Soulution & Magico

Elberoth

Member Sponsor
Dec 15, 2012
2,007
253
1,170
Poland
Sashas are not a good example, as they are 91dB efficient.
 

cannata

Well-Known Member
Jan 30, 2014
510
64
263
Italy
I am not sure that matters, I believe it is the load that makes a speaker hard to drive, not the efficiency
 

microstrip

VIP/Donor
May 30, 2010
20,806
4,698
2,790
Portugal
I am not sure that matters, I believe it is the load that makes a speaker hard to drive, not the efficiency

No, a more efficient speaker needs much less power, and less current for equivalent sound levels. Using my example of 6dB difference, the more efficient speaker needs half the current.
Delivering high currents can be a real problem for most amplifiers - e.g. distortion varies significantly with current delivery.
 

Elberoth

Member Sponsor
Dec 15, 2012
2,007
253
1,170
Poland
I am not sure that matters, I believe it is the load that makes a speaker hard to drive, not the efficiency

It is more complicated than that. What matters is a combination of impedance, efficiency and speaker's electrical phase.
 

Déjà vu

Well-Known Member
Apr 2, 2013
31
0
58
Switzerland
Nice gear ;)


 

Sauerball

Member Sponsor
Jul 30, 2013
156
0
0
New York, NY
I am not sure you can blame the speakers for this. The Q5 measurements do not indicate a more difficult load then say the Sasha’s but they do go quite low, perhaps the 711, being a bridged amp can’t handle that?

Agreed. I have never had any issues with my amps and my Q5. Currently, I view my amps (Nuforce Reference 18) as the most obvious upgrade in my system, but they have no problem controlling the Q5.

Having zero desire to upgrade one's loudspeakers: a beautiful feeling.
 

KeithR

VIP/Donor
May 7, 2010
5,144
2,812
1,898
Encino, CA
Somewhat is only relative. :)

I don't know about the Q3 but so far my experience with the S5 is make one change with the speaker and two changes elsewhere in the system. :) Cables, connections, SRA, tubes, it's all revealed. I think it's: in part the speaker's revealing nature; in part their ceiling of opportunity; and in part their linearity. That high ceiling of opportunity is in large part a function of the speaker's quietness and settling time. There's just a point with many other speaker where changes cease to result in any further improvement.

I'd love the hear the S5s on your CJs, Myles.

I've heard Magico and Soulution a zillion times and couldn't be further from what I consider to be music.
 

MylesBAstor

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
11,236
81
1,725
New York City
I'd love the hear the S5s on your CJs, Myles.

I've heard Magico and Soulution a zillion times and couldn't be further from what I consider to be music.

You need to throw away any preconceptions and then come over. :) The S5s are nothing like I ever heard them sound at any show. And that's from a died in the wool stat lover.
 

MylesBAstor

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
11,236
81
1,725
New York City
So when can we expect the review? :)

I'm working on it. Presently evaluating the S5s with some different speaker cables (right now the Skogrand Ignis Purist and then the Kubala-Sosna Emotion) and will probably see if can get a ss amplifier in house just for comparison to drive the Magicos. But soon come! :)
 

scouter

Member Sponsor
Oct 30, 2012
241
4
0
Wrightsville Beach, NC
Myles,
You've had the S5s for a while, so I'm interested in your final thoughts. Obviously, you are giving them the one over!! They are much different than my last speaker- YG Carmel's, which were great speakers in their own way. While they were forgiving, yet musical and revealing ( and imaging champs!!), the S5s are extended, very revealing, AND have low distortion, yet musical at the same time. Maybe not fair to compare, with the costs and frequency differences (due to driver number and size discrepancy), but a valid comparison from an aluminum enclosure and state of the art design perspective. (YG has a certain house sound, as does Magico, Wilson, et al). Anyway, not to open up a can of worms (which is best? - YG, Magico, Wilson, blah blah blah), but just interested in your thoughts from a professional reviewer to many readers. BTW, I also really like Wilson speakers, and have heard the Alexia, and was mighty impressed, so don't think this is a ploy to goat you into a Wilson vrs Magico comparison, which seems to happen so frequently. We S5 owners would love to hear the different aspects you have heard from the various amps you have tried the S5s with.:)
 

