A word on Martin Logans...since ELS have little bass extension...they have incorporated passive 8" dynamic bass drivers with most of their designs...bad move in my opinion...the bass driver simply lacks the speed necessary to blend with the ELS...hence the "cohesion" issues many have addressed...Inner Sound has had great success incorporating active drivers/crossovers with ELS....but they are pricey...
To Magnepan's credit...they have not buckled to the criticism that their designs lack bass...20 years ago Maggies were bass shy...not today however...and Mags are a better value than MLs...for the money...you could buy the 1.6s and a sub of your choosing that would smoke MLs...also...placement/power issues of Mags have been greatly exaggerated...any decent speaker is going to be 3-4 ft from a wall...regardless of design...and on a 100w Bryston b-60...which are knows for bass output...the 1.6s are simple breathtaking....
To Magnepan's credit...they have not buckled to the criticism that their designs lack bass...20 years ago Maggies were bass shy...not today however...and Mags are a better value than MLs...for the money...you could buy the 1.6s and a sub of your choosing that would smoke MLs...also...placement/power issues of Mags have been greatly exaggerated...any decent speaker is going to be 3-4 ft from a wall...regardless of design...and on a 100w Bryston b-60...which are knows for bass output...the 1.6s are simple breathtaking....