How much room for Magnepan 1.6qr?


I'm setting up a secondary system for my office. I've got a Bryston amp and I've heard they pair very well with Maggies. I've never owned planars, and I wondered how much room I need. The room is about 10 by 12. I sit about 5 feet from the back wall, off center in the room, but centered between the current speakers, which are only about 5 feet apart from each other and about a foot off the front wall. I can bring them A LITTLE bit into the room, but not hugely. Are Magnepans appropriate for this set up? Thanks. -Dave
dbw1
I've owned them, now have 3.6's

They will sound fine, but the room is a a bit small and you are practically on top of them.

Try them, you be the judge. They could do with a bit more breathing space.
they will be fine as Shinytoys mentioned, but the MMG's with a nice sub might be all you need in that room.
Thanks for the responses so far. I want to make sure I understand what you all are saying. When you say, "they'll sound fine," are you saying that it won't sound bad, but won't really come close to what these speakers can do, or are you saying that it's just not quite optimal? If this isn't an appropriate application for these speakers, I'm perfectly fine going in another direction. I have Energy C6 in there right now and I'm wanting more, but I'm not restricted to any brand. I've just heard the Magnepan is a great match for my amp, and I'd like a bigger sound stage (since the speakers are so close together), which Magnepans are famous for as well. So, please clarify. This is the wrong direction and I can do better for the money given the space restrictions, or this is a good idea? Thanks. -Dave
Maggies have an amazing soundstage, as many have said, and have a truly transparent sound. Vocals are like no other speaker I have EVER heard. The 1.6 in that room won't overpower it, but I don't think it will be optimal either. I think the smaller MMG, with a nice, but not huge sub, crossed over at about 70 - 80 htz would be a fantastic setup.

Good luck.
I'm less experienced than many posters (i.e. don't have experience with lots of equipment, just Spendors that I traded for MGIIs which I've had for a very long time) but I think you won't be doing the Maggies justice unless you can modify your stated restrictions. The Maggies really do want to be at least 5' from the front wall, so if 2' is your limit (i.e. current are 1' off the wall and you can come in just a little more) I would vote against them. On the other hand, if you can put them 5' out,and move yourself back towards your back wall, you can make them work the way they are meant to. This assumes you have the speakers in front of the narrow wall; if you are working the other way, with the speakers along the 12' wall and only 10' of depth to work with, I personally don't think the 1.6s will work, you just don't have enough real estate to work with.