Magnepan 3.7's versus 20.1's?

I have owned Magneplanars on and off since I was in high school in 1979.

They are wonderful, but need power and are extremely sensitive to room placement.

So a well set up 1.7 might also outperform the 20's. Indeed, a well set up MMG might outperform the 20's in certain situations, neither of which says anything about the value of 3.7s.

My room and listening distance isn't big enough to accommodate the 20.1s. Budget isn't a determining factor either. In addition, I preferred the way the treble coordinated and integrated with rest of the range in the 3.7s the most. If I could have the dynamics and low end of the 20.1s with the integrated non-forward "to image scale" sound of the 3.7s in a 3.7 footprint, that would be perfect for me. I'm not saying the 3.7 is a better speaker than the 20.1. I'm saying for my ears and my room and my preferences, I preferred the sound of the 3.7 over any Maggie I have heard. And before anyone says I didn't hear the 20.1s set up correctly. They were set up by a Maggie dealer who spent about 4 hours moving them 1/4" at a time to dial them in. They sounded amazing. A great speaker. I can't wait to see what the next version does. That will be one I likely trade up to.

Thanks Podeschi. FWIW, & contrary to expectations, I've heard there isn't likely to be a 20.1 update in the near future - in that significant improvements (Magnepan's criteria for producing a new model) would be difficult to achieve. Of course, that's just what I was told ...

Interesting.

Again, hoping my post doesn't take anything away from the 20.1s. They are superb with stellar amplification and a large room where they can breathe and listening chair is far enough back to enjoy the enormous sound/stage they offer. Best most articulate dynamics and bass I have heard.

No, not at all. I'm interested in a comparative assessment. I need to make a decision & I am not in a position to compare them personally. What I am trying to figure out is if the 3.7s are truly so good as to be very close to the 20.1s or whether that's maybe a little bit of overstatement generated by the excitment over a very good new speaker ...