Magico A5?

[Soundrulz]

Trade the A5’s for a
Set of 801d2’s. Been waiting for them to
Come in.
I will let you know how these compare.

Any updates? My A5’s are far better than my 802N’s. Bass, tightness, imaging, vocals are just some aspects. Bass extension well below 802N.
I found 801N too over the top in smaller areas.
As mentioned, I listened to 800D3 and they didn’t have the same imaging as the A5’s.
I don’t use a sub in music mode, no need to.

 

[ICUToo]

What’s your power amp, Soundrulz?

 

[tobiasrankin]

Any updates? My A5’s are far better than my 802N’s. Bass, tightness, imaging, vocals are just some aspects. Bass extension well below 802N.
I found 801N too over the top in smaller areas.
As mentioned, I listened to 800D3 and they didn’t have the same imaging as the A5’s.
I don’t use a sub in music mode, no need to.

Yup I really doubt any B+W speaker would come close to an a5.

 

[Soundrulz]

What’s your power amp, Soundrulz?

I guess my signature doesn’t come up. Here you go,
Bryston SP3, BDP-2, BDA 3, 28B3, 6B SST, 4B SST, Paradigm Sub 2, B&W AM1x4, Magico A5, ACC, Sony A80J 77
All amps and sub (220v) running on 20amp circuits.

 

[ozzzy]

I heard at a dealers showroom the A3's (before the A5' came out), to me they sounded very dead. Limited frequency extremes and soundstage. I ended up buying the Focal Sopra 2's.
One would assume that the A5's must be better than the A3's for they cost more. But do they? And do they have the same type of sound?

ozzy

 

[HenryD]

Here is a comparison between the Sopra and the A3.

SoundStage! Global | SoundStageGlobal.com - Magico A3 Loudspeaker -- the Sound

Regardless, the A5, imo, are substantially better than the A3.

 

[ozzzy]

Thanks for the review it was a good read.
However, to my ears with the equipment I heard them with they (A3's) sounded dead. The electronics used were Ayre amps and preamp. Perhaps the equipment used in the review favored the A3 dead sound.

ozzy

 

[ecwl]

Thanks for the review it was a good read.
However, to my ears with the equipment I heard them with they (A3's) sounded dead. The electronics used were Ayre amps and preamp. Perhaps the equipment used in the review favored the A3 dead sound.

ozzy

I think the Magico sound is not for everyone. Of course, the pairing electronics matter a lot too. For me, comparing Magico speaker to other speakers is kinda like comparing solid state amps to tube amps. Ultimately, it’s just what people prefer.

 

[ozzzy]

And that is very true. To use the liquid/dry description used by many to describe sound quality. The Sopra's sounded liquid while the A3's sounded dry. Listening to female vocals was the kicker. The Sopra made the sound, sound real while the A3's sounded flat. Did I say I didn't like the A3's?

I am using tube mono blocks and the Sopra's impressed me even more when I brought them home.
But everyone has different tastes and electronics so your milage may vary..

ozzy

 

[HenryD]

But everyone has different tastes and electronics so your milage may vary..

ozzy

Indeed!
To me, all the Sopras (2 and 3) sound splashy and bloated, just like described in the report.
I would add that Ayre would not be my first choice of amplification.

 

[CKKeung]

Some say that the reviews on Hi Fi Plus are rather useless because they are mostly subjective in style.
However I agree with many of the points in this recent review :

Magico A5

The A5 floorstanding loudspeaker is the largest model in Magico's 'entry' A-Series. Alan Sircom wonders how much of Magico's top-end performance does this bring to a more attainable price point.

hifiplus.com

 

[Scott Naylor]

Some say that the reviews on Hi Fi Plus are rather useless because they are mostly subjective in style.
However I agree with many of the points in this recent review :

Magico A5

The A5 floorstanding loudspeaker is the largest model in Magico's 'entry' A-Series. Alan Sircom wonders how much of Magico's top-end performance does this bring to a more attainable price point.

hifiplus.com

Thanks for that link, CK! One might think the inestimable Mr. Sircom spends time reading this forum from the perspectives put forth in his review.

 

[CKKeung]

Thanks for that link, CK! One might think the inestimable Mr. Sircom spends time reading this forum from the perspectives put forth in his review.

 

[andromedaaudio]

Thanks for that link, CK! One might think the inestimable Mr. Sircom spends time reading this forum from the perspectives put forth in his review.

From what i understood Alan does so many reviews i doubt he has any time left for the casual WBF hifi chit - chat

 

[ozzzy]

HenryD,
The Ayre equipment was what the dealer had them connected to.
But like everything else, our systems and choices are fine tuned to what we like.

I just can't believe anyone likes the A3 sound...No amount of tweaking could get me to like the deadness of that speaker.
So, does the A5 share the A3 sound? I notice it has more woofers.

ozzy

 

[HenryD]

I just can't believe anyone likes the A3 sound...No amount of tweaking could get me to like

Apparently, Magico sold over 1000 pairs. Someone must have liked them...

 

[ozzzy]

You are right. They do a lot of advertising and reviews in the rag mags. I was going to buy them too! I expected much more from them until I heard them.

ozzy

 

[HenryD]

I guess you are the only one who listens before buying. The rest of us are idiots.
So there you have it. You should listen to the A5 and find out for yourself.

 

[ozzzy]

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. My comments may have been over the top.

ozzy

 

[HenryD]

All good, thank you!