I'm less experienced than many posters (i.e. don't have experience with lots of equipment, just Spendors that I traded for MGIIs which I've had for a very long time) but I think you won't be doing the Maggies justice unless you can modify your stated restrictions. The Maggies really do want to be at least 5' from the front wall, so if 2' is your limit (i.e. current are 1' off the wall and you can come in just a little more) I would vote against them. On the other hand, if you can put them 5' out,and move yourself back towards your back wall, you can make them work the way they are meant to. This assumes you have the speakers in front of the narrow wall; if you are working the other way, with the speakers along the 12' wall and only 10' of depth to work with, I personally don't think the 1.6s will work, you just don't have enough real estate to work with.
How much room for Magnepan 1.6qr?
I'm setting up a secondary system for my office. I've got a Bryston amp and I've heard they pair very well with Maggies. I've never owned planars, and I wondered how much room I need. The room is about 10 by 12. I sit about 5 feet from the back wall, off center in the room, but centered between the current speakers, which are only about 5 feet apart from each other and about a foot off the front wall. I can bring them A LITTLE bit into the room, but not hugely. Are Magnepans appropriate for this set up? Thanks. -Dave