Are Magnepan MMG (600 for pair) worth spending twice as much as JBL ES-80(300 for pair)?

[c21manuel]

Hello guys, first time poster here. I just ordered a pair of JBL ES-80 for $298 to my door on a cyber monday sale deal, but have been wanting the Magnepan MMG speakers which are $600 for awhile. Is the difference worth it?

I am using only a Harmon Kardon AVR 1700 for power, which can do 6 ohms for the front (er, um, if that makes sense) 100watts. The Magnepan rep said that this would be sufficient power for the speakers in my tiny apartment. While I know that an amplifier is strongly recommended for the MMG's, I am more interested in getting the best quality product/ best sound I can for my dollar.

Thanks so much for reading!

 

[markw]

I'll assume you haven't heard them both.

You really should not be comparing them two. It's a classic example of apples to oranges.

Aside from the fact that they both convert electricity to sound waves, they sound nothing at all like each other.

 

[c21manuel]

I am using Infinty bookshelf speakers right now with a nice TV and PS4 setup, so I am looking for a nice upgrade.

 

[ski2xblack]

Only you can decide if they're worth it. Perhaps breaking down the practical pros and cons would help, as there are considerable differences between a dipole panel type speaker and a normal direct-radiator-in-a-box speaker, in terms of room acoustics/placement flexibility. Which one works best for your particular situation?

 

[Rickster71]

The Magnepan rep said that this would be sufficient power for the speakers in my tiny apartment.

Welcome to Audioholics.
Your mentioning of Tiny Apartment caught my eye.

When it comes to Magnepan the largest factor is having enough room for placement.
If you don't have three or four feet from the side and rear walls, look for something else.
I had the opportunity to have Mark's Maggies at my house for an extended stay, and found out that space and placement is everything. Literally one ft one way or the other drastically changes how they sound.

 

[c21manuel]

I have enough space so that the MMG's won't be against the wall, and carpet in my 450 sq ft apt, so I'm not sure if that answers the question...

 

[c21manuel]

I can give them room to breathe for sure

 

[Rickster71]

I have enough space so that the MMG's won't be against the wall, and carpet in my 450 sq ft apt, so I'm not sure if that answers the question...

You'd really have to measure and not estimate their placement. Unfortunately it's that critical.
I've found that 3ft from the front wall and 4ft from the side walls works well.
If you have the space, IMO I'd get them.
But.... everyone's hearing and tastes are different. You should audition as many speakers as you can to hear what you like.
Other people's opinions can only get you in the ballpark.

 

[anamorphic96]

The other question I would ask is what types of music do you listen to and how loud do you listen ? The Maggies may not be the best for rap, hip hop, or rock. They will surely be lacking in the bass department. What is it about the Magnepan's you like ?

 

[c21manuel]

I mostly use the system for video games and movies, but occasionally listen to both rap and rock music.

 

[Pyrrho]

The Magnepans would be worth more than twice as much to me, but that does not really help you much, because it is your opinion that matters since you will be the one listening to them. You might want to go to a Magnepan dealer if there is one near you and listen to the lowest model they have, keeping in mind that the MMG is not as good as the usual model that will be at a dealer (though some dealers, I am told, now carry the MMG). But the MG 12 will give you the right idea for the kind of sound; the MMG will not play as loud, nor will the bass be quite as deep, and otherwise the sound will be slightly inferior, but close.

 

[markw]

I mostly use the system for video games and movies, but occasionally listen to both rap and rock music.

In that case, I'd forget about the maggies, at least without a subwoofer.

 

[c21manuel]

Ok. I listened to the JBL ES-80's at Fry's today, but fell in love with the Klipsch RF-52's instead, which they could do for me at $583 out the door. Should I have picked them up at that price, they sounded awesome.(thanks for putting up with me guys).

So basically, RF-52 or MMG?

I will be adding a subwoofer either way, thanks Mark, probably a 10.

 

[c21manuel]

Ordered the MMG's. Thanks for the help and I'll let you know how it goes.