Review: Magnepan LRS+ -- Does It Have ANY Competition?
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2022
- Preview with Chris/Wendell: • Preview: New Magnepan ...
Magnepan's site: magnepan.com/
*Note: that stands shown in video are the optional Magnepan riser stands: ($289)
*Note: LRS+ is available in black or white fabric
Ancillary equipment for this review:
-Legacy Wavelet DAC/Preamp
-Orchard Audio Starkrimson power amp
-Oppo BCD-105 CD drive
-Roon Nucleus server
-Shunyata Venom power director and AC cables
-Audioquest USB cable
-Wireworld analog inteconnects
-Tara Labs speaker cable
-Small Green Computer linear power supplies
-Small Green Computer optical network cables
-English Electric 8Switch network switch
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I really want thank you for taking the time to do such a careful presentation. I tried listening to other interviews here on CZcams. Let’s just say I wasn’t getting it. But after your presentation today, I got it! Thank you so much!
totally enjoyed this. I have owned Maggies for decades. currently 3.7i's. Well done. I heard the LRS+ at APOXNA and was very impressed. I am anxious for the sub introduction as it was a massive improvement when I heard the LRS+. One of the best I have ever heard.
Fantastic review,. I really appreciate all of your detail.
Enjoyable tutorial as a retired sound contractor and enjoying hanging with engineers on the 495 loop around Boston
Thanks for using my amp in this review! 😀
Lovely review, very interested in these speakers
Interesting review, he speaks about many of the reasons why I love the LRS and have the + on order. I tried many amps(only, external DAC) and found from worst to best: Yamaha RX-V671(awful),Yamaha RX-V659, Peachtree Nova 300, Peachtree GaN 400, NAD 2200, Benchmark AHB2, McIntosh MA252, Purifi 1ET400 (reference). Subjectively the Purifi had a transparency and clarity unlike anything else that I have heard. Some great test tracks to hear this would be: Def Leppard-Acoustic Medley 2012-acoustic guitar intro, Aerosmith-Sweet Emotion-vocoder? The Wailin' Jennys-Various-Amazing voices and acoustic intruments, Bjorn Berge-Drifting Blues-Acoustic Guitar, Sarasate:Carmen Fantasy-Anne-Sophie Mutter, Beethoven:Triple Concerto in C: Mutter/Ma/Barenboim, Fever(Live a FIP)-Musica Nuda. Pretty crazy for the price.
John, what specific implementation of the Purify do you have? Input buffers, amp ops, etc? Appreciate it.
This is good to know. I assume by now you've tested the Purifi on them. Any comments? I'm seriously interested in how my dual mono nc400s would sound. They are probably the closest to the Purifi on that list.
How do plus compare to LRS
Second this question …. And …
How did the NAD 2200 do with the Lrs , being touted as a powerhouse conservatively rated …
Thank You!
I'm a year late to the comments here, but the Hypex 500w (Buckeye 2 channel in my case... very affordable) was amazing with the .7s (and Freya plus). Class D is the key. I'm not ready to spring for a Purifi yet, but your comment confirms what I have been pretty confident in saying based on my experience. I only tried the Schiit Vidar before the Hypex, but the difference was so shocking I knew immediately that Class D was the way to go, especially on any kind of budget.
Thank you for the video. I believe you just about described the sound about as good as it can be done. Thank you now I want a pair.
As a 60 year old, I'm now just starting my journey back to my audiophilia days of my youth. (Life got in the way) Just heard my first Magnepans a couple of days ago and I'm hooked, so this was really interesting to hear. Planning for my "first" system now, built around these and can't wait! But have to wait for my new office/studio to be built first. First world torture! Thanks.
Proper tribute to a masterpiece, I have had many different types of loudspeaker, I am currently using the LRS (first version not +) and I must say that it is the most amazing audio component I have ever had. To my ears it is the best loudspeaker I have ever heard along with Quad ESL63 and WE555 (and I've heard many more great speakers).
Your narratives have great meaning thank you I wish to offer more detail however I'm going to hook up my radio Craftsman c400! I enjoy and respect the physics of sound and the psychology of sound thank you for
Any of you guys who are negative about this review, ar more into reviews than you are into AUDIO. This is an excellent, excellent review. He is speaking very down to earth and speaking about what high end audio should be about: it should be about emotions. It should be as close to realism as possible. I have had Magnepan speakers before and had to sell because of moving. And yes I am on the list for the new LRS plus speakers.
