Anyone go from Magnepan to Emotiva Airmotiv T1/T2?

[dunnc71]

I'm currently using the following:

Integra DHC-80.3
Sunfire Stereo Amplifier (front left/right)
Sunfire Cinema Grand (center and surrounds)
Magnepan 1.6 (front left/right)
Magnepan MGCC3 (center)
Magnepan MMG (surrounds)
Velodyne FSR-15 subwoofer

I listen to movies, multi-channel surround music, and stereo music (usually with DPL IIx engaged).

After 20 years, I am thinking about switching from the Magnepan speakers to the Emotiva Airmotiv series. The Maggies aren't a good match for the sonic characteristics of Japanese pre-pros such as Integra or Marantz. The sound of this combo is clinical and analytical, dynamics are somewhat limited, and the mid-bass is very lean even after running Audyssey MultEQ XT32. So I'm left thinking perhaps I need speakers that match better with the electronics I have. I'm priced out of ultra-high-end pieces from Classé, Krell, etc. And those companies are usually two years behind on home theater features and the firmware is glitchy. Currently, the best compromise between current features, reliability, and sound quality in pre-pros is found in the Marantz or Integra lines. I expect my next pre-pro will be a Marantz AV7704.

There aren't a lot of reviews published for the Airmotiv series, particularly the T2.
Since the Airmotiv uses a folded ribbon tweeter, I'm thinking these speakers may give me similar clarity/realism as the Maggies, but with considerably more bass. And hopefully more musicality when paired with the types of pre-pros that sell for under $3,000.

So some questions for people here who have heard both the Airmotiv T1 and T2...
- What is the sonic difference between these two models? The T2 has slightly more bass extension (-3dB at 35Hz instead of 37Hz). Is there a step up in midrange/treble performance in the T2 to justify the extra $300/pair? Particularly since I already have a good sub to cover the bottom octave?
- Any Emotiva owners who switched from Magnepan speakers? What did you feel you gained or lost by making this switch?
- How is the musicality of these speakers when listening to 2-channel stereo sources? Would be particularly interested in feedback from Integra or Marantz pre-pro owners.

[pedrocols]

I replaced my Paradigm sudios 100 with Magnepans. I don't know if I can go back to cone speakers. I am however a two channel guy only.

[drtrey3]

Hey duncc, from what I have read here, the best reason to go for the T2 over the T1 is if you listen to mostly two channel without a sub. If you listen with a sub, or you listen to a lot of surround, the sub will take care of the bass so the T1s will give you the same mids and treble.

Trey

[dunnc71]

I would listen to stereo music with the sub engaged. Part of why I am considering Emotiva is to get more bass in the mains / surrounds / center and be able to use lower crossover points for the sub.
But, coming from Maggies, I crave clarity, realism, and tonal accuracy. There's a reason why pedrocols said he would have a hard time going back to cone speakers. I share some of that sentiment since I've been listening to panels for 20 years.

[rbk123]

I would add more subs to your setup; there's no need to settle for just 1.

[dunnc71]

Someday I hope to go to a 2-sub configuration, but good subs are expensive.
Subwoofer output level isn't so much the issue in my setup as lean midbass.

[rbk123]

You get the right subs that can handle the mid-bass. Emo makes some inexpensive 8" and 10" gems.

[Boomzilla]

Mar 26, 2018 10:11:51 GMT -5 dunnc71 said:

...There aren't a lot of reviews published for the Airmotiv series, particularly the T2...

Hi dunnc71 -

My review of the Emotiva T2 and C2 speakers will be published within a month (more or less) at the Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity website ( hometheaterhifi.com ). Watch for it.

Mar 26, 2018 10:11:51 GMT -5 dunnc71 said:

Since the Airmotiv uses a folded ribbon tweeter, I'm thinking these speakers may give me similar clarity/realism as the Maggies, but with considerably more bass. And hopefully more musicality when paired with the types of pre-pros that sell for under $3,000.

