The Magnepan MG 2.5R is about 9 years old now .however they still have a very clean sound.I just got 1 pair in mint condition ,sound excelent.very happy with these speaker.

clarity, accuracy, stage, scary realism

Power hungry, Impedence dips, Low end

First off. I have been using magnepans for about 12 years total. I started off with a 1982 set of mg2 (I believe). I really enjoyed the realism and transparancy. At this time, I was running them with a quatre 110 wpc, a Kef B139 9x13 Sub and 2x Phillips flat membrane 8 inch subwoofers. Running these, a Hafler DH-500, 250 wpc. I crossed them over at 60 hz with a active x-over. Very impresive! Only really trouble spot was the highs. They were just not enough for me.

A friend of mine loved the sound so much (not even an audio guy) that he went to the local audio store and picked up a set of 2.5R and a hafler 600. He bought an active x-over and ran 2 KEF B139 in a small enclosure about 3/4' and ran them with a DH-500 as well.

What a differance! the highs came to life with the true ribbon. A trully amazing sound. Harps and string sections were unbelieveable.

Not to long after that, my friend and I went on differant paths. I became a follower of Jesus and my dear friend got hooked on heroin.

In the mean time he began selling his audio equipment and I began listening to classical and hymns. Somehow in the coarse of things I ended up with his 2.5R's and before he got back on his feet, he died, now the 2.5R's are on my most prized possesions list for obvious reasons.

These speakers not only hold deep sentimental value, I have learned much about them. I cannot give them too much power. I have tried multiple amplifiers. Multiple configurations, multiple subwoofers, different rooms, different crossovers, various kinds of music. I have A/B'ed them with multiple speakers including polk, typanies, ect.

Bottom line: high volume, massive power, quick subwoofers crossed over very low (50-60 hz).

I will tell you my favorite config so far.

Room was 10' high ceiling long and a little narrow. Don't laugh, but I was actually using a second set of mg2 as a subwoofer crossed over at 80 hz. Sounds stupid but were the only things as quick as maggies :), it gave the extra SPL to perk up the bass without the muddiness. This may surprise you but after trying lots of amps I have settled in on carver m500's in mono. 700 watts each. They sound more detailed then much more expensive equipment. I know they are not rated very well but they match up incredibly with the maggies in the upper freq. Caution, I have blown up two of these m500 carvers since I have went 5.1 digital, as the Impedence drops in dynamic events and the carvers blow easy. Also M500 and M500t are the only ones by carver that I liked, M1.0t was "icky".

I used a matching carver c 1 preamp but hold no special affection for it. Kyrocera CD player Model 810 I think.

Music: Turtle Island string quartet, Andreas Vollenweider harp music, Michael Card hymns and psalms male voice. Chrystal Lewis Hymns female vocals. Dire Straits Money for nothin for clean accurate rock and roll. They can even reproduce Metallica S&M live orchestra without sounding harsh and giving ear fatique.

If you have made it all the way down here I bid you grace and peace in my Lord Jesus Christ. May his love and grace be extended to you and cause you to appreciate one of his finer gifts. MUSIC!

In Him,
Jamie

Similar Products Used:

mg2, polk, kef,

"true ribbons" what can I say sweet awesome highs. The soundstage that these produce is unlike anything I'v heard wide and tall. Images seem to float and are big! very convincing.

These speakers are a bit old but if you can find them at a nice price go and get them you won't be sorry. I hesitated before purchasing but then when I heard that maggie sound I brought them home.