Watch the review again, and pay attention to how many times he emphasizes realism and $950. Can't wait!
I have 1.7i and I find them amazing. Probably will never go back to box speakers.
It's nice to have both! I switch back and forth between LRSs and Cornwalls. 2 opposite ends of the spectrum.
Thank you for this;great !
As an organist and guitarist I'd like to go a little off topic here and encourage you all to check out the wonderful experience of listening to acoustic music through a large surface area/ lower air pressure speaker. Namely the large, flat, thin, Magnepan Magneplanar speakers . Every nuance in the music can be heard, especially, but not limited to- choral,orchestral, piano, acoustic guitar, pipe organ, jazz combos, big band... By the way I am not affiliated with anyone, I just found my first Magnepans in someones yard marked 'Free' one day. I have been an avid fan ever since. As musicians we developed acute listening skills. These speakers make it natural!
A traditional Speaker Cone has to push the air with more power/force to fill the room with sound. The result is more ear fatigue and the more excessive air pressure hitting, and vibrating surfaces, thus sending sound into adjacent rooms, even outside. The Magneplanar design closer mimics the air movement of acoustic instruments. Some more than others, but ultimately you hear a very even natural sound reproduction like no other speakers can deliver. What is interesting is that contrary to the large size of these speakers, they work really well in smaller rooms because the big dispersion factor of the sound having to radiate outward from a cone does not exist. With the Magneplanar speakers the sound leaves the large surface fully focused and balanced, more subtlety and definition comes through, and you can listen for hours and hours without fatigue.
I use my vintage Magnepan SMg1 speakers for my digital computer platform Hauptwerk Theater Organ as well as for my computer and TV entertainment system . Used market Magnepan speakers can be bought for $300-500. They are extremely reliable, but on some early models the adhesive that holds the 'S'ed copper wire to the surface of the Mylar comes loose. It's an easy, inexpensive repair, and Magnepan will sell you the glue. They will also completely restore a vintage pair for around $500, with new covering. Super easy DIY though and how to vids online. This said, every once in a while you can score a pair listed for sale as 'rattling' or 'vibrating noise' for a fraction of the cost. Always clarify with seller that the Mylar itself is not cracked or broken. Although fixable, generally too much work involved in fixing damaged Mylar.
Lastly, there is controversy that Magneplanar speakers 'take more power', but it is an inaccurate comparison because sound tests use 'sound pressure'. Fact is magneplanar speakers deliver the same music information with less pressure.
I have no doubt that part of the "spatiality" of the presentation is because of the open baffle/dipole nature of the speakers (not box). I have a buddy with 3.7i's and a four audio kinesis sub system...needless to say the sound is really, really good.
Actually, the LRS+ do work in large rooms (62 feet x 27 feet with 14 ceilings) using just a 60 watt Hegel H95 up to performance levels. I am talking about safe live performance levels (peaking at just over 100 dB averaging 75-90 dB). With the right amplification, THEY ARE AMAZING.
Also, it doe not take big power, it takes big CURRENT, and low impedance support. the Hegel H95 work great to 100 dB in a large room with Classical to prog rock. I have put large (3,000 watt) amps behind them. High current works better.
I own studios and media labs, and I have big Pass Labs, Mark Levinson, Parasound and 120V DC SPL amps and all I can say is that with the right amp, these little speakers stand just about toe to toe with ANYTHING I have ever owned- even speakers and monitors- from KII Three and PMS, to big Martin Logan and Eggleston and KEF Muon’s.
I assembled a Hegel, LRS + and a Sub for under $3,500 and NOTHING ELSE TOUCHES THIS THAT I’VE EVER LISTENED TO BEATS THIS.
Had some stop me in my tracks many moons ago at a HiFi dealer , it was only playing low level background music in the shop. I was stunned at the clarity.
Looking forward to your video on power amp matching with the LRS+. Any chance of comparable sound tracks?
