Auditioned Magico A3 - VERY DARK...


So today after waiting for months to try and listen to the Magico A3, I went to Scott Walker audio at Anaheim and listened to the Magico A3, connected to some VAC Tube amp, being fed from a Sony audio streamer, here are my impressions:

- They look fantastic, I wish they made them in silver too, but they are just great in brush black aluminum
- They're quite small and could fit everywhere
- Fit and finish is impecable
- The bass they generated was nothing but amazing for such a small cabinet, you could hear the drums, the down beats and incredible depth of bass at an amazing level
- Imaging was INSANE, you could literally place everyone and everything...
- Sound was VERY VERY DARK!!! This was a bit of a surprise, the top end lacked for my taste to a quite a degree
- I felt like the combo of the Tube amp and Magico lacked resolution, while bass and mid was great, the top end absolutely lacked resolution
- The sound was extremely laid back, again dark
- It does NEED POWER, like he had to crank the volume up, to get good sound out of this, so be aware of that

Overall, I "personally" did NOT like the sound, it lacked details and resolution at the top end, while it was great at the bottom end.  Now, the rep and I think this is mostly due to Tube amp, and connecting it to a solid state amp would bring back resolution, but we simply didn't have time to do that today.  I look forward to listen to these at another time with some decent solid-state amp, but as-is, I was NOT as impressed as I expected and wouldn't have purchased one and I strongly believe Tube and Magico A3 do NOT go well together! 

Anyone else with similar impressions?! Curious to know what others may think, or maybe there was something else in play?

Thoughts?
alexb76

Showing 12 responses by ebm

Very sad as over 850 pairs sold you should have got ROCKPORTS or VIMBERG you made a big mistake.Im sure your speakers did not have at least 500 hours break in to sound there best or you had bad electronics and cables.HELLO!!
Wow bad rap magico A3s over 700 pairs sold people LOVE dark.They are back ordered until Aug.What other speaker can say that??
Im using a TW Acustic RPS100 Phono stage which is far superior to any Supratek phono of this I'm sure.It uses 4 tubes and has a separate power supply which is solid state.I listen to vinyl a great deal with my TW Acustic AC 1 turntable with TW 10.5 tonearm Transfiguration Proteus cartridge.
Do you have a Supratek if so good luck.I am more than happy with my preamp so your advice is not needed.What makes you the expert on synergy.I have had ARC,CJ,and VAC in my system the preamp sounds wonderful.What is your system as you are the expert.Thanks again
jtgofish,I have Magico Q3s with Strumento #1 preamp and Strumento #4 mk2 amp it is truly a great musical(not dark)and dynamic combination.I had CJ ET5 and this Strumento #1 preamp is in another league.I am getting wonderful sound beyond my wildest dreams.Thanks for your response enjoy!!
Melbguyone your thoughts are certainly on the money i totally agree.It doesn't matter as he thinks it only his opinion that counts even though there are hundreds of happy MARIGO owners.Enjoy be well!!
Fleschler, Im now selling my Magico Q3s because of your BAD rap I'm getting Von Schweikert ASAP.(NOT REALLY).Its time to give it a rest.We get the message you hate MAGICO and we love them.Thanks good luck!!
Fleschler your a audio expert so you must be right(NOT).Its very hard to make a great speaker sound great in a hotel room.Whatever speaker i ever had it took me years to make them sound there best,All the MAGICO owners out there should let you know what they think DUDE!!!!!!
Wow that means according to fleschler there 750 deaf people out there.All these people bought the speakers because of great reviews(there were none in the mags only some show reports).Anyway there are always the MAGICO  are no good dudes.Im sure Harbeth didn't sell 750 pairs in many years.
Magico speakers always sound wonderful to me NOT dark or bright.  You must use copper wires with the best amp and preamp to make them sound there best.
Magico sold out over 150 pairs of A3s i guess dark is in.I heard the A3s at Axpona with Dans amps they sounded wonderful NOT dark at all.You must get the best amp,preamp and great copper speaker cables and they will sound anything but dark.Enjoy!!