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

  • Sounds very similar to the Magnepan 3.7 floorstander in detail, resolution, purity, freedom from grain, soundstage width and depth, and coherence
  • Realistic and convincing spatial properties, producing huge, spacious, and precisely defined soundstages
  • Lifelike reproduction of musical textures, timbres, and low-level details, conveying a terrific sense of focus
  • Expressive dynamics with terrific speed, energy, and nuance, making the presentation sound believable and alive
  • Smooth and evenly balanced sound from mid-bass frequencies up, with terrific levels of transparency, openness, and transient speed

Product Considerations

  • Requires careful setup due to significant interaction with the room acoustics
  • Needs an amp that can drive 4-ohm loads in a muscular way
  • Less deeply extended bass and a less expansive dynamic envelope compared to larger Magnepan speakers
  • Limited image scale, especially image height, in whole-room applications
  • May require a second DWM mid/bass module for adequate bass performance and optimal tonal balance in whole-room applications

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to Magnepan 3.7, the Mini Maggie package offers less deeply extended bass, a less expansive dynamic envelope, and shows somewhat less ability to convey image height, but is otherwise very similar
  • Compared to Magnepan 1.7, the Mini Maggie rig is capable of higher levels of resolution and freedom from grain

Takeaway: The Mini Maggie system is a high-end desktop speaker system that delivers a big, life-like sound with exceptional detail, resolution, and spatial coherence, and works best in desktop configuration, but can also be used as a sat/woofer system. With proper setup, these speakers bring a new dimension to recorded music, making it sound very realistic.

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

Mini Maggie System

reviews

[{"title":"Review: Magnepan Mini Maggie","link":"https://www.soundandvision.com/content/review-magnepan-mini-maggie","source":"Sound & Vision","datePublished":"2021"},{"title":"Magnepan Mini Maggie Loudspeaker System (TAS 223)","link":"https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/magnepan-mini-maggie-loudspeaker-system-tas-223","source":"The Absolute Sound","datePublished":"2012"},{"title":"Magnepan’s Mini Maggie System Revisited (Playback 53)","link":"https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/magnepans-mini-maggie-system-revisited-playback-53","source":"The Absolute Sound","datePublished":"2012"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

The Mini Maggie System is the world's first full-range dipole speaker system that will sit on (and under) your desk. The Mini Maggie ("satellite") is essentially a miniaturized version of the 3.7i midrange and tweeter. The bass panel of the miniaturized 3.7i sits under your desk in the foot-well.
We'll tell you right up front---The Mini Maggie System is NOT a practical "computer speaker". However, if you follow our specific setup procedures (see details below), you will agree with the press that this is "The World's Best Desk Top System".

Yes, the Mini Maggie System is essentially a 3.7i in miniature. No, it is NOT a "computer speaker." (And it wasn't made in China). The Mini Maggie System is the world's first full-range dipole speaker system that will sit on (and under) your desk. The Mini Maggie ("satellite") is essentially a miniaturized version of the 3.7i midrange and tweeter. The bass panel of the miniaturized 3.7i sits under your desk in the foot-well.

The Mini Maggies are like all Magneplanars. They sound best when they have room to "breathe" on your desk. Give them room and you will be richly rewarded for your effort. The short "modesty panel" acts as a baffle on top of the Bass Panel to increase bass. If you have prior experience with panel speakers, you know they will not produce bass if the panel is flat against a wall or solid surface. Dipole bass drivers sound best when they have an open space BEHIND the dipole speaker to "breathe".

The photo below is an ideal scenario. Note that the rear wave of the Bass Panel plays into the room without impediment. And the top of the short front panel ("modesty panel") acts a bass baffle to reduce dipole cancellation ...
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.
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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.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

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

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From our interview with
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