Both are very fine speakers, and I have owned both. I started with the Magneplanar 1.6qr's and loved them. I sold them and bought the Martin Logan Aerius.
The Aerius sounded like it had a gap in the midrange and did not get full orchestral works quite right. I was also suprised that the ML, with a dedicated woofer did not have as well defined bass when compared to the Magnepans.
I used both with the same McIntosh amp system and placement, and then adjusted the ML's for optimum placement. I just could not get the ML's to sound as good as the Magnepans.
I sold the ML's at a loss, and purchased another pair of Magnepan 1.6's. The glorious sound was back!
Just my experience. Hope this helps.
The Aerius sounded like it had a gap in the midrange and did not get full orchestral works quite right. I was also suprised that the ML, with a dedicated woofer did not have as well defined bass when compared to the Magnepans.
I used both with the same McIntosh amp system and placement, and then adjusted the ML's for optimum placement. I just could not get the ML's to sound as good as the Magnepans.
I sold the ML's at a loss, and purchased another pair of Magnepan 1.6's. The glorious sound was back!
Just my experience. Hope this helps.