Magnepan LRS Speaker Review

[Newman]

I am no expert, but hearing "I can't make you love me" by bonnie raitt on the older lrs, the voice breath connection was mesmerizing.
Micro detail, transparency, just wow.
Almost bought them on the spot.

Yep, that is how showroom appeal works. Make a speaker with certain frequency imbalances that make it seem 'stunningly insightful' at certain moments with certain music, and cash changes hands. Result!

But in the end the owner pays a price in sonics. The speaker never produces the all-instruments balance, the overall tone, and the harmonic balance that the production team heard when they signed off on a recording.

cheers

 

[norman bates]

true true.

certainly can't play the lastest harder rock with low bass such as.............

At the end of the day, I've had these running for 6 years, works great for me even listening @40dbm.

 

[Petrushka]

I had some mmgs, that I liked, but my wife said they sounded awful.

 

[thewas]

Danny's video improving the lrs+



or for those of you who don't want the pressure of watching the video and maybe buying the tube connectors....................

Erin just uploaded his review and measurements of the LRS+ and it looks not as bad on axis as in Danny's measurement:

I would guess that Danny didn't get the reference angle and/or measuring distance right.

Here is the video review

and here is an AI generated summary of it:

• (00:00 - 00:32) Introduction & Speaker Specs
  • Magnepan LRS+ costs $999 per pair.
  • Speaker dimensions: 48” tall, 1” deep, 13” wide.
  • Uses a two-way foil design with a frequency response of 50Hz–22kHz.
  • Impedance rated at 4 ohms but measured closer to 3 ohms.
• (01:02 - 03:22) Listening Impressions - Cons
  • Mid-bass (100-300Hz) is weaker compared to other speakers.
  • Requires a subwoofer for deep bass below 80Hz.
  • Some boxy resonance around 400Hz, improved by EQ adjustments.
  • Extremely power-hungry; needs a robust amplifier to drive properly.
• (05:06 - 07:20) Setup Challenges
  • Very position-dependent for best sound, both vertically and horizontally.
  • Sweet spot is small—moving slightly off-center affects imaging drastically.
  • Requires at least 2 feet of space from the back wall for optimal sound.
• (07:20 - 08:59) Pros & Unique Sound Characteristics
  • Once set up correctly, provides an immersive and holographic soundstage.
  • Works well with all music genres, not just classical or orchestral.
  • Imaging is extremely precise with a strong phantom center.
• (10:02 - 12:22) Measurement Insights
  • Speakers perform better when placed about 2 meters away from the listener.
  • Measured bass response confirmed the need for a subwoofer.
  • Highs and mids are well-balanced once EQ is applied.
• (14:31 - 19:27) Radiation & Directivity
  • Tweeter placement affects off-axis listening experience.
  • Side and rear listening positions significantly alter perceived sound.
  • Needs precise aiming for optimal sound dispersion.
• (19:27 - 22:11) Distortion & Power Handling
  • High distortion below 100Hz, reinforcing the need for a subwoofer.
  • Limited maximum loudness—requires a powerful amplifier for best results.
  • Dynamic range is good but constrained at higher volumes.
• (22:11 - 25:09) Conclusion & Final Thoughts
  • Speaker has objective and subjective flaws, but overall tonality is manageable.
  • The unique soundstage and imaging make it a compelling choice for a secondary system.
  • Encourages viewer engagement and feedback for future reviews.

 

[EJ3]

Erin just uploaded his review and measurements of the LRS+ and it looks not as bad on axis as in Danny's measurement:

View attachment 436937

I would guess that Danny didn't get the reference angle and/or measuring distance right.

After all the negative things that are said about them: that does NOT look horrible. (and I am not particularly a fan of them but have thought that they aren't as bad as many other speakers).

 

[thewas]

After all the negative thigs that are said about them: that does NOT look horrible. (and I am not particularly a fan of them but have thought that they aren't as bad as many other speakers).

Yes, their tuning seems to be quite more balanced than of the original LRS measured here by Amir.

 

[norman bates]

Or at gr research.

Magnepan made a change perhaps ?

I'm amazed by all the smack talk about loudspeakers here when hardly anyone actually has actually listened to them.

 

[Jim Taylor]

I'm amazed by all the smack talk about loudspeakers here when hardly anyone [...] has actually listened to them.

Listening to something is transitory; your assessment can (and usually does) change. Data does not.
Data is repeatable. Listening may be or may not (usually may not) be repeatable.
Listening is emotional, and therefore unreliable. Data (tests and measurements) are dispassionate and reliable.

I wouldn't worry about it ... there's many a fanboi on each side of the fence, and the world hasn't ended yet.

 

[Heinrich]

Yes, their tuning seems to be quite more balanced than of the original LRS measured here by Amir.

But not the least because of the vertical radiation, the speaker is pretty useless, don't you think so?

 

[Mikig]

every time I see a pair of Maggies in a shop I stop to look at them and if possible listen. I have never left a room, unfortunately, telling myself that I should have them. However I must admit that just for the name and for their way of being different from everything, for my usual collector's soul I would like one. A piece of Hi-fi history fascinating in concept and form. Maybe one day...

