Why restoring Magnepan MG3.6R speakers and updating the speaker cloth is totally worth it
Let’s be honest: have you ever listened to music from a recording that truly captures the spatial depth and precision of a live concert? In today’s world of immersive audio and Dolby Surround, that might sound like an odd question. But think about it—this isn’t about digital tweaks that “optimise” sound and put you in the middle of the stage, where, frankly, the audience would never sit. The real question is: how do you recreate the sound from the front row, where every detail is razor-sharp, and the soundstage feels genuinely three-dimensional?
Most audio purists will agree that traditional speakers just can’t get you there. Speaker cabinets always influence the sound, and conventional speakers are unidirectional: They project sound mostly forward, making the listening experience a bit flat. The room doesn’t “breathe”, and even with perfect phase alignment, there’s usually only one “sweet spot” where everything sounds just right—the much-quoted apex of the stereo triangle.
The advantages of planar speakers
If you’re after a truly spatial and precise listening experience, you’ll want to explore alternative designs, like open-baffle systems or planar speakers—specifically ESLs and full-range magnetostats. These speakers, with their figure-eight sound dispersion pattern, allow the room’s acoustics to become part of the music. They also offer phenomenal transient response, fantastic detail, and minimal distortion.
So why aren’t there planar speakers in every living room? For starters, they’re technically demanding to make, so they’re pricier—and they’re also delicate. They’ve got limited membrane excursion, so they tend to be large. And to deliver their spatial magic, they need space. You can’t just tuck them into the corners of your bookshelf. In short, these high-end hi-fi speakers don’t come cheap or compact. But if you’ve got the room and the budget, you might find yourself dreaming about them until you own a pair—perhaps the revered Quad electrostats, which often come equipped with our speaker fabrics, by the way.
The legendary Magnepan magnetostats
If you’ve got even more space, consider Magnepan’s massive magnetostatic speakers. Since the 1970s, they’ve been celebrated for their neutral, detailed sound, incredible inner detail and focus, brilliant transient response, and massive soundstage. The catch? A brand-new pair of Magnepan 3.7i speakers will easily set you back five figures.
The hidden gem: MG3.6R
That’s where the MG3.6R comes in. As the predecessor to the 3.7i, it’s available on the second-hand market for far less. Yet many of these legendary speakers are sitting neglected in storage, suffering from issues like buzzing and rattling due to loose or oxidised wiring on the Mylar membrane or somewhat torn and tired-looking speaker fabric. So, are they better left in the attic as dusty relics? Absolutely not!
Breathing new life into the MG3.6R
Restoring a pair of MG3.6Rs is more than worth your time. The sound is still top-notch, and replacement parts, along with – admittedly very succinct – restoration guides, are still available directly from the manufacturer. In our online shop, you can choose from a wide range of acoustic fabrics to refresh your speakers’ look. With a bit of time and DIY effort, you can bring back that magical Magnepan sound on a budget. There are amazingly detailed step-by-step guides online, including video tutorials on YouTube, that show how to reattach or replace the wiring. Once that’s done, covering them with new speaker fabric is a simple finishing touch.
From MG3.6R to 3.7: A restoration success story
Take it from Guillaume Schmidt, a customer from Castelnau de Medoc near Bordeaux in France. He recently restored his MG3.6R and shared the process with us—many thanks, Guillaume! Not only did he revive the sound, but he also gave the speakers a visual update, swapping the somewhat dated natural wood and beige fabric design for a sleek, timelessly elegant look based on the current 3.7i with black speaker cloth and corresponding wooden elements. Now his speakers don’t just sound fantastic—they look the part too. Hats off!
All photos courtesy of Guillaume Schmidt