To me, Maggie 1.6QR best qualities are their coherency, their open and lack of a boxy sound, and their bass. I think they can be bested in the midrange and high end without spending much more but you will likely lose at least some those other qualities.
Yes a good high current amp will improve the bass. I have not measured mine but the bass on these things is one of their best attributes, very tight and full and articulate, and other have measured them down to about 36HZ. I can believe it as they are darned impressive, they will not pump out 40HZ tones at loud volumes though and run out of steam quickly if asked to do so, as most speakers without a subwoofer will.
Yes a good high current amp will improve the bass. I have not measured mine but the bass on these things is one of their best attributes, very tight and full and articulate, and other have measured them down to about 36HZ. I can believe it as they are darned impressive, they will not pump out 40HZ tones at loud volumes though and run out of steam quickly if asked to do so, as most speakers without a subwoofer will.