Ideas on speaker like Magnepan but with high WAF


I'm looking for speakers that throw a big sound stage, great imaging and do all the things Maggies do but aren't the size of a door (actually two).

A speaker set up that would provide the 3d sound I'm after for around $2k without visually dominating the room. Floorstander or stand mounted.

Suggestions on non-planar speakers that come close in sound or better?
cdc2
Tspec,

That was great post explaining the micro detail of how you achieve from good to great sound quality. I have no hesitation in fully endorsing your tweak as I have had the pleasure of listening from my own ears.
I moved from Magnepan to OHM Walsh and sound improved in every way in addition to WAF. Maggies sound best well out into a room away from rear wall usually. OHMs are designed to go much closer.
Planars tend to sound like planars (and non-planars IME do not) so the EmTechs, Logans and and Apogees already recommended probably hit the "sound like Maggie" part of your request best, but also might miss on the WAF. However, if small planars appeal, you might try the small Maggie MMG and hide a sub (or two) behind the sofa/tv/etc and see if you can sneak that past the boss.

I'd also agree that omnis might appeal on the sonics to a planar lover (I own - and like - both MMGs and Ohm 100s), but I'm not sure that Ohm is winning too many WAF contests these days. I've never heard 'em, but the Dec ERR omni is a design that barks up the Ohm tree, but in a slicker looking cabinet.

Good Luck

Marty
Great comments.

I've had the Decware Radial in mind for a while. Anyone actually heard it and thoughts on how it compares to Magnepan speakers?
OHM Walsh styling may not be everyone's cup of tea but footprint is small for sound delivered and placement fairly close to walls is possible. Decware is more omni and might require greater distance to walls, not sure. Have not heard Decware but would like to. Styling is nice for sure. I have had OHM Walshes and Maggies for years while married. My wife objected to the Maggies being out in teh middle of the room for best sound mostly. HAs never complained about OHMs and even has allowed them in her sunroom and in teh living room in years past. WAF concerns will vary of course. mmg+sub is a potential more WAF friendly option to consider than larger Maggies. I could probably live with that in many moderate sized rooms or smaller.

You need more modern OHM Walsh series 2, 3 or X000, the more recent models, to compare sound to modern Magnepan. ORiginal OHM Walshes from the 80's are less refined as were the Maggies from then I suspect.

I can speak for Series 3, the line before current up to about 3 years ago or so. FOcus and detail is competitive with Maggies and Quads I have heard. Midrange is most coherent and very musical but is presented much differently than with Maggie. Macro dynamics and bass are exceptional, more like better conventional speakers that also use dynamic drivers, not the strength of Maggie. Microdynamics are very good but the best Maggie setups might have an edge depending in certain cases, hard to call. OHMs can go closer to walls in general. THe most unique difference is the directionality of Maggies versus the omni nature of OHM (or Decware) that enables optimal listening from pretty much any location in the room. Speaker placement is also more forgiving with omnis though small changes there can have significant effect on sound like with any speaker.