Magnepan vs. Martin Logan

120 watts is minimum for Maggies if you want even close to realistic listening levels, that said, my 1.6s have a glare and I think my room (13 x 22 x 8) needs to be bigger or I need more curtains. I really like these speakers and my Plinius with 100 watts class A is just barely enough power.

Cwlondon- couldn't have said it better myself!

Few years ago I bought ML Auerius and was very, very happy until I heard Maggies. 1.6QR was better in every aspect (that I care for). My experience was that Aerius was more difficult to set-up properly in the room. I am driving Maggies with either ADCOM 5802 or ARC VT-100 Mk III and did not experience "power deficiency".

A word on Martin Logans...since ELS have little bass extension...they have incorporated passive 8" dynamic bass drivers with most of their designs...bad move in my opinion...the bass driver simply lacks the speed necessary to blend with the ELS...hence the "cohesion" issues many have addressed...Inner Sound has had great success incorporating active drivers/crossovers with ELS....but they are pricey...

To Magnepan's credit...they have not buckled to the criticism that their designs lack bass...20 years ago Maggies were bass shy...not today however...and Mags are a better value than MLs...for the money...you could buy the 1.6s and a sub of your choosing that would smoke MLs...also...placement/power issues of Mags have been greatly exaggerated...any decent speaker is going to be 3-4 ft from a wall...regardless of design...and on a 100w Bryston b-60...which are knows for bass output...the 1.6s are simple breathtaking....

I have been extremely happy with my Aerius i's and wouldn't trade them for the world. Cwlondon's explanation is quite satisfactory. I have heard a lot of negative remarks pointing to "cohesion" issues. I have absolutely no problem with the panels integrating with the woofer simply because I believed that ML has solved that problem and thus the hybrid term implies. The sound is seamless and the integration is quite successful. ML speakers have two hard to beat strengths: speed and midrange delivery. For chamber and orchestral works, these speakers offer a more intimate portrait than the Maggies IMHO. However the Maggies bring a more coherent and complete soundstage that may sound smoother and has a bit more punch in the lower bass. It is all a matter of choice. I do agree that ML speakers are relatively expensive- the newest models have price tags that are rather disappointing. If you are shopping for ML speakers, get used ones, otherwise for the value and performance, the Maggies will have to be first choice. If only ML can lower the price tag!