Magnepan 1.7i Planar Magnetic Speakers; pair

The Magnepan 1.7i is a full-range, three-way quasi-ribbon planar-magnetic speaker. Like every Maggie, the sound comes from thin diaphragms suspended in a magnetic field rather than cones in a box, and that is where its see-through midrange and big, room-filling soundstage come from. The 1.7i is a three-way panel with separate mid/bass, tweeter and super tweeter sections, so it plays bigger, digs deeper, and resolves more than the smaller two-way .7.

The Absolute Sound gave the 1.7i a 2022 Golden Ear Award and called it "a genuine Hall of Famer, and an easy pick for TAS 2021 Budget Product of the Year," and TAS reviewer Jonathan Valin counts the design among his favorite loudspeakers of the last 70 years. Magnepan hand-builds every 1.7i to order in your choice of finish, and as the largest Magnepan dealer in the United States, we often find your combination already on hand at Magnepan.

Key Features of the Magnepan 1.7i

• Three-Way Quasi-Ribbon Design: Three separate driver sections, each a thin radiating panel rather than a cone, for low coloration and fast transient response.
• True Full-Range Panel: 40Hz to 24kHz from a single dipole panel, with no woofer in a box and no crossover-to-cone handoff in the bass.
• Dipole Planar Design: Radiates from both sides of the panel, the trait behind Magnepan's open, spacious soundstage.
• Slim, Room-Friendly Profile: 65 inches tall and just 2 inches deep.
• Made in the USA: Hand-built at Magnepan's factory in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
• 20 Finish Combinations: Four grille fabrics and five trim options, so the panel matches the room rather than fighting it.

How the Magnepan 1.7i Makes Its Sound

The Magnepan 1.7i is a three-way quasi-ribbon dipole rated at 4 ohms and 86dB sensitivity (2.83V). Instead of pushing air with cones in a cabinet, large diaphragms suspended in a magnetic field radiate sound from both sides of the panel, split across three separate driver sections. The result is low stored energy, quick transients, and the open, unboxed presentation Magnepan is known for. Like every Magnepan, the 1.7i rewards a strong, current-capable amplifier; give it real power and it comes alive.

What the 1.7i's Bigger Panel Delivers

Stepping up to the 1.7i is about what the larger three-way panel gives you, not a room measurement. More radiating area than the compact .7 means a bigger, more effortless soundstage and more output, and the added quasi-ribbon super-tweeter extends the highs for more air and detail on top. Choose the 1.7i when you want a fuller, larger-scale version of the Magnepan sound. Like any dipole it rewards a little space behind it to open up, but that is a setup detail to dial in, not a limit on who it is for.

How Much Bass Does the Magnepan 1.7i Have?

The Magnepan 1.7i reaches down to 40Hz from its panel, fuller and deeper than the smaller .7 and enough to carry most music on its own. Like any panel, it stays lean in the lowest octave rather than thumping, and the bass it does make is fast and coherent because it comes from the same panel as the mids and highs. If you want more low-end weight, a fast, articulate subwoofer extends the bottom end without dragging on the panel's speed. We most often pair Magnepan with REL and Perlisten subwoofers, since both blend cleanly with a planar rather than fighting its speed.

Fabric and Trim Options for the Magnepan 1.7i

The Magnepan 1.7i is built to order in four grille fabrics (Black, Off White, Cherry White, and Dark Grey) and five side-trim finishes (Natural Oak, Black Oak, Dark Cherry, Black Aluminum, and Silver Aluminum). That gives 20 combinations, from an all-black panel that hides in a media wall to natural oak rails that warm up a living space.

Magnepan Trade-In Program

We offer trade-up credit of up to 85% of your original purchase price toward a more expensive Magnepan up the line, handled personally and case by case. See our trade-in terms for details.

The Listening Room Difference

We're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.

Magnepan 1.7i Specifications

Explore the rest of the Magnepan Standard Series (.7 · 1.7i · 2.7i · 3.7i · 20.7 · 30.7), or step up to the upgraded X-Series.