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Yes, I'm slightly biased, but do think i have an open mind when it comes to speakers. After attending the RMAF yesterday, I realized that the 1.6's are quite a bit better then I give them credit for at times. Of course there were better speakers there, at least they sounded better with a $50K - $100K front end driving them. There were no maggies at the show at all, but some of the others that sounded good were: Green Mtn, Verity Audio ($45K), Analysis Audio (Apogees, $24K) Vandy Quantro ($7K, liked these a lot), Wilsons, the ESP's were killer (probably best I heard)and I really liked the Acoustic Zens. A lot of what I heard hurt my ears with hyped detail and brightness. Harbeths were OK, but priced about 2X what they should be. The Thiels were awful, even the 3.7's sounded average to me. After all I've read here about Merlins, I was REALLY disappointed with them, I heard a $600 pair of Klipsh that sounded better. Sorry guys. There was one room using a small floor standing pair of Monitor Audios that was making great music, not sure of the price.
I did note that a lot of the speakers that sounded good were being driven by the Audio Note tube amps @ $45K ! It was really rare to see a room not spinning vinyl. One funny thing was that after listerning to the ESP's for a little longer then most, the rooms we went in after sounded like there was a lot missing, even though we knew we were listening to quality products, we laughed realizing our reference had been reset...at least for a while.
THe nice thing was that I came home, listened to the maggies and was not disappointed in the least! A good value does not really describe what a great deal the Maggies really are!
Follow Ups:
I had to choose between my Maggie 1.6's and a pair of Vandy's 2ce? I chose the Maggies after months of auditioning, back in 99-00. I think I made the right chgoice for me, w/ the 1.6's, but the Vandy's sounded VERY well too.I've been qurious to what the 'quatro' Vany's sound like...Safe assumtion that they sound great! I believe their around 5g's, and for now can only say I'd own a pair...only if they were if the 5A's. and for that price I could get a pair of 20.1's.
Jon
I certainly agree with you on the quality sound of maggies. I have listened to all the models, and my 1.6's are close to being as good as the TOTL. Big thing IMHO, is you do not get listening fatigue with them. My only complaint is the sweet spot for listening is pretty small. when I have friends over I give up my spot for them otherwise they say sound is predominant from the speaker i am closest to. Not a bitch for sure, just a comment.
Yes, I don't understand why everyone doesn't own at least MMG's. They make most speakers sound pretty sad.
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