The inefficiency issue... | Magnepan LRS+ & Bryston 3B Cubed Power Amp Review

How do you drive an inefficient speaker like the Magnepan LRS+ without over powering it? Should you really spend more money on the amplifier than a loudspeaker? In this review, Tom poses these questions, gives his thoughts on the Magnepan + Bryston pairing, and more!
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[@garyrancourt370]

My LRS+ speakers arrived 2 weeks ago. I power them with a Starke Sound Fiera4 (This class D amp suppliers 260 W RMS at 4 Ω (1% THD，per channel) but allows for bridged operation of the 4 CH into 2CH at 500w/ch. This is a match made in heaven, providing open, strain-free reproduction at levels louder than I ever want to listen at. But here’s the kicker. I’ve been experimenting with Dirac room correction as, in my room, the LRS+ has way too much energy in the 70-90 hz range and way too little energy in the 120-150 hz range. I’m early in the experimenting stage but, so far, I’m very pleased with the results.

[@CobraChamp]

In my experience, Dirac Live is a game changing technology for correcting the problems in any room. My room (26'x16'x8' and not a perfect rectangle) has issues at 35hz and 75hz and with the help of Dirac Live, I am able to remove those 2 huge nodes. Any you don't need to be an audio engineer to use the miniDSP products that include Dirac Live. It is relatively easy to use and fun.

[@carlitomelon4610]

LRS with Bryston 3Bsst here. 13x19x 7.5ft room. 2 REL subs. Very satisfied. Not attempting concert volume though. Timbre more important to me. Enjoyed this presentation, thank you! 🎵🎶🙂🎶🎵

[@arthurpug]

I use an old modded 100 watt Quad 405-2, and it goes plenty loud for my LRSs. Part of the challenge is the impedance swings of this speaker, & as the Quad was designed for use with electrostats so has headroom for those low Ohm dips

[@leekumiega4919]

If you can afford a Bryston amp go for it but most people can't afford it and that is where the used market comes in. The big question here is can the amp supply enough current something total watts won't tell you ,now If the output power doubles when you half the impedance it most likely will. I am using a used Sunfire Ultimate Receiver II (with it's unique tracking down converter power supply ) it puts out 200W x 7 into 8 ohms but more importantly it puts out 400W into 4 ohms in 2 channel mode and can deliver 800W into 2 ohms on a time limited basis. It makes the LRS's sound fantastic for a fraction of the cost of a new amp. Watch Ron at New record day review the .7's to see it takes muscle not just money to drive them.

[@stonecoldcustoms]

It's true but worth mentioning a warning to new Magnepan owners. I just bought a vintage pair of MG 2.5R, hooked them to my 350w Rotel amp, and promptly blew the tweeter fuses in them, lol.. Maggies, especially older Maggies, are power hungry and just don't play as loud as large/equivalent size traditional speakers. So it's a lot easier to max out the fuses than you think when you're not familiar with how they play.

[@HotSause]

Great points.May I suggest a future video of what other amps (of all classes and price points) which have that synergistic sound with the LRS+.

[@Nick-kp3rg]

I just bought 1979 MG IIA ' s (1994 refurb) and am running them with a NAD C700... I would recommend more power and perhaps A or AB amp. Surprisingly, the C700 does sound great with them, it just "needs a bit more". BTW, loving the maggie's. I also appreciated your point about a $5000 amp with $1000 speakers. A sales person and I were just talking about that. Your speakers are only as good as your source...DAC, amp, preamp... Like in business, bad data in = bad data out. Bad sound in = bad sound out. If you are on a budget, which most are, put money into the source. Someone could say, well....the best amp in the world will also not make a crappy speaker sound good...that is true. But... a bad amp will make nearly all speakers sound bad. So statistically-speaking, it's best to put the money into the amp.

[@petermontini2939]

Your comments about the LRS+ and the necessary power that one would need to drive them properly is appreciated. I saw an online review which took the LRS+ apart and they noted that in stock form the speaker's tweeter is crossed over at a very low point making it possible to overdrive the tweeter with little power. Your review seems to suggest that that speaker comes alive with lots of wattage. I am trying to reconcile the two positions with respect to power ratings. Any thoughts?

