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I finally listened to 20.1 - wow, but be careful?!

I have a pair of 3.6 with Mye stands and active bi-amplification (Sanders Sound Sytems Magtech and Innersound 300 ESL).
Just for the fun of it I was really curious to listen to 20.1s - the BIG MAMA - and compare to my 3.6s. You never know what the future may reserve to you! :-)
Last week-end I finally got the chance to do it as I paid a visit to the Italian Magnepan importer. I heard a pair of broken in stock 20.1s powered by a McCormack DNA125 amp (undoubtedly a touch too small for such loudspeakers). Unfortunately, it wasn't the best listening room. There were a few reverberation problems. I thought that after all also my lounge room is not laid out for top listening. Initially, I reviewed a few CDs of mine which I had brought along.

One cannot avoid noticing how deep and low the sound of 20.1s can be, compared to 3.6s. Wow! I liked them a lot...but I was also prepared to like them.
However, given that they have the same tweeter, I was a touch disappointed because they sounded veiled to me, less presence and soundstage. As I expressed my remarks, the manager tried to change the jumper from a copper one to a stock one. They were a touch brighter - not a big change anyhow.
Although I told him about my own set-up, he never mentioned it as the problem for the veiling. Just sometimes he referred to the meagre DNA125. Was I comparing apple and oranges? After all his 20.1s were powered by 200W and my 3.6s by a combined 1400W!?

Having a general chat about the 20.1 and its push/pull technology, he told me that there are 2 panels sandwitched together. As I have right now a delamination problem with the bass of my loudspeakers, I enquired about eventually repairing 20.1s. I was told that it is not possible. It is only possible to change the whole panel which costs serious money. At that time he obviously pushed for the need of a warranty - I bought mine second hand. However, I was slightly taken aback by the possibility of spending around 5000 euros for delamination after 8-10 years for speakers that here already cost over 20,000 euros.
Is this limitation about its repairing unflexibility true? How much do you eventually spend in the US?
Honestly, if it is true, I think it is a serious drawback. Now I would think twice about upgrading.

What are your thoughts?





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Topic - I finally listened to 20.1 - wow, but be careful?! - Bibo01 09:05:07 11/2/09 (8)

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