Vandie .7 vs Maggie .7

Otto it sounds like you are having big fun along the way, which I find important and then settling down to imersing yourself in THE music afterwards...

Funny story circa circa 1983 or so...

Scott the owner of Progressive Audio where I worked yelled into one of the Listening rooms “ Hey Richard Vandersteen is on the phone, wants a word with you....don’t know why....”

Richard proceeds to congratulate me for selling the most Vandersteen product that quarter - he then says you do know we make a Model 2 right ?

Seriously, if you are considering the Kef ( and yes we were a Kef dealer also with 105.2 our best speaker at that time ) I would recommend you give the VLR a listen also, Johnny R probably has them...

+4 for Johnny Rutan.
I know he has made systems with the 1ci and Vandy 2wq subs that were quite respectable.

I, too, own a pair of HSU subs, as well as Vandy subs, and I can tell you there is no comparison. The Vandy's integrate seamlessly and unobtrusively. 
In fact, whether you go Maggie or Vandy, get one or two 2wq subs. Both benefit from the added low frequency. And, both work well with Vandersteen subs.
B

John Rutan is the man. He will not steer you wrong.

+1000 on Johnny Rutan

Well.... I listened  to the. 7's and there 1ci's today. Spent about an hour in this shop. First about the equipment used.... CDs were spun by an Audio Research player.. Didn't ask specs and model... Suffice to say... Built like a tank... Had to 10k maybe more. Amp was a Rogue Integrated...all tube... Forgot  the name. It's very popular. Kimber wires. First was the Maggie. Images as expected were bigger then usual. Sound was a little on the soft side... I wish the amp was 100%solid state... As the Rogue is all tube. By soft I mean that mellow tube sound... (I'm generalizing),,, wasn't bad. Timbre was good.. I'm enjoyed them. The dynamics compared to what I'm used to... We're not as "snappy" as to box/dynamic speakers. I've Never had the pleasure in ALL my years sat down and listened to Vandersteen speakers. It took about 20 minutes.. To adjust my brain... And.. I'm short... Lol  I hope... I heard spatial cues.. Information on my CDs I had not heard before. I couldn't believe it. I know the music... And the CDs I brought. I'd have to give it to the Vandys! The only thing through Maggie had better was image size due to yet size of the panel. Vandy is no slouch... It was more precise... Far better bass... There really must be Something to their use of first order crossover. Also... No baffles... Etc..   Price wise.. There about 150.00 apart. I experienced the difference in amplifier power. To run the Maggie's were I was listening.. Volume knob was about 1 o'clock... With 1ci's.. It was 10 o'clock.. 11 was loud. So... I think I have to go Vandy... It's been suggested I listen to the KEF 50s...I'LL have too do this before I settle on the Vandy.
I'll probably obsess for a bit... Over seeking out recent Signatures 2ces...vs the 1ci's. That's going to take luck...no telling where I'll wind up... Maybe I should just settle on near 10 year old 2's  AND NOT try to drill down hard on what the possibilities are vs the 2...im sure there is A break point.. In serial numbers where the newer 1ci's will perform better than older 2ces... Isn't this a wonderful hobby... Lmao.. And there's the possibility that the KEF might best the Vandys... Then it's over.   Now to find a KEF dealer.... And I will call John... John are you reading all my notes here... Take care Otto