Magico S5 Review

[Rooimier]

Myles, truly a quality review. Thanks for taking the time.

Would you mind sharing the dimensions of the room you auditioned the S5's in?

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by Rooimier

Myles, truly a quality review. Thanks for taking the time. Would you mind sharing the dimensions of the room you auditioned the S5's in?

The "basic" room is 19 x 12 x 8 but actually the back of the room opens into a hallway and kitchen effectively extending the length by around 8 or so feet. The room has wall to wall carpeting and I'm using the Cathedral Sound Panels in all four corners (yes, they're a very cost effective Rx, don't take up a whole lot of space and even a inch or to difference in positioning makes a big difference; I also have some dibs in to play with the Stillpoints Rx). Also am using at one node some old RT pillows, reflective side out. That helps in room dynamics. (I find the only way to eval this stuff is to have a person move the Rx around while the other person sits and listens.) Then there's some big plants to help with a little diffusion. It also isn't a true rectangular room as there are column in two corners that change things a little bit too. And the walls are reasonably solid for a more modern NY apt.

The speakers are roughly (measured to front of baffle) 69 inches from the front wall and toed-in 2 inches. So they're a bit into the room, close to the rule of thirds as I mentioned. The speakers are (wall to middle of driver) 31 inches from the side walls. Over time I'm sure, they'll be dialed in even more but they sound so good right now, I'm of the mind why mess with a good thing?

[Yardbird]

Originally Posted by CLEE

By friendly I suppose you mean the S5 is more adaptable to different amps. The sensitivity and impedance curve is actually more gentle with the Q3.

--Charles

Charles,

Yes, that IS what I meant. The S5 is more adaptable to different amps, because it is generally a more forgiving speaker than the Q3. Ted.

[Yardbird]

Originally Posted by CLEE

By friendly I suppose you mean the S5 is more adaptable to different amps. The sensitivity and impedance curve is actually more gentle with the Q3.

--Charles

Charles,
Yes, that is what I mean; the S5 is a more forgiving speaker, therefor more adaptable to a variety of amps. Ted.

[Rooimier]

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

The "basic" room is 19 x 12 x 8 but actually the back of the room opens into a hallway and kitchen effectively extending the length by around 8 or so feet. The room has wall to wall carpeting and I'm using the Cathedral Sound Panels in all four corners (yes, they're a very cost effective Rx, don't take up a whole lot of space and even a inch or to difference in positioning makes a big difference; I also have some dibs in to play with the Stillpoints Rx). Also am using at one node some old RT pillows, reflective side out. That helps in room dynamics. (I find the only way to eval this stuff is to have a person move the Rx around while the other person sits and listens.) Then there's some big plants to help with a little diffusion. It also isn't a true rectangular room as there are column in two corners that change things a little bit too. And the walls are reasonably solid for a more modern NY apt.

The speakers are roughly (measured to front of baffle) 69 inches from the front wall and toed-in 2 inches. So they're a bit into the room, close to the rule of thirds as I mentioned. The speakers are (wall to middle of driver) 31 inches from the side walls. Over time I'm sure, they'll be dialed in even more but they sound so good right now, I'm of the mind why mess with a good thing?

Myles, thanks for the very detailed response. It is much appreciated.

I agree with you, why mess with a good thing?

[CLEE]

Ted, you explained it well. I suppose the Q3 (and the Q series) being more transparent, would be less tolerant of any inadequacies in upstream equipment and set-up.

A friend of mine got his Q3 2 months ago. He was satisfied the sound was improved over of his previous speaker substantially. Notwithstanding he is now looking to upgrade his source and amps He has heard my system many times. In my case, I just inserted my S5into my system and everything worked out beautifully. I was lucky. --Charles

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by CLEE

Ted, you explained it well. I suppose the Q3 (and the Q series) being more transparent, would be less tolerant of any inadequacies in upstream equipment and set-up. A friend of mine got his Q3 2 months ago. He was satisfied the sound was improved over of his previous speaker substantially. Notwithstanding he is now looking to upgrade his source and amps He has heard my system many times. In my case, I just inserted my S5into my system and everything worked out beautifully. I was lucky. --Charles

I like to think of it in terms of performance ceiling. It's that much different than LPs where you find records get better as your equipment improves and others reach a ceiling beyond which no matter what you do, nothing changes. Same here. The Qs have a higher performance ceiling, though for most, it'll take a while and a lot to reach the S series boundaries.

[Elberoth]

Myles - does this mean the S5s are staying ?

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by Elberoth

Myles - does this mean the S5s are staying ?

Yes!

[CLEE]

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

I like to think of it in terms of performance ceiling. It's that much different than LPs where you find records get better as your equipment improves and others reach a ceiling beyond which no matter what you do, nothing changes. Same here. The Qs have a higher performance ceiling, though for most, it'll take a while and a lot to reach the S series boundaries.

+1.
I also think the Q3 and the S5 are voiced slightly differently, although they share the main Magico's sound characteristics. Different people may prefer one over the other.