It's hard to say how long Maggies last.
I've never experienced a failure. But there are used Maggies on ebay that are more than twenty years old. Just don't drive them too loud. I'd say you can safely drive them to 90db. I think if you drive them above 100db you'll shorten the life span, just like all speakers. I guess if you use them reasonably at 70db to 80db, and occasionally 90db, you'll probably get 15 or 20 years out of them. But if you overplay them, repairing Maggies isn't too hard if you're handy. Just re-glue the wires onto the mylar.
After saying all that, I would suggest buying only the newest models because they are improved. Here is a list of the newest models. The "i" and "+" designates the new improved versions.
LRS+
.7i
1.7i
2.7i
3.7i
20.7
30.7
And all these speakers (except LRS+) can be upgraded by the factory (by replacing all of the components between the speaker cables and driver with superior parts). ...crossovers, better wires, simpler circuits, etc. The upgraded speakers are designated with an "x" ...1.7x or 2.7x ...
So, finally, here's the pros and cons of Maggies.
Pros:
Transparency that no box speakers can produce.
Details that will amaze you. Clarity that will ruin every box speaker experience for the rest of your life.
Very smooth if you choose upstream components wisely. These speakers provide sound that depends on amps and sources. They tell the truth, but they are not unforgiving. Sound stage can extend well beyond your room if the recording and everything is right. Sound will almost always come from the soundstage that surrounds the speakers and very seldom come from the speakers (bad recordings sometimes occasionally emit sound from the speakers.) The bass is tight and natural.
● 1.7i 40-24 kHz
● 2.7i 40-30 kHz +/- 3dB
Cons:
The bass won't blow your dress up over your head. ...or pants, whatever. Use a REL if necessary, but many/most don't want a subwoofer because the bass sounds natural for most music, especially acoustic. These speakers are inexpensive compared to boxes because boxes can be tricky to build well. But they need amps that can produce high current, and these amps are usually more expensive. These speakers don't play extremely loud -the safe limit is probably around 100db for the 1.7i and 2.7i. These speakers need space, so put them out into the room about three feet from the wall. Getting them in their ideal position in your room will take some experimenting. They're light, so putting them toward the wall after use isn't any problem at all. One last problem is that Maggies are not their best at very low volume. They come alive at about 30 or 40db.
For me, the benefits are very significant!!!
For me, the problems don't matter because they are so transparent. Music sounds natural. When you hear music without resonance from boxes you will understand.
Of course you may disagree, and that's ok too. 😊