From Maggie to Masterpiece: Inside the Magnepan X Upgrade

So, What’s the Magnepan X Upgrade?

Magnepan is a company that has been captivating music lovers with their speakers since 1969. The incredible amount of music being made, recorded, and played live at that time had to be a source of inspiration for founder Jim Winey. Their speakers have a long history and have become legendary among audiophiles and people who enjoy good music. Rather than reiterate their history here, which you can easily find, I would rather tell you about Magnepan listeners, of whom I am one.

Magnepan’s Legacy and the Loyalty It Inspires

Over the decades, Magnepan users have been captivated by the ability of a pair of Magnepans to put you in the room with the event. These speakers can deliver detail and create a sound stage that is so captivating that Magnepan users tend to be lifers. I've talked to many owners over the years as friends, colleagues, and customers, and few brands command the loyalty that Magnepan does. That has been earned over time, by delivering a beautiful product that sounds incredible, and for what most consider great pricing when you compare how they perform to other speakers in their respective price points.

This is not only the case with their top-of-the-line speakers, either. Take, for instance, the recent LRS+ and .7 revolution! I cannot tell you how many people I've talked to who own one of these two models. These speakers are filling more rooms today than the company has time to keep up with. Magnepan's sound has always been geared towards everyone. While countless people are building systems with Maggies that simply enjoy music, they are detailed and expansive enough for audiophiles, which is rare.

Maggie Speakers Magnepan

Why the X Upgrade Exists: Design Without Compromise

Magnepan rarely makes model changes, a hallmark of a company pursuing true innovation rather than just tweaks to create a new model so they can move more units. A model change only occurs when a clear upgrade is achieved. That said, I was surprised to hear about the X models when they came out, but I was immediately excited about the possibilities.

I've had my .7s now for two years since Steve Guttenberg talked me into buying them from watching his review several times. I love them and get a kick out of showing them to people who have never heard a speaker like this. Could I love them more? Could there be a Corvette Stingray or Z06 version of the already loved Corvette? Could Magnepan make an even more “audiophile” version of their speakers? That's precisely what they have done here.

Why the Upgrade?

When it comes to final decisions in any design, oftentimes decisions are made to reduce the cost to meet a certain price point. It’s the nature of how some designs are made to avoid outpricing their customer base. Magnepan has been particularly adamant about not making its customers chase the upgrade.

This can be achieved in numerous ways, but the most common approach is to reduce the cost of components in the crossover. Capacitors, wiring, chokes, and other parts can add up. This is especially true in audio, as many of these parts are already pricier than parts used in different industries for various reasons. It gets expensive when discussing premium hand-made and paired capacitors. For reference, you typically don't begin seeing truly good parts used in a crossover until you are pretty high up the food chain of speakers, $10k and above.

With that in mind, Magnepan wanted to see what they could do to push each model to the edge of its abilities. Setting out to make a no-holds-barred version of each speaker while offering the tried and true versions was a bold move. And one I like. I'm an owner of the .7s, as I mentioned earlier. Like most Maggie owners, I bought these to fit a room size, not necessarily the price point. Now, where do you go with this? Should I upgrade? Would you buy the X version right out of the gate? Let's get into some of these questions, and I'm sure you have them too.

What Sets the X Apart: A Closer Look at the Upgrades

At first glance, this appears to be a simple cap upgrade, but it doesn't take long to realize it is a complete upgrade. No piece is left untouched when you see the X on the speaker's backplate.

Wired for Performance: Internal Upgrades Explained

Much like the cabling in a system, the internal wiring helps each part do its job well. The X upgrade begins and ends with a massive wiring upgrade, which Magnepan says has a large part to do with the overall results. In the X design, highly pure 15-gauge copper wiring is used throughout the design and terminated with pure silver solder. To reduce any additional noise and other issues, each crossover has been carefully designed to use the shortest wire runs possible, decluttering and reducing wasted wire throughout.

Capacitors, Coils & Resistors: Audiophile-Grade at Every Level

Capacitors

Everyone talks about using better capacitors, but the best way to have a pair of speakers benefit from this would be to get picky. Once you get a batch of capacitors, start weeding out the ones that still don't meet a rigorous standard, and then match them between speakers so your voicing is balanced. That makes sense. This is rarely done to this extent, but that is precisely what Magnepan has done with the capacitors on the X series. Magnepan has employed an audiophile-quality copper, polypropylene capacitor for the X series.

Each is individually tested and sorted to match the other to within .01%. Depending on placement on the board and the specifics of each crossover design, these are then utilized either in individual placement or capacitor banks. Each capacitor bank is then tested further.

The goal is to make left and right pairs, and both banks will be matched within 0.005% of each other's capacitance. When you have tolerances that are this tight, your gear performs better, like a sports car or rocket, and you can start shedding unnecessary parts. A better choice of capacitor, with a tighter group of tolerances, negates the need for as many capacitors of a lower quality.

Coils & Resistors

Magnepan produces its own high-quality, bobbin-wound coils in the X series using a larger gauge of highly pure copper and testing the tolerance of each unit down to 0.001%. To further ensure you are hearing balance, they again match them to within 0.05% after mounting them on each board.

