Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Very obvious increase in bass compared to the .7 or the LRS
- Incredible soundstage
- Unparalleled holographic soundstage
- The placement and spacing of performers in the venue were truly remarkable
- Clear, detailed, and enjoyably realistic
Product Considerations
- The amplifier is critical—driving them correctly is essential for true fidelity
- Some sonic damping material on the walls behind the speakers can reduce the ratio of reflected-to-direct sound
- More room is needed than the LRS or the 0.7
- Significant break-in time is required before certain sonic constraints gradually melt away, leaving a far better transducer
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Dahlquist DQ-10—the bottom end of the Maggies was the best, quick, clean, and had exemplary pitch definition
- Compared to the Harbeth M40.1—Harbeths can definitely make poorer and brighter recordings easier on the ear, whereas, Maggies have a lot less mercy
Takeaway: The Magnepan 1.7i is a highly detailed speaker that realistically reproduces the soundstage and spacing of instruments, especially for live music. It is an exceptional choice for those who appreciate the beauty of live music.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
1.7i
reviews
[{"title":"Magnepan 1.7i Review","link":"https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/magnepan-mg1-7i-loudspeaker","source":"The Absolute Sound","datePublished":""},{"title":"Magnepan 1.7i Review","link":"https://audionostalgia.co.uk/magnepan-1-7i-review","source":"Audio Nostalgia","datePublished":""},{"title":"Magnepan 1.7i speakers","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIPaE6p3bfc","source":"drD E Audio","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"Magnepan 1.7i - The Sweet Spot","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdTV6s-QJXM","source":"Audio Excellence Canada","datePublished":"2021"},{"title":"Magnepan 1.7i vs Magnepan LRS Plus","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZIPehgRBpU","source":"drD E Audio","datePublished":"2025"},{"title":"Magnepan LRS Plus vs 1.7i Follow-up","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmS0AraAR-4","source":"drD E Audio","datePublished":"2025"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Description: 3-Way,Full-Range, Quasi-Ribbon
- Frequency Response: 40-24 kHz
- Sensitivity: 86dB/500Hz /2.83v
- Impedance: 4 Ohm
- Dimensions: 19 x 65 x 2
Description
This is a genuine Hall of Famer, and an easy pick for TAS 2021 Budget Product of the Year. In Issue 107, JV (Jonathan Valin - the absolute sound) selected Magnepan's tall, skinny, three-way, full range, quasi-ribbon, dipole MG 1.7 floorstander as one of his favorite loudspeakers of the last 70 years.
In Issue 107, JV (Jonathan Valin - the absolute sound) selected Magnepan's tall, skinny, three-way, full range, quasi-ribbon, dipole MG 1.7 floorstander as one of his favorite loudspeakers of the last 70 years. High in resolution, low in distortion, with enough bass and treble (of superlatively high quality) to satisfy anyone save a headbanger, and a midrange that reproduces well-recorded voices and acoustic instruments with jaw-dropping realism, it is one of those "sweet-spot" wonders that pops up every decade or two. The 1.7 gave you a generous taste of everything its bigger and more expensive Maggie brothers were capable of for a fraction of what you'd pay for the same wonderment in a top-line dynamic speaker. In his review of Maggie's latest version of this classic, the 1.7i, long time TAS reviewer John Nork (who purchased the review pair) was in complete agreement.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Magnepan speakers utilize dipole line-source radiation patterns, generating sound in both forward and backward directions, which can lead to a more expansive and less room-dependent soundstage.
- The brand's planar-magnetic panels and quasi-ribbon/true ribbon drivers offer a distinctive "boxless" and open sound, minimizing coloration and cabinet diffraction compared to traditional box speakers.
- Magnepan speakers are known for exceptionally realistic voice and acoustic instrument reproduction, capturing subtle details and timbral nuances often missed by other speaker designs.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Magnepan LRS+
- Positioning: The entry-level model in Magnepan's lineup, designed for small to medium-sized rooms.
- Description: Offers high-definition sound with its quasi-ribbon technology, making it an excellent choice for those seeking quality audio in a compact form. Compared to the .7, it is more affordable and suitable for smaller spaces, while still delivering impressive sound quality.
Magnepan .7
- Positioning: A step up from the LRS+, offering enhanced performance for those with slightly larger rooms.
- Description: Features a quasi-ribbon design that provides a wider frequency response than the LRS+.
Magnepan 3.7i
- Positioning: A premium model that uses advanced ribbon technology for superior sound.
- Description: Offers seamless integration of its ribbon tweeter with quasi-ribbon drivers, providing a more refined audio experience than the 2.7i.
Magnepan 20.7
- Positioning: A high-end model designed for serious audiophiles with large listening rooms.
