A question for Maggie owners

Compared to the VS you have, you will think the Maggies have NO bass. So the sub is a must for you. With the 1.7 or 3.6 you will notice a much larger sound field. Imaging will be a bit less, but you should have a more "there" impression, especially on vocals. Be prepared to turn your volume knob up a lot more.

Thanks Koestner. A good description and the kind of answer I am looking for.

You will need the maggies at least 3 ft. from the back wall and or treat the back wall for depth enhancement. The stage will be more lifelike in height. The maggies are very fast as well, but bass lacks weight, but has slam. Jallen

I have owned Magnepan MMG, MG3a and MG3.6 with Mye stands, I have also owned the VR4jrs....

To be honest I didnt like the VR's at all and sold them after 2 weeks.

Magneapns require High power, good placement and will reward you with an Open clear picture into the music. They will provide depth and imaging. They will not have the impact of the VR's. I didnt like a sub with them. The larger magies will surprise you at the quality of bass you will hear not feel.

I listen to Clasic rock and blues using a PASS X250 amp.

My sudgestion is look for a used pr of 1.7's and try them.

I now use Revel F52's, I will be purchasing and trying in the future the new 3.7's or 20.1 just for the funn of it

From time to time (including right now) I use a pair of 12" Rythmik subs (2 x $800) with MMGs ($600) in a system that costs just over $2K. I've also owned the significantly more expensive 3.5s in the past. Not in the same system, room, etc. - so the proverbial grain of salt is mandatory - but this system is VASTLY superior to the 3.5s (subject to the caveat above).

There is a catch:

I use an Audyssey enabled pre-pro to assure optimum integration of panels and subs. It also provides full-range room EQ. I've also successfully used a Velodyne SMS-1 sub controller ($400) and NHT X-2 active x-over unit (was $300, now discontinued) successfully for this task in the past. In this set-up, room EQ is limited to the subs and the MMGs do their thing "unprocessed". The x-2 is a much more fllexible (and, IMO better sounding) low cut unit than that provided within the SMS-1 (fixed at 80hz, 6 db/octave). The 80hz is actually a pretty good x-over point for room EQ since the most audible room nasties fall between 50 and 100 hz is most well-treated rooms (IME), but the x-2 worked better for me.

Audyssey xt-32 enabled pre-pros start out just under $2k if you prefer that "non-audiophile approved" approach. Either way, the total outlay meets your stated budget.

IMO, both approaches work well, but one or the other is virtually mandatory for best results. The good news: the MMG, SMS-1, and the Rythmik subs are all (I believe) sold with an in-home trial period. The total outlay for this approach is $2600, plus the "optional" x-2 to low-cut the MMGs.

Marty