Magico S5 Review

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by CLEE

+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.

I'm not sure that you'd get Magico to agree. I think that some of the differences arise from the Q being a four way design with a dedicated mid-bass driver.

[imprezap2]

Magico S5 review in TAS-246, with nice part about the listening room at Magico head quarters

[Dafos]

Who did the review and how did they find it?

[BlueFox]

Alan Taffel. He likes it better than the Q series.

In June I fried the tweeter and mid range in my right S5. Since Magico is not far from me, I delivered them to be repaired. While there I was given a tour, and was able to listen to the Ultimates in their listening room. As soon as the door closes you can hear, and feel, the silence. The Ultimates just effortlessly fill the room with clean, clear, precise sound. It was quite impressive.

However, at the end of the day, I like my S5s in my living room better.

[Yardbird]

I personally spent a lot of time listening to both speakers. I thought both had their respective strengths; the S5 had an appealing solid lower register that I could see would especially appeal to a listener who prefers popular music, rock and contemporary jazz. The Q3 has greater clarity and definition in the mid bass and middle registers. As a listener who enjoys pop and rock as well, but also listens to a lot of classical and mainstream jazz, I found the Q3 to be the better speaker for me. It also helped that I was able to purchase the Q3's as demos, which erased much of the price difference between the two. Both are excellent speakers, though. Had I ended up with the S5's, I'm sure I would have been very satisfied! Ted.

[jdandy]

Magico Q3 (see through).


. . . .




Magico S5

[CLEE]

I have the feeling that Alan Taffel's impression of Q series sound might have come from the Q5, which was the first in the line (2010). The later Q3 and the Q7 have warmer and slightly more relaxed presentation. Although I eventually chose the S5, I was also very impressed by the Q3 for which I have multiple auditions.

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by Yardbird

I personally spent a lot of time listening to both speakers. I thought both had their respective strengths; the S5 had an appealing solid lower register that I could see would especially appeal to a listener who prefers popular music, rock and contemporary jazz. The Q3 has greater clarity and definition in the mid bass and middle registers. As a listener who enjoys pop and rock as well, but also listens to a lot of classical and mainstream jazz, I found the Q3 to be the better speaker for me. It also helped that I was able to purchase the Q3's as demos, which erased much of the price difference between the two. Both are excellent speakers, though. Had I ended up with the S5's, I'm sure I would have been very satisfied! Ted.

I think a lot of what you're hearing is the difference between the three way S5 and the four way Q3 design. Bit more linear bass that opens up the midrange. Plus a few other things.

[Yardbird]

I agree, Miles. I was listening to SFO/Tilson-Thomas, Mahler 2nd Symphony, through my Q-3's tonight and the sound was simply as good as anything I've ever heard - sweet, open, detailed and relaxed. I closed my eyes and I was THERE! Those SFO/Mahler recordings are really exceptional - speakers will do as well... Ted.

[Shelly40]

This was also in the S3 thread.... but then we started focusing on the S5... due to room size.....

#86 (permalink) Report Post Unread 11-16-2014, 09:51 PM
Shelly40 Shelly40 is online now
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Thanks for the opinions....


To keep the comparison equal,

How do the 800 Diamond compare to the S5...

Even the demo S5 will cost as much, or more,
than a new pair of 800 Diamonds..
but the prices are much closer than the 802s...

Thanks
Shelly