92%
Magnepan 1.7i
"This is a genuine Hall of Famer, and
an easy pick for TAS 2021 Budget Product of the Year."
In Issue 107, JV (Jonathan Valin - the absolute sound) selected Magnepan's tall, skinny, three-way, full range, quasi-ribbon, dipole MG 1.7 floorstander as one of his favorite loudspeakers of the last 70 years. High in resolution, low in distortion, with enough bass and treble (of superlatively high quality) to satisfy anyone save a headbanger, and a midrange that reproduces well-recorded voices and acoustic instruments with jaw-dropping realism, it is one of those "sweet-spot" wonders that pops up every decade or two. The 1.7 gave you a generous taste of everything its bigger and more expensive Maggie brothers were capable of for a fraction of what you'd pay for the same wonderment in a top-line dynamic speaker. In his review of Maggie's latest version of this classic, the 1.7i, long time TAS reviewer John Nork (who purchased the review pair) was in complete agreement.
John Nork 1.7i review
Trim Option
3-Way,Full-Range, Quasi-Ribbon
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With a shimmering, room-filling sense of space and uncanny imaging, the 1.7i delivers exceptionally lifelike, coherent midrange and airy treble with impressive microdetail. Reviewers like John Nork and HomeTheaterHifi praise its expansive soundstage, refined detail, and tonal coherence, while noting the panel's quicker, well-defined bass that may lack deep subsonic extension for some rooms.
Pros
- Expansive, three-dimensional soundstage and pinpoint imaging that makes the speakers effectively 'disappear' in-room.
- Refined, airy treble with superb microdetail and low high-frequency distortion, delivering natural overtones and instrument texture.
- Coherent, lifelike midrange and tight mid-bass with excellent pitch definition, offering exceptional performance-for-price.
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Cons
- Limited deep bass extension—flat-panel dipole design may require a subwoofer for very low subsonic content.
- Low sensitivity (86dB) and 4Ω impedance demand a high-current, capable amplifier; inexpensive receivers or SET amps are ill-suited.
- Requires extended break-in and careful placement (room damping and toe-in) to fully reveal dynamics, imaging, and bass balance.
Sound Quality
93/100
Bass
90/100
Panel dipole bass is quick, tight and well defined with 40Hz published extension; reviewers consistently praise pitch definition and improved bass vs prior models but note limited deep/subsonic output and occasional need for a subwoofer. Score reflects authoritative mid‑bass control and modest low‑end extension for a large flat‑panel design.
Mid
95/100
Multiple reviewers call the 1.7i remarkably lifelike, purer and less colored than predecessors, with exceptional definition and natural timbre for voices and instruments. The consensus is that midband fidelity and coherence are standout attributes.
Treble
94/100
Quasi‑ribbon drivers deliver superb high‑frequency detail and air with transparency and little sibilance; reviewers note improved presence and overtone clarity versus the prior model. Treble is refined, detailed, and not overly bright.
Soundstage Imaging
96/100
The speakers consistently 'disappear' and create an expansive, three‑dimensional soundstage with precise front‑to‑back placement and image specificity when set up correctly. Multiple reviewers praise the magical, room‑conjured presentation and excellent imaging.
Dynamics
90/100
When properly broken in and driven by a capable, high‑current amplifier the 1.7i shows excellent micro/macro dynamics and slam for a panel speaker; some reviewers noted limited dynamic impact pre‑break‑in and that the speakers can demand stout amplification at high levels.
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Build Quality
90/100
Construction is typical of Magneplanar panels—large, lightweight flat panels with solid engineering and practical binding posts (bananas or bare wire). Finish and fit are appropriate to the price class; lack of a heavy enclosure explains the low mass but not any build concerns.
Features Connectivity
80/100
Passive baseline applied. Standard binding posts (bananas or bare wire) are provided; speakers are polarized and require careful placement/tonal considerations typical of dipoles. No DSP/app/streaming expected or penalized.
Value for Money
94/100
Multiple reviewers explicitly call the 1.7i an exceptional value or 'steal' for the performance; despite product-data price listing ($2,995), publications referenced $2,400–$2,000 earlier and still praised the speaker's modest cost relative to its musicality.
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