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.
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.
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CC5
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Description
An experienced Maggie reviewer, Michael Trei, Sound + Vision, November 2010 said it best--- "No matter what type of movie I played, dialogue clarity was always exemplary. I would rate the CC 5 as the most focused and transparent center channel speaker I've yet encountered, with none of the off-axis frequency response anomalies you hear with some dynamic models. The CC5 was able to lock the dialogue to the center of the screen with razor-sharp precision over a wide arc of listening positions, and it made even voices buried way down in the mix easy to comprehend."
An experienced Maggie reviewer, Michael Trei, Sound + Vision, November 2010 said it best--- "No matter what type of movie I played, dialogue clarity was always exemplary. I would rate the CC 5 as the most focused and transparent center channel speaker I've yet encountered, with none of the off-axis frequency response anomalies you hear with some dynamic models. The CC5 was able to lock the dialogue to the center of the screen with razor-sharp precision over a wide arc of listening positions, and it made even voices buried way down in the mix easy to comprehend."
This was no easy task. All speaker companies must deal with the same issues for home theater. The space and height available for the center channel speaker is dictated by the video. For a speaker designer, it is the equivalent of "tying one arm behind their back." The center channel speaker does approximately 60-70% of the "heavy lifting". It is ironic that the most important speaker for home theater has major design constraints.
Most ribbon and electrostatic speaker companies employ a dynamic midbass coupler to cover the range between the subwoofer and the ribbon or electrostatic driver. In our opinion, that is an unacceptable compromise for the most important speaker in the home theater system. Magnepan employs the front left/right speakers or the DWM Bass Panels to achieve full range Maggie sound for the center cha...
This was no easy task. All speaker companies must deal with the same issues for home theater. The space and height available for the center channel speaker is dictated by the video. For a speaker designer, it is the equivalent of "tying one arm behind their back." The center channel speaker does approximately 60-70% of the "heavy lifting". It is ironic that the most important speaker for home theater has major design constraints.
Most ribbon and electrostatic speaker companies employ a dynamic midbass coupler to cover the range between the subwoofer and the ribbon or electrostatic driver. In our opinion, that is an unacceptable compromise for the most important speaker in the home theater system. Magnepan employs the front left/right speakers or the DWM Bass Panels to achieve full range Maggie sound for the center cha...
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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.
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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
$1,001-$2,500
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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