Magnepan durability

The surface is strong. The issue would be the speakers toppling over. If you want Magnepan, you should also consider some sort of extra bracing. The excellent stands available for Magnepan would be perfect, though expensive.
An alternative would be to add weight to the feet extensions, or some method of keeping the the top 'up' such as a safety wire up from the top of the speaker.
(screwing a eyelet into the top would not be any problem for the speaker workings. or to the wings..)

The panels themselves are not easily damaged. (the higher models with the foil tweeter, the foil tweeter can be easily snapped with a strong gust of air. But the 1.7 does not use that tweeter.)
So the panels can take a lot of abuse and not be harmed.

Well, if you choose the 2CE, you won't have to change your moniker to Magnastephen. ;)

Thank you both for the responses.
Mt10425, the thought of that has only caused me minor stress. My solution is to add a Vandersteen 2wq sub and that would allow me to keep my current moniker.

"I'm finally going to be allowed by my better half to replace my Vandersteen 1C speakers"

You have bigger issues than what speakers to buy.....

Shakey

If you like the Vandy's, I'd stay put with newer, bigger better ones.

Magnepans can be toppled easily as mentioned plus are likley to be damaged if that occurs. Plus I would expect a different sound with Maggies, so be sure that is what you want if you switch.