So some questions for people here who have heard both the Airmotiv T1 and T2...
- What is the sonic difference between these two models? The T2 has slightly more bass extension (-3dB at 35Hz instead of 37Hz). Is there a step up in midrange/treble performance in the T2 to justify the extra $300/pair? Particularly since I already have a good sub to cover the bottom octave?

I haven't heard the T1s, but I have owned a pair of Maggie 1.6 speakers. The core difference between Maggies and ANY box speaker (including the T1 / T2 towers) is radiation pattern. As you know, the Maggies emit sound in equal but opposite phase from their panels. This means that if your listening room isn't symmetrical from right to left, you'll almost never get the proper sound (in spite of electronic correction). Box speakers, with mostly front radiation only, provide more direct sound and less reflected to the listening position. This makes electronic correction easier to apply.

Mar 26, 2018 10:11:51 GMT -5 dunnc71 said:

...Any Emotiva owners who switched from Magnepan speakers? What did you feel you gained or lost by making this switch?

I find the T2 speakers MUCH easier to drive than the Maggies. I also find the T2 speakers far more dynamic-sounding (to my ears, more like real music). The T2s also "come alive" at much lower volumes than do the Maggies. One of the biggest strengths of the Emotiva speakers is their midrange-tweeter integration. And the air-motion-transformer used as a tweeter lacks the ringing and distortion of typical metal dome tweeters.

Mar 26, 2018 10:11:51 GMT -5 dunnc71 said:

...- How is the musicality of these speakers when listening to 2-channel stereo sources? Would be particularly interested in feedback from Integra or Marantz pre-pro owners.

I'm afraid that I have neither Integra nor Marantz gear, so I can't answer that question. I'm currently running either an Oppo UDP-205 or a Mytek Liberty DAC directly to a power amp. Sometimes, I'll put a Schiit Saga in between. My current amps are a vintage Carver 5-channel, an Emotiva BasX A300, and a Yamaha A-S2000 integrated. All sound wonderful on 2-channel with the T2s. In my mind, the choice between T1s and T2s would be about:

1. How loudly do you play?
2. How big is your room?
3. How comfortable are you with your subwoofer/satellite blend?

If your answers are "Loudly, Big, and Not So Much," then the T2s are well worth their extra cost.
If every answer is reversed, then save your money and get the T1s.
If it's a mix, then order BOTH the T1s and T2s and send back the pair you like least. Emotiva lets you do that.

Happy Shopping!

Boomzilla

[dunnc71]

Boomzilla -

Thanks for the info. My room is not symmetrical. It is nominally 15x21, but is open on the back and part of the right side.
The Sunfire amps are powerful and stable into <4 ohm loads, so while I don't have problems driving the Maggies, the electronics and room are not ideal for those speakers.

To answer your questions:

1. I listen to movies at about 10dB below THX reference level. Music listening averages around 75-80 dB.
2. Room is 15x21 but open to the back and right side.
3. Sub/Maggie blend is OK but not totally seamless. I think a lower crossover point would help.

[Boomzilla]

Go with T2s - bi-wired & crossed over @ 50 Hz.

[miata57]

Hello Dunnc71,

I had a pair of MMGs which I sold to get the T1s. I sure do like the dynamics/punch the T1s have but I missed my MMGs. The "No Box Sound" has spoiled things for me as I prefer that kind of sound. Having said that, I love the T1s, for the price, and did keep them and I am very happy with them. I still knew my speaker change did not completely satisfy me, so I bought a pair of Magnepan .7s. Theses are now the speakers I listen to most and do prefer them to the T1's. Bass has not been a problem as I have 2 subs blending in with the ,7s

[Loop 7]

Vandersteen speakers, in my opinion, offer all the punch of box speakers but with some of the qualities people enjoy with panel speakers. However, they are not cheap and are not exactly attractive.