I have the Magnepans. 7's and for the money they are hard to beat
Now with the LRS + even more! But it doesn't end there They love watts/current and I drive my Maggie's with a 54lb beast of a amp 500watts@8ohm 650@4ohms and 1,200 watts@1ohm and 65 amps for 500 milliseconds l also have two SVS subs intergrated with the Maggie's I did the Magnarisers stands and fuse/jumper upgrade
Jack, curious what amp you're referring to. Appreciate it.
I liked the video. Yes it wanders a little, but there's a lot of love for this speaker and you can tell. I own the 1.7i and I look forward to hearing about the experiments with amplification. The wisdom on the street is current over watts with Magnepans, which would equate to nimbleness in dynamic swings. If you can match it with the Rotel RA integrated amplifiers ( 1572 mk2 and 1592 mk2) I would appreciate hearing some thoughts about that as I'm shopping them out and cant test them myself anytime soon.
Yes, why keep it a secret, what high currant $2-3K integrated can you recommend?
@@LookSeeJoe and Frank, I also enjoyed Tom's review of the LRS+...great to see and hear his enthusiasm for their realistic sonic prowess! Interesting that his overall review sonic comments parallel mine while using .5cf stand monitors in my system! Possibly, we're hearing similarities in not only articulate and accurate speaker systems, but also due to the 500W high powered GaNFET Starkrimson Stereo Ultra power amp he used for the review! I ordered that exact model (on July 4th, with the dual mono power supplies + additional 28K uF per channel capacitance) and Hear All of the Soundstage, Imaging, Musician/Ensemble placements/spacing and Superb Transients and Realistic Timbres, with Tremendous Attacks, Decays and Ambient Trails that acoustical live venue performances can offer!! I've no experience with high powered integrated amps, but sure there are several that Tom could recommend to push the LRS+ to their full potential!! 😉
@@LookSee
Magnepan have long recommended Bryston.
I found a B3sst for $1200 with almost 5 years left on the warranty. (Musical Paradise MP 701mk2 tube pre:-)
Now my LRS have a beautiful density and impact.
Running with a pair of RELs of course.
They're magical!
🎵🎶🤫🎶🎵
It's a myth that Maggies need a high current amp.
@@carlosoliveira-rc2xt I've owned four different Maggies. You are COMPLETELY WRONG!
Get the .7’s, they are far superior for $2000. No sub needed. I auditioned LRS+ vs .7’s and bought the .7’s on 5/15/24 and no sub needed.
Magnepan need to add a separate outer ribbon tweeter to the next iteration of the LRS like on their larger models, so the main speaker can just concentrate on mids. I don't have a problem needing a separate sub for bass. You have to expect that with planar speakers.
Whew… this would have been an informative, edifying and enjoyable review if it were distilled down to 10 min of LRS information.
Go to 5:37 and you can pass by all of the sports analogies. If you know how Magnepans are constructed, skip to about 8:30.
Hello,what is the song the album that you have at the end of your video? Thanks
I'm really tempted to test these with my hypex nc400 dual mono amps. 400 wpc into 4 ohms.
I currently own the MG12, MG 1.7 and the LRS+ and have powered them with exactly the same gear. So far the 1.7 is the clear winner. The 1.7 seems more power hungry but to my ears is the better speaker.
I cannot seem to find the LRS+ model on the magnepan website
Neither is the LRS model... I called them about 2 and 1/2 years ago, delivery time for the LRS was 14 weeks, ordered over the phone... Seems that the + is going the same route, i even heard that in Canada the wait is 24 to 32 weeks...
And the objective base at audioscience will say it measures poorly. Thus audioscience fan boys should be thrown into the back of the buying line and let us subjective ppl get it first. Here's your chance to properly drive it fosi za3 xlr or rca , it sounds spectacular for a 110$ amp. It also scales with better and better amps.
Awesome speakers in every way although b&w are doing some cool things with their decoupled aluminum pod tweeters that open the signs right up. LRS+ definitely a winner.
Went to the only Magnepan dealer in town. Had cash in my pocket ready to be dazzled and ready to buy a pair of LRS+. Maybe it was the set-up and maybe it was the indifferent sales person who handed me a tablet, told me to dial up whatever I wanted. After he left me alone in the room, I played a couple of cuts I was very familiar with. What a disappointment.
When you say “power” do you mean Class A/B power amps, one per speaker and the preamps or would a newer Class D integrated amp be ok here?
