Ohm Walsh 2000 vs MMG vs Vandersteen 2ce Sig?

I'm a little confused, and I confess I'm not up on the latest models, which Magnepans are you referring to? MMGs would seem to be the latest version of the old SMG & SMGa models... if so, I think it's a bit odd to be comparing $500 planars with two $2500 boxed speakers! I'll assume you mean MG3.3s or similar.
Over the years I've had SMGa, Timpani 1d, MGII, and MGIIIa Maggies, as well as Ohm Walsh models ,3,& 4. No long term experience with Vandersteens, but I have listened to them quite a bit in other system. My feelings for Ohms is very strong, that's why I've been through so many (and still have a pair of 2s), but the do have one irritating characteristic... they have a relatively limited volume window where the dome tweeter, walsh mid, and ported bass gel. At low volumes they sound lifeless, at (very) high levels they can get a bit strident & loose coherence. At medium high listening levels (where I do tend to listen most) they are FANTASTIC! But try as I might, with all manner of equipment driving them, I still find it annoying to have the speakers sound so "dull" at low to moderate levels.
As for Maggies, I think they are the best bang for the buck in high end sound... IF you like panel speakers (I do - my main system is Quad ESL63 based).
Vandersteens have always struck me as very fine "conventional" speakers, perhaps as good of deal as Maggies, just with a different (read more dynamic) sound.

I don't know if this helps any in your choice, but that's what I've found between the three "contenders" you asked about.

Cliff

Unfortunately, the earliest "pure" Walsh designs (models A & F) are no longer serviced by Ohm. They have made adapters for their newer "cans" to be mounted on the old cabinets, but that doesn't yield a very similar speaker.
I'm still wondering why it seems people here are comparing $599 Magnepans to $2500 dynamic speakers. Wouldn't it be more fair to compare models of similar price? Ohm's least expensive floor standing model is twice that much! ...and that's Factory Direct price! Magnepans will always be somewhat limited in dynamics compared to cone speakers with cabinets. Just like any other panel, their dynamics is a direct factor of area, and with such limited excursion, even a huge panel is going to "run out of wind" (making them sound "compressed") at very high peaks. My Tympani had over 16sqft of area per side, and even they had limits, but those limits were Very high... higher than I needed, so effectively for me just fine. My local Magnepan dealer happens to carry Vandersteen as well, that's where I've heard the 2ci most, and I've listened in on straight "shoot outs between MG20s, and Vandersteen 4s, and in that "living room" sized listening room, I don't think impact, nor dynamics were a limiting factor with either one! FWIW, The customer was an uncle of mine, and he ended up buying Vandersteen Quatros - he LOVES them.
Like I said before, I'm a big fan of the whole line of Walsh speakers, but I do think it's important that you consider competitive models, not just brand vs brand.

...also, to clarify my comment about Ohm's dynamic limit. I simply found the sound Quality suffered a bit (particularly in integration between mids & highs) at their highest levels. I don't think they are particularly "fragile", or likely to "melt down", and as long as you choose a model that will play in the volume range you find necessary, it isn't of too much concern.

Cliff

WOW! Thanks for that link, I was unaware of HHR. That's VERY cool, too bad they are as pricy as that, but if I were in the $10-20K speaker market, I'd sure give them a listen.

I remember auditioning Ohm Fs in the very early eighties... Ohm Acoustics had only just introduced the "Walsh 2" then. The sales manager for "Tec Hi-Fi" (the main Ohm dealer in those days) was a friend so I was able to take a pair of 2s and Fs home for a week end. I was extremely impressed, but thought they sounded a little rolled off at the top, and were really placement sensitive. I was using a Crown IC150, & two DC300s to drive them so volume wasn't an issue! I ended up buying AR9s instead, but at least I bought the Crowns from my Tec HI-Fi buddy. I ended up going through Walsh 2s,3s, then 4s through the eighties in second room systems, and I'm convinced the later models were/are true improvements over the originals in imaging, high end, and sensitivity. But there was something "magical" about the full range Walsh if you have a room perfectly set up for them, and enough juice to drive them!
Cliff