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
- Balanced, detailed, and musically lithe performance, creating a sense of real space and making the room come alive
- Remarkably open, liquid, and detailed sound with low levels of coloration, free from boxy colorations
- Unobtrusive design, with a hinged bracket system for wall-mounting, allowing it to be positioned flush against the wall when not in use
- The speakers work symbiotically with the wall for spectral balance when used as a surround speaker
- Remarkably forgiving of electronics, elevating moderately priced electronics to new levels of transparency and musicality
Product Considerations
- Limited bass response and a subwoofer is required, even when used as a stereo pair
- Requires close proximity to a wall for bass reinforcement
- Inefficiency means some gain is needed, and the volume control will likely need to be advanced further than usual
- A powerful amplifier is required
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to larger Magneplanar Speakers—The MGMC1s are not quite the equal of the larger speakers in the Magneplanar line, but offer similar transparency, low coloration, and smoothness to monitors at multiples of their price
Takeaway: The Magnepan MGMC1 is an affordable and unobtrusive speaker system that provides a balanced, detailed, and spacious sound experience. It's a great option for elevating the enjoyment of multichannel audio and video content.
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
MC1
reviews
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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
- 2-way planar/Quasi Ribbon speaker
- Frequency response: 80Hz and up
Description
The MC1 is a Multi-Channel, 2-way planar/Quasi Ribbon speaker designed to be attached to or placed next to a wall or cabinet. These speakers will normally be used in conjunction with one of the Magneplanar model Woofers or a self-powered subwoofer in a serious music or home theater system.
This Multi-Channel, 2-way planar/Quasi Ribbon speaker is designed to be attached to or placed next to a wall or cabinet. Optional floor stands are available. These speakers will normally be used in conjunction with one of the Magneplanar model Woofers or a self-powered subwoofer in a serious music or home theater system ... or both.
The MC1 can be attached to a wall or cabinet and folded out of the way when not in use. It is the perfect solution for rooms which cannot accommodate floor standing models.
For serious audio/video systems... we encourage you to compare the MC1 to conventional speakers costing many times more. The MC1's small size and low frequency response to 80Hz is made possible by attaching the speaker to a wall or to the side of a cabinet, which enhances the lower frequencies ... from 80Hz up, the MC1 is pure Magneplanar.
The midbass to midrange and quasi ribbon high frequencies have the amazing speed and definition of all Magneplanars... The speakers are small, but the sound is big.
Although home theater is an obvious application for these speakers, they really show their stuff when used in a system that is demanding for both home theater and serious music listening. Generally, home theater sound has not been as demanding (in the purist sense) as dedicated music systems. Listen to music through the typical home theater system and you will hear what we mean....
The MC1 can be attached to a wall or cabinet and folded out of the way when not in use. It is the perfect solution for rooms which cannot accommodate floor standing models.
For serious audio/video systems... we encourage you to compare the MC1 to conventional speakers costing many times more. The MC1's small size and low frequency response to 80Hz is made possible by attaching the speaker to a wall or to the side of a cabinet, which enhances the lower frequencies ... from 80Hz up, the MC1 is pure Magneplanar.
The midbass to midrange and quasi ribbon high frequencies have the amazing speed and definition of all Magneplanars... The speakers are small, but the sound is big.
Although home theater is an obvious application for these speakers, they really show their stuff when used in a system that is demanding for both home theater and serious music listening. Generally, home theater sound has not been as demanding (in the purist sense) as dedicated music systems. Listen to music through the typical home theater system and you will hear what we mean....
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
$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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