Magnepan LRS loudspeaker Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog Sources: Dr. Feickert Analogue Blackbird turntable with Jelco KT-850L tonearm, AMG Giro G9 turntable & 9W Turbo tonearm; AMG Teatro, EMT TSD 75 SFL, Etsuro Urushi Cobalt Blue, Zu/DL-103 Mk.II, Hana SL & ML, Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum, My Sonic Lab Ultra Eminent Ex cartridges.
Digital Sources: Mac mini computer running Audirvana Plus 3.2; JVC X-Z1010 CD player (transport only); Chord Qutest, Schiit Yggdrasil Analogue 2, Mytek Manhattan II, HoloAudio Spring "Kitsune Tuned Edition" Level 3 DACs.
Preamplification: Auditorium 23, Bob's Devices CineMag 1131, Dynavector SUP-200, EMIA Phono step-up transformers; Lounge Audio LCR Mk.III, Musical Surroundings Phonomena II+ & LCPS power supply, Tavish Design Adagio RIAA phono preamplifiers; PrimaLuna EVO 400, Rogue Audio RP-7 line preamplifiers.
Power Amplifiers: Pass Labs XA25, PrimaLuna Prologue Premium, Rogue Audio Stereo 100.
Integrated Amplifiers: Schiit Ragnarok, Line Magnetic LM-518 IA.
Loudspeakers: Harbeth P3ESR, KEF LS50, Klipsch RP-600M, Magnepan .7, Quad ESL.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Cinnamon (USB), Kimber Kable D60 Data Flex Studio (coax). Tonearm: AMG Reference. Interconnect: Auditorium 23, Triode Wire Labs Spirit, Wireworld Silver Eclipse 7. Speaker: AudioQuest G0-4, Auditorium 23, Triode Wire Labs American. AC: AudioQuest Tornado, Triode Wire Labs American-Digital & Seven-Plus.
Accessories: AudioQuest Niagara 1000 power conditioner; Audiophile Systems, Harmonic Resolution Systems M3X-1719-AMG GR LF, PS Audio PerfectWave PowerBase isolation platforms; Sound Anchor Custom Signature speaker stands; Acoustical-Systems SmarTractor, Dr. Feickert Analogue cartridge-alignment protractors; Musical Surroundings Fozgometer azimuth-range meter.—Herb Reichert

COMPANY INFO
Magnepan Inc.
1645 Ninth Street
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
(612) 426-1645
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Forgotten Audiophile's picture

Those speaker measurements appear downright scary.

JHL's picture

...try these.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/magnepan-lrs-speaker-review.16068/

Granted, they're from the most dismal "review" site online, but it does illustrate how important competence is.

Anton's picture

This review seems perfect for one of JA1’s “in room/listening position” frequency response curves!

It would look way cool overlaying the curves for this speaker and the LS 50’s!

Herb: This speakers literally cries out for you to keep it around long term!!!

Bogolu Haranath's picture

Excellent idea, Anton ....... As you suggested JA1 could do one of his in-room listening position comparison frequency curves, overlaying LS-50s ......... Also, JA1 could store that curves/information for future reference with other comparatively priced other types of speakers ....... Hope JA1 reads your comments/suggestion ...... Anton, you are a genius :-) .........

Bogolu Haranath's picture

If HR likes his Magnepan speakers, HR can keep his Magnepan speakers :-) ........

Ortofan's picture

... inexpensive dipole speakers, then get four of the JBL Stage A170 (available for $170 each) and install them two-per-side and back-to-back in a dipole configuration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV2WJ_b1Er0

Also, if HR believes that "even a small upright piano puts more energy into a room than any domestic-use dynamic loudspeaker" then there must be certain domestic-use dynamic loudspeakers (driven by a sufficiently powerful amplifier) that he has yet to experience.

Bogolu Haranath's picture

I'm not sure if Wilson WAMM speakers with the accompanying subwoofers could fit into HR's listening room ........ If they do, my guess is that, they could probably put out enough energy into his listening room to resemble a concert grand piano :-) .......

Bogolu Haranath's picture

Add .... four D'Agostino Relentless mono-block amps to the above :-) ........

Bogolu Haranath's picture

JVS could custom build a 'barn' to house the Wilson WAMMs and the D'Agostino Relentless mono-blocs, and invite us all to listen to Keith Jarrett's version of Bach WTC :-) ..........

MZKM's picture

Any estimate to how much wattage these can handle? The manufacturer gives a non-answer to this in their FAQ.

Glotz's picture

Measurements and dipole planars... sigh.

Apparently this Magnepan company knows what they're doing??

LOL..

jmsent's picture

...and their measurements tend to correlate poorly with their sound. The large radiating area and dipole pattern are complicating factors.

JHL's picture

Microphone junkies may not appreciate a speaker with such attributes as this speaker.

