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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 5 responses by folkfreak

folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
I own Magico speakers. However if I'd gone on what I hear at shows I doubt I'd have any. Without exception Magico show demonstrations are terrible. Usually matched with uber expensive and uber soulless solid state they tend to hi-fi special effects with a complete lack of humanity. 

So don't read too much into show conditions. When matched with the right system (and it doesn't have to be expensive, and it doesn't have to be solid state) they can be warm, organic, open and melodic. 

Anyone who wants to hear a "different side of Magico" is welcome to check out my (currentlt Q3 based) system if you're ever around in the Pacific NW
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
Please review my system for good results combining Q3s with VTL and ARC. Very high powered tubes work excellently with the Q series
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5707
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
@melbguyone one thing that helps the VTL MB450III work well with the Magicos is the adjustable damping factor and input sensitivity.

I did at one stage try running my prior set (V3s) with a low power (50W) tube integrated that my dealer swore by but this was a complete non starter in my estimation. Count me as someone who really believes that gobs of power help, despite the quite high sensitivity (90dB) of the Q3s, amusingly Magico themselves have a 30W minimum power rating for the Q3 🤭
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
@melbguyone don’t use the triode mode ever! Super syrupy and gloopy, avoid at all costs!
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
I actually find the Q3s work best at the lowest damping factor. But you have the higher settings if needed
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