Magico Speakers with Naim

I am surprised because I thought that teasing is popular in english conversations.
I didn’t understood Jimdog teasing as being rude against you Hans, just humor.

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Gorgeous speakers there Elfer. I really like that color. Are they hard to drive? I have the impression that Magicos are power hungry.

Hi StoogeMoe. Thank you !

I was worried they might be hard to drive, especially as they tend to be demoed with very powerful amps, Vitus, Solution, Constellation etc. but this generation (the Mk2) are much easier than their predecessor. I would categorise their demand subjectively as “moderate” - they do appreciate some power but are not particularly difficult. The 300 seems to provide plenty of control and I find I am using the same volume positions as I did with my Neat MFS (also a moderately demanding speaker) but I think a 300 is probably the entry level in terms of power delivery before these speakers really start to make sense.

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I share the same experience regarding volume, and position of volume control.

The S3 Mk II are indeed much easier to drive than its predecessor. Two different speakers, really.

But I wouldn’t dare to drive the S3 MkII with a NAP 250. When the impedance drops, at certain frequencies, the amp has to provide a lot of current. Both NAP300 and NAP500 are very capable amps when it comes to that.

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Congratulations for your amazing new piece of kit ! You should them with a 500 DR, i think you’ d reach another level of clarity, control and sophistication.

Cheers from Italy
Roberto

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A friend has 272/555/300 with a huge pair of approx 10 year old Magicos (not sure of the model number).

I have to admit that they do not make noises that appeal to me.

(But then it’s a little hard to assess the SQ because the nearest listening seat is a couple of feet to the right of the centre line between the speakers.)

Thanks Roberto. I have a feeling that is likely to happen, just not yet…

Thanks for the response Elfer. Keep us posted as to the sound as they run in and get smoother.

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Congrats on your new speakers. I’m sure you will enjoy them for many years. I have S1 mk2s and newer auditioned the S3s, but judging from my S1s, and what friends how have say, I’m sure the S3s sound fabulous!
If they are anything like mine the respond extremely well even to small setup changes, so my recommendation experiment with placement, toe in, and it might also be rewarding altering the tilt a bit (my front spikes are slightly taller than the back spikes).
I see you got the SPods, did you audition with and without?
Not sure if relevant with SPods but I changed the supplied floor protectors for fraim chips, and with standard spikes there is no going back (wish I could explain why…).

These PODs are ridiculously expensive but, believe it or not, they make a very noticeable and immediate difference.

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That’s what I fear… but I guess I will have to check if my dealer have them for audition. Apparently S1 Mk2s can be used with with APods as well. Less expensive but still expensive, and possibly not as effective as the SPods?

Thanks for the pointers Joppe. Speaker positioning is something I am quite fussy about and will spend time optimising. I didn’t expect them to perform as well as they do just by positioning them where my Neats were but I didn’t feel any immediate need to start moving them. Coincidentally they are very close to the Magico width recommendation (based on room width) but I would really like to see if I can be happy with them a little further back - I suspect that might require some room treatment first though.

I didn’t audition S-PODs with the S3s (they were already fitted) but I did hear A3 with and without and that was enough to confirm the significant benefits they bring.

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Did you ever compare A3’s or A5’s vs M2’s? There is a pair of used M2’s for sale literally 5 miles from my home. I was pretty sure that they would be ‘a little small’ for our new room but now that we’ve placed a couch in the room, it’s clear there will be a fair bit of near-field listening. On paper with 3 9-inch drivers the A5’s SHOULD produce more bass than the M2’s. But I can get a pretty screaming deal (1/2 price) on the M2’s so pondering.

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Hi @Bart ,

Yes, except for the A5, I had the opportunity to compare them side by side; same day, same Soulution electronics, same music and same listening chair.

All Magico products are very well designed and are, in my opinion, excellent choices whatever the music you listen to.

The A-series is designed and built to a price point. Compared to the M series, you get a lot less of everything out of them (information, precision, separation, soundstage, etc.).

Look at the enclosures. While the A3 build quality is fantastic, it is the classic “brick” design, with parallel walls (inside a speaker, you get the exact same problems you get in a room with roughly the same consequences: standing waves, resonances, etc.).

The M2, and the M series in general, is a bit of a “cost no object design”, and it is exactly what you get.

The difference was more than obvious with well-recorded voices and acoustic music (instruments and small to big orchestras). I suppose you can also point out differences with electronic music.

The S3 MkII, and the S series in general, is a bit in between. It doesn’t cost as much as the M series to build, and the crossovers aren’t as good. The S3 doesn’t sound as good as the M2 , but sounds a lot better than the A3.

If you have 30-40K to spend and want to buy new, then the S3 MkII is probably one of the best speakers you can buy at the moment.

But if you don’t bother buying second hand, and you can get a pair of M2 in mint condition for the price of an S3, then go for it!

Now the A5… in my opinion, and my dealer’s opinion, it costs too much. For a bit more cash, you get the S3 MkII which is way better.

Does the A5 produce more bass than the M2? I beleive it certainly does. But what kind of bass?

The S3 MkII unquestionably better than the A3, and the M2’s… well makes no sense to compare.

Can the M2 fill your room? Only you can figure that out. But do you want them to fill out all your space? That’s a different question. In this particular case, it’ll also depend on the genre of music you mostly listen to.

HiFi Critic wrote an interesting review of the M2. It might be of some help.

Google for “magico m2 hifi critic pdf".

Final note :

My opinion about all this (speakers, electronics, etc.) is that there is no such thing as “better”.

It’s all about what fits your usage and expectations.

If my thing were to listen to Rammstein and fill my room with 85bB of die Neue Deutsche Härte, then I wouldn’t bother about Soulution or top-notch Magicos.

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Replies moved and thread reopened.

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Thomas this is an important observation. How one uses (lives in) a room and how one listens are often overlooked.

I’m assuming that the S-series is due for another refresh soon as Magico have some new drivers (at least the new 5" midrange) so I’m a little wary of buying them just yet. But then I suffer the fallacy that I often advise others to avoid . . .

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Bart,

Those look to be lovingly taken care of. If you can afford it I’m sure you won’t regret it. Since you’re close, maybe he’ll let you dem, albeit with unknown electronics, at least you’ll get a sense of their HiFi attributes.

OA

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He did invite me to “bring my amp” to his home but he didn’t know it’s Naim – would involve bringing the 500, its power supply, and the 552 pre and its power supply; too much hassle. And to load them into my car, bring them home, and the reverse…also a lot of moving and risk of even slight damage. Unfortunately.