Audiorichard, it's easy to be slain with infatuation for planars when you're first introduced to them since they are so novel and intriguing sounding. Sort of like a date with an exotic person (no, I did NOT say exotic dancer, so no jokes, please.)
I don't agree entirely with the assessment that the Maggies will take up less floor space. They can't be put directly in front of the wall to achieve decent sound, and they are a fair bit wider than the ET's. So, in the end, they would require every bit as much floor space as the ET's. If you're looking for a speaker to fit into a 12x10 or so room, you're pushing it with either one.
Both the Maggies and the ET's are built to accomodate sonics over looks - neither one dazzles the eye with scads of grill cloth material.
But, try to control your infatuation. There are floor standing dynamic speakers which would give the Maggie 1.6's and the Eminent Technology LFT-8A's a SERIOUS run for the money if you can obtain them used. (I owned both and preferred the Eminents over the 1.6's in side by side comparison).
In a very crass generalization, you need to decide if you prefer soundstage over imaging, because you'll get a slightly "larger" sound out of planars, but you'll lose the precision/pinpoint imaging that you can get with a serious dynamic (cone) speaker. Yes, in today's world you still have to choose between one or the other at this price point. Sorry, it's reality.
If you're stuck on trying them, having owned both and done extensive listening, I would unhesitatingly suggest the ET's over the maggies. The ET's were less harsh on the ears in the treble and overall more rich sounding. YMMV. Don't let the popularity of the Maggies lead you to a lesser sound.
