Thanks for the support guys. I have both good and bad news though. Most of it is a really long story, which I'll link you guys to when I'm done typing the post for the Steve Hoffman forum people.

The bad news first: For my current living situation, the MG12's are not truly appropriate for a couple of reasons. Not what you'd think though: Reason one being that I do a lot of my current listening not only just sitting, but while doing stuff around the living room area and kitchen.

The sound field or "sweet spot" as it were, is certainly best found while in the sitting position rather than standing, no matter the position (at least in that room). The room its self was about 12'W x 20'D and had some treatment on the ceiling. The room was sealed by one of those big ass metal doors you'd find in a restaurant kitchen where the dairy and meat goes. Closed that way too.

The second reason I figured in the short period of time I got to audition them, was that they seem absolutely phenomenal for acoustic music and vocals, as well as jazz... But they really don't seem to have the type of impact nor synergy needed for heavier music like rock..and for symphonic music, I got the impression that the low end was really lacking. I felt that the timpani in the piece I was listening to was lurking in there somewhere, but was being held back by some shield, and that was a bit unnerving to me.

Might it have been the amp ? Who's to say. It was an integrated McIntosh (don't know which model, because for reasons I'll say later, it is a moot point) that put out 140 wpc.

Now the good news. I actually really LOVED them when certain pieces were played. They absolutely shine with acoustic guitar, vocals, horns and woodwinds. Coltrane's sax was like...right there ! But what this means to me, is that I would absolutely want a dedicated listening room for such a pair of speakers.

For my current dwelling situation, that's not possible. It's an apartment. When we get a house, I will not hesitate to buy some Manepans for a dedicated room.

The speakers were not bi-wired either, so I can only imagine ... Also, I just can't get over the clarity and dynamics that these puppies bring out of music ! They're so revealing for their price range I think. The best part about them IMO, is how you can make such an obvious differentiation between what music coming out of a "box" (aka typical speakers) sounds like, vs. music that sounds like it's right there in the room with you, being played live.

It was quite depressing actually, having to walk out of there knowing that I had to continue to search for something a bit better (different)than my current speakers, but wanting something with the same "out of the box" attributes that the MG12's (or perhaps applies to all maggies) are able to deliver.

Another point I felt was critical, was how the salesman behaved. He was an absolute A-HOLE. But that, I'll re-post after I finish typing it for the SH forums, which I had already started. Probably tomorrow, if I still have the energy or care anymore.

Doug