In this review, we will be comparing 1.7i and Kendall, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Magnepan and KLH.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Magnepan 1.7i and KLH Kendall first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Magnepan 1.7i | KLH Kendall |
|---|
| Brand | Magnepan
United States · founded 1969 | KLH
United States · founded 1957 |
|---|
| Design | — | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | — | 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 40-24k Hz | 25-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 96 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | up to 250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 43.09kg / 94.8lbs | 22.14kg / 48.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 65" x 19" x 2"
1651.0 x 482.6 x 50.8mm | 40-3/16" x 8-5/16" x 14-15/16"
1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that 1.7i is a -way design whereas the Kendall is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
Magnepan 1.7i |
KLH Kendall |
|
Driver Setup
|
-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
x -inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
1.7i features a " Tweeter and x " Woofer. On the other hand, the Kendall features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
1.7i has a frequency range of 40-24k Hz whereas Kendall has a frequency range of 25-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Kendall can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 1.7i's min frequency of 40Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
1.7i is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Kendall which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the 1.7i can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. 1.7i sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Kendall's is rated at 96 dB. This 10 dB difference makes the KLH Kendall a more sensitive speaker compared to Magnepan 1.7i, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Magnepan 1.7i's and KLH Kendall's external dimensions. Magnepan 1.7i has external dimensions of 1651.0 x 482.6 x 50.8mm (65 x 19 x 2inch) whereas KLH Kendall has external dimensions of 1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm (40-3/16 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch).
KLH Kendall is 270.6mm narrower and 630mm shorter than Magnepan 1.7i but it is also 329.2mm deeper.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
KLH Kendall needs about 229% more floor or shelf area. KLH Kendall is 329mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Magnepan 1.7i is 630mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Magnepan 1.7i is approximately 245.2cm2 / 38.0inch2 and base area of the KLH Kendall is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2. The 1.7i requires 70% less surface area than the Kendall which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Magnepan 1.7i weighs 43.09kg / 94.8lbs and the KLH Kendall weighs 22.14kg / 48.7lbs. This makes the 1.7i 95% heavier than the Kendall.
Here is a comparison of how 1.7i and Kendall's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of KLH Kendall?
Here are the items that come with the Kendall:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- Foam port
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet (with nuts)
- 4 Protective discs
- Manual
 High Frequency Response |
24k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
245cm2
vs
805cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
1021mm
vs
1651mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
1500USD
vs
2995USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Magnepan 1.7i |
KLH Kendall |
| Brand |
Magnepan |
KLH |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
40-24k Hz |
25-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
2 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Butyl Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5.25" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1651.0mm (65") |
1021.0mm (40.2") |
| Width |
482.6mm (19") |
212.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
50.8mm (2") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Weight |
43.09kg (94.8lbs) |
22.14kg (48.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Dipole |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
10 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Magnepan 1.7i costs roughly 2x what KLH Kendall does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | KLH Kendall digs deeper - 25Hz against 40Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | KLH Kendall is more sensitive (96dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | KLH Kendall is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Size | depends | Magnepan 1.7i is easier to place; KLH Kendall is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Dipole vs Ported. |
| Expandability | B | KLH Kendall: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | KLH Kendall is cheaper - $1,500 against $2,995, about 50% less; arguably a different class. |
A Magnepan 1.7i B KLH Kendall
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
KLH Kendall is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Magnepan 1.7i if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 40Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, KLH Kendall has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Magnepan 1.7i is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.