[@patrickputman1448]

Sufficient current and headroom for peaks, not for burning up your speakers. You control the volume.

[@TT-eo2is]

Tom, Thanks for another great LRS+ review! FWIW, obtained a "full optioned" Starkrimson Stereo Ultra amp in July to drive my 86db AA Sierra-2EX stand monitors. The Additional power (+6db more headroom than prior amp), control, transients, dynamics and soundstage 3D clarity presentation is just Stunningly Amazing!! Now, I-Am-There in the live recorded audience venue, with performers and musicians precisely in their proper space (beyond back of the monitor baffles) and with realistic air, size and dimensions of each! Most listening sessions elicit Ho..Sh.. moments, as it now becomes jaw dropping LIVE!! 😊

[@glenncurry3041]

I love my 1.7i Maggies! And they love my room based on how they sound when you get them going! But the room is a major and unfixable problem! Behind them is a 17' high wall with a partial opening to a balcony to the right. The ceiling slopes diagonally to a corner about 38' away. The wall to the left of them is only 8', so open above it to the ceiling. And there are openings to walk and pass stuff through. So it is more of a barrier in a room roughly 40' x 35'. Lots of angles and openings, stairs,.... They overheat my ADCOM GFA555 if I really push them. But the available space really lets them sing! The depth and width of sound stage. And interestingly how they energize the room which you hear as you walk around it. But I hope to move them down to a listening room after it is done.

[@mostirreverent]

I’ve read they had issues with the Adcom, which has pretty good current output. I use mine with a Threshold FET 10 and ADS L880 speakers which sounds great

[@glenncurry3041]

@@mostirreverent They hated the Hafler DH500 I used before it! And the XL 280's before that just kept overheating! Although switching from Star Quad cables to shotgunned NOS Monster really helped! There are a number of versions of the GFA555. I have the original Nelson Pass design.

[@mostirreverent]

@@glenncurry3041 I have the original too (Square handles not the round handles )

[@glenncurry3041]

@@mostirreverent No handles and modded with a 2nd toroidal! Dual mono.

[@mostirreverent]

@@glenncurry3041 I just picked up a Simaudio moon W5.3 SE. That should do the trick too

[@roybertalotto6355]

Its not about raw power...It's about the amplifiers current capability. I have LRS and I run them with 12wch tube amplifier. They play plenty loud in my 12 X 24 X8 heavily damped room....My 50wch Pass Lab First Watt F5v2 really makes them come alive. You don't need 500-1000 watts to get LRS to perform......

[@pedrocols]

Good luck trying to convince an "audiophool" of otherwise. They have their ears full of snake oil.

[@Old_Sailor85]

Agreed. I had the LRS and now have 1.7i. I've used a 25 watt SEP and ultra-linear tube amps, and a 50 watt conventional tube amp and they sounded fine. Having said that, I'm currently running 30-year old SS mono-blocks (restored) with 450 watts into 4 ohms (850 watts into 2 oms). I do get better dynamics, especially the lower frequencies, with the SS amps. Tubes may have had that magic mid-range. Pick your poison. I don't listen very loud. If I listen loud it's usually for one album or song and then back down to something sane.

[@kowosky]

Great tipp was thinking I would go class D when I finally get a set

[@vaejoviscarolinanus]

I have recently purchased the LRS + and I bought a peachtree gan 400 to power it. Both are still in the break-in period. I am also waiting for the magneriser to be shipped.

[@carlitomelon4610]

@David King How are you doing with the break in and stands? Enough power with the peach? 🎶🤔

[@vaejoviscarolinanus]

@@carlitomelon4610 The speaker are good but they are wonderful with the Magnariser Mk7 stands . They are very placement critical and when you are in the spot they will really surprise you. The Gan400 is the best match of the amplifiers that I own. Conrad Johnson, Mcormack and Peachtree all play well with the Maggie but 400 watts seems to have the best bass control. I removed the sub from the system when I first got the stands and the sound was more focused and the depth of soundstage was better.

