Magico S5 review

Originally Posted by CLEE

I got Pearl White, mainly my wife's choice to match with the front walls and drapes.

--Charles

Wise choice!

[Ricjor1]

I have Wilson Audio Sasha's. I'm very curious if the S5's offer significant enough improvements to warrant selling the Sasha's? One caveat is I don't want to change my electronics. How different are the S5's from the V3?

[hce1]

Originally Posted by Ricjor1

I have Wilson Audio Sasha's. I'm very curious if the S5's offer significant enough improvements to warrant selling the Sasha's? One caveat is I don't want to change my electronics. How different are the S5's from the V3?

The Wilsons are more colored, but in a very musical and engaging manner. The bass will probably be more present, the midbass will have more dynamic and textural expression and the highs are probably more lively when directly compared against the Magicos. I tend to find imaging superior with the Wilsons whereas the Magicos are a little more diffuse. The Magicos will be more neutral and definitely more refined. Because of the refinement of the Magicos, there is an addicting naturalness to the sound. In addition, distortion is very low so listener fatigue does not kick in as quickly but you are still rewarded with highly transparent sound.

Regarding amps and components, the Magicos just seem to need power to "wake up" and become dynamic and lively. The Wilsons are naturally lively speakers, and although they have good sensitivity, they do like a lot of power to drive that difficult low impedence. Therefore the Wilsons can get away with less power than Magico (namely because they are voiced to be more lively but also because they are more sensitive).

The V3 is very different sounding than any of the new Magico speakers. It is almost sleepy in comparison and really likes a lot of power, probably more so than the S5. It is more boxy sounding, but I could definitely see some people liking the more warm/pleasant coloration of the V3 compared to the super neutral Q/S series from Magico...

I own speakers from both Magico and Wilson, love them both!

HTH

[Ricjor1]

Originally Posted by hce4

The Wilsons are more colored, but in a very musical and engaging manner. The bass will probably be more present, the midbass will have more dynamic and textural expression and the highs are probably more lively when directly compared against the Magicos. I tend to find imaging superior with the Wilsons whereas the Magicos are a little more diffuse. The Magicos will be more neutral and definitely more refined. Because of the refinement of the Magicos, there is an addicting naturalness to the sound. In addition, distortion is very low so listener fatigue does not kick in as quickly but you are still rewarded with highly transparent sound.

Regarding amps and components, the Magicos just seem to need power to "wake up" and become dynamic and lively. The Wilsons are naturally lively speakers, and although they have good sensitivity, they do like a lot of power to drive that difficult low impedence. Therefore the Wilsons can get away with less power than Magico (namely because they are voiced to be more lively but also because they are more sensitive).

The V3 is very different sounding than any of the new Magico speakers. It is almost sleepy in comparison and really likes a lot of power, probably more so than the S5. It is more boxy sounding, but I could definitely see some people liking the more warm/pleasant coloration of the V3 compared to the super neutral Q/S series from Magico...

I own speakers from both Magico and Wilson, love them both!

HTH

HTH,

Thanks so much for the thorough feedback. It sounds to me like your describing subtle differences between Magico and Wilson. I'm very happy with the Sasha's, I was just wondering if there was something in there price range that was significantly better? I listened to Magico V3's, Rockport Mira 2's, Maxx II's and ended up preferring Sasha's. Thanks so much for your insight!

[KKF1]

Just to add few things...
Magico S5 offers deeper bass then Sasha. Recent reviews with measurements shown that S5 low -6db point is actually 1hz below same -6db on Alexia.
If true deep base extension is your goal do not worrie. S5 offers as deep bass extension as Alexia.
But... Delivery of that bass if different. Both Sasha and Alexia have usual "Wilson style" mid bass which is IMO either love it or hate it kind of feature.
S5 can play as loud as Alexia and offers at least according to measurments even lower distorsion figures.
My adivce it to auditon S5 and Alexia before you make any decision. Only your ears can tell you what is your preference.

[Elberoth]

Anyone had a chance to compare the S5 to Alexia and / or Rockport Avior ?

[Dafos]

Originally Posted by hce4

The Wilsons are more colored, but in a very musical and engaging manner. The bass will probably be more present, the midbass will have more dynamic and textural expression and the highs are probably more lively when directly compared against the Magicos. I tend to find imaging superior with the Wilsons whereas the Magicos are a little more diffuse. The Magicos will be more neutral and definitely more refined. Because of the refinement of the Magicos, there is an addicting naturalness to the sound. In addition, distortion is very low so listener fatigue does not kick in as quickly but you are still rewarded with highly transparent sound.

Regarding amps and components, the Magicos just seem to need power to "wake up" and become dynamic and lively. The Wilsons are naturally lively speakers, and although they have good sensitivity, they do like a lot of power to drive that difficult low impedence. Therefore the Wilsons can get away with less power than Magico (namely because they are voiced to be more lively but also because they are more sensitive).

The V3 is very different sounding than any of the new Magico speakers. It is almost sleepy in comparison and really likes a lot of power, probably more so than the S5. It is more boxy sounding, but I could definitely see some people liking the more warm/pleasant coloration of the V3 compared to the super neutral Q/S series from Magico...

I own speakers from both Magico and Wilson, love them both!

HTH

Hi, just wondering what model magico and Wilson you own.

Re v3 vs S5, based on my experience having upgraded from the Mini 2 to the q3, the new aluminum Magicos are a lot more transparent and dynamic. This come with a price, however, and one must be very careful in matching these speakers with the proper electronics and making the effort to position them. The relatively near field position I used with the Mini made the q3 around aggressive. But if one gets all the variables right, Magicos sound magical!

[Elberoth]

Dafos - what amps do you use with your Q3s ?

[Dafos]

Hi, ARC Ref 250.

[Ricjor1]

Originally Posted by KKF1

Just to add few things...
Magico S5 offers deeper bass then Sasha. Recent reviews with measurements shown that S5 low -6db point is actually 1hz below same -6db on Alexia.
If true deep base extension is your goal do not worrie. S5 offers as deep bass extension as Alexia.
But... Delivery of that bass if different. Both Sasha and Alexia have usual "Wilson style" mid bass which is IMO either love it or hate it kind of feature.
S5 can play as loud as Alexia and offers at least according to measurments even lower distorsion figures.
My adivce it to auditon S5 and Alexia before you make any decision. Only your ears can tell you what is your preference.

The Alexias are out of my price range. I'm trying to find a dealer that's relatively close to me to audition the S5's. I called Magico a week ago and to date have yet to receive a return call...which makes me wonder about their customer service.