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Placement of Magnepan 1.6's or 3.6's

I'm rearranging my living room which is 18.5' X 11.5'. I'm getting ready to buy new Maggies, (I've had Tympani 1D's for 20 years.) I planned to get 1.6's and have them facing the short width of the room. A friend suggested that I might have them face the longer length, in which case I could fit the 3.6's. I didn't consider that before because I have a Steinway B grand piano that is 7' long and will sit across the short width of the room. If the speakers are basically a couple of feet from the corners of the room, the body of the piano will partially obstruct the listening V between the speakers and the listener. Is that a problem? Does that listening space need to be completely unobstructed? The Magnepan brochure has them pictured in a corner directly against the wall with a couch a couple of feet out. What do you think? It would be great if they could fit and sound at their best facing the large length of the room. If the piano is not a problem, would the 1.6's be enough or do I need to get the 3'6's?
Thanks.
Tony
tconny
warnerwh
539 posts
 
If you like the sound of the Maggies you should look into some VMPS ribbon speakers. They've been raved about enough. More info in the VMPS circle at audiocircle.com. These are much easier to place and you wouldn't need a sub. You may find that you like them better. Here's the VMPS site:
http://www.vmpsaudio.com/
Do a search at the various audio forums and you'll like what you hear. These are more coherent than the Maggies with and are very versatile for room setups. Also easily as good of a bargain as the Maggies. Good Luck
lance328
24 posts
 
IF price is not a big issue please go for the 3.6s . I have 3.5s and see much difference in my 3.5s and new 1.6s with the older 3.5 better. As with most all Maggie fans twicks and twists are to be expected as you probably know. Its the never ending nervana of chaseing the perfect sound. Your room will be no different. :)
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Of course you should audition both the 1.6 and the 3.6. Not everyone prefers the ribbon tweeter. I picked the 1.6 over the 3.6, and price was not the reason.
tconny OP
3 posts
 
I'm now interested to listen to the Harbeth 7's and Reynaud Trente. I've heard good things. Would love to have more placement options than the Magnepans allow.
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
Tconny

I replaced my Maggie 1.6's with Trente's in my 13 x 22 living room (sitting about 6ft out from the 13 foot wall and 6ft apart) and have not looked back. After having Quad 57 for 10 years and then the Maggies I do not miss the panel sound, the Trentes are that good with (IMO) better detail, tone, dynamics and bass than the Maggies (though the Maggies go slightly lower) and easier to drive to boot. Plus I am convinced the Maggies need a bigger room as their QR drivers put out a lot of energy and tend to glare in normal rooms.

I now dream of owning a Berning or Atmasphere OTL amp instead of the 200 - 300 watt (expensive) amps the Maggies need.

Just my 2cents worth
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