good day!
yes very true! not everyone will have accessibility to take covers off maggies. if you're taking the covers off after buying them, then you're better off sending the pair to magnepan for a full re-furbishing - get ready to spend a bit here!

hence, my advise - save up as much as possible and go for a new pair of 1.7's altogether, you won't have any worries after that...

one of my trusted maggies friends, a devottee of maggies, will not own any other speaker as his reference system (although he does have a pair of Quad 2905's driven with all Quad amplification!), swears by the new 1.7's. claims is to be the best maggie ever made! due to the none true ribbon flapping around, the sonic wave seems to be launched from one point source (similar to Quads) hence the quasi ribbon whether good or not so good compared to a true ribbon, is far more coherent.

his reference system is the MG20.1's driven with all Audio Research amplification using top of the line phono stage from VPI. his turntable alone was nearly 100 grand! just for the kicks, he went and purchased a pair of 1.7's siince this is how his love affair began with maggies 1.6 about 20 years ago. he says he never regrets it, the 1.7 is a remarkable panel speaker for the price. and what it does leaves other maggies in question...

well I guess, seems like we have a formidable contender here and this guy I respect! he knows his stuff and is not bothered about the rest.