[@carlitomelon4610]

@@vaejoviscarolinanus Good to hear your experience so far! I built oak frames for my LRS. They sound more focused in the vertical position - until you stand up;-)

[@carlitomelon4610]

FWIW Tom: JA at stereophile estimated the efficiency of the LRS at 80db! Since they radiate in both directions, they're hard to equate with boxes. At 1 metre you're not measuring the full output of the large panel anyway. (The inverse square rule seems to be strangely circumvented by their design also.) I run mine with GiK abfusors at 45° across the corners behind them with bass trap behind that (Diffuses the back wave nicely). REL subs on the space below. Visiting friends marvel that the music just IS - not seeming to emanate from the panels at all, with a visceral substance to the sound. I'm very grateful to Magnepan for these two slices of Magic at such a reasonable price! I've found my last speakers 🎵🎶😊🎶🎵

[@StefanUrkel]

Do you think it would be feasible to mount them on a raised swing bar that can swing out for optimal listening and swing back closer to wall when done, while still having top sound quality vs the optional LRS+ stands?

[@josephchamberlain3681]

I have the Rotel 1592 MK2 driving 1.7i. Before that I had the Sound Artist SA200ia driving them. I obviously like my Rotel better, but I honestly think you would be shocked by what the Sound Artist got you for around $400.

[@nanju75]

I am using used Rotel RB-980 BX amplifier with my Magnepan 1.6 QRs. I have no problem driving them in a room 18X 20X 7.5 feet. Volume knob on my Preamp (Adcom 750P) never has to go above 9 O' clock to 10 O' clock position. Lately I am thinking of upgrading to monoblocks.

[@stephenschmitt8630]

Hi , I have the LRS + on order. I presently own PS audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC and 2 M700 monoblocks putting out 700 watts per channel at 4 ohms. Also damping factor of > 1100 . Should this be a good match for the LRS’ + ‘s ?? Thanks for you input!

[@MDchaz]

How did this combo work out? I was thinking about the same set up.

[@SuperMcgenius]

Just rewatched this, a good tube preamp and a class D crown amp works, then latter upgrade . Yes the mags need 200-600. Open baffle subs can be fun.

[@brickZA]

A pedantic note on the dB calculation, "double the power for 3 dB" is a (pretty good) approximation, if you want to be exact you should count 10x power for 10 dB. FWIW, double is around 3.0103 dB :)

[@onepieceatatime]

All that math was for loudness at one meter, not the listening position. Plus there's dynamic compression to factor in, especially with speakers like this. I'm not sure how loud they can even get, especially at lower frequencies, but it would be interesting to know. Subs would surely help.

[@philippelabrecque6658]

From my experimentation and others it seems that watts are not really the thing you need. You need some of course but I think Gain is more important. And noise reduction just after that. A preamp with 12 or 20 db of gain makes a world of difference. Lets say your amp has 26 or 29db's of gain and you put 12 to 20 more db's on top of that you'll hear it for sure! Second, noise, because most of us don't really realize how much noise we're asking our amps to push instead of sound. I realized at some point going up the latter and reaching 800 watts in 4 ohms that i was still unimpressed. Why? The gain was the same on my amps and the style of cables i was using. There was a difference but not enough for the wattage. I realized that noise getting in, masquarades as "highs" or "air". When you play with cables and now i build my own, you realise that a lot of "air=noise" gets in ,especially at both ends of the cables. When you try full aluminium casings (but carbon/metal are better to my ear) on both ends of an AC cable and you get at least 2 of these in your system you'll notice that your entire system sounds way stronger. Why? Because the proportions of sound versus noise = air your pushing has changed and the mids and midbass are way more prominent now. The effect is so obvious that if you accumulate more of these cables you can easily go overboard and feel like there is not enough air in the sound. At that point i change the heads with silver plated copper to get some air back wihhout introducing noise. But my point is that you can dramatically change your impression of strength from your amp by simply changing the AC cables that are in the system and thus getting way more from your amp than you thought it could deliver. I call it the Hegel/Naim effect. The main reason they sound so much stronger is because of their capacity to block out noise and push sound instead of air. Gain plays a part of course but if you dont have the money like me, cables are the way to go and additional gain from a preamp. A good 12db or 20db of gain from a preamp makes a lot of difference in the strength that you have at the other end to drive your Magnapans. I went from 300 watts to 600 to 800 watts into 4 ohms with 1340watts peak and was still not impressed because the amps we're all the same db's of gain and i was pushing noise ,that i couldn't hear, but was evidently there... Now just with cables , i can make low wattage amps sound way stronger. They're not stronger they are just pushing the right proportion of sound and air thats all. That's my experience anyway.

