What is the minmimum room size for Magnepan?

Lots of good amp choices out there - Classe, Aragon, Marsh Sim Audio and Bryston to name a few. Regardless of which Maggie model they all like to have lots-o-current running through them. A Bryston 3B would be plenty powerfull enough for a pair of MMGs and might do an effective job on the 1.6's but a 4B would do a better job with larger models. If you are really looking at the 1.6 model then look for an amp that does at least 300 w/ch @ 4 ohms (Maggie's nominal impedence).

I use a Classe CA 201 (400 watts/ch 4 Ohms) with a pair of the MG 1.6 QRs in a room 13 feet (width) by 27 feet (length). The speakers are 3 feet from the back wall and 1.5 feet from the sidewalls. My listening chair is about 8 feet from the speakers. I get a very good result with this set up, I am very happy. However, I have heard the MG 1.6 QRs in a much wider room (approximately 30 feet wide by 20 feet long) using the same Classe CA-201. Here, I thought the MG 1.6 QRs really sounded their best. Surprisingly, the soundstage sharpened and the detail of the sound seemed slightly sharper. Due to other considerations, I can't use the long wall in my room as a place to put my MG 1.6 QRs. Too bad, I might get a better result.

I do use a REL Storm III subwoofer to supplement the bass response. The REL Storm III allows for a full range signal to be sent to the speakers, which is how I have it set up. I can get this system to play too loud for my tastes. Volume is not an issue for me. Although I don't feel like I have ever taxed the limits of the Classe CA-201, I do feel the MG 1.6 QRs can go louder.

The one really amazing thing that I have experienced with the Magnepan line of speakers is that they sound better with the better power you send them. I have never experienced this to a greater degree than with Magnepan speakers. This explains why I have much more invested in my electronics that I do my speakers.

As far as reliability, this is the first Magnepan product I have owned. I hope the three-year manufacturer’s warranty is not an indication of the speaker's longevity. If they do crap out in three years I'll be disappointed, but not as disappointed as I was when the panels on my Martin Logan CLS Is failed in less than two years!

FYI I listen to a huge range of music full scale symphonic, chamber/baroque music, solo piano, small ensemble jazz (with and without vocal accompaniment), acappella vocal, fusion jazz (big sound fusion jazz), classic rock, grunge rock and some R&B/funk. Although I do listed to a big range of music, I am still very picky about what I listen to.

These are some of my thoughts from my experiences.

Good luck and happy listening.

I doubt you'd blow them up with good, clean, ample power reserves. I listened to the 3.6/R's at a dealer, and they'd push out SPLs if you wanted to. Granted heavy metal didn't have the *SLAM* factor (so don't expect them to slap you in the face with air, or even better, try to cave-in your chest). but they *DID* play louder than I'd ever want to listen to them. And this was a 25x30foot room (or so). So I'd say a competent sub (or two) and I doubt you'd tell the difference between the 3.6/R's and most dynamic (cone) speakers. At least *most* people would be hard pressed to!

so if you'd have to use a small room, I'd say place the speakers out from the wall. Give them a wee bit of room on the sides. And listen near-field if you have to. (up very close).