Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

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

  • Creates a very open and transparent soundstage, which crosses the threshold of believability in a small to medium-sized room
  • Low distortion, especially in the midrange and upper bass, making listeners realize how imperfectly transparent many speakers are
  • Highly resolving, with impressive performance on acoustical instruments and vocal reproduction
  • Offers a unique and remarkable experience due to the story and love behind the speaker's creation
  • Presents a challenge, helping users understand speaker positions as the sound changes completely with movement
  • Considered 'eminently affordable' and provides incredible sound for the price

Product Considerations

  • Requires significant time to install, tweak, and dial in due to its dipole design, making positioning critical
  • Bass is not powerful—it doesn't do pounding bass, and listeners won't feel the bass pounding on their chest, so a subwoofer might be needed, especially for rock, pop, dance, and electronic music
  • Needs good power and high current to sound clean and not cause fatigue, it is not a powerful-sounding speaker
  • The stand included is considered subpar and not very versatile

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs the original LRS, the LRS+ has ameliorated treble, has smoother upper mids, and has a reduced nosedive in the power range and midbass

Takeaway: The Magnepan LRS+ is a special speaker with an open soundstage, great details, and makes music sound real and enjoyable. Though not perfect, it is well worth buying because it offers an excellent way to experience a panel speaker without spending too much.

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

LRS+

reviews

[{"title":"Magnepan LRS+ Review","link":"https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/magnepan-lrs","source":"The Absolute Sound","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"Magnepan LRS+ Loudspeakers Reviewed","link":"https://futureaudiophile.com/magnepan-lrs-loudspeakers-reviewed","source":"Future Audiophile","datePublished":"2023"},{"title":"The Magnepan LRS+ — Does It Have ANY Competition?","link":"https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-magnepan-lrs-when-is-an-exceptional-speaker-what-you-want","source":"The Absolute Sound","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"(Review) Magnepan LRS+, The Best Speaker Under a Grand?","link":"https://hifichicken.com/review-magnepan-lrs-the-best-speaker-under-a-grand?srsltid=AfmBOopFftxCFNLUlJ1REyvI7Ju8s1YBmfqSYlOypcDQjQsfv1fpJdxq","source":"Hifi Chicken","datePublished":"2023"},{"title":"Is Magnepan LRS+ the most significant product of this decade?","link":"https://hifiplus.com/articles/is-magnepan-lrs-the-most-significant-product-of-this-decade","source":"Hi-Fi+","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"Magnepan LRS+ Even Better Than I Thought","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nuk_Exn-kA","source":"Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"5 Good Reasons why You should Have it & 5 why Shouldn't! - Magnepan LRS+ Review","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qWiLm9dKSk","source":"Mad Audio","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"The inefficiency issue... | Magnepan LRS+ & Bryston 3B Cubed Power Amp Review","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja3J4kkItyc","source":"THE ABSOLUTE SOUND","datePublished":"2023"},{"title":"The NEW Magnepan LRS+ vs. Original LRS and KEF LS50 META!","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGR6iw9FpkI","source":"Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac","datePublished":"2023"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

  • Description: 2-Way/Quasi Ribbon
  • Frequency Response: 50 - 20 kHz
  • Sensitivity: 86dB / 500Hz / 2.83v
  • Impedance: 4 Ohm
  • Dimensions: 48" high x 13" wide x 1" deep
Following in the footsteps of the highly acclaimed LRS, the LRS+ takes it up a notch. "This is another slam-dunk POY (Product of the Year) nominee, and, IMO, the best buy (along with the MG1.7i) in an affordable loudspeaker for modest-sized rooms." 2022 Golden Ear Award.
Following in the footsteps of the highly acclaimed LRS, the LRS+ takes it up a notch. "This is another slam-dunk POY (Product of the Year) nominee, and, IMO, the best buy (along with the MG1.7i) in an affordable loudspeaker for modest-sized rooms.” 2022 Golden Ear Award. Jonathan Valin, October 7th, 2022
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.

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.
See All Products
Avg. Product Price
$501-$1,000
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.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

From our interview with
.
Brand Page

What if you spend more?

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