07-27-15: Raymonda
Budget is limited to what I can sell and turnover for the next purchase. I have thought about the above options but really I'm not sold that 3.3, 3.5. 3.6 would be much of an improvement over my modded and tweaked 3A's.
Your comparisons are meaningless if you insist on comparing with 12-to-20-year old Magnepans. The current x.7 and x.7i series are a significant departure from the Maggies' limitations of previous generations. It's the first revision level not designed by founder Jim WIney, but by his son who has stepped in as designer.
The new generation Maggies are more amplifier friendly (but still like power and current), better at lower volume listening, have more slam and punch, ane a new sense of ease. The sense of reality--of live musicians in the room--is astounding. If set up properly, they energize most of the room. Of course you get the best holographic imaging in the sweet spot, but the rest of the listening area isn't shabby either, with consistent, realistic, and even tonal balance throughout. Gone are the discontinuities of dissimilar ribbons and panels of previous iterations. The *.7 series speak with a single voice. They are as coherent as one could possibly ask.
There are also many more self-powered subwoofers today (plus Magnepan's own DWM panels) available today that are fast and clean enough to keep up with panel speakers while fleshing out the lower octave or two. I'm running a pair of 1.7s powered by a 30-yr-old Perreaux amp augmented by a pair of 8" sealed-box Mirage MM8 subs. I look forward to listening to them every day, and I've already had them for two years.
I don't think you'd need 3.7's to get what you want unless you have a very large listening area. I use my1.7s in an open architecture living space with vaulted ceiling. With the little subs they fill the space just fine; really, better than fine.
I strongly suggest you hie yourself to a Magnepan dealer and do some serious auditioning.
Or, if you want something that sits midway between Maggies and the PSB Gold, consider one of these Focal closeouts:
Focal Chorus 836V $1899 down from $3200.
Focal Chorus 826V $1499 down from $2700
I have auditioned these and they are far quicker and more articulate with less stored energy in the cabinet than the PSB Gold. They are at the same time fast and lively, airy, with excellent imaging, soundstage, and uniform power response, i.e., the ability to energize the room evenly and consistently.
Really classy speakers at these prices.
