VonSchweikert VR4JR vs Magenpan MG 1.6

I've owned the JR's and Maggie smga at different times.
Think that both are great speakers, although I preferred the jr I can understand the allure of the "maggie sound" & transparency with the 1.6 The only aspect that moved maggie's out of my house was the sweet spot only listening. With the JR, even at extreme location's, there was always a plausable presence and soundfield (80-90%). That's the only aspect you may want to consider.

I think the spacing you are using for the VS's will work fine for 1.6's, that should be plenty of room. Yes, the Maggies will make some images larger than life, solo acoustic guitar for example. At no time did it ever bother me though. On the whole, they present a well integrated image. Durability was never an issue for me. I had one pair for about seven years and then the 1.6's for about five, never a hiccup. I think there is some consensus that delamination of the mylar is likeliest to occur if they are left in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. No product is 100% failure proof, but on the whole, Magnepan makes a very reliable speaker line. FWIW, if I were inclined to jump into the planar speaker pool again at that price point, I'd also look very hard at the Eminent Technology LFT-16, a very interesting design that's getting some great reviews. Bound for Sound & Affordable Audio both recently reviewed them very favorably.

I've owned the 3.6s and heard the 1.6s at length, as well as owned the VR 4JRs and now I own the 4SRs.

Personally I'd say that it would be a big step in the wrong direction to replace the JRs with the 1.6s. I think the JRs are in every way a better speaker.

If dynamics are a major concern for you, it won't happen with the power you have and the Maggies, in fact you could do well to feed those JRs even more power, they will love it and so will you.

They do present a much taller and bigger soundstage, but to my ear it is vague and not spot on like the JRs. The bass is no contest the JRs are radically better. I see you have a sub so this may not be as much an issue.

My comments all relate to the 3.6s vs the JRs. I would have like to hear the 3.6s with some real power like 1000 watts. I bet they would sound really good and my opinion would be a lot better. They are really cool looking speakers and seem to have some real potential, but I just have never heard them snap even with 400 watts.

Ryan

i had both and in big and small room have vr4hse now again problem with maggies is when you get out of sweet spot gets bad quick if go and listen at dealer walk around room any speaker sound good i listen way off to side and you always change rooms or houses etc keep jrs

Should consider the larger Eminent Technology LFT-8B's. If there's room for Von Schweikerts or 1.6's then there's definitely room for LFT-8B's! I recently reviewed the LFT-8B on Dagogo.com, and in that review I call it the "MaggieVandy" for its combination of attributes. I have heard V.S., Vandy's, Maggies, and the E.T.'s in my listening room.