Broken hearted...magnepan and vandersteen

Not in the same league as what you are auditioning, but I own both Vandersteen 2C (original version) and Magnepan LRS. I much prefer the imaging and overall character of the LRS, but the bass is quite limited compared to the 2C. Of course, the somewhat paltry bass is a known "issue" with the LRS but it doesn't interfere with my enjoyment. Positioning with the LRS is a crux issue. In sum, on the low-end of the price spectrum and (admittedly) comparing an very old set of 2C with a brand new (relatively) set of LRS, I prefer the latter.

The only speaker that can satisfy kenjit is unfortunately unavailable, as it is being used in the Bose Wave Radio.

I will see the wizard of Hanford “ later this week and I will let him know team Holiday Inn thinks you have been doing it all wrong since 1977

Of course its all wrong. Magico, Wilson, Yg, Revel and every other speaker company that deliberately avoids first order slopes also thinks it's wrong. Most high end speakers avoid first order slopes. The wizard is in the minority that caters to a niche group.

The elac integrated comment was more rant than a comment on my budget. Could I have Walked out with some prima luna gear and quattros... yes. But I was disappointed that my previously conceived plan involving the 1.7i were blown out of the water. Thankfully my fiance has a good ear and heard what I heard. She has said that if I am happiest with quattros, then I should get the quattros. Wow! End of the day, I also got to hear GE triton 1. excellent low end, clear sound, definitely a good speaker, but still doesn't match the vandersteens. 

I happen to like both brands but own a pair of Magnepan 3.7i which sound wonderful in my listening room.  You do need a high current amp to drive them (I currently have a Musical Fidelity Nu Vista 800 Integrated amplifier).  Setup did take some time (found soundstage shrank with ribbon tweeters inverted), but not more than time than I would spend on any other speaker - one has to play the room to get things right and all speakers are different in that regard.  I’m sure with properly matched electronics either speaker would sound good.  I would agree with the others that even under the best of circumstances comparing the 1.7i with the Quattro might be a tad unfair (and with everything else being equal both do have different sound signatures - becomes a matter of personal taste).  Enjoy your new speakers!