New M7 - Magico Listening Room

[audiogear]

Nice short interview with Magico’s Alon Wolf on the new M7s. Absolutely stunning ! M9 tech for half the MSRP. Interesting to hear Alon’s take on subwoofers even for world class full range speakers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtC7VMcJkVY

[Charles]

Originally Posted by audiogear

Nice short interview with Magico’s Alon Wolf on the new M7s. Absolutely stunning ! M9 tech for half the MSRP. Interesting to hear Alon’s take on subwoofers even for world class full range speakers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtC7VMcJkVY

I listened to the video last night. One of the real problems with a subwoofer in a system like this is that the signal produced by the active electronic digital crossover must not only run through the subwoofer system but also run through the entire system. This defeats vinyl and no built-in digital subwoofer crossover no matter how well conceived can match the quality of the rest of a system like this. The crossover becomes a choke point, the weak link in the chain, and the only solution is an analog crossover similar to the M9's. That a purely analog electronic crossover is a necessity for a system like this is obvious from Mr. Wolf's use of one in the M9.

I run my Thor LP only, using the entirely analog Wilson ActivXO electronic crossover, independently of my XVX. This is the way Wilson configures its subs with its mains and I can vouch there is a very noticeable degradation in the sonics when the HP is employed, so that the signal to the XVX is run through the ActivXO.

A built-in active digital electronic subwoofer crossover would be unsuitable for an XVX or Alexx V, IMO and unsuitable for an M7, but only a very few will ever be able to confirm my assertion.

Best

Charles

[Charles]

I added up the total retail cost of my mono subwoofer system. It is 100% independent of my mains. It came to a staggering 78,325 dollars. I had no idea I had this much invested. This does not include the cost of an upgraded galaxy grey Thor from an older demo, which was one of the first Thor's manufactured. Subsonic's are considerably more expensive but I like my Thor much better and wouldn't remotely trade it for a Subsonic. Setting horizontally on a custom Wilson designed plinth consisting of X-material and setting on custom Wilson Acoustic Diodes specifically for the plinth, my new Thor has at least 3 dB more LF output capability, 6 dB better sensitivity (93 dB vs 87 dB), and similar construction of X-material as a Subsonic. You just can't beat its 15 inch dual spider woofers. It just doesn't look as good. A properly executed high end subwoofer system can be extremely expensive. What good is the subwoofer if it's electronics inevitably degrade the exquisite sonics of a speaker the quality of an M7?

Best

Charles

[audiogear]

Charles, $78k for a mono Thor system is more than a pair of Magico Q18 subs. Ultimately, if you (and your ears) are happy, everything else is secondary. I have a limited understanding of how a subwoofer(s) can be properly integrated into a complex ultra end system.

I can’t imagine Alon injecting anything into the system that would degrade his shared design philosophy. I’d trust that he found the secret sauce especially at Magico’s home.