One of the other commenters says that on the LRS ancestor of this speaker, the class D Purifi 1ET400 was the best sounding of a number of stellar amps. I have the class D hypex nc400 which should perform very close to the Purifi.
Decided I couldn’t listen any longer as the hyper-extended sporting metaphor entered its tenth minute.
Brilliantly explained.
Does anyone have a opinion about how these sound playing classical music? I like detail...hearing the different instruments in a full orchestra. Also, what does it do with full orchestra imaging?
that goes fantastic
Can anyone speaks to the possible differences or disadvantages of this or an LRS versus bigger models like 1.7 or 3.7. I was going to get a set of 1.7i but will wait on this one and add the woofer after it comes to market. Very excited about this and I can’t see how this speaker will not put a serious dent in the .7 and 1.7i sales as they are now.
1.7i has deeper bass and a supertweeter. Since I haven't yet heard the LRS+, I can't compare them, but I think you'll find that the 1.7i works in a bigger room -- as the review says, the LRS+ is best in smaller ones.
PS should have mentioned that the 3.7i is better than any of those because it has the true ribbon tweeter, which is one of the best tweeters ever made. It also has even deeper bass than the 1.7, to the point that you don't really need a sub. Given a choice between any of these, I'd go with the 3.7i.
LRS+ and MF m6 500i, superb combo.
Best bang for buck: wiim Pro, smsl 400ex, LRs+
Mentioned in other reviews is that these work best with about 3 feet open behind them, possibly more; that’s pretty important, I’m thinking.
More than watts, an amp for Maggies has to be able to deliver current. And that means big power supplies. I've used Odyssey Stratos monos w/ the 180K uF cap upgrade for over 15 years with good results. I'm going to send the amps back to Klaus who has is going to give them a big upgrade. Odyssey is one of the few manufacturers to publish current delivery rating. I would love to hear LRS with a big Bryston amp which is considerably more expensive than Odyssey, like wise Hegel which some people love.
In my experience while the Magnepans can give you a big soundstage they tend to make everything sound too large. Electrostatic speakers like my Acoustats also give you a big soundstage but the instruments and voices sound like they have a more correct size.
Never heard ribbons, but I own the Martin Logan Classic 9's and many friends have come by to hear them. The first surprise that is noted, is they are MELLOW, not a harshness thought to be an electrostatic experience of that past.
@@garysmith8455 Electrostatics have very low coloration. They are like an open window but unfortunately they let in dirt as well as the sun.
@@andershammer9307 Yes, yes on low coloration for sure! I have OCD when it comes to dust. The Martin Logans come with covers, so mine are covered continually and off only during listening sessions. I am on an ML forum, and the guys are actually WASHING the panels !! Yikes.
Go Pack Go !
I had been at AXPONA for a few hours hitting primarily the larger main floor suites with megabuck systems. Naturally very impressive sounding. Then I wandered into the record and accessories area. As I wandered past just plain curtained booths the sound made me stop! It was MagnaRiser with a pair of regular LRS. Even in that crappy booth the Maggie sound just shined! That lack of box. That sound field as you describe!
As a Maggie owner and lover one of the reasons I went was to listen to lots of box speakers and see if I still felt the superiority of the Maggie sound was still just more of what you describe. I came away every bit as convinced. Only other non-box, primarily 360 designs like MBL or Bayz, gave me what I was listening for. But at many multiples of the price.
One negative I find and you did not cover for the Maggies however is how accurately they resolve. They don't cover up poor recordings or pressings. Some speakers make everything sound impressive. Maggies make well recorded and pressed sources blow you away when they exist!
Agreed on making poor recordings difficult to listen to. I have a pair of .7’s and they are really wonderful.
Are they affected by amplifiers that don’t have a good soundstage
How do the LRS+ compared to the linkwitz .
Looks like GR Research has an upgrade that takes the LRS+ to a whole new level.
looking forward to power comments,sounds like tubes are out,
No competition. Zero. I have other fine speakers, however I will always have a pair of Magnepan’s in my system inventory.
Go to "settings" and speed it up to 1.75x.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t work through Chromecast to a big screen TV. 😆
2x
Never even answers his own damn question about whether or not these speakers have any competition. Just rambles on for 40 minutes
Gave me such a chuckle
Lol whatever
Review doesn't start till 12 minutes in.
