Maggie owners (past, present, future) what do (did) you love and or dislike about them?


I've always owned dynamic speakers, but I'm ready for something different. I remember about 15 years ago auditioning a pair of Maggie's at a small shop on the Plaza. Don't remember the model but I was astounded by the clarity. Couldn't afford them then, had 2 kids in college. Presently own a pair of Monitor Audio Gold 300's and they're very good speakers, but I've been reminiscing about the clarity of those Maggie's and I want a pair of the 3.7i's. Those of you who have experience with Maggie's let me know your love (hate) relationship with them. My room is 17 x 15 with a sloping ceiling up to 10 feet. Is that enough room for the 3.7i's to perform at their best?
mewsickbuff
I owned 3.5Rs for 2 frustrating years. I tried biamping with W4S MC 250/500 + active XO and subs but could never get what I wanted from them. I replaced them with Emerald Physics KCIIs with Clarity cap and WireWorld XO wiring (which I still have). I have gone through 2 Emerald Physics 100.2SEs, Audio Alchemy DPA-1 (excellent sound but needed more power in my big room, PS Audio M700s, which I did not keep only because, at the time no one bought my DPA-1, so the M700s moved on, and finally (yeah, right-lol) I caught wind of Ric Schultz newest amp the EVS 1200. It checked all my boxes; dual mono It uses 2 of the newest IcePower 600 modules= 1200 watts! to which Ric sprinkles his pixy dust. While it sounded good from the get-go, it took about 50 hours to start coming on strong, and even better at ~ 100 hours. My guess is it is a great amp for Maggie owners (glorious mids and bass), or any speaker owners. My KCIIs, which remind me of maggies in their seamlessness, are too small for my large room. I can’t wait to hear it with my EP 2.8s (dual 15" woofers), which should be here by the 30th. Oh, and it’s only $2200, 30 day money back !!!
OK, as former dealer, everyone here knows I am a Maggie supporter in every possible way.

However, as I always end my posts, it depends upon YOUR ROOM, which everyone knows is the most important variable in any system.

SO, bring them home and listen and see what YOU think.  Personally, they were a revelation to me when I first heard them in my shop in 1973.

We had at least 40 different brands and many models of each brand in the shop and I had to listen to ALL of them to be able to sell them.  Except for Fulton 80 and 100 box speakers (not available for many years now except used on ebay, etc.) there were NO boxes that were even in the same universe as Maggies. 

Today, designers have MANY 6" tall speakers--wonder where they got THAT idea???--and boxes have come a long way, so I am no longer qualified to judge.  Having typed that, I can tell you that Maggies STILL add nothing to the sound of your gear, so set up what you have/wish to buy IN YOUR ROOM and make your own decision.

As for placement, YES, very critical, which is why you need a good dealer who understands room acoustical properties to help you with this.  Also, if you prefer the chest-thumping bass from rock songs or classical orchestras recorded properly, you can always add some subwoofers if that is what you like.

Maggies are the best, as I always post, but you have to like them in your room first.  Enjoy the music...

Cheers!
1+ richopp. I would like to add that the 3.7i might have the best cost to performance ratio in the industry.
I know that these discussions can sometimes get testy, well, I am not here to do that but.  Maggies are the best speakers that I personally have ever heard.  I have always wanted to listen  to a pair of ESL's , but have never had the chance.  I owned and listened to a Pair of MG-IIBs for more than twenty years, only changing when I moved into a new house where there just was not enough room for them.  I was going to sell them, but never put them up for sell --still hoping that one day I can use them again. They were powered by an Audire amp rated at 100W/ch at 8 ohms, and 150W/ch at 4 ohms.  The MG-IIBs offered a purely resistive load of 6 ohms -- no complex impedance to strain your amp.  You just need a well built amp, capable of putting out ample current. I know that many will say that times have changed and the current models are better and I hope that they are, but the only thing that those speakers ever needed was space, power and a little more base - with the right amp, only a little more base.  I once auditioned a pair of Vandersteen 2Ce speakers because I had heard how good they were and walked away, unable to give up the clarity of the mid-range and upper base that the MG-IIBs offered. By the way these guys are built like battle ships, no problem with anything.  The dealer pushed one over once onto a concrete floor and it wasn't hurt, just to prove the point.

Hey Mewsickbuff,

My first OB's were Emerald Physics CS 3's   ( Clayton Shaw design) and loved them in that small room. The down point with them was the separate equalizer/crossover prevented me from using my Manley Stingray for power. After much research ( lots on line ) I ordered a pair of Spatial M5 Sapphires. Still have not received... I trust Claytons design , check out his past work. Call him , cool to talk about his work. I find OB's to be like loud Maggies with great bass. I do believe they even have better imaging. They truly put the musicians in the room. Have fun with your journey, I have been on mine since 1973 .