I hope you get to listen to the S3. They are on my audition list but its a long journey so won’t be any time soon. I would live to hear how other Naim users get on with S3, even if not with Naim amplification.
Had to reschedule – next week.
Hi Bart !
Not sure auditioning the M2 is a good idea, unless you’re prepared to take the plunge . Those speakers are astonishing! By far, the best speakers I’ve heard.
The S3 MkII are quite close to the M2, btw… They share pretty much the same medium and high. The difference is within the lower medium and bass. The M2 have an amazing signal to noise ratio. They measure well and sound well.
The S3 MkII (with SPODs) are brilliant speakers, probably the sweet spot in the Magico line. But quite an expensive sweet spot, especially if you add the SPODs (which is necessary, make a real difference).
They blend marvellously with a 500 DR system, IMO.
Are you planning to go for the S or M range?
As said above, the S3 MkII blend marvellously with a Naim system.
I’d love to hear more of your views of the differences in bass, from S3MkII to M2.
I have a pretty good opportunity price-wise on the M2’s; still expensive, but a deal that pushes it into ‘maybe I’ll be crazy.’ With the MPOD’s.
I heard/compared the A3, S3 MkII and M2.
My impression was that the A3 have a more pronounced/outlined low end, with lesser control. They are punchy, too much for my taste. (but they are better than most in the same price range).
The S3MkII and M2 share an astonishingly well controlled low end. Some would even say that they have a lean low end. It’s simply amazingly well controlled (close to the headphones experience)
They are able to provide that delicat cello or double-bass low end, and the slam of a Massive Attack track.
Regarding the low medium and low end, the M2 are ahead. Not different, cleaner. And by cleaner I mean with lesser noise (as said previously, they have a nice signal to noise ratio). For rock, jazz, amplified music it won’t make much of a difference. But for classical music I was able to hear it.
But this extra control and extra clean low end has its cost… The S3 MkII are not that far, really, especially with SPODs.
But, if you’re looking for this ultra clean low end, the M2 are the speakers to go for!
Considering your listening room, which is very nice, I’d be careful. To fully enjoy the M2 low end one needs a matching listening room (bigger or somewhat treated). Unfortunately, physics are what they are.
Nota : But I’m being perhaps a bit picky about room interactions. Don’t take that too seriously.
The 2 big issues with the room are (1) it doesnt pressurize - its open at both ends, and (2) many reflective, very few absorptive, materials. As you say, its a bit ‘is what it is.’
Having a room opened at both ends isn’t really an issue. Better opened then closed. Having an “open room” obviates the boom effect of some speakers.
Flat ceiling, floor and walls are a problem, desperately… better not knowing it, and even better not to measure it.
But a well-chosen listening position (this is THE most important), and then nicely placed speakers can make a significant difference.
Again, don’t overthink that. Once one gets into this, there is no coming back. Room treatment makes a tremendous difference. But if one doesn’t know it (by experience I mean) one doesn’t feel the need of it.
Whether you go for the S3MkII or the M2, you certainly won’t regret it. Those speakers match really well with Naim amps. But you already know that
Well I had a listen yesterday, S3MkII and M2. dCS Bartok source into a Gryphon amp of some sort.
The S3mkII were lovely. What you want to hear from Magico. Wonderful soundstage, almost holographic vocals, crisp bass that sounds like bass, not a port.
Then swapped in the M2’s and listened to the same selections. These are the best speakers I’ve ever heard, with the slight possibility of the Magico Q7’s about 4 years ago having bested them. Truly holographic soundstage. An insight into the music – well now I know what people mean when they use that term. When the vocals (Norah Jones) / lyrics come alive with meaning as you’re listening; it’s hard to describe. Truly literally goosebumps on my arms from 2 Norah Jones tracks.
The bass out of the M2’s was better than the S3’s; there was at least as much volume-wise, and it was a bit ‘cleaner.’ Good gut-punch when it’s in the music, but only when it’s in the music. (I’ve learned that fake gut-punch, when it’s not in the music, is just a ‘cheap’ effect.) And again, electrostatic-like attributes such as that open air holographic (my word) sound.
Great news, Bart Now you sure know where the path will lead you sooner or latet Curiously, you are the second person in a few days reporting that M2 have stronger bass output than S3 mk2 in you case, and event the A5 in the other. That is great indeed, showing that even with it`s compact size and small woofers, the M2 could be a fullrange speaker without compromise and with no need of subwoofers, except if you listen in a huge room.
Are you planning a home demo?
I want to hear the A5 and may schedule that. The dealer thought that the A5 might be a little too “much” for my room; but I always wonder whether that’s just because they want to sell me a much more expensive item. I have brought home speakers that ended up “too much” for my room.
What is bothering me just a little are reviews of the A5 that mention the new drivers in them as the ‘next new thing’ from Magico, and that they will move into the other series eventually. Magico does “improve” often…a customer is always only a few years from owning the “previous model.” But we all know that our hi fi doesn’t get “worse” when something new comes out.
I do believe that for a smallish room, M2 can be a full range speaker. My A3’s are.
A home demo of the M2’s would be difficult; simply because of their weight. 75 KG each. I brought the A3’s (50 KG each) home myself with a friend in his truck; I dont know that they’d let me try that with the M2’s. BUT, it’s too much to spend w/out a home demo.
You seem to have spent a nice moment auditioning the M2 and S3
Holographic soundstage is something that describes well Magico speakers. I don’t know how they do that, but it is really astonishing. Not a lot of speakers can do that.
In my experience the Q7 weren’t as good as the M2 or M6. More power, more of everything in fact. But not as precise, not as sharp as the M series. This is probably due to the enclosure (extremely rigid but with parallel walls).
When I swapped the M2 with the S3 MkII, for me, the difference was mainly the lower mids or upper lows. Extremely precise, especially with cello and piano.
The S3 MkII lacks a bit of that precision.
I say a bit, but that “bit” is really something!
I loved it! It makes a world of a difference, especially when playing complexe music like a concerto or a symphony. A symphony through the M2 is really something
For upper mids and highs, I found that the difference wasn’t that significant.
What makes the M series so special is their extremely low level of distortion. For longer listening moments and at higher volume levels this makes a world of a difference.
The M2 are by far the best full range speaker I ever heard.
When I auditioned the Magico range, I was tempted by the M2 but I couldn’t justify the price (twice the price of the S3 MkII).
Perhaps in a few years, I could be tempted by the M2 MkII
For the time being I enjoy the S3 MkII and their ability to present music with that extreme precision and holographic soundstage that characterises Magico speakers.
I heard the M2 in a ~200 square meters , or more, showroom at a distance of ~4,5 meters. Both M2 and S3 were very capable of producing the impact needed by Mahler’s 6th symphony. No doubt, the M2 are indeed full range speakers
You probably are right. It’s been a long time, and the Q7’s with dCS and Spectral were SO good and amazing that they’ve always stuck with me. But again, it was 4 years ago but I remember it well
Are you tempted by the A5?
I have not heard them. Not as beautiful as the M2’s . . . . but 1/3 the price.
What about the S3MkII? They have a better tweeter and mids driver. Could be an option. Makes quite a difference comparing to the A3.
But, of course, you’ll get more low end with the A5.
After hearing S3MkII side by side with M2, I think I’ll either go for the M2’s or just wait. I like everything better about the M2’s including the slightly smaller footprint; except the price.
Absolutely, that smaller footprint is something that also makes their success. In europe the A3, S3 and M2 are probably the most sold.