Magico S3 Review

[marsalis]

He gets equipment in and out, which is a good thing, but it is not his. However, he does have a “permanent” system that he owns. From what I heard, he replaced his Sophia with the S5.

[CLEE]

Originally Posted by Glisse

It is a subscription based publication, so not appropriate to post too many verbatim quotes. I assume you know who Martin Colloms is.

I can say he found the voicing between the S3 and S5 to be different - the S3 was a little warmer, with the upper mids / lower treble being a little recessed relative to the lower mids in comparison to a flatter frequency response from the S5.

This was put in context - he felt the S3 voicing suited many modern recordings that are often a bit hot in the upper mids, whereas the S5 was better balanced with "audiophile" material. Amps and cables that worked best with the S5 would be a bit too full sounding with the S3.

He thought the mid range in the S3 was even more transparent than the S5.

Optimum room placement between the two was quite different.

The 1.6ohm impedance dip at high frequencies was inconsequential, as there is no music energy at those frequencies. Efficiency between S3 and S5 is similar. SS amps capable of high current delivery are the best fit with both models.

The magazine can be bought here:

hificritic.com

The S5 review was about 2 editions back. I did get the sense he preferred the S5, but was impressed with the S3.

Thanks for the info. I can relate to the differences as an S5 user. I also heard the S3 at a show but wasn't able to conclude much as the environment was sub-optimal.

[jazzman]

Originally Posted by marsalis

He gets equipment in and out, which is a good thing, but it is not his. However, he does have a “permanent” system that he owns. From what I heard, he replaced his Sophia with the S5.

Yes, I can confirm that Martin Colloms bought a pair of S5 to replace his Sophia in his personal system.

[Glisse]

In the S3 review, Colloms lists the Wilson Sasha V2 in his associated equipment sidebar, but not the S5.

Perhaps he made the decision to replace whichever Wilson he actually owned with the S5 after he had listened to the S3?

[jazzman]

Originally Posted by Glisse

In the S3 review, Colloms lists the Wilson Sasha V2 in his associated equipment sidebar, but not the S5.

Perhaps he made the decision to replace whichever Wilson he actually owned with the S5 after he had listened to the S3?

Maybe he doesn't want to piss Wilson or they forgot to update the sidebar ;-)
He bought the S5 several months ago.

[Glisse]

I'm betting the former, LOL!

[jdandy]

[Shelly40]

I have recently acquired an MC452 amp, and am now looking for speakers to pair it with.....

The Magico S3, a new pair, or possibly an S5 demo pair are contenders.....

Also contenders, are the B&W 800 Diamonds, or the 802 Diamonds...

I also want to audition the Rockport Atria.....

My room is about 16 feet wide, and includes the kitchen area, so it is about 35 feet long..... The speakers would face the long axis of the room....

Here is my dilemma....

B&W dealer has only the 802 Diamonds, no 800s to listen to....

My Magico dealer only has the S5... no S3 to listen to.....

In my mind.... (maybe I'm wrong) it would be easier to audition the 802 Diamonds, and upgrade to 800s without hearing them....
than listening to S5, and move down a step to the S3.....without hearing them....

Does that make sense .....

Also, would the S3 be enough speaker for the pretty big room....
Ceilings are 9 1/2 feet.... so over 5000 cubic foot room.....

Any opinions are appreciated....

Shelly

[jdandy]

Shelly.......Welcome to Audio Aficionado.

[gardener]

Originally Posted by Shelly40

I have recently acquired an MC452 amp, and am now looking for speakers to pair it with.....

The Magico S3, a new pair, or possibly an S5 demo pair are contenders.....

Also contenders, are the B&W 800 Diamonds, or the 802 Diamonds...

I also want to audition the Rockport Atria.....

My room is about 16 feet wide, and includes the kitchen area, so it is about 35 feet long..... The speakers would face the long axis of the room....

Here is my dilemma....

B&W dealer has only the 802 Diamonds, no 800s to listen to....

My Magico dealer only has the S5... no S3 to listen to.....

In my mind.... (maybe I'm wrong) it would be easier to audition the 802 Diamonds, and upgrade to 800s without hearing them....
than listening to S5, and move down a step to the S3.....without hearing them....

Does that make sense .....

Also, would the S3 be enough speaker for the pretty big room....
Ceilings are 9 1/2 feet.... so over 5000 cubic foot room.....

Any opinions are appreciated....

Shelly

Having owned B&W 800s they are a great speaker do need a lot of power
I now have the S5 with tube amplification I much prefer this set up
Recently heard the S3 at a hifi show in large room was most impressed Constalation amplification
Good luck Shelly
802 also a good speaker