News flash: because on average speaker cabinets have roughly 10X the surface area of the enclosed speaker element, the only have to move 1/10th as much before they're contributing just as much to the output as the driver. If they move 1/100th as much, the cabinet is still only 10dB lower in level. So keeping cabinets quiet is a real big deal for serious speaker designers. You can take the BBC thin panel/constrained damping method (Harbeth, et al); the 'Mass-loaded Cast Unobtanium' of Wilson, Aluminum like Magico, KEF Muon and a few others, or the value-engineered MDF of most manufacturers. All have the same goal of keeping enclosure noise out of the equation because it audibly dirties the sound. And because it is dynamic and lags behind and below the primary output, it is very hard to measure, even though our ears readily detect it. When cost is little or no object, then more exotic, even sculptural approaches can be used. Appreciate them for what they are.
All New Magico A5 Loudspeakers // Biggest "BANG" For Your BUCK On The Market ?!
As GOOD as the M Series ?...
Sound Stage Review coming Soon !
Not connected with Magico in any way
https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/blogging-on-audio/201-howard-kneller/904-first-look-and-listen-magicos-new-a5-loudspeaker
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I myself would love to own a pair of A5 speakers. If I ever get the upgrade itch from my Triton References, they would definitely be my next purchase. Amazing sounding speakers. I heard them with McIntosh electronics and everything sounded so right. Since I already own Mac, it would be just a speaker change. |
I just traded my B&W 801N’s for a set of Magico A5’s. musically they are pretty good. I traded because I needed a smaller speaker moving in to a new space. My wife was more disappointed than I was. She is not a audio file by any means doesn't know all the fancy jargon. She said “the old speakers sounded like. Live concert, these just sound like. Ok speaker” what does she know except what she likes. driving them with a pair of MC611’s and a C53. disappointed for sure. These will get traded off in a year or two. |
@kparmer I heard a pair of A3s in my recent quest for speakers. Came in with high expectations based on all the great reviews and buzz around the forums. Granted they may not have been ideally set up but they were adequately powered by a high end integrated. Dark, veiled, not much air or sense of space. Recessed highs, muddy in the mids and boomy bass. I’m sure proper set up would address some of these issues but… |
They are better, that said at a higher price. Your summation of the A3 is on point. the A5 lack of a sense of space as you put it. I know there are a lot of people that aren’t big fans of B&W but I listened to some 800’s and Wilson’s that were much much better. Years ago had a set of infinity’s that remind me a lot of this speaker. I was somewhat happy with the purchase at the time some 27 years ago. I think I paid $4800 for them. Magico must have a big markup for the dealers or something. It’s crazy. Reading the reviews. Pay to play or something. anyway thanks much! |
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