Vandersteen 3A or 2CE Signatures have many of the virtues of the Magnepan in an esy to use package. The Linkwitz Orion is also an excellent alternative if dipole operation is desired. If only a true planar magnetic will do, the Eminent Technology LFT-8a couples panels to a sealed box dynamic woffer with excellent results. Do some research and try to listen to these if the opportunity arises. Good luck.
What speakers can make a convert of Maggie lovers?
After living with Magneplanars for many years (1.6qr's at present,) I'm wondering what other speakers Magneplanar owners have fallen for. I'm sure this topic must have covered before, but this site's search engine leaves a lot to be desired. There are many things that I like about Maggies, the expansive soundstage, well integrated drivers, and value for the money among their many virtues. Ideally, I'd like speakers that would have better low level detail and palpability, be less picky about amplification, and have better percusive/ dynamic qualities. The need for augmentation with a subwoofer would ok. My listening room is about 15x20' with a 12' ceiling height. I don't favor any one type of music, my tastes are musically omnivorous. Price of contenders would have to be no more than $5-6,000 new. Of course, something less expensive like the Gallos would be fine too, it's good to have money left over to buy more music. I know everyone says "go listen at your dealers." I've done that, but I find dealer's rooms sound so cruddy compared to my acoustically treated room that I can't make really meaningful comparisons.