I did read between the lines sir...I am sure the Tannoy Prestige series would not have been on demo but were you able to hear the regular fancy Tannoys? If yes, what is your take vis a vis the Maggies ?
Sir, I was perhaps there on the wrong day, as it seemed most exhibitor's were too busy intermingling, or trying to make a hard sale, or perhaps just tired as it was the last day. Not a single room i visited would have given a true sense of what those speakers were capable of, hence i mentioned earlier it would be unfair to compare them vis a vis a setup at home. If I was a serious buyer at the show, I would be unimpressed by anything that was at the show, But i would give a second chance to audition them in a proper room.
The TAGA (INR over 4.9 lac) with Marantz left an impression on me.
Now coming to Magnepan's, None would come half way close to the Sound stage and clarity/ resolution. The bass problem that some complain about with maggies, seemed unfair as most floor standers were not putting anything below 40hz. (it seems as no measurements were taken). Every speaker i heard were fatigue free but some also sounded rolled off at high frequencies. Again I cannot reiterate enough to give the benefit of doubt as the setups (rooms) did not seem optimal.
One track I heard (Dire straits- You and your friend) on the B&W floor standers was dull and almost dead.The track has some serious bass and these speakers did no justice to it nor did Knopfler's guitar had the same feeling that the Maggie's put out.
In the end I may be biased 'bigly' towards the Maggie's as I get emotionally connected to it quite easily because of the inherent design that they have as against a boxed speaker.
To be clear, My habit of listening to music is not to be grounded to a sweet spot for hours, so to me it matters that music sounds good no matter where i am in that given room. Boxes are too easily localized when compared to the Maggie's. But when I do sit down in my main listening chair, the speakers simply disappear and the band plays just for me. If one stands 2 feet away from any speaker, it gives you an impression that the music is coming from a door, not possible with any boxed speaker, in my humble opinion.
I guess it holds some truth when they say ' once a magnepan owner, always a magnepan owner.
No intention to offend anybody, just my personal opinion.