[thunderbrick]

A dilemma............
I have 1.6s now, and found a good B&M dealer that has 1.7s, 3.7s, and a MINT pair of 20.1. on hand.

1.7s?  That's a no-brainer.

3.7s?  At the high end of my budget, but I want 'em.

20.1s?  It would be a REAL stretch, but not a huge amount more than the 3.7s.

20.7s?  Fuggeddaboutit!

I like large orchestral music, film sound tracks, big band, folk ensembles, Celtic and classic rock.  My room is 22 x 26 x 10, so space is not an issue.  The dealer says the 20.1 are more efficient so I don't need to change my amplification (I can biamp if need be), and they reach lower.

No way I could afford to buy different amps (Moscode 300 and Parasound 1000A) since this purchase would tap me out for all of 2012.

I will hear the 20.1s tomorrow, but that's in a heavily treated room with very high-end amps that I could never afford.

Anybody have a clue about 3.7s vs the 20.1s?????

Thanks, all!

'brick

[berni]

I would take the larger 20.1, but you need a powerfull and stable amp. The 20.1 aren't more efficient then the 3.7, I don't believe it, they are under 85db..

[thunderbrick]

Update.  Below is a shot of my existing set up.  A little live, but it's a multi purpose man cave/commercial photo studio on occasion.  Speakers are 5' from front wall, 6+ feet from side walls, and the listening spot is roughly 15' from the speakers.  Artwork is not all up in the photos. plants are now much bigger.

[SteveFord]

With that size room I think I'd be headed towards the 20.1s.
See what you think when you hear them both at low to moderate volume. 

[ajzepp]

I'd be concerned about the audition room being "heavily treated"...in my own experience, the larger Maggies don't like tons of absorption. I had over 20 GIK traps up when I had dynamic speakers (DeVores) in use and it made a huge difference (for the better). But it wasn't until I took down over half the traps that my 3.6s came alive again. If they are using lots of diffusion, then that's probably not as much of a concern. Also will depend on the size of the audition room, of course.

Also, knowing how much better I like my 3.6s actively bi-amped, if you go for the 20s I'd DEFINITELY biamp those babies!

[berni]

Well sized room, you can try several setups(Hong-Kong...), definately go 20.1.
About absorption.. if the room is large enough(not too high, not much above 9feet) , the speakers are placed well into the room(more then 7 feet) you can well live without much of absorption.. Maybe just a heavy curtain over the windows and backwall.
Just my observatins with my 20.1 in a room 19.6 by 26 feet which also extends into two other rooms.
I would go for one amp like mine , a pro MC2 MC1250 used about 1000$, or two , this is a well known high-end amp killer. (only downsize, they dont look high end and the fans are a bit loud) 

[thunderbrick]

Thanks, Guys!  Keep the comments coming!   

Do the 20s have more slam than the 3.6s?  I would guess so, but don't know

Either way, they'll be a 61st birthday present to myself, so likely my last big speakers.

[berni]

Thanks, Guys!  Keep the comments coming!   

Do the 20s have more slam than the 3.6s?  I would guess so, but don't know

Either way, they'll be a 61st birthday present to myself, so likely my last big speakers.

=20.1 slam
But don't be disappointed if there will be no slam. Either they are not broken in or the amp can't push them. I had 2 monoblocks AVM M2 with 270W at 4 Ohm, they just couldn't push them, now with about 1kW  and my new diy stands they sing.

[thunderbrick]

Heading to the dealer's this afternoon, right after I swing past a used record store to grab stuff I know well.
I asked them to hook up a 150wpc amp, so we'll see.

Keep them cards and letters coming in, folks!   

[Delta Wave]

Update.  Below is a shot of my existing set up.  A little live, but it's a multi purpose man cave/commercial photo studio on occasion.  Speakers are 5' from front wall, 6+ feet from side walls, and the listening spot is roughly 15' from the speakers.  Artwork is not all up in the photos. plants are now much bigger.

That's a nice room! I dig the sewing machine turntable stand. 

Feel free to hit me up if you are going to sell the 1.6s.

[thunderbrick]

What's your zip?  I travel a lot in the spring.

[jtwrace]

What's your zip?  I travel a lot in the spring.

Probably one of these:
ZIP Code 14850
ZIP Code 14851
 ZIP Code 14852
ZIP Code 14853

[Delta Wave]

What's your zip?  I travel a lot in the spring.

Yup, it's 14850.

[thunderbrick]

Hmmm, I'll be in upstate NY, but not until July.   

OTOH, my wife has accepted a job that will involve a lot of travel to who-knows-where, so I know not what the future holds.

I have all the boxes, etc, and am quite capable of building a nice crate.

[steve k]

Beautiful room!

I'd definitely go with the 20.1's. I think all maggies three-series or higher need to be biamped for optimum performance. I'm biamping my modded IIIA's in a room much smaller than yours and they fill up the room. A room that size needs the 20.1's, biamped. You'll get deeper bass response than the 3.7's and the sky is the limit on amplification possibilities. I'm using inexpensive Class D kit amps quite happily and they replaced two pairs of VTL tube monoblocks on my IIIA's. ALso, the 3.7's aren't biampable.

steve

[jtwrace]

Hmmm, I'll be in upstate NY, but not until July.   

OTOH, my wife has accepted a job that will involve a lot of travel to who-knows-where, so I know not what the future holds.

I have all the boxes, etc, and am quite capable of building a nice crate.

Sell them now and wait some time and get 20.7's.   

[Delta Wave]

Hmmm, I'll be in upstate NY, but not until July.   

OTOH, my wife has accepted a job that will involve a lot of travel to who-knows-where, so I know not what the future holds.

I have all the boxes, etc, and am quite capable of building a nice crate.

I'm in no hurry at all, just PM me when you're sorted out.

[thunderbrick]

Just came from the dealer's, who was kind enough to stay an hour late when we got caught in traffic.

Anyway, HOLY CRAP!  DAMN!  Great dynamics, go WAY deep, but the room was very heavily damped and the speakers were much warmer than my 1.6s in my bright room.

Biggest problem?  My beautiful wife joined me at my request, and as we listened she made it VERY clear she liked them.  A LOT.
And she approves of the looks.  Now I'll have to buy a twin recliner that SHE likes so we can listen TOGETHER! (awwwwwwww!)
Think that's nice?? She likes Celine Dion, for chrissakes!!!!

Now, how the hell am i going to pay for these monsters?

20.7s?? In my friggin' dreams, and the wife is not insured for that much.

[josh358]

Congrats!

When you have some bread again, you can get a big mother amp (pro, if you can put it somewhere where you don't hear the fan) and use it on the woofer. Very low cost, you won't hear the Class D artifacts in the woofer, and with your other amps on top you'll have all the slam you could want.

[ajzepp]

Thunderbrick, you probably get this a lot, but don't EVER let go of that woman! 

That's a great feeling when your lady not only supports your speaker habit, but wants to join you in the enjoyment of it! 

And given your description of the audition room, I guarantee you they'll sound much better in your place. The 20s will be amazing considering the pic of your room and how much space you can provide them.