Magneplaner MC1

[Locomotive]

Hi, I just purchased a Magneplaner MC1 from a fellow forum member (Mr. Suresh Lalwani)

I had initially visited Mr. Lalwani's residence to buy his definitive Technology subwoofer. It was then when i first heard a magneplaner (his 3.6). The sound just blew me away. I bought the subwoofer anyways but could not get the maggie sound out of my head. Mr. lalwani had also put up his Maggie MC1s (which was being used as rear speakers in his HT setup) and NAD T754 reciever on sale.

Since the MC1 were being used as rear speakers they were never really on my shopping list. However so smitten was i with the maggie sound that i started reading up all the reviews i could find on magneplaners in general. What struck me was that though MC1 were reviewed mostly as part of HT systems, the reviewers were going gaga about their performance. In fact in one of the reviews Mr. John Potis, a reviewer for 6moons magazine said that these $750 speakers sound much better than any $2000 monitors he had ever heard!! thats quite a testimony I say!!

So I asked mr. Lalwani if he had ever tried using his MC1 as front speakers. He was skeptical about how much power they could handle but was kind enough to let me try them. So we set up the MC1 with his hugely impressive Cadence monobloc amps and boy did they handle all that power!! I immediately took up his offer on the MC1s and the NAD :-D

Now I have set up the system in my own music room and hearing music like i have never heard it before

 

[Locomotive]

The MC1 however are 4 Ohm speakers and need a good amp to drive them. The NAD does duty perfectly. also the MC1s have to be paired with a subwoofer as there is no response from the speakers below 80hz. So i have hooked up my Wharfedale SW 150s with the amp crossover set at 80hz.

really I have never heard such detail from any speakers. I do not only hear the main vocals super clearly but also every backing vocals. songs like Jiya jale from dil se revealed a more layers than what i heard before. In fact I rediscovered all of my favourite hindi songs (most of which are composed by AR Rahman)

on the flipside sometimes the sound was a bit bright for my liking (particularly hindi recordings). But that could be somewhat fixed by reducing the treble levels one notch. I think the MC1s are slightly brighter than Mr. lalwani's Maggies, but then they cost 1/5th the price

also the speakers are highly directional. they sound their best only at a certain hieght, which in my case is set at my seating level.

But overall i am really happy with this setup. what i do not understand is why more people havent tried the MC1s in a stereo setup. There is not one such setup on the internet.

 

[anm]

congrats. how are you liking them in your own setup? A subwoofer would really compliment them, if it is fast.

 

[Locomotive]

Thanks I am absolutely loving the detailed and open sound. I have currently paired it with my wharfedale sw150 sub.

But what is a fast sub? I have heard this before but do not know what it means.

 

[suresh lalwani]

Hi Sabya,

Having judged that u were an audiophile with a "leaning to natural sound" I was confident that you would appreciate the Maggie sound.

Those who live in Bombay can actually go up to the local dealer and check them out. But what about our fellow forum members who do not live in Bombay, they will never know the glory of the Maggies.

From the picture you have posted I feel the Maggies could have been placed lower, but photographs may at times not convey the correct situation.

If your ears are mid way between the tweeters I feel you are okay. Please check this out , and if necessary re do the positioning, it will be well worth it. Once correct you are good for life. My 1.5's are down from the loft. If you drop by you can look at them. I know New Bombay & Churchgate are poles apart specially when you are driving.

I also have the SMG's down.

Kindly get back to me on this. I always hoped my Maggies would find a good home. At times money is not of paramount importance. But in you I can see a lot of care love & regard for the Maggies.
Take care.

Enclosed pls find CD list

 

[suresh lalwani]

What shocked me was the power the spkrs ate up when hooked to the Cadence mono blocks.

That was unbelievable.

What's happening with your Wharfdale Diamonds. They would work well as rear spkrs in a 5.1

I am getting a lot of inquiries. Can I divert them to you.

With the number of ads I have put on the forum some members think this is my business.

 

[Locomotive]

I have put the Wharfedales + my Atacama nexus stands on on quikr. please direct any interested people to me.

Wharfedale 9.1 Hifi speakers + Atacama Nexus Stands - Mumbai: Music Systems - Home Theatre in Mumbai at Quikr Mumbai

would have loved to keep them but i have no space in my little music room. otherwise i would have probably grabbed your maggie 1.7. Thats the next step for me for sure.

The NAD is driving the MC1s quite well actually, absolutely no coplains with the volume levels i am getting. Actually i dont really require much volume. its the quality that matters and that i am getting bucket loads of..

I can see why, once a maggie man always a maggie man.

I want to now get accustomed to the maggie sound. then i will go audition some good conventional speakers to check the difference

 

[Locomotive]

The maggies are about 15 inchs above the floor. I am in the sweetspot when i am sitting all the way back in the room on a bean bag (my normal listening position).

i will certainly come over when i am in your area. I am quite sure i am going to be tempted like hell to buy the 1.5s off you :-D

Can you send me your CD list over email. I did not get it here.

 

[suresh lalwani]

Its not because I am lazy or got busy,

i have deleted the last lot that got picked up and also a lot that is booked for a Coimbatore party. He bought my power amp, hence I am okay in keeping aside cds for him.

If u give me the slighest indication of what you like then I could point u in the right direction.

Pls stop buying EU made cds, they are "JUNK". Earlier a big controversy broke out when I recommended US connectors over Schuko & UK plugs. Now I maintain that EU made are junk. Lets see who pops up in its defence.

 

[Locomotive]

No issues at all.. I am keen to hear some good jazz and blues, but don't know where to start

 

[suresh lalwani]

Hi sabya

Looking at this picture of your set up , the 1.7's would fit in very very comfortably.

And they would serve you very well.

Take it from me. And since the guy from Delhi who bought my 1.6 let me down, I have crossed him out from my 'life' and hence contact book. You can't go around giving offers and then backing out.

A friend of mine has the 1.7 if he is selling then I would let you know

Regards

 

[GeorgeO]

Maggies have a great fan following from those who know them.