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
- Seamless and exceptional expanse of sound from top to bottom, offering a smooth, neutral, and grainless presentation
- High-resolution transducer capable of bringing out nuances, with clarity and realism in instrumental and performance-related detail
- Dipole bass sounds very smooth, flat, nimble, tight, and detailed in the bottom octaves, with zero overhang on transients
- Capable of peopling the vast landscape of a recording with naturally sized replicas of performers, giving a wonderful sense of being transported to the venue
- Presents timbres and dynamics differently than direct-radiating loudspeakers, projecting them forward and back with lifelike three-dimensional bloom
Product Considerations
- Requires substantial break-in time—particularly for the bass panel—to achieve optimal sound quality
- Needs a muscular amplifier to achieve high SPLs due to its exceptionally low sensitivity
- The speakers are physically quite large, which won't suit every room
- May tend to flatten dynamic contrasts on the fortississimo side, particularly at low to moderate levels
- Can sound a bit bright in the upper midrange and top treble on certain material at very high volumes
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Raidho C1.1: 20.7 may not quite match in focus and low-level detail but is focused and detailed enough to compete in realism
Takeaway: The Magnepan 20.7 is a high-performing loudspeaker that delivers a realistic and immersive listening experience, transporting you to the recording venue. With its full-range capabilities and detailed sound, it offers exceptional value for those seeking the 'absolute sound'.
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
20.7
reviews
[{"title":"Magnepan 20.7 Loudspeaker","link":"https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/magnepan-207-loudspeaker-1","source":"The Absolute Sound","datePublished":"2015"},{"title":"Magnepan Magneplanar 20.7 loudspeaker","link":"https://www.hifinews.com/content/magnepan-magneplanar-207-loudspeaker","source":"Hi-Fi News","datePublished":"2018"},{"title":"Magnepan 20.7 Loudspeaker","link":"https://theabsolutesound.com/articles/magnepan-207-loudspeaker","source":"The Absolute Sound","datePublished":"2012"},{"title":"Magneplanar 20.7 Speaker Feature - Review and Commentary - Part 1","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ztuP656S3Q","source":"Audiophile Junkie","datePublished":"2023"},{"title":"Magnepan 20.7 Loudspeaker","link":"https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/magnepan-207-loudspeaker","source":"theabsolutesound.com","datePublished":""}]
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 /True Ribbon Tweeter - Quasi-Ribbon Midrange and Bass
- Frequency Response: 25-40 kHz
- Sensitivity: 86dB/500Hz /2.83v
- Impedance: 4 Ohm
- Dimensions: 29 x 79 x 2.062
Description
These Maggies' magical ability to transport listeners to a different space and time, and to there realistically recreate (with lifelike scope and size) the sound of acoustic instruments and the venue they were recorded in is extraordinary.
These Maggies' magical ability to transport listeners to a different space and time, and to there realistically recreate (with lifelike scope and size) the sound of acoustic instruments and the venue they were recorded in is extraordinary. It almost goes without saying (since these are Magnepans), but the 20.7s are also incredibly good values, although you're going to have to bring a lot of power to this party, and you're going to need a good deal of room to house two speakers the size and width of a couple of NFL linebackers. Don Saltzman- the absolute sound, 249
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
$20,001-$30,000
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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