[@garyrancourt370]

I forgot to mention that the Stark Sound Fiera4 is priced at $1499 MSRP so, IMO, an incredible bargain.

[@kloss213]

Had many maggies and did enjoy them but the dynamics were so compressed I had to move on. I still run AMT and ribbons but have moved more into horns. Horns allow me many amplifier options inefficient designs are limiting and may save money on purchase but make you pay much for amplification and electricity. I can run 1000 watts or just 2 on many of my horn systems I can pick SET PP Class A -D OTL whatever I want.

[@van94weightlossjourney]

My Mark Levinson is rated 100 wpc 8 ohms, 200 wpc at 4 ohms, 400 wpc at 2 ohms. It makes my LRS to 1.6R (modded) sing with glory.

[@SpirallingOut]

I'm a little confused about the new Magnepan subwoofer. Do you know if it's meant to be a standalone full range speaker or is it meant to be used in conjunction with something like the LRS+, which I've heard can be a bit weak on bass? I know you can used them standalone. I've seen all the recent videos of people blown away when they find out the LRS's amp was turned off while music was played in a demo of the subwoofers.

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

It was a demonstration to show how fast the driver is. Its still supposed to be played like a subwoofer, but it a dipole. If you've never heard a dipole subwoofer like linkwitz stuff, then you'll have no idea what this sounds like.

[@timoteo6687]

I have Magneplanar MG-IIIIa speakers and drive them with an original Adcom GFA-535 amp. It outputs a "whopping" 100 watts/channel into 4 ohms. I have read that this amp does have a significant amount of headroom. I have no problem driving my Maggies to levels so loud I cannot stand to be in the room - what I would call "deafening" volume - before clipping indicators on the amp come on. The listening room is approximately 14' wide by 22' long.

[@garysmith8455]

Always better to have HEADROOM, especially for Mahler!! In my dedicated space (18x24x8), I have a Parasound A-21 driving a pair of Martin Logan Classic 9's (90 DB efficient) from their Masterpiece series. Sitting 20' from the speakers at the listening post, the suggested 400w. pc. by Martin Logan, for orchestral recordings, it's all the dynamics and sound pressure levels one could ever need. Ear damage can and WILL occur.😵‍💫 Needless to say, I have never topped that amp out!

[@amybratten8829]

Kudos to TAS for all the interviews and product discussion videos - coincident with Fremer’s addition, you guys have been flooding the airwaves (Alon Wolf, Mark Spitz, Nagra…) - but…could “Tom” at least introduce himself at the beginning - I’ve been an audiophile for 50 years, read everything that comes out but find it off-putting when on multiple videos, someone just starts talking - rather than listening I spent most of the time wondering “who is this guy?”

[@kowosky]

Schiit Vidar 2? or even 2 of them 400w less then 2k

[@craigpaske9351]

The Magnepan website states that to properly drive their speakers, the amplifier should come close to doubling the watts going from 8ohm to 4ohm. No Bryston amplifier comes close to that. Equating higher price with higher quality came become self fulfilling.

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

there is an extensive write-up of the LRS+ in the Oct 22 issue (no. 331)

[@timothystockman7533]

I run Outlaw M2200 Monoblocks on my Magnepan MMGs.

