaker. I still puzzled why this speaker have such positive reviews, maybe due to its $1600 sticker price.

Accuracy, openess, musicality, depth.

Power hungry! Speaker placement.

I have now had these speakers just over 1 year now. I believe I may've been the first in my area, atleast according to my dear, to have gotten these speakers. I had traded my MMGs for these, ofcourse I had to pay additional $1150 for it, but thus far I have to say the 1.6s are worth every penny!

My equipment consists of Carver TFM 55, ADCOM GFP555, Sony X33ES, SOny 650ES and original Sony MDS-501 Minid-disc.

I use bi-wired Monster Cable 10 gauge speaker cables with Radio Shack gold banana plugs.

I have varried musical taste but have found these speaker work best for acoustical, new age, jazz, classical and electronic ambient musich as-well as with vocals.

Contrary to popular belief, these speakers are NOT bass shy. Nevertheless, for techno,electronic dance, industrial music, you will definitely benefit with a subwoofer.

I have adutioned many subs and thus far I have found REL to match the best with these Maggies. Velodyne FS series were close second.

Room placement is important with these speakers. For casual listening, you forget the recommended speaker placement but for critical/accurate listening, keep the speaker atleast 3 feet from the back and side walls.

Lately, I've been helping friends and family purchase their starters stereo systems, and I must admit, except for perhaps select few boxed speaker, these Maggies will put them all to shame esp at the cost of only $1500.00 US.

Similar Products Used:

Martin Logan SL3 and Carver ALS3

Soundstage, accuracy, appearance

Bass, size, positioning requirements

I went almost ten years after graduating college without an interest in audio/video, then I got the bug again bigtime. I did quite a bit of shopping and listening before falling for the planar/electrostatic/ribbon sound. After reading rave reviews on the 1.6QR and also hearing about it's weaknesses, I was very interested as well as somewhat leery of this product, as I listen to quite a bit of rock and wanted a strong two channel foundation for my home theater.

My dealer had none in stock, but offered to order a pair and bring them by my house for an in-home audition. We hooked them up to my old Carver receiver and he left with a check after an hour or so of critical listening. I have since replaced my receiver with a Bryston 4BST amp and a BP-4 preamp combo (used). After 10 months with this setup, I can say the following:

1. All of the positive points mentioned about these speakers in the reviews below are true, so I won't dwell on the obvious strengths.

2. For the most part, they do rock very well. Occasionally, I come across a recording that sounds somewhat lackluster. I listen to a pretty wide variety of music and have concluded that the value that the 1.6QR's add to many recordings far outweighs what they take away from a few.

3. Home theater is fantastic. No center channel is needed if your seating position is optimal. Yes, you might do better with other brands for explosions and such, but the clarity and detail of vocals and "non-boomy" sound effects is amazing with these speakers. I do plan on adding a sub sometime this year.

4. Good, powerful amplification is required. My 10 year old, 125 wpc Carver receiver did a pretty good job though.

5. While important, positioning isn't the nightmare some make it sound like. I have a very open living room with the speakers on either side of my TV against the long wall, about 2 1/2 feet out and toed in a bit. Less than an hour or so of playing around with placement was all that I needed.