Magico S3 Review

[jazzman]

listen to them in same room: much better because of enclosure, but also because of different driver. V3 is very good, but S3 is a jump of 2 generations

[jazzman]

Originally Posted by Rooimier

I have a quick question for the experts here....

I am moving to a 330 square feet listening room. Would the S3's be enough for such a room, assuming the walls are well treated, or would the S5's be a better option?

I am currently running S1's in a smaller room (220 square feet) and I love the way they sound.

I plan to audition before I buy, but need input on where to start.

Amps are the Pass 100.8's, so I think I should have enough power.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Both S3 and S5 would work well. But to really know what works best, you need to measure the bass response of your room. And btw, walls treatment (either with absorption or diffusion) will not help at all if you have bass problems...

[imprezap2]

Hi Jazzman,

I am not denying the S3 might sound better, but I find the difference as some people mention over the top, the mid driver in the V3 is also playing in a separate enclosure.
(and has a rounded baffle like the more expensive Q series)

I have heard the S3 now at 3 different locations, one time on an accuphase amplifier, for me it's not worth to upgrade to the S3, the Q3 is a different story.

Olaf

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by Rooimier

I have a quick question for the experts here.... I am moving to a 330 square feet listening room. Would the S3's be enough for such a room, assuming the walls are well treated, or would the S5's be a better option? I am currently running S1's in a smaller room (220 square feet) and I love the way they sound. I plan to audition before I buy, but need input on where to start. Amps are the Pass 100.8's, so I think I should have enough power. Thanks in advance for your input.

330 sq. ft. ? And you're wondering if the speakers are enough? The question should be the other way around.

Second, remember the Magicos are sealed enclosures and work better in rooms than many give them credit for. Well treated is a nebulous statement and again, should be the least amount Rx possible.

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by imprezap2

Hi Jazzman, I am not denying the S3 might sound better, but I find the difference as some people mention over the top, the mid driver in the V3 is also playing in a separate enclosure. (and has a rounded baffle like the more expensive Q series) I have heard the S3 now at 3 different locations, one time on an accuphase amplifier, for me it's not worth to upgrade to the S3, the Q3 is a different story. Olaf

The S3 uses a different midrange enclosure. And what were the other amps and where did you hear the S3, and with what source(s)? Were they your own media? Makes all the difference in the world. The old adage crap in, crap out is especially important to remember with the Magicos.

[Rooimier]

Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor

330 sq. ft. ? And you're wondering if the speakers are enough? The question should be the other way around.

Second, remember the Magicos are sealed enclosures and work better in rooms than many give them credit for. Well treated is a nebulous statement and again, should be the least amount Rx possible.

Myles and Jazzman, thanks for your responses. I will stay with the S1's for now, and ensure bass response is good before I start auditioning.

[imprezap2]

Hi Myles,

Heard the S3's with D'agostino stereo Amp, aurender W20 with DCS vivaldi DAC, this was the best one out of the sessions I heard, and yes very good, but the mids were not that much better then what I get with the V3's in my system, I am sorry, otherwise I would have upgraded already.

Olaf

[nonesup]

Hi.
Someone with experience in combination Audio Research wiht Magico knows if the AR Ref. 150 would be a good combination with Magico S3.

[AndyPandy]

Originally Posted by Rooimier

Myles and Jazzman, thanks for your responses. I will stay with the S1's for now, and ensure bass response is good before I start auditioning.

I love my S1's but now wish I had ponied up the extra for the S3's (just because the S1's are sooo good, and I figure the S3's would be the same but moreish) - mind you, for the same price you can get 4 x s1's ie surround (almost) Magico

[Dafos]

Originally Posted by nonesup

Hi.
Someone with experience in combination Audio Research wiht Magico knows if the AR Ref. 150 would be a good combination with Magico S3.

Great as the Ref amps are, for the sealed box magico, I'd go with SS. My Ref 250 was soundly beaten by a hegel h30 driving the q3.