Burantek, thanks for the welcome!
Gosh, where do I begin to gush about my Maggies? The magnepan sound envelopes me in the recorded audio world like no other. Maggies breathe music. It floats out in the most natural way, engulfing me in a sound stage. The players, the instruments are separate yet cohesive. I believe the B & O amps I use, (I've tried others) are perfect, unassuming and powerful partners.
Some in the audio world wonder what our gush is all about. I believe the Maggie sound appeals to a particular ear. Not better, not more sophisticated -- just an appeal to ears that find them delightful. A niche product, perhaps.
The envelope is small. The larger speaker (5-foot) and optimum placement requirements are demanding. They are power hungry. Many complain about a diminished bass response. All true (except the "loudness" button on the Beocenter 7700 seems to occasionally remedy that for me) Also dvd-a and high end CDs also seem to give me a satisfying bass. I think it is about accurate bass reproduction, not a lost dynamicism -but that is just me.
Not all Maggies are adorable. I own a second pair of Maggies (smg-c) that are smaller, quicker and cleaner. But it's also like the difference between vinyl and cds. The early mags and the true ribbon models have something extra. The smaller Maggies I rescued from a pawn shop even though I knew they were not well thought of (think: Beocenter 2200) in the magnepan world .
I've sat in the B&O stores and others listening to other speakers. But my wife says the 'Maggie smile' she sees on me, is pure joy
Dan