[@devinwilliams4851]

I run a pair of M2220's with my LRS's in a similar size room as described in the video. When I turn up the volume, the high end starts to sound a bit bright (and slightly distorted).They sound decent at normal volumes, but never quite fill the space with the realistic, holographic image I've read about (and experienced in a demo of the .7). Also, the low frequency falls flat at about 70 or so Hz. (I have a fairly neutral, revealing DAC and Pre-amp, so I'm not sure if they may be exacerbating the high frequency issue.) Now i wonder if I should have gone with a class AB amp with lower wattage output, like Schiit Vidar, or a used Rotel, Adcomm, or Brytson 3 bst.

[@TriAmpHiFi]

That math is at 1 meter away too. There's an additional multiplier for every 1 meter back to the listening position. Ouch! 🔈🔉🔊

[@tg6373]

My $600 Polk L100s love my Levinson 5302 power amp.

[@TE5LA-GAMING]

How do you think the LRS+ would pair with a Bryston 3BST?

[@jonmccorkle1649]

I use a Crown 1502 XLS amp rated at 525W into 4 ohms and my 1.7s sing. It annoys my audiophile friends that I use a Crown, but it works and works well. My room is 19x17x8.

[@djdj500dr]

I'm looking at a Crown, you still happy with yours?

[@alvaroantonioocampogrey2823]

I’ve used to drive them with the same amp til my friend brought his vintage Nikko Alpha, 100 watts in 8ohms (don’t know specs in 4 ohms) night and day difference, much much better in every possible way, but it clips at medium-high volumes. Since then I’m searching for the right pairing, I have faith for better amps. But 💸

[@mauriziotrolli4411]

Would an Audio Research D125 power amp with 8 6550's fit?

[@davybloggs1564]

I don't believe an LRS+ could EVER produce 115db. And I don't believe you could hear an instrument playing at 30db in your room as you suggest - 30db is like a whisper.

[@Peter-ii4xq]

Magnepans's have no enclosure so no sound of their own. I bought old but rebuild 0,5's for only 250 euro/dollar. My 60 Watt tube mono blocks were not able to handle them. So I bought an Ayre V6 2x300 Watt for 1900 euro and they sound great. This combi will be hard to beat for the money. Now I wonder will a 1.6 or 1.7 sound better in my small room, 10 x 15 feet? Any suggestions?

[@ridirefain6606]

I have often felt the 60% of your audio budget should go towards speakers as an outdated approach. I find that one should first find the speaker that suits their taste and budget first. Then allocate towards the amp that has best synergy towards it. In short, the amp and speaker should be considered as a whole not individual pieces at a given price point.

[@recordhead]

My Marantz PM 8006 is 8 / 4 Ohm 70 W / 100. Want to get a pair of the LRS+ but I've been told it's probably not a good match.

[@rightslot1]

No. Not a good match. The Marantz will "drive" the speakers, but there are nuances of sound that you will NEVER hear. And when you attempt to get to that by raising the volume distortion will knick in. A very reasonable way to go? Parasound. Great value for the money.

[@DrGregC]

It's not inefficiency that stopped me from buying Magnepan. I have sufficient power, but I found in auditions that the speakers really do not come alive unless they are played loud (>85dB). Even with plenty of power/current, they sound flat at listening levels that I find comfortable (65-75dB). I'll call this insensitivity. At 85-90dB, they make magic that is incomparable, but that is not the way I listen to music on a regular basis.

[@keeferdog5617]

Will the Bryston 2.5 cubed be enough power for the LRS+ ???? HELLO- ANYONE?

[@kozmiczian]

Has anyone up there in AS heard of or tried the hi-fi player app, 'USB Pro' . . . a great sounding, downloadable digital player App, for PC or any streamer. Wait for it!

[@st-lr2uy]

What are those boxes in the corners?

[@LookSee]

High current amps into 4 ohms?

[@mostirreverent]

I’ve read two downfalls about the speakers. One is they don’t sounds great with an Adcom GFA 555, and two, they don’t handle Led Zeppelin well

[@rightslot1]

??? on the first part. Complete B.S. on the second. I can't tell you how many times I've played Led Zeppelin IV with my Magnepan LRS +. Each time I swear I hear something different/new. I have Hegel H390. And about to change to either Pass Labs or Bryston. But the Hegel is great! The speakers are fab!! They fill the room--even better than my Focal towers did. Layers of sound.

