I moved from Magnepan MG12s to Dynaudio Contour 3.0s, which I purchased when Dynaudio upgraded the line a year or two ago. Box speakers in general just don't create that larger than life soundstage that Maggies do. On the other hand, the Dynaudios destroy the Maggies on rock, and sound very good with pretty much any type of music. Overall, I found the Maggies a little more finicky.
Can you ever go back and be happy?
My audiophile friends and I often discuss if we know any highenders who have great planar speakers (Soundlabs,Apogees,Magnepans) that could go back to a box enclosure speaker and could truely be satisfied with the sound of their system. We believe there is a special quality the way a well designed planar loads a room which just sounds more natural and real to us compared with a baffled speaker design. On to the question. Not including having to down size or change speakers because of $issues or logistics, having to move your sytem to a smaller space etc., have any of you GON members gone from a world class planar to a box enclosed design and were able to really be happy and not long for the "good old planar days". We do not personally know anyone who has ever done it and was truly happy about afterwards. It would be great if any of you fellow GON members can relate to this question through your own personal experience and share your opinions with us.