Which Magnepans 3.5 or 1.6?

As you can see, there are quite a variety of opinions on this topic; some quite strong opinions. I once owned the 1.6s. A phenomenol speaker for a phenomenol price. You can't go wrong with them and I would recommend them in a heartbeat if the warranty for a new speaker is important to you. However, unless you are bypassing the fuse or plan to use an amp that is underpowered, you really should never need the warranty. The dilemma here is that you are considering a quai-ribbon tweeter vs. a true ribbon tweeter and full range speaker. If you go with the 1.6s, you will be happy, but you will be infected with and suffer from the "what if" syndrome. As you happily listen to your 1.6s, you will sit back and ask yourself, "what if" I had a true ribbon tweeter, what would that be like. Or, "what if" I had a full range planar with a little deeper bass. Because you will suffer from this common audiophile affliction, I would suggest the 3.5s. You don't need the warranty and if you did, the replacement parts are not hard to get and not too expensive. I have the 3.6s and have not heard the 3.5s (I understand they are similar and the 3.6s may be a bit better intergrated than the 3.5s) and it is a great speaker. You will not regret the decision; you will not ask "what if" I had the quasi-ribbon tweeter/two way speaker. I don't think anyone would say that the 1.6s are better than the 3.5s. I'm guessing the 3.5s are a slightly better speaker than the 1.6s, but even if they are equal, you will always fret over not having the true ribbon. In addition, the 3.5s are easier to biamp, should you choose that direction. (I do think that the poster above suggesting the 2.6s may be right, but the 2.6s were not in your question and, therefore, I assume not under consideration.) One last thought: room size. If your room is small, than the 1.6s would be a better choice; the 3.5s need a little more room to breath. My conclusion is that you can't go wrong with either speaker, but you might as well save yourself from suffering from the "what if" disease, put yourself out of your misery and get the 3.5s. Good luck.

You are going to live with the speakers so what you hear is what ultimately matters. Listen to a pair of 1.6's and any pair of 3 series maggies(IIIa,3.3,3.5, or 3.6) and decide if the coherence of the 1.6 or the true ribbon of the 3.5 is what will float your boat. I own both the 1.6 and the 3.6. The 1.6 was my main speaker for four years and the 3.6 for the past two which I upgraded to when I was afflicted with "what if" disease. Both are great speakers and have different strengths and weaknesses which the previous posters have covered in depth. I am happy enough with the 3.6 as my main speakers and I was happy with the 1.6 which now serve as surrounds. I confess I have not done a shootout between the two because if the 1.6 wins, I will have to go to the trouble of selling the 3.6's. And I just don't want to deal with that hassel.

I owned 3.5s for a couple of years. If you can supply enough power with the new amp and enough listening room to let them breathe (after a relo I couldn't provide such space, hence the sale), I'm confident that they will impress. I'm a bit surprised to find in this thread that some people would pass on the 3.5 in favor of the 1.6, regardless of price, but I guess tastes do vary.
OTOH, if new is important, you may want to consider the Eminent Tech hybrid at ca.$1800. Bass performance is closer to the 3.5, but it is a hybrid and you may/may not be comfortable with the dynamic to planar cross region. FWIW, I feel that ET has done a good job there, but that is certainly a matter of judgement.

Jimburger is a brave man to admit that "what-if-itis" was at least in part responsible for his 3.6 purchase. Unfortunately, after you buy the 3.6, you will still suffer from this ailment as you contemplate the possibilities of the 20.1. And after that, how about a "true" electrostatic planar?

Go listen to both.

Please forgive me for asking a question in this question, but as I lurk on this post, I too am considering the Maggies vs the M-Ls and have the same budget. Since those of you who have posted have experience with the both, I have a question. Is it worth getting either of them if I can only pull them out 36 inches from the back wall and no further, and am sitting 11 feet away? If so, is there one of the Maggies or M-Ls that is better suited. Thanks to all for your in depth answers, they have helped many. And thanks to PAL for letting me interject this question.