It's useful to remember that since they have linesource trebles, they will not exhibit a flatline response: The linesource region's behavior falls off at half the rate of a conventional speaker. The further back, the higher the treble rises. Season to taste.

The little jag in the upper response may be the simple axial behavior of the low-order transfer function between drivers. Also moot where real sound is concerned and again, adjust accordingly.

It's the time behavior where such designs reveal themselves, and sure enough, this speaker's step response is as exceptional as it is rare.

Glotz's picture

Rendering the measurements almost moot. Waterfall plots from 30 years ago look almost identical to today's measurements.

I've owned several Magneplanars... they sound sublime.

10basetom's picture

While I love Maggies, the problem with these is that, like their other speakers, there is an added hidden cost since they require boutique dedicated amps that will set you back an arm and a leg to sound their best. These, for example, will not sound their best paired with your typical integrated amp, or even your $1200 Denon AVR.

Bogolu Haranath's picture

You are right ....... They are current hungry ......... Look at their impedance measurements :-) ........

Bogolu Haranath's picture

The greatest strengths of the panel speakers are, transparency and box-less-ness ........ They are also, time-coincident ........ Those qualities can make them quite addictive :-) .........

DougM's picture

What an insult to Maggies, to show them with a cheap Fender acoustic with 4 black bridge pins and two white ones? I love Fender electrics, they're my favorites, but their acoustics are really very poor. Even an entry level Yamaha or Epiphone would have been better, but I would have gone for a nice Martin D28 or D35.

Ortofan's picture

... the Audiophiliac "can just tell" that the combination of the LRS and the new Schiit Ragnarok 2 amplifier "will be magic".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfeTV7cgZGc

Bogolu Haranath's picture

Hopefully HR may review the Ragnarok 2 and tell us how the combination works ....... We can also see the Stereophile measurements of Ragnarok 2 :-) ........

Bogolu Haranath's picture

Start saving money to buy the new mid-engine Corvette Stingray with Bose 10 speaker audio system :-) ........

Bogolu Haranath's picture

May be HR could reveal that 'secret stereo amp', he writes about in that AXPONA 2019 show report, driving the LRS :-) .........

Could that be a Bryston 3-B/3 stereo amp? :-) ............

Herb Reichert's picture

and my mind is a sieve, but it might have been a prototype amplifier being developed by Magnepan

hr

Bogolu Haranath's picture

Speaker manufacturers developing custom amplifiers to work with their speakers is not a bad idea ....... Vandersteen audio does it for their top models, for example :-) .........

jeffhenning's picture

After writing Roger Sanders about the performance of his electrostatic panels (which he will sell to DIY folks) and getting his specs about their performance, I thoroughly understood why he made an amp to drive that highly reactive speaker.

If you think that you need a special amp to power an inefficient speaker that acts as an almost purely resistive, 4 Ohm load, you have absolutely no understanding about speakers or amps.

There is nothing easier for any amp to drive than a purely resistive load. Any decent amp that can pump out 100 or so clean watts will work great with this speaker.

Of course, I do not expect people who pay $5K for a magic power cord to know any of this.

One more thought: perhaps, to judge speakers, you want to use music recorded in the last 20 or 30 years. I don't care whether it's been remastered. Many of the songs listed for listening were of dubious quality and from before I was born in 1959. Few are what I'd consider hi-fi.

The reason I'm seriously considering buying four of these as surround speakers is because of JA's measurements, not how a Fats Domino record sounds on them.

Honestly, Fats Domino? How lame.

Bogolu Haranath's picture

"When I get to New Orleans, I want to see the Zulu King
I'm gonna stay right there till I see the Zulu Queen" :-) .........

mdiaz0429's picture

I got my pair yesterday after almost a 3 month wait due to demand. Out of the box, without any break in, they sound amazing!!! Soundstage is fantastic! Bass is much better than I expected even though eventually I will use them with a subwoofer. I cant imagine what I'll get out of them after a few weeks of use. These are highly recommended. I don't believe there is anything out there that can compete with them at the $650 price.

Poor Audiophile's picture

what amp did you use & what did it cost?

cyclebrain's picture

Good to see J.A. do a speaker test that does not fit the normal process.
Well done J.A. Very impressed with the effort required to test this type of speaker.
Was worried that you might slack off now that semi-retired. This is why I subscribe to and put so much trust in Stereophile's test reports.

ejlif's picture

I bought a pair of these to experience the ribbon speaker sound and hopefully understand the hype. I get it. These are magic! in the right context. What an insane value, just have a set lying around to use in the right moments. I've had transcendent listening sessions with these. It's not going to be heavy and hard driving music that will make the a memorable session, when the volume is medium and you aren't trying to push audiophile limits these speakers are insane in what they do. I have power cords that cost 10X as much as these speakers and I am so impressed. They need some power, I get pretty good results with a pass 30.8, they shut down my Naim Nova at medium-ish levels. 650 bucks really??? Everyone should have a pair of these just to understand. I might have to take them up on their trade up program

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