I heard the Mini's without the Torus subs very briefly..most of the time the Toruis subs were hooked up, so I would not want to comment much on the difference, but I wold imagine that with the right music and in the right room the mini's by themselves would be just fine! |
The Magico Mini's have a boxless sound, of a "whole cloth" that portrays musical instruments in full size and shape do in no small part to they're "uber" bracing and construction
To use the phrase...there's just more there THERE!
Being now 4+ yrs. old they are about to receive an "upgrade" to both speakers and crossover to the tune of a 22% increase in price, not to mention round trip shipping!
Are they worth it? A long and serious listen is needed to decide if all YOUR musical parameteres are being met.
Owning these and two Torus's i can tell you that the "infrasonic generators" {read subs } work best on full orchestra and chamber music as well as solo voice with accomp. music.
Hope this helps''' |
I am an owner of the minis. I extremely pleased with my purchase. I am in the process of upgrading to monoblock amps to realize their fullest potential. Will the mini 2 upgrade be significant with regard to the bass response and overall performance? Has a price been set other than "22%"? |
Alon Wolf told me at CES that the change of woofer is further improving the sound of the mini: much stiffer membrane= lower resonance (I was said the new mini goes ~3dB lower)and less distortion
I was said also at CES that price has been set at $26k |
Just wanted to give my latest thoughts.My friend owning the Mini II's just added the Harmonic Resonators to his listening room.A definite improvement.The speakers really are amazing and in his 12x20 ft room and there is no sense that a sub is needed....YET....
Sadly I believe the speaker has gone up to 30,000 US dollars.Though I would consider purchasing the speaker in the future,this price is becomming "questionably" high!!I will be extra careful about possible competitors NOW!
I am aware of the US dollar being low,but the design is supposedly an American made product(I know some parts are from Europe),and I think this reflects a bit of overt pricing,even with increases in parts costs.I HAVE to state this,as it seems the review community could "care less" about potential consumers,as long as the performance envelope is superb.The ongoing blog on TAS web pages does not seem to be too concerned,though the contributing TAS reviewer,who admitted that Alon Wolf was a "friend" does not seem to be to worried,and hasn't so much as hinted about prices getting...well err "dumb",at this point!It didn't use to be this way!!There was a time when "concerned" reviewers were responsible enough to state "enough".The HP of the 1970-1980's-1990's surely would have,IMO!!
Of course I am simply "emoting",but I predict there will be a considerable number of fabulous "two way" competitors all vying for Magico's market share,with the cavelier pricing of this new Mini.I think Magico's good times may not last too long,as products from Ridge Street Audio,AAD,and Volent(amongst others)will impact the "approaching over-pricey" market share Magico seems to temporarily own.Guaranteed,companies like JM Labs/Focal will bring out an even better version of the Mini Be design "they" already market.Not to mention Sonus Faber Guarneiri Momento,Dynaudio C-1(fabulous,IMO)etc.
I'm sorry for my angst,but I obviously like this Magico,and would want to consider this,at some future point,yet though I can afford the new pricing,there comes a point where I say "NO"!....Getting close!!
Best.
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Sirspeedy, count yourself lucky that they are not $200K or more, there is no reason that I can see that they couldn't be priced at that. |
Yes, at CES last year and I thought they sounded better than their bigger 3's. If you can live with the total look with the stands and wires coming down from the speakers, they are wonderful.
My (bias) the W/P *'s sound a little better (IMHO) and can sound and look better in rooms you have live in every day.
Use your own ears and go what you looking for, enjoy the music. |
My only point,as I really like the Minis,was hobbyists are looking at an economy car "per channel"!This is TOO much,for a stand mounted two way design.I don't care about excuses/costs,and know it is very well made.It is over priced at thirty grand.I could live with a mid twenties price.The speaker IS a wonderful product,yet the NEW pricing can NEVER be rationalized(to me) other than flat out selfishness.!
We see this from certain companies,at times.The product gets a following,with the aid of an over the top review/reviewer,and the mfgr goes overboard.
There are plenty of competitors who are a bit more responsible,here.I hope "they" get the sales so deserving of "responsible" pricing.
Trust me,as I too am a mfgr,I am aware of the expense it must take to make a Mini pair,but there is NO way thirty grand is NOT overt.Sorry. |
I liked the Watt Puppy 8s (and 7s even) over the Minis. The Minis were too bright and edgy sounding in the high frequencies for me. I would love to hear the Minis in a well treated room to see if it makes a large difference.
You would think an acoustical engineer (someone who designs speakers) would know enough about room reflections to at least hang some curtains. It makes me worried about other possible oversights that could be made in the speaker design itself, though I am likely just being overly paranoid.
I heard both speakers at HE2007 and felt the W/P8 was simply in another league in comparison to the Magico Mini, so I bought a pair. I'll give the Minis another chance if I ever get an opportunity to waste a day at Sound by Singer (as long as they use some kind of adequate room treatments). I'm not optimistic though, since Sound by Singer won't allow a home demo if I decide to possibly take it to the next level, which would make the whole ordeal sort of pointless for me at this time. |
The Mini at my pal's home does not sound bright at all.We were very careful about set up.It really sounds wonderful,and at HE 2007 I liked it alot.My friend is getting better performance than the show demo,actually.