Try a pair of Enotiva Hpa 300 watt mono and a pair of Rel TZERO mkiii subs that is what I use on my Revel F36 speakers
or on the cheap... with a DartZeel NHB 108 clone, some people leave my house crying their eyes out, mumbling they never heard classical in their lives before!
@@jean-pierrescherer8250
Yeah, my guests leave saying they want a pair when they find a room they can use to set them up right
🎶😉🎶
My biggest question is why on earth wear two apple watches? I can understand one and then the other is a proper watch but two smart watches?
For stereo of course hahahaa
Thanks for mentioning Max Verstappen in the same "league" as Michael Jordan and Tom Brady :) ...
Greetings from the Netherlands ...
It's confusing.So many reviewers praise these but they never seem to be speaker you see in their systems.
Skip to 5:35 where he actually starts talking about the speaker.
Carvers Platinum, silver edition and Al-3 can put form them hand down..why they can drop down to 16 hz at 78db at 80 DB pink noises..both Platinum and silver edition frez respond is 22,hz and 23hz.. the Platinum models has 4 sub each, silver edition has 3 sub..they are boxess ..all three have the same voice coils..Carver bass is Q71 with the which is considered flat..on paperwork ..even the Bose 901 can played at 24hz at 74db..it manner of taste..
.....
Wow ok maybe next time.
It's a good speaker but I feel a bit overrated, without a sub they do literally nothing much spectacular on the dynamic end of things.
Also the size , the second you stand up kiss that sweet sound goodbye. Now that's a dipole caveat. Not a bad speaker by any means, but stellar ...not really.
If you don't understand vibration you will never realize the maximum sonics of any equipment you will own
Perhaps these analogies would play better in print. You lost me at 4:44......
This guy goes on and on. He could have condensed it around 10 minutes and delivered the same message.
I have big dogs. Lots of big dogs. They are sweet but not robotically trained. I can't have a dedicated listening room does not allow dogs.These poor speakers would knocked over day one.awwwww
Pay attention to preventing vibration u can get the same and better out of the 100 dollar and below speakers! I have tried them all. I have been experimenting with different speakers amplifiers turntables cd players for over 30 years! Preventing vibration makes the biggest difference in what ever equipment you own!
No. No you can't.
I got through about 6 minutes then bailed.
"About one foot wide. 12 inches."
Aren't we, your audience, worth the time it would take to script your presentation and do a dry run or two?
I find that your subject matter matches my interests, and I'm especially appreciative of your consideration of relative newcomers to the audio hobby, but at times your presentations need a bit of polish. You absolutely know it's true. It gets painful and, yes, we ARE worth your best efforts!
Vibration acts as a muffler to sound.
yea but what does he really think
Old audiophiles sure like to ramble
Preventing vibration in any equipment you have makes the biggest difference! Once you understand the effects of vibration you will stop wasting money!
His watches r in stereo 😂
Okay, so if you're reviewing these speakers for system budgets that are not tens of thousands of dollars: Why review them with very high end speaker cables connecting them to the amplifier?
Cheap speakers. Expensive equipment. So second hand amp and diy cables.
You didn’t address the question.
These aren't even on their site anymore! And their sight sucks It always has! Wendell needs to get out of the '70s man lol
I take difference with your F1 analogy comparing Brady and Rogers (contemporaries) and Verstapen and Schumacher (not contemporaries) while not mentioning Hamilton who would be a much more direct comparison of current drivers with wildly different records. My only conclusion is that you are not an LH fan, otherwise, your conspicuous omission questions your understanding of the sport. Or is there something I missed?......
Simply journalism at its worst, this loudspeaker is a good loudspeaker that has some serious flaws, the crossover is a total joke, a simple first order filter with steel parts in the signal path , a glass fuse on the tweeter ,if Magnepan would spend about $150 more in better parts and design a proper external crossover with quality connectors this loudspeaker would indeed be something special
I designed a external crossover in 5 minutes for about $150 that would bring the LRS+ to the level
that you believe it is…please try and tell the Audio Community if a product has potential and stop the hype when is not designed to its fullest potential
Wanted to order from them and was NOT IMPRESSED with their service and communication. It’s not run like a professional company… you’re at the mercy of a rather crazy (I don’t mean that in a bad way) owner… he will ship when he wants to, etc. Not the type of company I want to work with for a hobby.
