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Magnepan Full-range ribbon and planar speakers |
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#1
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20.7 audition underwelming
Saturday I drove to the local dealer who had a set of 20.7s set up for me. I had fully intended to make the purchase w/ a 10K deposit in the bank. They were using Classe amplifier and Ayre pre-amp w/ a server for their music and I brought some CDs and LPs but they don't demo LPs regularly and I forgot to ask. In any case after 2h listening I found myself rather perplexed. Overall the 20.7 delivered more than my 3.7s in every area (soundstage, bass, coherence, detail, air) but not so much more that I could honestly justify the purchase. I left rather deflated, but perhaps my expectations were unrealistic. I listened to music that I have known for more than 40 years on every system I've owned (Solti's Beethoven 3rd, Ansermet's Falla Tres Picos, and Lyontine Price's Blue Album of Puccini and Verdi arias, I have CDs and LPs). The strengths and flaws of these albums are second nature to me, so it was not a lack of familarity w/ the material. Their equipment was not "blank check" but neither is mine. So there you have it. Guess I'll keep listening to the 3.7s.
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Wilson Alexia V; ARC Ref 6SE; ARC Ref Phono 3SE; Boulder 1160; Esoteric K1X; Artisan Fidelity Garrard 301 Statement; Ikeda 407; Koetsu Leopard, Coralstone; Shunyata Denali 6000T; Shunyata AC cables; Siltech Prince speaker cables; Siltech Princess interconnects, Avondale II phono. |
#2
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I think you hit the nail on the head while the 20.7s deliver more in every area, whether more is "enough more", will vary with each individual. I could have been happy with my 3.7s for years to come, in my case though, I felt the substantial cost difference to be worth it. others may not.
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#3
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Dan STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113 VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A Last edited by jdandy; 03-25-2013 at 06:39 PM. |
#4
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#5
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Appreciate the thoughtfullness of all your responses. I am prone to getting caught up in the audio reviews so that may have raised expectations to unreasonable levels. Money is an issue and I have to balance out gains vs. cost which frankly was the deciding factor, not so much the speakers themselves. I had some trepidation about posting my experience but now I am glad that I did.
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Wilson Alexia V; ARC Ref 6SE; ARC Ref Phono 3SE; Boulder 1160; Esoteric K1X; Artisan Fidelity Garrard 301 Statement; Ikeda 407; Koetsu Leopard, Coralstone; Shunyata Denali 6000T; Shunyata AC cables; Siltech Prince speaker cables; Siltech Princess interconnects, Avondale II phono. |
#6
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djcxxx - think that's the issue with the 3.7s, they deliver so much. I always loved them, they almost suited me perfectly... the only "if only" thing about them was them not being quite full range enough.
So the extra 10hz costs 10k... that hurts a bit... but it did get rid of the only sticking point so I have speakers without the "if onlys". I'd probably have been happy with just that but as they also improved a bit in other areas I saw it as an expense but well more than worth it. It's great you post your experience with the 20.7s because we all make different calls on gear and you did the best thing... you auditioned first rather than just assuming what makes others happy will be right for you. It's always better (and less expensive) if you can love the one your with rather than being constantly on the look out for something new. Lasting happiness is often the best outcome. Graham Last edited by audiot servant; 03-25-2013 at 05:49 PM. |
#7
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I think the biggest area of improvement from the 3.7 to the 20.7 will be image size.
If you have the room , the 20.7's will throw a sound field that is much more realistic, especially for orchestra..... |
#8
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Myles Astor, Senior Editor., Positive-Feedback.com, Goldmund Telos 300 amplifier, Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier, Doshi EVO phono and tape stages; Zellaton Plural EVO speakers; VPI Vanquish Turntable, VPI 12-inch Fat Boy gimbal arm and SAT LM-12 arm; Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, Fuuga mk.2, vdh Colibri Master Signature cartridges; Technics 1506/FM heads; Various cables including TA, MIT, Kubala-Sosna, Skogrand, Viero L3 Equilibrio speaker cables, Audience, SRA Craz 3 rack, Isobase and OHIO Class XL+2.1 platforms. |
#9
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I thought that price difference between 3.7 and 20.7 goes "too wild", but consider this:
1.7 is about 40% of price of 3.7 and 3.7 is about 40% of price of 20.7, so I guess there is some logic in this? |
#10
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Agreed. What is the extra cost associated with. It can't be that many more man hours to build than a 3.7. Material wise I understand it has extra magnet layout but probably not 40% worth. BUT I guess you can claim this to just about every high end product out there.
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