Mark
Yes, I've listened to all those lines, some many times...not every model of course.
Of the ones you mention, Infinitys and Carvers are hybrid...ie, cone woofers. The new VMPS line are also hybrids...I've listened to all of those as well.... I have a VMPS dealer very near my home (Todays Audio).
The hybrid types generally play louder and offer conventional box-like bass slam...a good choice for those of us who like a little taste of both worlds, ie....planer-like mids/highs, but still that thump you in the chest bass that you can get from typical mono-pole box speakers. They (hybrids) also work well in smaller rooms, ie...you can get away with placing them as close as only 24" out if you have wife or other setup problems which dictate less than ideal setup.
The Maggies and Apogees being planer and di-pole, require 3-5 feet space behind to really open up and strut their stuff (It's a timing thing) because of the rear sound wave. Di-pole bass is "very" different sounding than mono-pole cone bass. It loads the room in a different manor than many are used to... even if the di-poles are fullrange, ie...20hz-20khz (the Apogee Scintillas come to mind here). Because the large panels do not "punch" the air in the way a cone does you don't get quite the slam factor.
My best friend had the original big Carvers for several years and I jamed with him thousands of times on those things....they will play at "extream" SPL's...bass is good but not great (30hz is about it). Mids and highs are good...not as good as Maggies or Apogees. The ribbon is to small to cover the amount of bass it must cover and to large to cover the complete HF range...a three-way would have been better IMO.
Maggies...great speakers for those that love music and are on a budget (MMG's are the best $550 dollar speakers going)... (Maggies are not a good rock speaker however). Bass is weak compared to the Carvers, they don't like to be played loud and were not designed to do so...this is the reason most Maggie owners are always looking for more power, ie...they are trying to get the speaker to do something it was not designed to do (play loud and thump bass). Note: the big Maggie 20 series may be the exception.
Infinity...If your talking about the big IRS series...I've only heard them years ago. Huge room, well away from the walls....I was impressed!
VMPS Hybrids...I'd buy a pair of these....except, I like my Apogees better for my tastes in bass quality, midrange quality, HF quality...the edge goes to the VMPS in SPL's. I rarely play music at above 100db peaks...one reason why I have switched from big solid state amps, to tubed monos. Plus....I've got the big old Supertowers to fall back on if I really want to party loud (I think you understand there!...with your new find).
Dave