Wow. Really?
I placed an order when the LRS came out, I was given a ship date of 30 days. I received them right at 60 days. They have been well worth the wait I went through. 3 years later I still have no regrets.
i would have thought "not the type of company i want to work with for moon launches" but you wrote "hobby" .... i ordered the LRS with a wait time time of 14 weeks estimated, i got them about 16 weeks later, and they are worth waiting a lot more... but that's just me, i have been listening to them with a chinese tube pre amp, style little bear, and a swiss model clone power amp .. this will be my final set up, nothing sounds better in my listening room...
I totally agree. I first ordered the LRS model from the Nevada dealer in October 2021. I was still waiting for them 6 months later in April 2022. The dealer said he could upgrade the order to the new model LRS+ at that point. That was close to seven months ago and I'm still waiting for the speakers. I reached out to Magnepan directly in April of 2021 with phone calls and an email to their service department and was told I would be made a priority, yet I'm still waiting one week before Thanksgiving of 2022. Turkey anyone?
They do look cool. That was the reason I wanted time and money on the mmg. The review sounds like this new model has the exact same problems as the old model. Look for mmg reviews on CZcams from 5, 10, 20 years ago they all say the exact same thing about the mmg speakers. Absolutely no difference. Sorry!
See how he ends with all the other stuff u have to do to make the Maggie sound good. The other 100 dollar speakers will go farther with the extra effort to make the Maggie start to sound good
Just say no to drugs…crack kills.
If a pair were 1000.00 but the price is really 2000.00 as you need a pair the single price is always given because when you jump from 5500.00 to a pair for 11,000 everyone I know is out.
Did you check the Magnepan website before thumbing this reply Einstein?
They're sold in PAIRS!
They are an amazing speaker if you make space for them, add a used Bryston amp for $1500 and a REL subwoofer or two....
🎵🎶😉🎶🎵
I’ll save you 40 minutes of your life, he likes them.
Yadayadayada. Good lord, worst dinner guest ever.
Fell asleep after 12 minutes. Your not HP mate.
COULD YOU JUST GET TO THE SPEAKER!!!
fia stewards f1 masi CHEATED FOR max THIS YEAR AND LAST
Just cannot watch tis guy going on and on…
This has all the zest and appeal of a double header Catholic High Mass in Latin. Where are the managing editors? I'm sure you are a swell man, but this is bad and you need to be more concise and get to the point. I'm certain you'll get bad grades for this.
Just can’t watch this cat. Can you say speaker boys and girls.
What a boring and incoherent reviewer, what a bad blabber intro especially. He has good points on an interesting product but its a torture arriving to them.
The magnepan has poor all over the place frequency response full stop. The poor rising mids and high frequencies are a poor excuse for a loudspeaker product full stop. So i call you out on this bullshit of this loudspeaker. The cloth cover over the loudspeaker is also a crap idea for any speaker. These speakers are just pieces of passive crap full stop . They also cannot hold a candle in sound realism to a pair of 3 way active ATC SCM ASL monitors.
Had the mmg reminds me of American car companies. They make their cheap stuff crappy thinking consumer has no choice but to buy the more expensive stuff! WRONG! CONSUMER MOVES TO TOYOTA AND AMERICAN COMPANY GOES OUT OF BUSINESS! GM!
The company is trying to out smart the consumer! They think they can produce junk and make you want their more expensive products. What planet do these people live on when there is so much competition that is cheaper and sounds so much better.
American business rather trick consumer than make something good then go out of business while rest of the world makes good stuff at cheaper price! American business can make good stuff at cheap price but rather outsmart American consumer
Maggies are a waste of money
So many more speakers sound way better at 100 dollars! Sony elac Polk pioneer nuemi Dayton audio- with 4" or 6" midbass driver way under 100dollars! Maggies are not worth the money!!!
*I've said it since I heard the 1.7s in a proper room, 3d image. But it won't sound like that in all rooms or if not setup properly* ps the magnepan store themselves had them setup with a standard receiver and they sounded like I've never heard