[Freo-1]

Hey, go with what you like! Anything else is just plain foolish. Speakers, more than any other component, define one's system. I'm glad to hear that you found something you like better - for whatever reason. However, I must ask a question (and please pardon my aging memory). Did you try the 1.7s in a monitor/sub setup? I mean no more insult to Magnepan than you, but I wouldn't have mine any other way. Without the subs, I have a hard time enjoying either the MMGs or the 3.7s (or the 3.6s that I had for a while). I've never heard the bigger Maggies. With the subs properly integrated, which is a pain to nail down (satisfactorily) and requires program related fiddling, I suffer no fatigue - just pure, unadulterated, enjoyment. 

Good question.  I did indeed listen to the Maggies with a few different subs, and yes, at least one of the subs I tried worked great with them.   As you stated, speakers do indeed define the system.  Since NO audio system quite sounds like a live event,  I think we put together systems based on our specific tastes.  Since no system actually quite gets there, we make tradeoff choices based on our preferences.  Here's the real kicker:  Tastes change over time as we continue down our audio journey. 
 
What I noticed over time is that the Maggies had issues in the lower registers that I had a hard time working through.  Sound staging was difficult to get right with the Maggies.  So, when the wife told me she was not happy with their looks, I decided not to fight it, as I was having some issues getting them to sound right.  Maybe I gave up on them too early?  My previous experience with planar speakers (Acoustat Spectra 33) may have had something to do with it. 
 
I tried a pair of the Tyler Acoustic Reference Monitors, and they were much easier to set up, provided a outstanding sound stage, and did not have the lower distortion I was hearing.  Very impressive.  Then, I tried a pair of ATC SCM 19's, and I KNEW I had found the right speakers.  The SCM-19's are in a class by themselves sonically.  I have never heard lower distortion, more 3-D, and natural sound from a speaker.  I think the reason is their Super Linear Drivers. 

[kevin360]

Just to be certain, please allow me to refine my query a bit. Adding bass augmentation is one thing, but doing so while reducing the bass load on the mains via a crossover is the apple to apple comparison.  When the excursion demands on a driver are reduced, a gain in linearity is practically guaranteed. Did you employ a crossover to steer the grunt work away from the 1.7s?

Regardless, it sounds as though the 1.7s just weren’t a good fit. That’s not difficult to understand. They impose some hefty demands and are just plain imposing in terms of room décor. You’re a wise man for not forcing the issue with your wife and that can work in your favor – “Honey, I’ll be happy to replace those monoliths with these little fellas, but…”

The cool thing is that there are so darn many ways to reproduce fantastic sounding music. Enjoy!

[Freo-1]

Just to be certain, please allow me to refine my query a bit. Adding bass augmentation is one thing, but doing so while reducing the bass load on the mains via a crossover is the apple to apple comparison.  When the excursion demands on a driver are reduced, a gain in linearity is practically guaranteed. Did you employ a crossover to steer the grunt work away from the 1.7s?

Regardless, it sounds as though the 1.7s just weren’t a good fit. That’s not difficult to understand. They impose some hefty demands and are just plain imposing in terms of room décor. You’re a wise man for not forcing the issue with your wife and that can work in your favor – “Honey, I’ll be happy to replace those monoliths with these little fellas, but…”

The cool thing is that there are so darn many ways to reproduce fantastic sounding music. Enjoy!

Cheers, mate!  This gave me a chuckle reading it.   
 
You bring up a very salient point.  I think perhaps a crossover setup would have helped the Maggies immensely.  As you adroitly pointed out, since they had caused a décor issue, there was not strong motivation to plow that ground. 
The other issue with crossovers is that I am of the school that unless specifically designed for a given speaker, crossovers can impact the soundstage by messing up the phase/timing of the musical signal.  There are a number of speaker designers who also think this way as well.  IMHO, The best method to deal with that issue is to take the approach that companies like Meriden or ATC employ, by using active speakers designed from the ground up to address those issues. 
I know this driver addresses the distortion issue just by it's design: (This is the same driver as in the SCM 19)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJkI0DhOyqU&feature=player_embedded
 
 

[jaylevine]

Well, I can now add my own Maggie 3.7 w/Myestands to the list of Maggies on Audiogon re: just do not fit in the new town home we purchased last week. Have 4 months to unload them and pick up something smaller......

[njtc]

Well, I can now add my own Maggie 3.7 w/Myestands to the list of Maggies on Audiogon re: just do not fit in the new town home we purchased last week. Have 4 months to unload them and pick up something smaller......

I saw those posted. I just got a great deal on some 3.5s and have been considering some MYE stands. Did you think they made a significant improvement? Does it improve everything or just the bass?

[jaylevine]

Not significant IMHO. what they do allow is for much easier handling which allows for more fine tuning in positoning, which does help improve overall sound presentation relative to listening position.