Magico S5 review

[kiwi_1282001]

Finally, a more reasonably priced speaker from Magico. We can still argue whether it is over priced or not but my overall feeling after a recent audition is that this is a loudspeaker of many merits.

[taters]

Originally Posted by cmalak

The "piquant observation" by the reviewer's audiophile friend sums up my take on Magico speakers on repeated auditions (V2/V3/Q5): "these are the most fabulous speakers I have ever heard...but i don't think i can ever fall in love with them." Always highly resolving, precise and neutral, the proverbial and very cliched clean pane of glass, but I usually don't get the emotional connection to the music. Go figure

+1

Originally Posted by cmalak

The "piquant observation" by the reviewer's audiophile friend sums up my take on Magico speakers on repeated auditions (V2/V3/Q5): "these are the most fabulous speakers I have ever heard...but i don't think i can ever fall in love with them." Always highly resolving, precise and neutral, the proverbial and very cliched clean pane of glass, but I usually don't get the emotional connection to the music. Go figure

I've heard the S5's sound incredible in two different setups - with a Dartzeel NHB-108/NHB-18NS amps, AMG table as source & Crystal Absolute Dream cables, and also with Boulder 1050 mono's, 1010 pre & Vitus SCD-025 cdp. The Dart setup was a bit more emotionally involving, but less dynamic and exciting, so somewhat less engaging. The S5's like a lot of power!

[KKF1]

I also auditioned Q3 and Q5 extensively. Although I found Q5 to be really exceptional speaker, I had a feeling that it is little bit overpriced for overall performance.
S5 is different story. It is IMHO one of the speakers on the market with the best price/performance ratio. It offers almost all goodies from Q5 with even better bass and dynamics. It is not sounding that open in the top end as Q5 and for me that is a good thing since it will suit wider range of electronics and cables.
Finally, about S5 power hunger... I audition it with 160w class A amp and it sounded awesome. With 750w class AB amp it also sounded excellent, but different. In my opinion amp power quality is that what matters, not quantity.
When my S5 arrives I will wrote extensive report about my findings regarding its sound with different amps.

[asiufy]

KKF1,

Here's a +1 on that
I was able to hear, in the same room and setup, the Q7, Q3 and S5. And the one that ended up impressing me the most was the S5!
Sure, the Q7 was awesome, but it has to be, at that price/size. The S5, on the other hand, was more subdued, but superbly transparent and dynamic.
Congrats on the S5! Which colour did you get?


alexandre

[KKF1]

Nees to clear with my wife between Rose and Pewter.

[m.tonetti]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h1rZmbNQic&feature=player_embedded]2013 CES 2 Days, 7 Rooms - YouTube[/ame]

[m.tonetti]

Originally Posted by KKF1

Nees to clear with my wife between Rose and Pewter.

[jdandy]

Massimo.......Thanks for the Magico video. It sure drives home the point of how much advanced work goes into setting up a show. Actually doubel that when you consider it all has to come down at the end.

Thanks for posting that video Massimo. It certainly shows Magico's attention to detail throughout. Most impressive!