Also,remember the Wilson WP-8 at HE 2007 was in a MUCH bigger room!!That can make or break the sound(not to mention the incredible Lamm 2.1 driving them).Also,at the back of the Wilson/Lamm room the WP's were WAY too bass heavy.No surprise from that seating position though.
I truly like the Magico speaker,and it is a fine design.I am also probably getting a bit carried away with the price criticism,but I get the feeling the review community(TAS's JV)is helping to vault the price,by not cautioning this,and going on and on(as always)about it's "fabulosity"!My only bone of contention is the price is getting just too high for a stand mount two way design.Suddenly the superb Kharma 3.2(don't let anyone kid you,this is a fabulous speaker)does not look so expensive,and the Verity Parsifal Ovation is looking like a "steal"!....Sorry....and I'm sure to get slammed for my "opinion".
Now for some performance observations compared to my Avalon Ascent MK-II's(which cannot be torn away from me regardless of market hype).This will surely stoke some flames,but it is how I hear it,and some experienced audio friends too,I am sure...
My Magico Mini friend has an almost identical set-up as me,except speaker, and obviously room.As stated the Mini to me is a wonderful design,and goes full range in his room,with superb neutrality.It really does almost anyone can want,within reason.The new bass/mid driver is slightly dark/warm sounding,so you could technically call this a minor coloration.That's being really picky.I like it,as it is currently voiced!
We always compare notes about performance,and in truth,the Ascents(though an older design,but a WAY over built design)is "just" as neutral(as in color free)and has a touch more openness in the upper midrange,due to the superb mid driver employeed(a two inch aluminum/magnesium design).The Ascent "with todays best electronics",is strikingly similar to the Mini,and I am sure some remembering it will disagree,but the electronics of that time,and line conditioners etc were nowhere near as good as the stuff of today.The Ascent really stands the test of time.IT WAS a three way design though,and is "absolutely" as coherent as the Mini,and actually images better.
The tonal balance is very similar,except that the Ascent has a slightly better upper mid airyness,due to the superb small mid driver.
We compared multiple LP's,like "Bang Baroom and Harp",The Decca pressing of "Prince of The Pagodas",Mercury's "Black Maskers",Ricky Lee Jones' "Pop Pop",and the Pendrecki "Cto For Harpsichord".Amongst others.
The Mini fans will definitely protest(why,really,as it is a great speaker)and some remembering the Ascent(with the inferior electronics,and ancillaries of the day)may go ballistic too,but if anyone sees an Avalon Ascent used...Jump on it!It IS a true classic,and can be had for about five to six thousand US dollars.They show up rarely though.Now you know why!
Best.
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Also,remember the Wilson WP-8 at HE 2007 was in a MUCH bigger room!!That can make or break the sound(not to mention the incredible Lamm 2.1 driving them).Also,at the back of the Wilson/Lamm room the WP's were WAY too bass heavy.No surprise from that seating position though. The Wilson/BAT room was either smaller or around the same size as the Mini room. That is the room I was referring to... IMO the LAMM room didn't sound as good as the BAT room (I got to experience it in the seat that had the tape-mark "x" under it), but still better sounding to me than the Mini room. I liked the Dynaudio C1 room better than the Mini room as well. |
Jkalman,yes you are right.I forgot the BAT room.Sorry!
That room seemed a bit dark sounding to me,but that is just personal taste.I moved around the LAMM/WP demo room alot.I LOVED the Ella/Louis sound(actually "music")that the little LAMM 2.1's convey with the WP's.The 2.1 is STILL one of the finest amps I have ever experienced,regardless of topology.GOD I love that amp(don't own one,btw,just my personal observations)!!
The C-1,though,also,a bit dark sounding(remember the room was totally surrounded with curtains)really impressed me.A superb two way design!Very dynamic,and a superb soundstage.
Still,I cannot see anyone not loving the Mini demo,at the show.I stayed when they were playing analog master tapes.Fabulous,but we each have our own priorities,which is how it should be.
Best. |
The C-1,though,also,a bit dark sounding(remember the room was totally surrounded with curtains)really impressed me.A superb two way design!Very dynamic,and a superb soundstage.
Still,I cannot see anyone not loving the Mini demo,at the show.I stayed when they were playing analog master tapes.Fabulous,but we each have our own priorities,which is how it should be. Yeah, the lack of any treatment in the Mini room gives me consideration to want to demo them in a better environment... Hopefully, I will find some time eventually. All the other rooms mentioned, except the Lamm and Mini room, at least had high frequency absorption via curtains. The reason I'm not completely forgiving of the Mini setup though, is because some rooms like the Lamm room and Scaena room, which weren't treated at all either, still managed to sound excellent despite it all. Then there were rooms with treatment that I didn't feel sounded very good despite the effort put into treating the environment... |
Looks like the Magico Mini has been discontinued...No longer on Magico's web page. |
MAGICO MINI 2 still sound wonderful eveytime i upgrade somthing they keep sounding better. |
