Not sure I actually did listen to the M3. I think I jumped directly from the M2 to the M6.
As for comparing them, I’d say they have the exact same sound signature, the M6 being capable of more energy.
But in terms of finesse and capability of showing details in music, I’d say the M2 is by far the best I’ve heard from Magico. The low mids are outstanding.
In technical terms, the M2 has probably the best signal/noise ratio.
I listened to those speakers in a 120-150 sqm room. The M2 were very capable even within that huge volume.
In a room like yours, I wouldn’t go any higher than the M2.
(I have my S3 MkII in a ~38 sqm room)
As for testing music I used once or twice Massive Attack. But it doesn’t make justice to those speakers. A nice double bass album would certainly show best what the M2 are capable of.
In my second system, I’m driving my A3s from a Uniti Nova. It works very well, as i am not in a position to play them loud. I get very satisfactory bass, wonderful spatial presentation, a the usual transparent, uncolored Magico sound.
There’s a family sound (or lack of) to all the Magicos. The Q5s in my main system (driven by Constellation monoblocks as they are power sinks) sound better in every respect (as they should), but I do not get disoriented going from the Q5s to the A3s.
Regarding Magico bass: sealed boxes bass sound nothing like ported bass. There’s a bloat in ported bass that might make you think that sealed boxes have less bass. Not true. Plus, in sealed boxes, you can really distinguish between each bass note - they don’t all sound jumbled. It’s a bit similar to panel bass but with way more oomph and extension.
@rsch
As @Bart said the S3 and S3 MkII are two different speakers.
Different tweeter, different medium driver, different bass drivers, different crossover, etc… In fact, the only thing they have in common is the extruded aluminium tube. Even the top and the base are different.
You really want to go for the de S3 MkII
Ignore the Mk1’s! I’d think that the mk2’s should be avail around 50% of RP. The issue is shipping etc. I’m fortunate to have a Magico dealer 4 miles from my house. The bad part is that they hate discounting. I know people who live near me who’ve driven 1000 miles to save thousands on this brand.
I heard Magico speakers only once, and the pre / amplifier driving them were Naim Statement. Frankly I’m not sure which Magico speaker it was, but IIRC the salesman told me that they were selling for 89,000$ CDN or so. I suppose they must have been Q5s.
It was the only time I heard a Statement too, and I must say that the combination sounded just unreal. I couldn’t believe that that level of sound quality even existed.
Since then, Magicos are the only speakers I know that I could envision ever replacing my Harbeths with.
At the moment they only have S1 mk2 (RP 22.900 euro) in stock. i know they are pretty flexible on deals.
I nver demoed S1 s but i’m afraid these being a touch lean on bass for me used with S600 s.
Unfortunately S2 s are nearly double that price. Oh and they still have a pair of M Project at a bargain price since are lying in their stock for more than four years
Thank you now for two good music recommendations. Both my wife and 15 year-old daughter commented positivly when I played them. I may now very well get into listening more to classsical music again. It has been a while.
I’ve only heard S1Mk2’s once, and i think that they can be good in a small room and where you’re not expecting much of a bass ‘thump.’ For a smallish room, I think that the S3Mk2 are the right place in the S series.
I have S1mk2, my room is an open plan kitchen- living room and more than 60m2. Works really well if you ask me, so don’t dismiss S1s even if you have a mid size room.
If you’re used to the S600 in terms of bass extension than the S3 MkII would be the natural choice.
The S1 MkII and S3 MkII share the same amazing tweeter. Which is a good reason to go for the S series.
If you can get the M-Project at a reasonable price, then go for it. I don’t know the exact specs of the M-Project, but it should be pretty close to a M6.
In terms of amplification the NAP500DR would be a minimum.
Interesting offer, but I wouldn’t go for it.
The S3MkII is so much better, that it would probably make more sense wait for a second hand S3MkII. There is a pair of them in mint state in Zurich, an audio shop (Google for Audio Vinyl).
M Project is definetely a no go me, for their huge size in first instance and price.
It’s a bargain compared to original price of 160k euro but still nearly 60k now.
I agree the S3 mk2 is the sweet spot in the range
As mentioned earlier I have S1mk2, I saw that these can be used with A-pods and I think also S-pods. Anyone how know how they compare.
@Thomas I see that you have S-pods, would you mind describing how they work. To me it looks as if they have a Spike with a longer treaded part and the “pod” are like an (I assume) advanced set of washer between the speaker base and a locking nut. Is this correct understood?
