Maggies a waste if only 3' from backwall?

It is not a waste, but I would look into getting some acoustic treatments behind them. Auralex,Cascade and the like have tons of solutions to create more space acoustically behind the speakers.

I don't think I would pad the wall behind the speakers. The problem is you can only catch some of the frequencies and will most likely change the tonal balance of the speaker (making them seem dull, and bassy). But you could also try diffusors behind the speakers instead of a bare wall and bass traps in the corners. The diffusion may make the time delay longer (a good thing, in moderation) from the direct sound of the speakers and reflected sound off the front wall (behind the speakers) longer.

Does any one know what Magnepan recommends (if anything) behind the speakers?

I would really look at the new 1.7. Placement and power is everything with these speakers. Get a nice subwoofer or two and a really good amp or two. My opinion is that your room just isn't large enough to support the larger units- and that is okay since the 1.6/7 are so incredible.

Thanks so much for the replies so far. It seems that some are finding success with 3', but others are suggesting less than max performance. Nice to know that James thinks the sweetspot is no smaller than a B&W, since I do have N803's right now, lol.

I am very surprised at the suggestions to drop down as low as the 1.7, as I would have thought that the maggies just get much better across-the-board farther up the ladder. Especially since, at least according to everything I've read, the 3.6 or 20.1 is not in any way a bass-heavy speaker that can overpower a room. I'm willing to pay over 10k for a speaker like the 20.1 and have read that it kills the 3.6 (which is wonderful in it's own right), yet some are recommending the 1.7 like it competes with 10k speakers (box spkrs included). I am really confused by that. I do love the maggie sound, but I can't see a 1.7 competing at 5x over it's head. Help me out here, what am I missing?

My other option for the open airy sound might be open baffle like a Legacy Whisper or a NOLA Ref3 or Micro, but the palpable presrence of that maggie sound is undeniable, dynamic shortcomings noted.

Keep those thoughts coming. Much appreciated.

Right from Magnepan "A large Magneplanar in a small room is mostly an aesthetic issue and a question of proper bass reproduction", "Buy as much Magneplanar resolution as your budget will allow. However, the objection from family members of a larger Magneplanar in a small room is one we can't help."

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I demoed the 20.1 in a room about the size of yours (14X20X9ish) and they did not seem too large for the room, tonal balance/sound-stage was just right. They were about 4.5 feet off the back wall, 6 feet apart and I sat about 8 feet back (Mcintosh MC1.2KW amps). It was not too much system for the room. I also heard the Klipsch P-38F in the same room (different amps) and they loaded the room with too much bass. So to me it seems that Magnepans in general do not need as large a volume of room as is commonly believed on this site. But they seem to need some space behind them in order to gain bass definition.

But again we all have different tastes but if it were my money I would start with the 3.6Rs and go from there.