Secretguy, a couple more thoughts. As you have obviously found out Maggies do some very special things. I used MGIIIA's for many years. They are now sitting in my basement in need of repair. These are highly modified, with completely upgraded xovers, rewired, socks removed, etc. Partly due to all that "abuse" both midrange sections need rewiring. I ordered the repair kit from Magnepan, but it too is waiting. The reason they have sat unrepaired for a few years is partly my procrastination, but mainly that I have a couple of other speakers, including the fabulous Stax F-81 electrostats, and Paragon Regents (a very fine full range box speaker).
I bring all this up simply to make the comment that inspite of all the wonderful qualities of my other speakers, especially the Stax, I still miss the Maggies a great deal. The best sound (overall) that I have ever achieved with my system was with the Maggies. For lifesize scale of the soundstage, the Maggies win handsdown. The MGIII's tweeter is a fabulous tweeter and with careful system tuning integration problems can be minimized. The bass that I got from the Maggies was also the best that I ever had, quality and extension-wise; even if not quantity-wise.
I disagree that the 1.6's are a better speaker. Better integration perhaps, but less extension top and bottom, less clarity in the highs and upper mids (the MGIIIA's xcover at a fairly low frequency), and smaller soundstage. A friend recently had his Timpany refurbished by Magnepan, and I must say they did a great job. The 3.6's, even used, will cost you more than double what refurbishing the III's will. You obviously like the III's. I would go for it; I don't think you will regret it. Good luck with your decision.
I bring all this up simply to make the comment that inspite of all the wonderful qualities of my other speakers, especially the Stax, I still miss the Maggies a great deal. The best sound (overall) that I have ever achieved with my system was with the Maggies. For lifesize scale of the soundstage, the Maggies win handsdown. The MGIII's tweeter is a fabulous tweeter and with careful system tuning integration problems can be minimized. The bass that I got from the Maggies was also the best that I ever had, quality and extension-wise; even if not quantity-wise.
I disagree that the 1.6's are a better speaker. Better integration perhaps, but less extension top and bottom, less clarity in the highs and upper mids (the MGIIIA's xcover at a fairly low frequency), and smaller soundstage. A friend recently had his Timpany refurbished by Magnepan, and I must say they did a great job. The 3.6's, even used, will cost you more than double what refurbishing the III's will. You obviously like the III's. I would go for it; I don't think you will regret it. Good luck with your decision.