Magnepan vs Ohm/Walsh ?

A couple more thoughts:

Both speakers require a fair bit of juice to open up dynamically - no SET amps allowed and 150+ WPC is probably a good idea.

To recapture a sense of macrodynamics, I listen to both the Ohms and the Maggies at app 5db louder than either of my main dynamic alternatives. Not quite the same as you'd get from great dynamic drivers, but the overall effect is satisfying to me.

Ultimate SPLS are limited - super high volume levels aren't available from either speaker without distress.

The Maggies seem stronger when beautiful tone is the point of the music. If I'm listening to a Coleman Hawkins sax solo, I'd lean to Maggie. The Ohms excel when the mix gets denser. Some of the Eels live music + taped effects or Lindsey Buckingham's multi-tracked vocals on "Under The Skin" just unfold on the Ohms in a startling way.

Marty

And a last PS

IMHO, the little Maggies at $600, with my Velo SMS-1 sub controller at app $500 and a pair of excellent subs - your choice - at less than $1400 make a strong case for "best buy" status. As long as the room's not too big, your amps have enough juice to drive the system to optimal SPLs, and you're not looking for outright head banging volume levels, this is truly amazing performance at <$2500. Overall, I prefer the Ohm combo, but for value....

Marty

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your thoughts, I appreciate it.

I have a pair of the Magnepan 1.6QR's on order that should be arriving next week... for my taste, it is probably the right decision... an intimate sounding system for a smaller room (11 x 14), likely powered by tubes. Although I may need to sell my Prima Luna Dialogue Two to buy a more powerful tube amp (maybe a Cary SLI-80 Signature or VTL ST-85). I can try it first and see if it's got enough juice. I will be sitting fairly close to the speakers and usually listen at low to moderate levels, so it may be alright.

I might also see if I can pick up a pair of Ohms to play with and compare.

Further thoughts on the Maggie vs. Ohm comparison are always welcomed. Thanks Again!

...an intimate sounding system for a smaller room (11 x 14), likely powered by tubes.

That is a small room for dipole speakers that need to be out from the walls to sound their best. I found the 1.6QRs to be the wrong choice for my 13 X 15 room after my move. (Though it should be noted the room is not dedicated to listening so other furniture added to placement problems.)

I fared much better with the more tightly controlled directivity of the Spendors, even though it meant a smaller sweet spot. That didn't bother me much since I'm the only critical listener in the house.

I think it simply points out the need to hear speakers in your own room. Which one you find "best" is going to be highly dependent on circumstances unique to your situation.

Plato,

With Ohm's 120 day in-home trial, it's easy to make a risk free assessment. Also, there's currently a lovely pair of rosewood finish Micro Walsh Tall's up for sale on Audiogon. You might check those out as well. They're made for a listening room your size, and they don't require tons of power, either, to sing.

Mlsstl,

Your point is well taken. But recently, I did have a pair of the older MG .5QR in that room (same panel size as the MG-12QR). With the QR tweeters inboard, the presentation was simply magical, although a bit truncated in the bass. I think that if I locate the MG-1.6's in the same spot I will get a similar presentation, but with more bass. If it's too much bass, I could possibly bi-amp and turn down the amp slightly on the bass panel to get a good blend. At any rate, I think it's worth a try. A 13x15 room to me would seem almost ideal if it were dedicated to the task. But those smaller Maggies in my room didn't merely sound "good," they sounded marvelous... so I'm hopeful.

Rebbi, yes, I saw the Ohms you spoke of the other day, but I dragged my feet too long and now it appears a sale is pending. I'm sure there'll be another opportunity down the road to try the Ohms. Then perhaps I'll let go of my sweet little Silverline Preludes.

Thanks!