- Description: With its true ribbon tweeter and quasi-ribbon midrange and bass, the 20.7 offers an extraordinary ability to recreate lifelike soundscapes. It needs more power and space than the 3.7i.
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Avg. Product Price
$2,501-$5,000
Used For Sale
79
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
81
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
11
Founding Year
1969
Our take on the brand
Magnepan is known for their unique planar magnetic speakers that use thin Mylar film and aluminum foil strips instead of traditional speaker cones, creating sound from both front and back of the panel for a more natural, box-less sound. Their speakers are particularly appealing for jazz and classical music listeners due to their lifelike reproduction of acoustic instruments, and they're popular among audiophiles for offering high-end performance at relatively affordable prices.
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Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
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Magnepan
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What if you spend more?
Magnepan
2.7i
6191
6191
/
1
Reviews
The MG2.7i’s are a pair of 3-way, full-range, Magneplanar loudspeakers. Both the Bass and Midrange sections are comprised of aluminum foil. Often referred to as “quasi-ribbon,” the foil is adhered to the Mylar diaphragm which is visible through the front of the fabric cover. The True Ribbon Tweeter is also comprised of aluminum foil however it is not mounted to a substrate but rather suspended freely. The MG2.7i’s reproduce sound by introducing an AC signal to: the conductor foil on the diaphragm which reacts to the fixed array of magnet strips mounted behind the Mylar; and the tweeter foil which reacts to the magnet channels on either side of it. This reaction vibrates the diaphragm/foil projecting sound as a dipole, both forward and backward.
Magnepan is known for their unique planar magnetic speakers that use thin Mylar film and aluminum foil strips instead of traditional speaker cones, creating sound from both front and back of the panel for a more natural, box-less sound. Their speakers are particularly appealing for jazz and classical music listeners due to their lifelike reproduction of acoustic instruments, and they're popular among audiophiles for offering high-end performance at relatively affordable prices.
Expand Details
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- A true ribbon tweeter delivers clean, accurate, and detailed high frequencies
- See-through quality with a big three-dimensional soundstage and exceptional presentation of image depth, disappearing sonically
- Strikingly spacious sound and a strong sense of envelopment by the music
- Revealing in the good sense—audiophiles will clearly hear differences in gear and recordings
- Controlled dispersion means fewer sidewall and ceiling reflections to mess up the sound
Product Considerations
- Big and needs lots of space behind it
- May not be the most sonically neutral speaker on the market, with a mild coloration in some rooms
- Like most panel speakers, has a rather narrow sweet spot
- For true full-range sound, needs a subwoofer or two
- Magnepan recommends that a powerful and/or high current amplifier(s) is best
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL X, the Martin Logan ESL X offers curved electrostatic main driver and two eight-inch cones to handle the bass
Takeaway: The MG2.7i offers a spacious and detailed sound that audiophiles will appreciate, especially with the addition of a subwoofer. It's a great option for those seeking a high-resolution speaker for focused listening and who appreciate a 'they are here' experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Magnepan is known for their unique planar magnetic speakers that use thin Mylar film and aluminum foil strips instead of traditional speaker cones, creating sound from both front and back of the panel for a more natural, box-less sound. Their speakers are particularly appealing for jazz and classical music listeners due to their lifelike reproduction of acoustic instruments, and they're popular among audiophiles for offering high-end performance at relatively affordable prices.
Product Page
Product Page
Spatial Europe
MC Series No 3
7136
7136
/
1
Reviews
Spatial Europe crafts open baffle speakers in Bavaria that eliminate box resonance issues found in conventional designs, delivering a more natural and open sound with exceptional imaging often described as holographic. Their high-efficiency speakers are particularly appealing to tube amplifier enthusiasts, and they're handcrafted using locally sourced materials with plastic-free packaging.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Natural, open sound reproduction, free from colorations and compression effects found in traditional box designs
- Very detailed and immersive soundstage with great depth
- Superb dynamics and impulse accuracy, resulting in a fresh and lively sound
- Deep, powerful, and well-defined bass that maintains clarity and control without being muddy
- Appealing, open design and is manufactured in Germany
Product Considerations
- Careful placement is required to achieve optimal bass response, as it is an open baffle design
Takeaway: The Spatial Europe MC Series No.3 offers a very immersive sound with a deep and controlled bass thanks to its open design. It combines high-quality audio performance with a visually appealing design.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Spatial Europe crafts open baffle speakers in Bavaria that eliminate box resonance issues found in conventional designs, delivering a more natural and open sound with exceptional imaging often described as holographic. Their high-efficiency speakers are particularly appealing to tube amplifier enthusiasts, and they're handcrafted using locally sourced materials with plastic-free packaging.
Product Page
Product Page
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