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Magnepan 2.7QR vs 1.6?

I was considering buying new 1.6s until I had a chance to compare them side by side to a used pair of 2.7QRs at my house. For the test I used an Aragon 4004MKII amp, Adcom GFP565 preamp and a Sony DVP-S7700 CD. They both sounded very similar in the midrange on up but the 2.7s had more bass to my ears and it sounded more accurate. This makes sense since the 2.7s woofer section is about 40% larger than the 1.6s (620sqin vs 442sqin). The 1.6s may have an edge in dynamics but it was subtle.
So I went with the 2.7s for $1,000. Are my ears wacked or do other Audiogon readers have the same opinion? I've read other reviews here stating the 1.6s are a step up from the 2.7s but I had to go with my ears. Also, the 2.7s were $2,000-$2,200 new in 1994 and the 1.6s are about $1,600-$1,700 now. So the 2.7s would probably go for $2,500+ if they were retailed today new.
noble100
reb1208
518 posts
 
Hi Noble 100,

I only recently aquired these from the original owner ( a friend). The bass in my room clearly goes down below 35hz with the 2.7's. My thinking about adding "cones" to augment the bass on a Maggie is this: To my ears you would need two drivers, one "subwoofer"- the other to play mid-bass. Since I know of no product that has both a powered 10" and 7" cone in the same box. So the 2.7's play on their own. Better off having two pairs of speakers IMO. Switch off when you get tired of one type of sound.
noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
1,093 posts
 
Reb1208,
I agree that it's hard to match a sub with planar and electrostatics but there's something very satisfying about the lowest octaves. Also, I can switch off the sub and listen just to the magnepans when I want. The 2.7s's bass extends quite a ways in my room (15'x18')and it's tighter without the sub. The closer the speakers are to the corners and wall the tighter the bass but the imaging and soundstage suffers. So I move the speakers out when listening to music and leave them back when watching movies.

Ketchup,
I'm not sure of the differences between the True Ribbon and the Quasi in terms of performance and construction. I was originally considering the IIIAs, which have the True Ribbon, but never heard them. I heard the 3.6s and they were impressive but too expensive for my budget. I think the True Ribbon is lighter and therefore quicker in transients but I'm not sure.
markblom
28 posts
 
Simple the 2.6 r was the best two way they ever made with a true ribbon tweeter I have a pair and ther incrediable when set up just right
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