Magnepan models rarely use resistors. However, where they are deployed, the X models use larger, better-quality resistors, matching each to .005%. For example, instead of one 1-ohm resistor, they run two 2-ohm resistors in parallel to equate to 1 ohm.

Inside the X: What Actually Changes

Addressing the crossover is an incredibly effective and proven way to improve a speaker. The crossover is typically where manufacturers trim on cost to meet a design budget. It's like building the car of your dreams, and once you see the price tag, you start cutting the extras until you can afford the car. The X is no-holds-barred, this is Magnepan pulling all the stops, and adding all the extras and the moon roof back in.

The Crossover Upgrade – Heart of the X Transformation

A properly designed crossover enhances clarity across the frequency range, ensuring cleaner transitions between drivers and tighter control over crossover points. In theory, this should make the speaker’s overall response more coherent, resolving, and dynamic.

Magnepans are already known for their exceptional imaging and soundstage, but early impressions suggest the X Series pushes things even further, approaching electrostatic detail retrieval and speed levels.

An improved crossover comes with significantly scaled-up performance in detail retrieval, clarity, bass response, sound staging, and imaging. You really have to push a pair of Magnepans to find their edges and have an incredibly resolving source to hear the limits of imaging and sound staging.

Clarity, Control, and Coherence: What the X Series Delivers

I'm intrigued by the possibilities for the X. It's not just about the fact that they are better; it's the pairing possibilities. The X series speakers are only limited by the capabilities of the gear they are being paired with. This means that the sky is the limit on what image they can cast in front of you, and the depth and detail you hear are only limited by your gear, not the speakers.

With an upgraded crossover, you can typically expect:

Greater detail retrieval – More microdetails and textures emerge from recordings
Better clarity and transparency – A more effortless, natural presentation
More controlled bass response – More control, articulation, and depth
More expansive soundstage and imaging – The speakers disappear even further into the room

Should You Buy Maggies, Upgrade, or Go All-In on the X?

If you are buying Magnepans for the first time, or just getting a new pair, rather than upgrading, I don't see any reason not to go for the Magnepan X version. Over the years, the hi-fi landscape has dramatically changed, and many listeners have more highly resolving systems than ever before. The way to go is to get the X upgrade for an already resolving system or building a system around them. Not to mention, you will never be wondering, “What if I had gotten the X version?” The upgrade path is down the road, but it's not an inexpensive upgrade. If you are buying now with the thought of upgrading down the road, it may be more advantageous to save for the X now. However, we can help navigate upgrade, trade, or new pricing for you when that time comes.

The upgrades put Magnepan’s time-tested designs in a new light. The new design, implementation level, and crossovers place these speakers in a conversation with speakers that cost twice their price. The Maggie sound is not for everyone; it takes some commitment, both in size and room standpoint. Not to mention, you should make sure you have the right amp paired with them. (If you are interested, check out this guide for Finding the Best Amplifiers for Magnepan Speakers.)

That said, if you are all in on the Maggie sound, I don't see why the X would not be for you. Over time, you will see more and more two-channel listeners shifting to the X series and multi-channel users using them as the fronts and the normal series as their additional speakers.

The X is for someone with a great system who wants to hear all the details and secrets every recording has to offer. These speakers are absolute hot rods.

Final Thoughts: The X Unlocks Your System’s Full Potential

I'm sitting here listening to my .7s. I’m demoing the VIABLUE S-4 speaker cables, and they are absolutely unleashing these .7s. The clarity and bass I'm getting out of these is unreal. It has me thinking it may be time to get the X upgrade and a pair of these S-4s and see if I can make this room a concert hall.

Frequently Asked Questions About Magnepan X

How do I choose the right amplifier for Magnepans?

This question comes up frequently, but it is an important one. The answer is finding an amplifier with a lot of current, not necessarily watts. To dive deeper, here is an incredible resource to better understand how to make the right call when choosing the right amplifier for Magnepans. You can also check out this video we put together to tackle this very subject.

How long do Magnepan speakers last?

These speakers will last 20 years or more and are easily repaired. Many customers have come to buy a new pair of Magnepans after passing on 20+ year old pairs to friends and kids as gifts or just sharing the hi-fi experience. There is always an upgrade or trade-in path, but you can comfortably build a system around these speakers.

What is the Magnepan X Series?

The Magnepan X Series enhances existing Magnepan speaker models by replacing key components with higher-quality parts for improved sound performance. This focuses mainly on the speakers' crossover. Magnepan models can now be purchased in the original version or the upgraded X version. If you already have a pair of Magnepans and would like to upgrade to the X, this is also an option.

Which Magnepan Models Are Eligible for the Upgrade?

The following models are offered as the X at purchase or qualify for the X upgrade:

What Improvements Does the X Upgrade Include?

With X, the main objective was to rebuild the crossovers using a new design, higher-quality capacitors, inductors, and wiring, which enhance clarity, resolution, and overall performance. Some models may also receive upgraded gold-plated speaker input connectors.

Whether you’re looking to buy your first Maggies, upgrade your current Magnepans, or trade in your existing speakers, we’ve got you covered. Our team of HiFi experts is here to guide you every step of the way—from selecting the perfect model for your room to helping you navigate the upgrade path or trade-in process.

Let us help you unlock the full potential of your system.

Get in touch with one of our Hi-Fi Guides today and take the next step in your Magnepan journey.