 

[kyuu]

But not the least because of the vertical radiation, the speaker is pretty useless, don't you think so?

Magnepans have always been for those who don't mind listening to their speakers with their head in a vice.

 

[EJ3]

Magnepans have always been for those who don't mind listening to their speakers with their head in a vice.

Exactly the opposite of what I thought they would sound like when I first saw them (when I was still a teen in 1974). But it only took seconds to realize that truth.
Every time I see a new one, I hope that is not one of their 'features'. And have always been disappointed. It's one that prevents me from hearing if there is anything that I like about them. Some years ago I gave up on thinking that might change. So (yawn) here comes another Maggie.

 

[PGansz]

Or at gr research.

Magnepan made a change perhaps ?

I'm amazed by all the smack talk about loudspeakers here when hardly anyone actually has actually listened

Yes, their tuning seems to be quite more balanced than of the original LRS measured here by Amir.

I doubt it. Amir likely listened to the single speaker as he has repeatedly done with tests.

 

[Newman]

So what?

 

[thewas]

But not the least because of the vertical radiation, the speaker is pretty useless, don't you think so?

I agree that there are also other things on it which would annoy me, on the other hand though if you sit exactly at the sweet spot the narrow radiation can also have some advantages at very reflective rooms and/or high listening distances, although for the 2nd its SPL limitations could become an issue.

 

[DavidMcRoy]

Erin just uploaded his review and measurements of the LRS+ and it looks not as bad on axis as in Danny's measurement:
View attachment 436937
I would guess that Danny didn't get the reference angle and/or measuring distance right.

Here is the video review

and here is an AI generated summary of it:

• (00:00 - 00:32) Introduction & Speaker Specs
  • Magnepan LRS+ costs $999 per pair.
  • Speaker dimensions: 48” tall, 1” deep, 13” wide.
  • Uses a two-way foil design with a frequency response of 50Hz–22kHz.
  • Impedance rated at 4 ohms but measured closer to 3 ohms.
• (01:02 - 03:22) Listening Impressions - Cons
  • Mid-bass (100-300Hz) is weaker compared to other speakers.
  • Requires a subwoofer for deep bass below 80Hz.
  • Some boxy resonance around 400Hz, improved by EQ adjustments.
  • Extremely power-hungry; needs a robust amplifier to drive properly.
• (05:06 - 07:20) Setup Challenges
  • Very position-dependent for best sound, both vertically and horizontally.
  • Sweet spot is small—moving slightly off-center affects imaging drastically.
  • Requires at least 2 feet of space from the back wall for optimal sound.
• (07:20 - 08:59) Pros & Unique Sound Characteristics
  • Once set up correctly, provides an immersive and holographic soundstage.
  • Works well with all music genres, not just classical or orchestral.
  • Imaging is extremely precise with a strong phantom center.
• (10:02 - 12:22) Measurement Insights
  • Speakers perform better when placed about 2 meters away from the listener.
  • Measured bass response confirmed the need for a subwoofer.
  • Highs and mids are well-balanced once EQ is applied.
• (14:31 - 19:27) Radiation & Directivity
  • Tweeter placement affects off-axis listening experience.
  • Side and rear listening positions significantly alter perceived sound.
  • Needs precise aiming for optimal sound dispersion.
• (19:27 - 22:11) Distortion & Power Handling
  • High distortion below 100Hz, reinforcing the need for a subwoofer.
  • Limited maximum loudness—requires a powerful amplifier for best results.
  • Dynamic range is good but constrained at higher volumes.
• (22:11 - 25:09) Conclusion & Final Thoughts
  • Speaker has objective and subjective flaws, but overall tonality is manageable.
  • The unique soundstage and imaging make it a compelling choice for a secondary system.
  • Encourages viewer engagement and feedback for future reviews.

Erin's findings more or less coincide with my own with every single Magnepan I have ever owned, and I own or have owned many over 40 years time. The bigger a model is the cleaner the bass is. Of course they get a little more efficient with increased panel area, and the highs get cleaner when a true ribbon is involved. Like all speakers they have flaws and peculiarities. They aren't for everyone, but I've always loved them.

 

[Head_Unit]

I would guess that Danny didn't get the reference angle and/or measuring distance right.

Maybe, though with a lot of speakers the correct measuring spot could be arguable. 1 meter for a large tower? Even 50" as someone else uses? The sound might not be really integrated. With these panels it is sure interesting to see the direct response though. Personally I don't have the right space for panels but some of them do have a nice quality of the sound, and drawbacks as well, just like any other speaker.

 

[thewas]

Maybe, though with a lot of speakers the correct measuring spot could be arguable.

Yes, especially when like in the most cases the optimal reference position/angle and minimum listening distance is not stated by the manufacturer. For large loudspeakers it can be even 2 meters or more, one option could be when the drivers blend doesn't change significantly for increasing it further but it seems that unfortunately a fixed definition does not exist as far as I know.

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

I purchased large vice from Harbor Freight to lock head in place for Maggie sweet spot.

 

[PGansz]

Only one was sent.

How do you perform a listening test with one flipping speaker? Here's an idea, you don't.