I think you're missing the point. For 99.9% of their customers, there's absolutely nothing wrong with a pair of Maggies as they were built. I seriously doubt we are representative of the majority (or more than miniscule minority). Even among the members of this forum who have modified MMGs, I don't know anyone else who has made a pair of hybrids. So, I'm an exception among the exceptions, but I wouldn't want them any other way. I'm grateful that MMGs are dirt cheap and I'd like to see them stay that way.
I agree that Magnepan uses some cheezy components in their XOs, but that's not exactly unusual. Regardless of that fact, stock Maggies are quite good speakers. In fact, it's their basic goodness that leads most of us to tweak them - they are worthy of the effort. If Magnepan were to alter their XOs, would it be possible for them to do it such that everyone would be pleased with them? I don't think so.
The fact is that some people just like to tinker. I confess that I'm such an individual. For me, it's part of the fun of this hobby. I and others with a similar inclination will always be able to find something to change. As that applies to Maggies, there is simply no way Magnepan could mass produce hardwood frames and doing such a thing for a 'select' line would not only be expensive for them, it could be very harmful to the sales of their 'standard' line.
We know something about Magnepan's financial status. They aren't in Washington begging for money. They don't appear to be facing bankruptcy. I believe what Wendell said about their running a lean business and I think it's the only way they have managed to survive this long; it's the only way they will continue to survive.
I think we are telling Wendell what we want - we want Magnepan to stick with what works. That suggestion is not akin to our sticking our heads in the sand; it's an expression of our fear that monkeying with their product line would be a devastating mistake. It's also something of a facing of fact - we really are the lunatic fringe (even (hell, especially) you, Mr. Redwood).
Long live Magnepan!
"Jazz is not dead - it just smells funny" FZ
