My experience with the Magnepan LRS speaker. Did it live up to my expectations?

#hifi #audiophile #speakers #stereo #magnepan
Gear used to review the Magnepna LRS

Matrix Mini-i Pro 3 DAC (Non-affiliated link)
Burson Conductor 3 DAC
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Integrated amp
Mcintosh MAC 6700 integrated amp
Hegel H300 integrated amp
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Tube integrated amp
Cayin CS100 tube integrated amp
Cayin CS55a tube integrated amp
Doge 10 tube integrated amp
Willsenten R8 tube integrated amp
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Power amp
XTZ Edge poweramp
Wyred4sound ST1000 poweramp

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Track: Left Alone — Airixis [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
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[ThomasAndStereo]

In my attempt to shorten my video, I edited out 2 things you should be aware of. 1) These speakers are not super dynamic and you will not feel the punch of the bass. 3) Imaging is not pinpoint sharp like Focal speakers, for example, it is as I said, a wall of sound. Now, you don't buy Magnepan for that, you buy it for that big airy soundstage. You buy it because you don't want to 'hear' the speakers and enjoy that 'open' sound.

[rohanrohilla]

This was one of the clearest and cut to the chase review with all the information intact. Great job Tom.

[kenjames]

Here's hoping after your hiatus you decide to come back and hopefully using the same format Thomas. I really enjoy your take on things, your humour and your honesty. If not thanks for everything. You will be missed.

[josephfuller]

By far the best audio reviewer on you tube. He knows how to describe sound and knows what Is important in a review.

[rogercobb]

I have owned 3 pairs of Magnepans over the last 35 years and have driven them with a wide variety of amplifiers from the original NAD 3020 to huge super amps. I used the original SUMO Nine (a James Bongiorno class A design) for many years with my MGIIb’s and found them a wonderful combination. I later added another Bongiorno amp; the Class AB Andromeda (375 watts per channel/4 ohms) and drove those same speakers using the Magnepan external crossover. I eventually went back to the single Class A amp. The MGIIb’s were perfectly happy that way. Sometimes you just find yourself the right amp/speaker match.
OTOH, my pair of MMG’s needed more power and of the available amps on hand, sounded best with a Parasound HCA-2200ii and needed dedicated Sound Anchors stands. That amp is a total beast and produces huge amounts of both watts and current.
I’m currently having an Onkyo M504 restored and upgraded to try with my LRS.
What I am saying is that there are plenty of older amps out there that will make your Maggies happy and not cripple your wallet. I too would love a new Pass Labs or Plinius amp but I also like eating and buying music.

[jonathanr]

The snippet of the monolith and hominids scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey was truly a funny surprise! Good one! Another great, thorough, even-handed, and revealing review. I appreciate your very solid work.

[frankiethefish]

I love it when Thomas uses his Mister "x" pseudonyms for his friends. I don't know why, but I get a kick out of it.

[JenniferEliseAtchiso]

I have the Magnepan MG 1.7i with an SVS SB3000 subwoofer running from a Parasound HALO integrated Amp(260 watts at 4 ohms) can never go back... this is just... “Holy Shit!”

[honkwok]

Your review is right on & thanks for reviewing it. I've owned 2 panel speakers before and I like them. They produced excellent 3-D soundstage and are very fast and detail. The negatives are they produced a very narrow sweet spot and need a high power tube or solid state amplifier to drive and you will need a very good sub.

[ajzepp]

Always glad to see Maggies getting some love. I got my first pair in 2005 and Im addicted. I like pairing them with a tube pre and a high wattage class D amp. Im putting 600 wpc into my 3.6 and .7 Maggies, and they play loud, dynamic, and with a huge soundstage. Theyre not overly forgiving with poor recordings, but theyll reward you when you feed them the good stuff. Maggies just sound more "alive" to me than other speakers.

[shahidyt]

I have had the LRS for a year. I’m really pleased with them. I have purchased Magnariser stands, so they sit upright. I have replaced the jumper with Kimber Kable 4TC. Paired with the Hagel Röst and Denafrips Ares II DAC and a pair of SVS SB-1000 subs. I sometimes listen to my system and think is this what Thomas means when he says “good enough”? I know there is better out there, but this is good enough for me. Sure some songs don’t sound that good, mainly in your face rock music like Song2 by Blur, the sound projects behind the speakers, so doesn’t reach forward and grab you. But many other genres that I have tried are awesome. Rebekah Del Rio’s Llorando fills my small room and feels so spacious. The speakers are very placement sensitive, but sound really fantastic when set up properly. I did listen to the .7 at the dealers, but found the bass decay too fast, the LRS are fast too, but not as fast as the .7s in my experience, I auditioned both in the same room.

[thorerik]

I started 45 years ago with the MG II. Still have them over two rebuilds. Along the way I picked up some MG 20's and 3.7. I do have other box speakers but as far as I am concerned nothing beats a Maggie.

[snowpuppy]

My Dad has a pair of the amazing 3.7i and he dropped shipped me a pair of LRS to use in a second system I was putting together for another room. This second system has a NAD 218 THX certified amp that does about 450 watts into 4 ohms. This amp is about 20 years old. Good thing I kept this amp as it drives the LRS very well. The LRS are very good speakers regardless of price. Much more balanced in sound than I thought they would be. I had lots of fun listening to them without a sub. However I did eventually add a Rythmik F12SE sub and it has blended itself beautifully just by following the simple instructions in the Rythmik sub manual.

[joeycastillo]

Thanks Thomas and Stereo. I needed some advise on LRS and you answered most of my questions!

[kjbiz]

What???? Shutting down the channel....sad news..have really enjoyed your take on things

[BennyKsBandwidth]

Very nice review Thomas as always! You hit the nail on the head the first time I heard these!

[jenogilvie-grant]

Will miss your channel a lot ! Very informative 👌

[epi]

Everyone should own a pair of Magnepan’s as part of their collection. I own several pairs of “cone” speakers and always have a pair or two of Magnepan’s. Magnepan’s can’t do everything but it’s soo good, almost unbeatable, when playing certain songs / music.

I use a Mark Levinson power amp. 100wpc 8ohms, 200wpc 4ohms, 400wpc 2ohms.

[leo]

I was wondering how the LRS would sound with XTZ, good to see you have a demo here. Kudos.

[ericschwartzberg]

Thanks for the honest comments. I have been watching you and Jay and taking your tips on
pairing the Maggie's. I own the SMG, s and a Hafler dh 200 amp with a dh 110 pre amp very
Old school with plenty of power never went past 10 o clock.
I used Jay's past video on Placement: tweeters on the inside,
4 ft from wall, 5 ft apart
and 5 feet away slight
Toe in and the sound staging was amazing


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