Magnepan, Snell, or other?

[kevchris01]

I am looking to put together a solid home-theater sound system that can handle both music and movies. This would be a video-centric system, so initially I am looking to get a center channel, 2 fronts, and a sub - and expanding to surround as $$ permits.

I am currently working with a budget of around $2000 for the speakers and receiver. Working in my favor, though, is that I have a friend who used to be a dealer and who still has contacts where I can get Onkyo, Harmon Kardon, and Snell Acoustics at a wholesale cost.

For my receiver I am thinking the yet to be released Onkyo TX-SR705, which is a new HDMI 1.3 receiver. Excluding tax, I can get this for around $600. That gives me roughly $1400 to work with on the speakers and sub. My favorites so far are the Snell Acoustic K7 (715/pr) and CR7 (350) for around $1050 total. I can also get the Basis 150 sub for $330, bringing my total to ~$1400 for the snells, and the Magnepan MMG W/C (I will hold off on using the "maggies" term until I am a little more in the know) at around $600 for the fronts and center, plus a sub that has yet to be determined.

I am wondering what is a good choice to make between the 2 systems, or is there something else that you might recommend? The Magnepans are well reviewed, but I am concerned with the fall off on the high end and the need for a sub that reaches 100Hz (as well as the fact that every review quantifies the MMG W or MMG C speakers with a "great value for a $300 speaker"). I have had the opportunity to hear both speakers firsthand and think they sound terrific (although I am coming from a $300 set of Klipsch surround speakers bought when I was in college, so anything sounds better). Even though I may not be able to tell the difference right now, over time I may come to realize I made a mistake and will suffer from an extreme case of buyers remorse.

Can anyone make a recommendation, or provide me with additional information that could assist me in this decision? Is there a better choice that I should make?

Many thanks with your help on this.

 

[ringbearer3791]

I can't speak to the Magnepans personally but I have a snell home theater personally with KIIIs in back, K5s in the front, the XA55 center and the PS10 subwoofer and my experience with this company has been wonderful. I have speakers separated by several years in age and coming from different lines but the sonic matching between all speakers is excellent, as is clarity and imaging. My take on Snell is that its a pretty tough speaker to beat for the money.

Hope this has been helpful.

 

[Seth=L]

I wish I could have some Snells, but I am poor. I need to get the hook-up.

The proposed Snell system sounds great, good luck.

 

[kevchris01]

Thanks for the responses

I just wanted to say thanks for the responses. It is difficult finding information on the Snells, or any current owners for that matter. I think I will go for the Snells a bit later this month. I have heard only good things about them, except for that they are a bit pricier than other comparable systems.

Assuming I go that route, I can relay my experiences with the Snells later on if there is any interest.

Thanks again for the feedback.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Like all bipolar and dipolar speakers, the Magnepans need to be well out into the room, so make sure you have plenty of space before buying them. They also definitely need a sub. With both of those conditions met, they sound fantastic.

 

[dem beats]

As joe said....

Maggies are picky. The big maggies blow my dang mind away and maybe for a listening room someday.. but untill I can make a room for the speakers the speakers will have to work in my room.

 

[peterw]

The maggies need plenty of power and very clean electronics to sound their best.

But once they do.....

 

[dorokusai]

I would eliminate Magnepan from your budget.

Mark