Italy première | ReMusic has had the chance to see the ultimate series produced by the famous US Magnepan Incorporated that has also designed and developed the Ribbon Magneplanar famous technology.
The new series comprises three models which are, according to the size and price, MG1.7, MG3.7 and MG20.7. The new series substitutes and renovates the former 1.6, 3.6 and 20.6 products.
In the listening room of S.I. audio, run by Eng. Fulvio, we have tested in all tranquillity the medium model MG3.7.

Unlike the previous MG3.6, the new model MG3.7 features an internal crossover. The connection is mono-wiring with the possibility of attenuating the midrange and the tweeter by inserting some resistances on the two jumpers predisposed to host them or to be bypassed. Magnepan states that the flat position is reachable with one ohm resistance on the highs whilst the medium range has to be connected without any resistance. The resistances are provided by Magnepan and in the users’ manual are indicated the configurations to be adopted for the various attenuations with respect to the flat position. Our test has been run in standard flat configuration, hence the midrange has been bypassed and the tweeter has been attenuated with one ohm. The provided resistances have a medium quality wire but, if you choose carbon resistances with a proper wattage, you can obtain more refined sound performances.

Unlike the previous model, as suggested by the house itself, you do not have to incline the loudspeakers towards the listening point and you have to keep them perfectly aligned. Considering that this is possible only in controlled conditions, we suggest adapting the location of the planars to your listening room. In conformity with your room, we also suggest to vary the position of the tweeter inside or outside the panel by keeping well in mind the image you can or want to get. Whatever, in big rooms we recommend to positioning the tweeters internally, while in smaller rooms we recommend an external position. Hence you just have to invert the location of the speakers.

The MG3.7 system features some security fuses for the mid and high ranges. To keep the guarantee provided by Magnepan, you must not use any jumpers on the contact, although this solution would be better to obtain enhanced sound performances.

With this new series, Magnepan has reached high levels of reliability. The panel build-up has been largely improved if compared to the former model.
In effect, the main inconveniences of the Mylar diaphragm have been solved. The aluminium wire that ran all along the diaphragm has been substituted with a flat rectangular aluminium strip. In this manner it is possible to avoid any break due to the stress in the points where the round-sectional solid core wire had to bend of ninety degrees to go along with the Mylar foil.

From the aesthetical point of view, besides the wood trim, is also available a metal trim that represents a better choice under the sound point of view, although the look could be less nice.

The listening test of the Maggies has been run with the following system: digital source EMM Labs CDSA SE, preamplifier S.I. Audio Magico Pre and mono power amps OTL OCL with 600 watts per channel.
First of all, as you can notice also from the photos, the MG3.7 have been placed very far from the back wall and enough far one from each other, with the Quasi Ribbon Tweeter strip inward-facing.
With this configuration and positioning we have reached the right balance between central image and soundstage depth. Notwithstanding several devices around the MG3.7, we have not noticed any annoying resonance or any aberration of the acoustic scene. The listening point has been fixed at about 3,5 meters from the Magnepan.

The first CD has been Mi innamoravo di tutto, by Fabrizio De André and Mina, a beautiful recording with a great tonal balance, which is definitely very difficult to obtain in the audio systems. The track begins with a brief piano solo introducing Mina’s voice followed by the entrance of the double bass and by De André’s voice; actually, this is a tonal scale very hard to reproduce since there are always lower octaves. The MG3.7 can second magnificently that change of tonality and are able to respect timbrically both voices and instruments. It is very important, in this case, to demonstrate that the preference is not for the mid-bass structuring to the detriment of the mid-high one also when the two interpreters sing together. Here the first and most important difference between the old MG3.6 series and the new MG3.7 is the improving of the mid-bass and mid-high sections, which are almost dramatic. The outcome is a more homogenous rendering of the ranges and the total absence of those small steps we could notice among the frequencies ranges in the former version.
Henceforth just a listening pleasure. A step, maybe two and we are in the classical music. The Choral fantasy for piano, choir and orchestra, op. n. 80 by L. Van Beethoven, is an ideal step to lose yourselves in an ocean of voices and orchestral instruments which can vary in intensity and majesty. It is like steeping into the sound hands down. The sound image is wide and wrapping as only a dipole speaker can do and the MG3.7 speakers can actually do that! The half-closed eyes open again only when, during the listening of the German genius’ opera, you can recognize the notes that would have then inspired the Hymn to Joy.

We had to make things difficult for the Maggies; therefore The Dave Brubeck Quartet could not miss with the typical dynamic passages of the jazz piano and the crazy sax in the track Take Five. The MG3.7 respond perfectly to the dynamic solicitations without any hint of compression. The music flows liquid and rich in detail giving back a sound image whose dimensions and proportions are very convincing.
We have listened to the system for an entire afternoon with satisfaction and fulfilment and without any fatigue.

Magnepan has shown its reliability by proposing the complete renewal of the existing models only when it has been possible to apply a real qualitative improvement both in sound result and in the consistency of the product.
The hi-end market needs company like Magnepan.

Official technical specifications:
Frequency response: 35-40.000Hz
Sensitivity: 86dB/500Hz/2,83V
Impedance: 4 Ohm
Dimensions: 61x180x4 cm (WxHxD)
Official Italian dealer: to the PFA 2 website
Official current price in Italy:
MG1.7 3,400.00 EUR aluminium trim, 3,550.00 EUR wood trim
MG3.7 7,990.00 EUR aluminium trim, 8,990.00 EUR natural solid cherry trim
MG20.7 22,000.00 EUR aluminium trim, 23,500.00 EUR natural solid cherry trim