Announcing the 3.7i

[jap]

Magnepan Press Release:

Announcing the 3.7i

An improved 3.7 may come as a surprise given that the 3.6 had a 12-year run. But, this is unusual in other ways.

The changes did not require retooling or significant cost increases. It did not warrant waiting for a major product change as a 3.8. So, we decided to pass it on now.

Yes, it is unusual, and it is the first time in Magnepan's history that a speaker can be upgraded at the factory at a reasonable cost (details to follow).

But, what is not unusual--- we don't hype new models. Yes, it sounds better, but we leave that to you to describe.

Wendell Diller
Marketing Mgr.
Magnepan

 

[DonH50]

I did not see anything on the Magnepan website. Are there any details about what they improved?

 

[audio.bill]

I did not see anything on the Magnepan website. Are there any details about what they improved?

Details are expected to be announced at this week's CES in Las Vegas.

 

[jap]

Dear Dealer,
As you made the rounds at CES, how much would you pay for the sound you heard if you did not know the price and could not see the cosmetics? The press were challenged to guess the price of the Maggie system behind the scrim cloth. The winner would be the benefactor of the Mystery System to a charitable cause. Magnepan took it up a notch by also donating a new 3.7i.

We have no illusions, nor any desire to "convert" anyone from pure 2-channel audio, but the addition of the Tri-Center may surprise you as much as it did us. If you visit Magnepan, we'll want you to hear it with the 20.7s---the best 2-channel reproduction I have heard to date.

The Mystery System was all MMG models that retail for $2,375 which includes the Tri-Center configuration.

Wendell Diller
Marketing Mgr.
Magnepan

http://www.theaudiobeat.com/ces2014/ces2014_magnepan.htm

 

[Don C]

Has anyone heard a broken in 3.7i?

What is the audible difference compared to the 3.7?

 

[audio.bill]

Has anyone heard a broken in 3.7i?

What is the audible difference compared to the 3.7?

I would suggest that you refer to: Hi-Fi+ First Listen: Magnepan 3.7i. It's currently the only available source about the differences, although details on the physical changes are being kept secret.

 

[audio.bill]

I know that there has been quite a bit of speculation as to what Magnepan changed with their recent introduction of the revised Magneplanar 3.7i. The company has been quite secretive about exactly what the modification consists of, just claiming that it makes an audible improvement. I recently came across this press release regarding the 3.7i from the UK which I thought could clear up some of the confusion. You can see in the fourth paragraph that they mention a newly re-engineered time and phase aligned crossover. This type of change would be consistent with the requirement to ship the speakers back to the factory to have the upgrade installed and the cost of $500. Hope that you find this information helpful.

 

[Don C]

Also a visual comparison (with flashlight through the back) of the 3.7 Vs the 3.7i shows the addition of a long plastic sheet, backing the midrange panel, like some older models have.

The 3.7i is rumored to sound warmer in the mid frequencies.

 

[jadis]

The 3.7i is rumored to sound warmer in the mid frequencies.

Lovely rumor.

 

[Don C]

Lovely rumor.

But the 3.7i is not as warm as the 3.6, in the midrange, and below or higher IMO!

I have heard a broken in pair of 3.7i's, with vinyl, for a few hours, in a room similar to mine.

 

[prerich]

I listened to the 3.7i while visiting Jacksonville this past Monday. The 3.7i's are first of all - beautiful! However, can anyone confirm the narrow sweet spot with these speakers? I mean, the display had a small couch enough for about two grown men comfortably. Each of us heard the speaker closest to us predominately. I surrendered my seat and let my friend take the center of the couch and I sat in a chair directly behind him and the speakers came into immediate focus. The sound stage wasn't as large as I had expected. The room was fairly large and seemed to be well treated. Ayre monoblocks powered the system. Could the room treatments very well be blocking the back wave of the 3.7i's - making the sound stage smaller?

P.S. If any of you are in Jacksonville - check out House of Stereo! Some very nice people in there!!!

 

[Don C]

The sweet spot of large Magnepan's yields a listening spot of one or two seats. The speakers are like a large lens, and the sweet spot is the focal point. Clear focus in a small spot only, when optimally setup.

In the sweet spot, is the only place to sit, and get the full effect. That is the nature of all large panel speakers. The soundstage is large, but only when sitting in the sweet spot.

 

[limniscate]

I just sent my 3.7's back to Magnepan this week for the "i" upgrade and will report back when I receive them.