The Q3 is easier to drive than is the Q5, or so I've read. It is 90dB versus 86 or 87. My local dealer told me it would be a much easier load than my Mini 2s which are 87dB/4ohm. I think the S5 is also 87dB/4ohm.
Magico S5 vs Wilson Alexia
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The Q3 is easier to drive than is the Q5, or so I've read. It is 90dB versus 86 or 87. My local dealer told me it would be a much easier load than my Mini 2s which are 87dB/4ohm. I think the S5 is also 87dB/4ohm.
Bruce, could you explain your reasoning? Do you feel the S5 would suite your professional needs better, or is it just based on personal preference?
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
I am always somewhat perplexed when people are asked what type of music one is going to listen in order to pick between speakers. If most listen to all types of music why wouldn't he or she want a speaker that is able to play all types of music
Just my thought
Happy New Year to all
Just my thought
Happy New Year to all
According to the Lab Report in the 9/2011 issue of HiFi News, the Q3 Sensitivity measured 87.8db.
"Q3 has very large impedance phase angles at low frequencies, reaching -71 degrees at 53hz, making this a tough load to drive at bass frequencies. In fact the minimum EPDR (equivalent peak dissipation resistance) emerged as a scary 0.9 ohm at 64hz."
Bass extension measured 42hz (-6db ref 200hz).
I'm hoping they come out with a Q2.
Steve, in general, I agree with you that a good speaker system should be able to play all types of music well. However, sometimes one may have to select from a set of compromises. In my particular case, I listen mostly to smaller scale, acoustic music at 70-80 dB and very little to loud rock or other amplified types of music. For this reason, my preference was for the smaller, more neutral and coherent Mini 2 speakers over the Magico V3 or my former Egglestons which certainly had more bass impact, extension and slam, but did not sound as good to my ears on a violin or piano concerto or on vocals. Surprisingly, the Sheffield Drum Track does sound pretty awesome on the Minis, and the occasional Led Zep 1 &2.
Would you also say that particular types of speakers, ie dynamic cones, electrostatics, horns and panels are all equally suited for all types of music?
Thanks jap. That's interesting. I had not heard of that review and will try to find it. If Magico claims 90 for the Q3 and 87 for the Q5, then perhaps the Q5 would actually measure lower than the stated specs also. I guess my point was that according to Magicos own specs, the Q3 is the most efficient speaker in their line-up.
I'm also interested in what a Q2 might be like. Could be the perfect upgrade from the Mini2 in a small room like mine.
Bruce B
WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
I have just heard the S5's sound better on more occasions than any of the Q series.
From JA's Stereophile measurements:
"The Q5 has a rated sensitivity of 87dB. However, my estimate was lower than this, at an estimated 84dB(B)/2.83V/m, which is also lower than average. The speaker is also fairly difficult to drive, with an impedance that drops below 4 ohms in the high treble, the lower midrange, and the upper bass (fig.1). As well as minimum values of 2.75 ohms at 56Hz, 3 ohms at 200Hz, and 2.8 ohms at 40kHz, there is an amplifier-crushing combination of 3.85 ohms and a –56° capacitive phase angle at 45Hz."
Other Magicos:
Magico rates the Q1 at sensitivity 86db, HiFi Crictic measured 84.5db.
Magico rates the S5 at sensitivity 89db, NRC measured 87db.
I heard Alexia and Q3 side by side. My friend and I thought the Alexia was much better than the Q3. On another occasion, we heard the S1 and S5 and thought they were both wonderful. I think the Alexia vs S5 is a different story and I can't offer a definitive opinion yet but I think both have their strengths. If I had to choose, I think I'd pick the Alexia. I can not wait until the Sasha2 comes out. In the meantime I plan on getting the S3.
I've only heard the Magicos under different circumstances but after recently hearing them at Rhapsody Music and Cinema, the S3s are the first Magico speaker that I would consider. The first Magico speaker with a soul. That was with Absolare gear and all analog. YMMV....
From the Stereophile measurents seccion: The Q5 has a rated sensitivity of 87dB. However, my estimate was lower than this, at an estimated 84dB(B)/2.83V/m, which is also lower than average.
This is an exceptionally low value. IMHO, we will have to wait until someone measures the Q3 efficiency to know the true vale.
Stereophile also measured the Alexia : My estimate of the Alexia's voltage sensitivity was slightly higher than the specified 90dB/2.83V/m, at 91.3dB(B)/2.83V/m.
The values of efficiency reported by Stereophile are usually a little higher than those of HifiCritic.
Read Post #64
"According to the Lab Report in the 9/2011 issue of HiFi News, the Q3 Sensitivity measured 87.8db."
