90%
Magnepan 2.7i
The MG2.7i’s are a pair of 3-way, full-range, Magneplanar loudspeakers. Both the Bass and Midrange sections are comprised of aluminum foil. Often referred to as “quasi-ribbon,” the foil is adhered to the Mylar diaphragm which is visible through the front of the fabric cover. The True Ribbon Tweeter is also comprised of aluminum foil however it is not mounted to a substrate but rather suspended freely. The MG2.7i’s reproduce sound by introducing an AC signal to: the conductor foil on the diaphragm which reacts to the fixed array of magnet strips mounted behind the Mylar; and the tweeter foil which reacts to the magnet channels on either side of it. This reaction vibrates the diaphragm/foil projecting sound as a dipole, both forward and backward.
Dealers selling Magnepan near you
Magnepan 2.7i — planar speaker with room-filling transparency
The Magnepan 2.7i delivers the hallmark planar magic: a vast, three-dimensional soundstage and a see-through midrange that makes vocals and acoustic instruments feel uncannily present. Mike Prager highlights the ribbon tweeter’s refined, detailed highs and the speaker’s ability to vanish into the room, while TONEAudio MAGAZINE traces the design lineage and panel advantages that create that immersive scale.
Sonically the 2.7i excels in midrange clarity and airy treble from its true ribbon tweeter; imaging and depth are standout strengths. Build is practical and lightweight for its size, though placement and amplification matter — these panels reward careful setup and substantial power. Ideal for focused listening, acoustic, jazz and vocal-centric libraries, the 2.7i offers a distinctive, high-resolution presentation that will define a system’s character.
Pros
- Huge, three-dimensional soundstage and immersive imaging — panels ‘disappear’ and deliver exceptional depth.
- Refined, detailed treble from a true ribbon tweeter that presents transients and high-frequency detail with clarity.
- Natural, revealing midrange and excellent vocal presence — very engaging for acoustic, jazz and vocal music.
&
Cons
- Limited deep bass extension — the 2.7i drops off below ~50 Hz and benefits from subwoofers for full-range impact.
- Requires generous room space and careful placement; sweet spot is narrower than many cone speakers.
- Practical hardware complaints — small binding posts and modest connectors can frustrate cable choices.
Sound Quality
92/100
Bass
88/100
Planar-panel bass is taut and distinctive with good resolution on bass lines, but response drops off quickly below ~50 Hz and the reviewer states "for true full-range sound, the Magnepan MG2.7i needs a subwoofer or two." Strong mid-bass presence but lacks deep extension, so score is capped in the typical band for speakers that need subs.
Mid
93/100
Vocal presence and timbre are natural and revealing; reviewer calls the speakers "revealing in the good sense" and notes a slight rise between 500–1,000 Hz that adds warmth/forwardness. Coherent crossover integration yields excellent midrange clarity and expression.
Treble
94/100
Ribbon tweeter delivers clean, accurate, detailed highs — "a fine example" — with airy, well-defined transients (finger snaps described as "beautifully presented"). Treble is refined and detailed without reported harshness.
Soundstage Imaging
94/100
Reviewer praises a 'see-through quality,' 'big three-dimensional soundstage' and exceptional image depth; the panels 'disappear sonically' and offer extended depth. Narrow sweet spot noted, typical of panel designs.
Dynamics
91/100
Performer dynamics and contrasts are conveyed well — "nuanced" and capable of conveying the size of an orchestra — but reviewer cautions that powerful, high-current amplification is recommended, implying dynamics depend on amplification and low-end headroom is limited without a sub.
Show Less
Build Quality
85/100
Large, lightweight panels (≈50 lb each) with durable, retro industrial design; practical but not luxurious. Some practical complaints: the binding posts are criticized as 'maddening' (accept banana but not spade), and the speakers require generous space and careful placement.
Features Connectivity
80/100
Passive baseline applied. The speakers have replaceable mid/tweeter jumpers to tweak tonal balance, and standard binding posts (criticized for usability). No DSP/streaming is expected or penalized on a passive tower.
Value for Money
78/100
At the listed price (~$6k), reviewers praise exceptional soundstage and revealing mid/treble but note need for subwoofers and stronger amplification, which raises system cost. Good performance for enthusiasts, but total system expense tempers value score.
Reviews
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
FAST, EASY & NEAR
Find Magnepan Verified Dealers Near You
Magnepan dealers in the map