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Magnepan 3..7i or 20.7/20.7R Floorstanding Loudspeakers Hey folks, on the hunt for something a little different. ive got Ambience Reference 1800s running twin 7” drivers and a nice ribbon, which I love and have owned for many years. These will only get sold after I decide if the Maggie’s are indeed better. I’ve tried to move away from the Ambience three times and keep coming back to them. They’re not perfect but they’re very close. i”m keen to try a full range ribbon. I’m not in any real hurry and will need some time before I’m ready to go but curious to see if there’s anybody with a set
Compared with the obvious alternative at this money — a strong conventional box speaker — A$15,000 for these is far above typical used-market territory and does not read as a bargain. Recent used examples sit around A$2,700–A$3,400 equivalent for clean pairs, with even a certified pre-owned listing at about A$3,200 equivalent, so this asking price is multiple times the usual level and would only make sense with an extraordinary bundle or provenance that’s not stated here.
That said, the appeal is real: the 1.7i is one of Magnepan’s sweet-spot models, loved for its large, open soundstage, superb midrange transparency, and that planar “disappearing” act that makes vocals and acoustic music feel uncannily present. If this were priced anywhere near market, a clean pair with the socks intact, panels flat, and no buzzing or delamination would be a very attractive buy. At A$15,000, I’d want original packaging, documented upgrades, and a genuinely exceptional condition story before even considering it.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Founded in 1969 in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, by engineer Jim Winey, Magnepan emerged from his dissatisfaction with electrostatic speakers during his time at 3M. Seeking a superior alternative, Winey invented the Magneplanar—a thin-film magnetic driver that rivaled electrostats without their limitations. Bootstrapped with funds from friends and family, the family-owned company has remained American-made, now led by Winey's son Mark from a 50,000-square-foot facility, upholding over five decades of planar innovation.
Magnepan specializes exclusively in planar magnetic loudspeakers, from compact Mini Maggies to towering flagships like the 3.7i. These full-range or hybrid panels eschew traditional cones for quasi-ribbon and true-ribbon drivers, delivering expansive soundstages and lifelike transients. The lineup avoids amplifiers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables, focusing solely on speakers that demand high-current amplification to thrive.
Positioned as a high-end niche leader, Magnepan commands reverence among audiophiles for neutral voicing, room-filling dispersion, and value that outpaces competitors dollar-for-dollar. Handcrafted in the USA with domestic parts—"Made in America. Sold in China"—its panels offer unmatched transparency at premium prices, cementing a legacy as the pinnacle of planar magnetic reproduction for discerning listeners worldwide.
See all Magnepan listings on RADAR.
