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What speakers can make a convert of Maggie lovers?

After living with Magneplanars for many years (1.6qr's at present,) I'm wondering what other speakers Magneplanar owners have fallen for. I'm sure this topic must have covered before, but this site's search engine leaves a lot to be desired. There are many things that I like about Maggies, the expansive soundstage, well integrated drivers, and value for the money among their many virtues. Ideally, I'd like speakers that would have better low level detail and palpability, be less picky about amplification, and have better percusive/ dynamic qualities. The need for augmentation with a subwoofer would ok. My listening room is about 15x20' with a 12' ceiling height. I don't favor any one type of music, my tastes are musically omnivorous. Price of contenders would have to be no more than $5-6,000 new. Of course, something less expensive like the Gallos would be fine too, it's good to have money left over to buy more music. I know everyone says "go listen at your dealers." I've done that, but I find dealer's rooms sound so cruddy compared to my acoustically treated room that I can't make really meaningful comparisons.
photon46
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Maybe VMPS would fit the bill.
bassdude
497 posts
 
I have to agree with 04-05-06: Rkeman above - any of the Linkwitz speakers will meet and exceed your expectations (if you can find them used, or build the kit)... but... so will the Emerald Physics and Spatial Audio speakers.

Or, you can have your Maggies modified into Magnestands, which improves their sound to make them sound a lot more dynamic with bass, while retaining their great staging and imaging.

I've tried all of these... and... settled for the Linkwitz Orion's and LX521's. But, the rest are superb!
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,333 posts
 
I moved from Magnepan to Triangle and Ohm.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,862 posts
 
Eminent Technology, Sanders.
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
I'm an old planer guy ... Acoustat IIIs, Acoustat IV's, and Martin Logans. I never thought I'd ever leave the planer camp even with their hunger for power.

Then, I had the opportunity to buy a pair of used Legacy Signature III's. Original cost of the Sig III's in the finish I have was around $5000. If you can find them, they can be bought today for under $2000 per pair.

At 93db one can drive them with a 25 watt receiver. My ARC Ref-75se just coasts with the Sig III's. With good electronics they just disappear, and they're every bit as transparent as any planer I've had. They have a ribbon tweeter for the upper highs making for a sweet treble, and they move tons of air.

If your room would allow, I'd even go for a used pair of the ORIGINAL Legacy Focus speaker. Don't go for the newer "A" version. The originals sound better. A good used pair should go for around $3000 to $4000.

The Focus is more relaxed sounding (more natural) than the Sig III's, but they need more room to breath. Still a very efficient speaker so there's no need for tons of power from an amp. I think they are 93db efficient too.

Here's the thing about the Legacy sig III's and the Legacy Focus speakers. A lot of guys bought them and used solid state electronics to drive them. Big mistake. They don't sound their best with solid state, so onto the used market they went.

Tubes are the only way to go with these two Legacy speakers. The first time I heard the Sig III's was at a friends home being driven by a modified Dyna 70. It was enough to convince me to sell the Martin Logans and go for the Legacys. I've never looked back. Every time I upgrade my system these speakers improve right along with the upgrade. At this date, they are amazing.

If I had to get rid of the Legacy speakers, I'd seriously consider the Harbeths.

Happy listening ...
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