What don't you like about these speakers?

Bartok fan,

I understand your view, but it is difficult for me to actually audition speakers becuase there aren't enough shops nearby. Speakers are so individual that my ears need time to adjust and appreciate them. I am sure there are very many in the $3000 range that are wonderful, but I have to narrow it down to those I can compare. The other problem is side by side comparison, which is a must for me. My brain can't remember the subtleties of a speaker heard yesterday while I'm listening to another today. Luckily, Primus has all three (and more, such as Triangle) on display and can be heard side by side. It would be enjoyable to spend a week just swapping and comparing , but unfortunately work gets in the way. On the other hand, I can think of few things more enjoyable than listening to music all day long, reproduced by great equipment. Grab a pizza and a bottle of wine and make the most of it!

Hi Tgrisham, I currently own the 3.1's and am a former Magnepan 3.6 owner. If you want a little more perspective see my post here, about 4 down:

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/viewtopic.php?t=25345&highlight=

To address mrtennis, the Gallo's aren't a box speaker in the traditional sense. The mid's are housed in a spherical enclosure without the boxy resonance and it has no baffles. The CDT II tweeter can rival the 3.6 ribbons in sound reproduction, just doesn't have the image height. The Gallo's will spit out detail in some music that seemed veil in the Maggies. Both are very good speakers and could live with either, but overall, I enjoy the Gallo's more.

Remember that the Gallo's require a lot of break-in, similiar to the Maggies. I don't believe that most speakers in dealer show rooms have the hours to break them in unless they purposely break them in. Let's say even if a particular speaker is audition by customers 2 hours a day, at 200-500 break in required, it'll take 3- 5 months to sound their best.
Good luck and have fun.

if you have appropriate side wall treatment you can place magnepan speakers closer to the wall.

i would start out with 14 inches from each side wall and 4 feet from the back wall. since you can't place the speakers 4 feet from the back wall, do what you can. you may have to vary toe in/toe out to achieve the sound you want.

it's too bad we live so far away from each other (i assume).

i'm in the NY area. i would try to help in person if it were feasible.

KkM and Mrtennis,

I really appreciate the sincerity of your responses. I haven't found another forum with so many caring people and so few troublemakers. I will contact my friend and go to his house to audition the Maggies. I will place them in a way to simulate the restrictions in my room. I spent the better part of the day adjusting my Dynaudios and have (again) found out that every speaker has its sweet spot and trial and error is the only way. In fact, I suspect that when I listened to the Focus 220s that they were not ideally placed. They are one of the least expensive speakers in that shop! Anyway, the journey is the destination and the road goes on forever.

Kkm,

Nice summary of the two speakers. Good info in that post...things to listen for when I start comparing speakers.