MylesBAstor

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
11,236
81
1,725
New York City
Myles,
You've had the S5s for a while, so I'm interested in your final thoughts. Obviously, you are giving them the one over!! They are much different than my last speaker- YG Carmel's, which were great speakers in their own way. While they were forgiving, yet musical and revealing ( and imaging champs!!), the S5s are extended, very revealing, AND have low distortion, yet musical at the same time. Maybe not fair to compare, with the costs and frequency differences (due to driver number and size discrepancy), but a valid comparison from an aluminum enclosure and state of the art design perspective. (YG has a certain house sound, as does Magico, Wilson, et al). Anyway, not to open up a can of worms (which is best? - YG, Magico, Wilson, blah blah blah), but just interested in your thoughts from a professional reviewer to many readers. BTW, I also really like Wilson speakers, and have heard the Alexia, and was mighty impressed, so don't think this is a ploy to goat you into a Wilson vrs Magico comparison, which seems to happen so frequently. We S5 owners would love to hear the different aspects you have heard from the various amps you have tried the S5s with.:)

Thanks, I'll do my best! :)
 

Orb

New Member
Sep 8, 2010
3,010
2
0
It is more complicated than that. What matters is a combination of impedance, efficiency and speaker's electrical phase.

But IMO mostly impedance and phase, the Alexia has a "scary" 0.9ohm equivalent peak dissipation resistance.
Scary is in quotes because that is exactly the term used by Keith Howard (HiFi News) when measuring, however caveat is this measurement was slightly more benign when done by John Atkinson at Stereophile; that said I think this testing process for Stereophile is still based and developed by Keith Howard.

Agree that efficiency matters a lot when wanting to reach very loud levels and impact on speaker-amp combination.
As a comparison (also done by Keith Howard) the EPDR for XLF was 1.7ohm, and Sophia 3 was 1.6ohm.
This does not tell the whole story as where it occurs in terms of FR is also important, with the Alexia 0.9ohms it was 85Hz.
The sensitivity for the Q5 does make the situation pretty horrible though.
As a comparison the S5 (again Keith Howard) measured sensitivity of 87.4B, EPDR of 1ohm at 62Hz ; enough to mess around with quite a few amps but then if someone can own one of these/Alexia/etc then they can own amps that can cope with this challenge.
Although identifying which amps can will be filled with trial and errors (unless there is a review-measurements showing amps stress tested), especially when sound preference also is a factor on what one likes.

Just my take anyway.
Cheers
Orb
 

KeithR

VIP/Donor
May 7, 2010
5,144
2,812
1,898
Encino, CA
I'm working on it. Presently evaluating the S5s with some different speaker cables (right now the Skogrand Ignis Purist and then the Kubala-Sosna Emotion) and will probably see if can get a ss amplifier in house just for comparison to drive the Magicos. But soon come! :)

Constellation?
 

mep

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
9,481
17
0
But IMO mostly impedance and phase, the Alexia has a "scary" 0.9ohm equivalent peak dissipation resistance.
Scary is in quotes because that is exactly the term used by Keith Howard (HiFi News) when measuring, however caveat is this measurement was slightly more benign when done by John Atkinson at Stereophile; that said I think this testing process for Stereophile is still based and developed by Keith Howard.

Agree that efficiency matters a lot when wanting to reach very loud levels and impact on speaker-amp combination.
As a comparison (also done by Keith Howard) the EPDR for XLF was 1.7ohm, and Sophia 3 was 1.6ohm.
This does not tell the whole story as where it occurs in terms of FR is also important, with the Alexia 0.9ohms it was 85Hz.
The sensitivity for the Q5 does make the situation pretty horrible though.
As a comparison the S5 (again Keith Howard) measured sensitivity of 87.4B, EPDR of 1ohm at 62Hz ; enough to mess around with quite a few amps but then if someone can own one of these/Alexia/etc then they can own amps that can cope with this challenge.
Although identifying which amps can will be filled with trial and errors (unless there is a review-measurements showing amps stress tested), especially when sound preference also is a factor on what one likes.

Just my take anyway.
Cheers
Orb

I heard the Alexia at RMAF 2013 driven by Doshi tube amps and the Paragon room was one of the best sounding rooms IMO. Myles is currently using his CJ ART amps to drive the S5 speakers and from what I gather, Myles is a happy man with that pairing.
 

Orb

New Member
Sep 8, 2010
3,010
2
0
For sure,
like there are those more than happy using Vitus SIA-025 with the Magico S5.
As I said there are amps that happily can cope with such characteristics, I would prefer to try the Vitus SIA-025 (25 watts) rather than the Dartzeel 8550 (200watts) that I own and love with say any of those speakers with nasty EPDR.
Cheers
Orb
 

mep

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
9,481
17
0
Can you please explain the term "EPDR?"
 

mep

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
9,481
17
0
equivalent peak dissipation resistance
 

MylesBAstor

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
11,236
81
1,725
New York City

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing