Magico A5?
- Thread starter Audire
- Start date
In Magico land the A5 is a high achiever for sure. BUT people buy speakers for lot's of reasons. Some people like the S series two different finish options and five colors with each finish. Some like the shape of S or M series cabinets vs. the A series aesthetics.
If you are just concerned about sonics the A5 is VERY GOOD, BUT so is the S5II as well as the S3II. I have several customers who already own the S3II, S5II and have heard the A5's and thought they sounded amazing, BUT they are happy with their current speakers as well and have no plans to replace them with A5s.
Choices, choices, choices
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In Magico land the A5 is a high achiever for sure. BUT people buy speakers for lot's of reasons. Some people like the S series two different finish options and five colors with each finish. Some like the shape of S or M series cabinets vs. the A series aesthetics.
If you are just concerned about sonics the A5 is VERY GOOD, BUT so is the S5II as well as the S3II. I have several customers who already own the S3II, S5II and have heard the A5's and thought they sounded amazing, BUT they are happy with their current speakers as well and have no plans to replace them with A5s.
Choices, choices, choices
I get that its hard if not impossible to state you enjoy one speaker more than another when you sell both. Luckily there are third parties that can freely express that openly and (although that is no subsitution for personal audition) its fun reading such analyses.
Agreed, good to get lot's of opinions. My opinion is just from my experience. I'm actually not a good barometer as I enjoy music on A5's, M2s, Alsyvox, Diesis, Bayz and even many speakers that I don't sell. I do NOT feel one is better than the other, they are all very good to me. But different speakers fit different rooms, systems and ears.
Personally I do not subscribe to one being better than another. Just as I don't subscribe to one being better regarding high end cars, motorcycles, guitars etc. I subscribe that one may be better for one person, but not the next person.
Right but when many people (including myself) ask is 'X better than Y' they are asking in your opinion... you as an individual. Your taste, your system etc etc. Its surprising how often this is conflated for some kind of absolute statement of 1 speaker being better than the other for every audiophile on earth. I would venture most people realize that opinions are just that opinions and that audio is subjective.
And as for your perspective of enjoying them all, I don't doubt that. Certainly different speakers have different strengths. But a way to tease that out further would be to ask.. if you had to choose 1 set of speakers to use for the rest of your life (and no others)... what would it be? Of course this is just rhetorical... no need to answer. It is simply a thought experiment for the person who 'loves it all'.
Your question would have to be answered by someone that would be in that position. My experience since the 80's is that I have at all times had at least 2 different speaker systems and most of the time 3 or 4 different pairs. That was 20 years prior to having 20 sets of speakers as a dealer for the last 20 years.
I've always enjoyed having different sets of speakers. Electronics as well. I think since the 80's as well I've always had some type of tube systems and some type of SS set ups. Would also mix tube preamps with SS amps so it's always been tubes, SS or hybrid systems.
I'm the same with guitars and vehicles as well. I think I have 10 guitars at the moment.
So, your question would have to be answered by someone that would be able to answer it in more meaningful way.
This is why I can't answer the question about one speaker vs another and it has NOTHING to do with me selling the speakers, it's just that I don't think that way. ymmv.
Actually if I was put in the position to pick one speaker to live with forever I would choose the most expensive one, sell it and buy one acoustic guitar, with a pick-up and a small amp. I'd be happy with that set up forever vs one set of speakers.
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I have years less online hi fi experience than most here, but I find it totally typical that dealers will not express preferences in an online posting, both from brand to brand that they sell and within a single brand they sell (eg A5 vs S3 or S5). Yes as individuals with much hi fi experience they surely have their opinions; but those opinions are not for public consumption in writing where the brands they represent can read them. The best I can get is "they are all wonderful in their own way" type opinions. I understand it.
Hello,
On the strength of your posts and passion for the A5's I've arranged an audition at our local (Vancouver, BC) hifi hut. Had Q3's which we loved but sold them (into Hong Kong, no less) when moving from a house with a dedicated room to a condo, finally settling on stand-mounted Wilson Tune Tots, which we've grown to love.... but we did miss that Magico magic.
From what I read online the A5 will likely compare favourably if not exceed the sonics of our Q3's. Will find out in the coming week.
Thanks for your comments.
Warren
Two ponderous questions....to start with the Tune Tots: Wilson speakers, at least with our recent experience with near field listening in a smaller condo environment, demand/teach the listener to learn to listen in a way I have never expected....on first listen these speakers are extraordinary but with further listening their subtleties become more apparent as though you must “ lean in” to hear their majesty. Really think Wilson listening is a learned behaviour and once known, delightful.
Our experience with the Q3’s was simply exceptional. Totally responsive sound that was completely engaging....a seamless sonic picture.
To your question as to what the Wilson was missing, bear in mind we were concerned with creating an overly loud sonic signature in a condo environment so found this two way, stand mounted, speaker well suited to our needs. These Tune Tots can do orchestra or jazz or rock and exceed expectations of what a smaller two way can do but they are, nevertheless, a two way speaker with some mid-range congestion.
As to Magico magic...sealed enclosure, proprietary drivers built of honey comb aluminum sandwiched between carbon fibre mat....stiff, fast, faithful to the music, no overhang, etc....will have to turn the volume down but expecting astonishing music....will find out.
I presently own Magicos and will hopefully upgrade in the near future to another set - like the M3s. There is a certain magic for some of us with them. For me they do everything right.
But IMO Wilson's are also great speakers. A friend of mine - about a mile away - has had Alexia 2s for years with excellent results in his dedicated room. This said, he is replacing them with some Vivid Giyas soon.
Speakers are lot like ice cream. It's ok to enjoy different flavors, sometimes even with cones.
But IMO Wilson's are also great speakers. A friend of mine - about a mile away - has had Alexia 2s for years with excellent results in his dedicated room. This said, he is replacing them with some Vivid Giyas soon.
Speakers are lot like ice cream. It's ok to enjoy different flavors, sometimes even with cones.
True, was referring to the new speaker design of the A5....hence my interest which was piqued by Bob/Rhapsody. Planning to listen to them tomorrow at our local dealer, Audiofi.
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Bought them and the APods but have an eight week wait...tremendous speakers. Will post when in house.
Thanks all. Was incentivized once hearing a 3K price rise is on the horizon coming March 1......better hurry, if on the fence.
A5's are now in house...had them about a week or so and still breaking in and fine tuning location. Can easily say these are just totally delightful and musical. I was hesitant as we are now in a condo so was concerned about volume levels but happily the A5's can do lower volumes with full fidelity...and our building is well designed so near silence between suites.
I had the Q3's, moved to Wilson Tune Tots when moving into the condo (concern about volume as per above) and these new A5's are easily as good or better than the Q3's if aural memory is to be trusted. The mid range is beguiling.
Wonderful speakers!
Highly recommended!
Have the Apods and grills for use when entertaining.
Our local dealer, Audio Fi, here in Vancouver also has my highest recommendation.
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