[klinemj]

Mar 28, 2018 18:36:08 GMT -5 Loop 7 said:

Vandersteen speakers, in my opinion, offer all the punch of box speakers but with some of the qualities people enjoy with panel speakers. However, they are not cheap and are not exactly attractive.

I listened to some Vandersteens when I ended up buying Maggies. Based on past experiences I had high hope for the Vandies, but they let me down. I'd take the T2's over the Vandies w/o even thinking about it.

Mark

[knucklehead]

I haven't heard the T2's but I have heard the smaller T1's. Driven by an 80wpc stereo Onkyo TX-8050 I had sold a guy. He asked for speaker recommendations after hearing the price for a pair of Song Towers. I recommended the Emotiva T1's - or wait for the larger T2's. He didn't wait for the T2's. About two weeks after selling him the Onkyo he called me and asked if I'd like to hear the T1's - I readily accepted. After listening to the T1's for about half an hour I decided that they are a well balanced speaker. The bass was especially strong, remedied by cranking the bass back to neutral on the Onkyo, put the treble back to neutral too. Mid and low bass was 'there' - plenty of slam and all that stuff. The tweeter was familiar to me since I've owned the Airmotiv 6s for a time.

I'd say those T1's are a nice bargain for the going price. I assume the T2's would be very similar sounding - and probably a bit more low-mid bass. All in all the T1's are a well balanced speaker IMO. I auditioned them in a small living room with heavy carpet and over-stuffed chairs and couch. Not a high reflective type of room. In a large room the T2's might have an edge over the smaller T1's.

[dunnc71]

I listened to some Vandersteens about 20 years ago and also picked Maggies over them. Unfortunately, Vandersteen's prices have escalated considerably. Their list prices are now double what they were in 1998; back then the 3A was $2,500/pair and now it's almost $5,000! If their prices were say 10-20% higher than in 1998 I'd consider them again, but now they are (IMHO) too expensive. I don't mind the look of big speakers, so the visual aspects of Vandersteen were never a serious disadvantage in my book.

My biggest reservation about the Emotiva design is that they're all ported (bass-reflex) designs, which has the potential to cause boomy / inarticulate bass. I tend to prefer sealed-box designs, though a well-executed ported design is not a total deal-breaker.

[garbulky]

I listened to the T2's. They definitely have more punch than Maggies without subs.

[vcautokid]

Coming from Maggies myself. Yeah they are way different than a dynamic speaker. For all around listening the T1, T2 will engage more. More punch and drive. More fun as a result at least to me. I think the T1 is a great choice given you do have a Sub already. The T2 though gives you a bit more options though. Say you want to listen 2 channel without the Sub, you are going to like the better dynamics down low with the T2.

I loved my Maggies for more classical and some Jazz, but as a rocker or movie speaker not so much. For what I am getting with dynamics with my listening. I am very happy staying with dynamics.

[Jean Genie]

Mar 26, 2018 20:23:22 GMT -5 dunnc71 said:

Someday I hope to go to a 2-sub configuration, but good subs are expensive.
Subwoofer output level isn't so much the issue in my setup as lean midbass.

Why not just go with the Maggie DWM?

www.magnepan.com/DWM_and_DW_1_Woofers

[KeithL]

I'm going to throw my two cents in here.

Many people really like MagnePlanars.
However, to be honest, I've never been one of them.
I've heard various models of Maggies several times, in different rooms, and with different associated equipment.
To me, they always sound EXCESSIVELY airy.
I simply don't hear the pinpoint imaging with Maggies that I hear with other good speakers.
And, being dipoles, they are both thin on the bass and VERY fussy about room placement.

I find that the folded ribbon tweeters we use on our Airmotiv speakers (and on our powered monitors) offer better clarity without any harshness...
And the T1's and T2's simply avoid most of the drawbacks that I don't like about the Maggies.
(And you CAN use T2's without a subwoofer.)

[pedrocols]

People argue about maggies not having enough bass when in reality they have plenty of bass for most 2 channel listening. Keith definitely has some special ears. He does not like tubes or Maggies.