Magnepan MG20... A Spectacular Musical Experience In Every Way

Magnepan founder Jim Winey could be considered the patriarch of planar loudspeakers. His innovative leadership of and commitment to the technology over the past 20 years have propelled Magnepan to a position of preeminence in the speaker business. You won't find any hybrids rolling off the production line at Magnepan's corporate headquarters in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The entire Magnepan line is devoted strictly to planars that use ribbon tweeters and quasi-ribbon midranges and woofers—not a stray dynamic woofer in the lot!

Why oh why are thy so big? The proper response is that planar speakers have to be so big for the same reason a piano has to be as big as it is: No one in his or her right mind would accept a piano the size of a violin. For the same reason, no one should take a planar the size of a toy piano seriously. These monoliths play to scale and throw a soundstage that's a mile wide and equally as deep. Whether it is to produce or reproduce bass frequencies, bigger is better. Efficient coupling to the impedance of air demands a large radiating area. A piano string cuts through the air with little acoustic-energy transfer—most of the acoustic power emanates from the piano's body and soundboard. Similarly, a 15" woofer is inherently more efficient than an 8" woofer in the deep bass, precisely because of its greater area—it's able to couple mechanical energy more efficiently to air. In the same way, a planar speaker's power finds full expression when it's allowed to assume realistic proportions

Setting up a planar is no more difficult than setting up a conventional loudspeaker—provided one has control over the listening environment. As with any dipole radiator, it's imperative to allow adequate "breathing room" behind the speaker—at least 36" from the rear wall is a good starting point. Some absorption and diffusion behind the speaker are appropriate to partly attenuate and disperse the backwave.

After care in dialing-in their placement and seating position, the MG-20s' resultant soundstage, however, is quite spectacular. The Magneplanars flood our listing room with a seamless soundstage. In audiophile jargon, the speakers seemed to disappear, leaving in their place a living, breathing spatial framework. Image outlines are remarkably life-sized—in the best tradition of planar speakers. Listening to a closely miked double-bass or piano provides a humbling experience. Rather than looking out at a parcel of space that even a child could wrap its arms around, the breadth and height perspectives projected by the MG-20s are totally believable.

So that leaves us here... a speaker system that was $12.5K new that you would be truly hard pressed to one up for 2x that original cost. They are, in every sense of the meaning, a spectacular listening experience and one you will never forget. Are they big? - yep... are they demanding by way of power needed to make them sing? - also yep. Have less than 200 watts x2 at 4 ohm, maybe take a pass as that won't do them justice. Can you sneak these in the house without mommy knowing, negative. They are not for everyone but in the right room and with the appropriate supporting gear. They are sublime, otherworldly and something all true audio enthusiasts should experience. Have all these requisites, these might be the end of your audio speaker search. They are truly that special. Perfect operationally and just the slightest wear indicative of a 20yo 

Come have a listen here in Andover soon, as these won't last.

Magnepan MG20 in Oak/Oatmeal Fabric w/ off board passive crossovers: $8999.00 plus sales tax and shipping when applicable.

* Shipping can only be done via Pilot Freight... lets talk about it

** Ask about the full loom of Silnote jumpers and speaker cable that go with these