VonSchweikert VR4JR vs Magenpan MG 1.6


I'm considering replacing my VR4JRs with the MG 1.6 combined with a Rel Sub. I've demoed the 1.6s in-store, without the sub, and have been quite impressed, but have not yet demoed them at home. It is a really close call for me and I plan to home-demo them in a month when I have the time. I would bi-amp the 1.6 as i have with the JRs with tubes (90 WPC)on the mid/highs and a SS amp (200 WPC) on the bass. Bi-wired (obviously) with JPS Superconductor Petites.
Meanwhile, I'm interested in the opinions of anyone who has heard both.
Ag insider logo xs@2xjgiacalo
Thanks Doug, the LFT-8b was one I meant to reference. Too many reviews crammed into the grey matter.
You have and are considering the two speakers IMO are the way best for the money. In my case I was all set to buy the maggies, then came across the jr's. Went with the VSA. Had the sparkle of the maggies, while yet giving me the low end as well. But would love to own maggies as well. You will enjoy which ever way you choose, if only for a change of pace.

I would add a third vote for the LFT-8B. I have not heard the VR4jr but i can say from experience that the LFT-8B is a better all round speaker than the MG 1.6. In the mid range i would say both the Maggie and the Eminent are similar but in the lower octaves the Eminents integrated woofer makes it a better all round speaker.
It sounds like wretched excess(ok, it IS wretched excess) to most people, but if/when the circumstances allow, it's wonderful to own both a planar and a dynamic speaker system. Both types have such unique properties and presentation that I find I want to switch back and forth at regular intervals to enjoy them both.
Thanks for all of your input. I will demo the Maggies again but I'm now leaning toward keeping the VR4JRs.

For those JR owners here are a few tweaks which have boosted my JRs' performance noticeably. 1)Using Walker SST on all internal speaker connections, and 2)replacing the upper module spikes with Herbies Big Fat Black Dots. Better yet - the Big fat Black Dots, a cut-to-size piece of 3/8" MDF on top of the dots, and then the upper module-with-spikes on top of the MDF. This last mod brings a significant increase in clarity and imaging.