Getting back on track with the thread...
I'd like to second the earlier vote for Magneplanars. They are some of the most transparent, realistic transducers that I have ever owned (or auditioned). I have the 1.6QRs, slightly tweaked, (stands) and just bloody love em’! All that stuff you may hear about “they need a huge room” and/or “they need a massive amplifier” is bunk! Sure they sound better (bigger sound stage) when you pull them out from the wall a few feet, but so do all loudspeakers! And the amplifier myth – I have run mine with a number of amplifiers: Carver, Adcom, Roksan, and a Pioneer receiver – all work perfectly with the 1.6’s.
The only caveat: Magneplanar Corporation has a thing or two to learn about aesthetics! The ‘feet’ that they supply are something out a back alley blacksmith shop in the low-rent district of Somalia.
I ended up sawing off the fronts of mine and weighing down the backs of them with some nice chunks of mortuary-cut marble. They now look great!
Aside from that, for $2500.00 or so Canadian, you can own some of the best sounding loudspeakers on the market! If you have a little extra coin, you might want to look a little higher up the line to the 3.6’s. I don’t recommend going much lower than the 1.6QRs however, I have extensively auditioned lower models in the line, and they simply lack – after having heard the 1.6QR’s
It’s a ‘realism of presentation / height of soundstage’ thing. Get down to a dealer and audition some – you’ll be floored! A list of dealers is available on the
www.Magneplanar.com site.
Andrew D.
www.cdnav.com
