Q5's vs Q3's

[Kingsrule]

Can anyone accurately describe the difference between these 2 speakers?

I'm guessing deeper bass but hopefully those with experience with these can add to the differences.

[Penthouse-D]

I auditioned both before buying the 5's. I feel the 5's are far more dynamic and of course much better bottom end. It ALMOST justified the extra $$$.

[NoahG]

Originally Posted by Penthouse-D

I auditioned both before buying the 5's. I feel the 5's are far more dynamic and of course much better bottom end. It ALMOST justified the extra $$$.

That last 10% of performance is always expense.

[Glisse]

I had the impression, which may or may not be correct, that the Q5 is a much more difficult load than the Q3. If so, then I would factor amplification needs into the equation.

[Kingsrule]

Harder to drive than Sasha's?

[jfray]

I have not heard either but they have a very interesting design.....

Magico Q3


Vs.

Magico Q5


Inside......

[trponhunter]

I'm told that the q3 is actually the better overall sounding speaker - wouldn't surprise me as te smaller woofers ay transition with the midrange driver better

[hce1]

I typed a response but for some reason my post was not published?

In any case the "take away" is the Q5 is much more difficult to drive properly than the Q3. Almost to the point of being an unpractical speaker, designed for a niche market of extremely high current amplifiers. I would not use monoblocks with less than 75 peak amps of current. Tube amplifiers are out of the question.

The Q3 is much easier to drive and for this reason I prefer the Q3 and subsequently purchased a pair. Sonically, they are not as extended in the bass or treble as the Q5, but to my ears they are noticeably more coherent. The tweeter is better blended with the midrange. The Q5 tweeter is more forward to match the dynamics of the rest of the speaker. The Q5 is more dynamic, but also with a sense of restrain whereas the Q3 sounds more open and effortless because of the higher efficiency. You can also get better sound because you can use better sounding amps than the huge monoblocks which the Q5 requires. For example, I'm using VAC monoblocks which appropriately power the Q3s and give off a holographic sound that most SS amps cannot quite deliver. Lastly, the Q3 is sweeter and slightly less transparent so it is more musical.

In another thread I mentioned the Magico house sound is very apparent through the entire Q range. The Q3 and Q5 have a very similar voice, which is just a bigger sell for the Q3, it's the best bargain...

Hope this helps.

[hce1]

Q5s are as difficult to drive as Planars or MBL 101E speakers. I'd guess 80db efficiency with a low minimum impedance. The Q3s are probably 87db efficient which is still low but between the Q1, Q3, and Q5, the Q3 is the most efficient.

[Kingsrule]

Originally Posted by trponhunter

I'm told that the q3 is actually the better overall sounding speaker - wouldn't surprise me as te smaller woofers ay transition with the midrange driver better

My sources say the same thing about the Q3

Why do I have a gut feeling the S5 will be the one to have other than the Q7???!