[@williamcampbell3868]

Magnepan 1.6's can rock out and will sound best when biamped, especially with tubes on top and transistors on the bottom. I'm using a Conrad Johnson mv55 and Adcom 555 mk2. This combination makes the Maggie's soar even higher. I also recommend Myesound stands. They add weight and rigidity to them which improve sound staging focus and bass extension. They also look so cool, especially the Stealth stands.

[@alecrowell3953]

@@williamcampbell3868 Are you using an electronic Xover? If so, what, what slope, and at what Xover points?

[@williamcampbell3868]

@@alecrowell3953 Greetings Mr Cromwell3953 Sir!😁It is a pleasure to communicate with you. The two amplifiers I'm using to power the Maggie 1.6's, the Conrad Johnson mv55 and Adcom 555 mk2 ( I use a classic Hafler dh120 during spring &summer ) have the same input sensitivity and the Maggie's are capable of handling all the power and then some. The crossovers that came with the two Vandersteen 2w's I'm using are passive. When used in the system there was a low bass disconnect between the main speakers and the subwoofers. I've had different speakers over the years and had the Maggie's for 19. With the passive crossover removed I got a far more seamless and satisfying blend and everything across the board was improved. The crossovers, I think are beneficial for speakers that have limited power handling capabilities and bass extension. The Maggie's along with the Myesound stands (highly recommended) have enough bass and power handling capability so the crossover is not needed in my system in part.

[@williamcampbell3868]

@@alecrowell3953 Greetings Sir, it is a pleasure to communicate with you. I made a mistake in responding to your question earlier by typing your youtube name wrong and I believe it went somewhere else. The Conrad Johnson mv55 and Adcom 555 mk2 amps I'm using to power the Maggie 1.6's have the same input sensitivity and the Maggie's can handle all their power and then some, so I don't need no crossover, active or passive.The two Vandersteen 2w subwoofers I'm using with them came with a passive crossover that cut the bass extension the Maggie's and other speakers I've used over the years causing bass discontinuity. The Maggie's along with the Myesound stands (which I highly recommend) and not using a crossover, plus biamping with tubes on midrange and treble with transistors on bass I achieved a more natural and seamless blend with the subwoofers. I think the crossover benefits speakers with less bass extension and power handling capability.

[@richardbixler]

@14:39 not really true anymore in my opinion. Class D amplification has really come a long way. Crown makes some great stuff around the $500 range that measure extremely well with tremendous power. They aren’t much to look at but they’ll be objectively better then many amps that cost a lot more.

[@Roof_Pizza]

lolz

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

You dont understand what magnepans are.

[@SuperMcgenius]

Sadly the crossovers in the mags are not made with great parts,

[@glenncurry3041]

Danny has kits.

[@issadad]

@@glenncurry3041 Who is Danny please?

[@SuperMcgenius]

Yes, min would be Quality 150 W 300 would be better

[@Michael-bj4sz]

If you need a high current/high power amp to drive the LRS+, then why does a 20-25 First Watt Nelson Pass amp drive those speakers just fine?

[@Exgol2005]

New Record Day didn't get good results with that amp.

[@j-rod6420]

You can drive them with any medium power amplifier, and the results are fine. Once you try them with high current amplifier like the bryston, it brings them up a level. It's worth a try.

[@Wjohnson8437]

What is this guy taking about? Anyone with any experience in this area always talk about current vs power. It is all about current with Maggies. Plenty reasonable price equipment can work well.

[@trevorlane3459]

So, may I ask some examples of economic high current amps I can consider?

[@intothevoid9831]

You do realize that power is a byproduct of current, yes?

[@chrislazar7357]

Watch the video at 1.5x speed.

[@issadad]

Respectfully, sir, not as helpful as I'd hoped. 17 mins into this video I'm ready to throw myself under a train if I hear once more how much I need to spend on amplification -- without any actual amplifiers recommended (not even the Bryston is discussed).

[@garylowe8182]

aaaaaahhhh

[@davidstein9129]

This is was an interesting video. But this person takes forever to make key points.