I blame him for my current catch-22.
Don't get me wrong I do take his opinions very highly.
Most of the time his opinions on audio as subject matter has been very informative. Once in a while...which is very little..he would drop a brand or two...which has at one point of time ekked his curiosity. So I went out and looked into some of this "interesting" Brands. Now I have gotten the itch AGAIN!!!!!!
Here is a short list of my current upgrade-itis condition:
tie
1st Magnepan MG12 http://www.magnepan.com/1-800-474-1646/mg12.html
1st Theil 1.6 or 2.3 if I can afford it http://www.thielaudio.com/THIEL_Web/Pages/cs1_6nws.html

2nd Revel Performa M20 http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/revel_performa_m20.htm
3rd Dynaudio 1.3MK2 http://www.stereophile.com/showarchives.cgi?333
4th Proac 1S http://www.stereophile.com/showarchives.cgi?386

Again if you noticed I have a bias for mini monitor/bookshelf or really small floorstanders. Well the Maggies fall into another category...big..in the way...totally different...too weird..I gotto have design..kinda feelin. Most of these have a nice rolled off highs which I enjoy better and easier on the ears. All will be compensated in the lower frequency with my musical sub(If there is such a thing). Hope to get a decision in the next couple of months just before I move into my new place in Feb 04.

I dutifully take the blame. What can I do for you?

Skip the MG12....they are great speakers, but if you're spending that much, go up to to the MG1.6 if at ALL possible. I believe they are about $500 more, but are a whole new class of speakers.

They have just enough of the low end that the 12's are missing. At least give them a listen.

By the way, I wouldn't describe the Maggie, Thiel or Revel as having "rolled off highs" -- especially the Thiel, which is definitely on the brighter side. I agree that the Dynaudio and Proac are "warmer" sounding speakers. As you said yourself, the Maggie is a totally different beast among these brands -- you love it or hate it. That you listed the Maggie as "1st" suggests to me that you like the Maggie sound. I tell you, once you fall for the Maggies, it is fairly difficult to neglect them.

The Thiels are definitely not rolled off. Sorry to omit that. They are the most expensive.

As with the Maggies I think the 1.6 are really big. Not that the MG12 is any smaller but it seemingly looks smaller. I wished they made a taller MMG but not any thicker. That would fix my issues. I'm planning to use a sub to fill in the rest.

Maggie's are those Minnesota made flat speakers, aren't they. When I was in college I knew a guy who had these because they were made in his hometown. He had the bookshelf version. Us guys used to make fun of his flat speakers. At the time I wasn't too impressed with them. Of course this was at the turn of the century, you know the late 70's. Anyway, he started to get a chip on his shoulder over being teased about them and he cranked up the volume to prove that they were great. And what do you think happened next. A puff of smoke came out of one of those babes and he was down to one flat speaker. Personally, I prefer Axiom.

Not to start a flame war or anything, but definitely listen to their newer speakers before totally writing them off. Even there smaller (still 4ft I believe) MMG's are amazing for $550.

I have met some people who just dont like the Magnepan sound, and others who fall in love with it instantly. I am not saying you are going to be one of those that falls in loves, but you should try to compare apples to apples.

No flame intended. I just thought I would relate my experience with these speakers. I'm certain they make nice speakers from the glowing reviews I have read.