Joe, How would you and your friend describe the differences between the Alexia and the Q3? I've heard the Alexia in four different settings. Until I heard them recently with Pass electronics, they sounded incoherent. The bass was slow, the treble was strident and the midrange sounded thin. The drivers did not sound integrated. With the Pass, the speakers were much better controlled, coherent and detailed. It was very enjoyable. But they did not disappear and it still sounded like a very good hifi system. When I heard the Q3 in a very good room with Boulder electronics and a good analog front end, the speakers were gone and I lost myself in the music. It just sounded very natural. This was one of the best auditions I have ever heard.
I understand everyone has different tastes and all of these auditions are very system dependent, but I'm curious about how you would describe the differences between the two and what kinds of systems they were in.
Hi Peter,
It was a while ago but basically we heard the Alexia first. The set up was not ideal using an esoteric amp (not sure what model) and a McIntosh C500P with a McIntosh cd player. The Alexia was wonderful. Warm, full voice. Solid bass. Great highs with no fatigue. The sound could have been a little more cohesive. I think the speaker driver alignment needed tweaking for the distance we were at. My friend and I looked at each other when the music started and we smiled because I was not a Wilson fan until that point. I heard the potential but loved what I heard. The music was very engaging and I had no desire to leave. We switched to the Q3 with the same setup and it was like someone threw a blanket over the speaker. Soft, muted and generally not good. I have no idea why and would give the Q series another try but i was very disappointed. I will not condemn the speaker on that one audition.
It was a while ago but basically we heard the Alexia first. The set up was not ideal using an esoteric amp (not sure what model) and a McIntosh C500P with a McIntosh cd player. The Alexia was wonderful. Warm, full voice. Solid bass. Great highs with no fatigue. The sound could have been a little more cohesive. I think the speaker driver alignment needed tweaking for the distance we were at. My friend and I looked at each other when the music started and we smiled because I was not a Wilson fan until that point. I heard the potential but loved what I heard. The music was very engaging and I had no desire to leave. We switched to the Q3 with the same setup and it was like someone threw a blanket over the speaker. Soft, muted and generally not good. I have no idea why and would give the Q series another try but i was very disappointed. I will not condemn the speaker on that one audition.
The Alexia's sounded bad the first two times I heard them. In fact, so bad the first time that I left scratching my head. Shouty, and I've never heard a Wilson speaker sound that way ever. Then I heard the Alexias in a less than optimal room at RMAF with Nick's electronics and they were completely different beast So the old saying have to hear (or in some causes lately review) the equipment in your own system is the only way. Rarely are dealers and shows a good place to evaluate equipment (especially with analog). If a piece of gear sounds bad, it's meaningless. Conversely if it sounds good, it's worth a follow-up.
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The Alexia's sounded bad the first two times I heard them. In fact, so bad the first time that I left scratching my head. Shorty, and I've never heard a Wilson speaker sound that way ever. Then I heard the Alexias in a less than optimal room at RMAF with Nick's electronics and they were completely different beast So the old saying have to hear (or in some causes lately review) the equipment in your own system is the only way. Rarely are dealers and shows a good place to evaluate equipment (especially with analog). If a piece of gear sounds bad, it's meaningless. Conversely if it sounds good, it's worth a follow-up.
+1000. It's almost ludicrous that we expect gear to sound great in a hotel room and then pan it when it doesn't. As Myles said, when you actually hear gear that does sound great in a hotel, you better take notice.
The Alexia's sounded bad the first two times I heard them. In fact, so bad the first time that I left scratching my head. Shorty, and I've never heard a Wilson speaker sound that way ever. Then I heard the Alexias in a less than optimal room at RMAF with Nick's electronics and they were completely different beast So the old saying have to hear (or in some causes lately review) the equipment in your own system is the only way. Rarely are dealers and shows a good place to evaluate equipment (especially with analog). If a piece of gear sounds bad, it's meaningless. Conversely if it sounds good, it's worth a follow-up.
Myles, Happy New a Year.
Curious, what is your overall take on the Alexias having them heard in a number of settings?
Yes, mep. I've been to enough shows not to expect good sound in a hotel room. Only one of the four settings in which I heard the Alexia was at a show. It was the first one. The second time was at a dealer's premier room with D'Agostino electronics and set up by Peter McGrath with his own digital files. The third time was in a friend's system with Doshi electronics and then with the D'Agostino amp and the last time was in this same system with Pass Electronics. The Alexia sounded very different in each setting and I preferred it with the Pass.
I agree that if something does sound good in show conditions, it's a pleasant surprise and it could have potential. But I would not dismiss something just because it did not sound good at a show.
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