can I get some opinions - bass on magnepan mg20.1

I bought mine used also and had to make several adjustments. First I went into my pre/pro and reset the bass so that the crossovers were sending more bass to the maggies and less to the subwoofer. Second, I got the interconnects and speaker cables off the floor and on to some very professional upside down yogurt containers (it really did help). Third, I have ordered the Mye Stands and last, if I can afford it, will change power cords on the Krell Amps as another contributer mentioned above. I worked quite a while with placement also but the other changes made the biggest difference. The 20.1s can handle a LOT of bass which is usually drained off into the sub. My sub is boomy but the Maggies are quite clear and tight. Hope it helps

I owned the MC501's with several inefficient speakers and found them lacking in current capability...aka, not very balsy! Krell amps would do better.

Unquestionably, if you were to bi-amp as Peter_s is doing you would get great results. I read not to long ago that if you are bi-amping with unmatched amps (different watt outputs) you should put the highest wattage amp on the mid and tweeter side, not the bass as I always thought. Of course bi-amping the 20.1s will require a set of electronic crossovers. I have the stock standard crossovers that come with the Maggies - doesn't work for bi-amping. I consider that a stroke of good luck though - don't have to buy two more amps!!!!

1. Check out the MUG at Audio Asylum. Tons of hepl there.
2. Wyred4Sound amps have the speed and authority that Maggies need
3. As an alternative to custom stands, get tie down (see AA for this info- HiOnFi)and wrap completely around the top of the speakers and under the OEM stands. Then add Herbies Big Fat Dots

Also Behringer makes inexpensive active OXs. Scott Endler modifies them. YOur could also get 2 Behringer CX3410s run them in mono for each side when you bi/triamp