Hi Paladin98 -

Several answers to your post from here:
1. I don't understand your "1/3 of my living room space" comment since at 17" wide the footprint of the Magneplanar 12 (NOT an electrostatic, BTW) is not all that much smaller than the 19" width of my Maggie 1.6's - unless maybe you meant visual anheight.
But just from the standpoint of sound quality I'd sure recommend Maggies over any competition, as long as there is at least 18" (ideally 3 feet but let's stay real for apartments) behind them. They are NOT happy backed against walls. I've heard both the MMG and my 1.6's, but not the 12; however from reports it should be closer in sound to the 1.6, which is all to the good, not that the MMG is any slouch. The 1.6's bass is -3dB at 40Hz and the MMG at 50Hz and that difference is very significant if you like unamplified music, especially orchestral and/or organ as I do. On the other hand I don't yet seriously miss a subwoofer. The 12 might have enough bass for you or it might not.
2. Power: By its specs, to emit a steady-state "pink noise" at a 90-dB level - which is VERY loud; try it some time) the Maggie 12 requires - are you ready for this? - about two and a half watts. Sound levels of 100 dB are about what an orchestra playing fortissimo achieves from the position of the conductor. So references to the indispensability of >200 watts per channel, for seven channels, are IMO just nonsensical. Sure one wants a good cushion for peaks, but I want to see the evidence of >200 watt power delivery from the amplifier, when playing any actual material in a real listening situation in a real apartment environment, with real neighbors one really has to remain on good terms with.
3. Finally, the 990: I got mine because it has a phono input and I still play vinyl from time to time - a consideration which certainly doesn't apply to everybody. I was interested in the Sherwood Newcastle P965 before the 990 came out; all the same capabilities + $400 less = no-brainer for me, even before I learned that the two are first cousins. I'd hoped it would sound at least as good as my (20-year-old) Adcom TP500 but wasn't prepared for how much better the sound is in every way - transparency, bass detail and reach (yes, I can hear the difference even with the "40Hz" Maggie 1.6's), and even phono reproduction.
4. Re power amps, I'm using the nOrh Le Amp 2 monoblocks, made in Thailand by an American expat; look them up at www.norh.com. They are being replaced by the L3 which are spec'd at 160 watts into 8 ohms and should deliver at least 250 to the 4-ohm Maggies, so there should be no worries even for those not convinced by #2 above. They'll be $300 each including shipping. I have no connection to the manufacturer except affection because of the very good service I've had from them and the marvelous sound of their product. They do have two disadvantages that might be deal breakers for you that I have to point out: as far as I know they don't have either 12v trigger or audio signal turn-on capability, and of course each has its own power cord, so for convenienced you's probably want to invest in a terminal box that can be trigger controlled. But probably (if my experience with the L2 is any guide) no apologies need be made for their sound on music, even for listeners who judge them against the real thing.

Best to you whatever you end up with,

Paul Nay