I have heard the "wonderful" 3.2's many times.I heard the 1.0's at EBM's home on many occassions.His problem was that he ran a 300 wpc solid state amp on them,in a rather small(but good) room.They simply overpowered the listener,which is no surprise,but really were quite good.Of course there was more of "that" ceramic sound,driven this way.His new Magico Minis are fabulous,and a much better match for both the amp,and room.Of course he is thrilled with the performance,but the 3.2 is a whole different story.It's just "different"!Think two GORGEOUS girls.Ya gonna complain if you end up with one?
As to "that" ceramic sound...whenever I heard the 3.2's driven by really good tube amplifcation(particularly the LAMM 2.1)they absolutely FLOORED me!!I brought all my reference LP's and some amazing CD's of John Zorn compositions,which were very well mastered on the Tzadic label,to the 3.2 audition,knowing they would be carefully driven by good matching equipment.
I TOTALLY forgot to concentrate on bass/mids/highs/etc!!They simply "flowed".Literally bathing me in the musical envelope!God,I loved THAT sensation.Really different from what I had been used to.
The Magicos are absolutely fabulous speakers,but completely different from the "correct"(to me,as this is only my opinion)way the 3.2's should be driven(with tubes,SET particularly).The Minis are just as valid,driven differently,from my experience.Different listening perspectives come into play,when I hear each.I'm fine with either ,but some folks are "locked" into one camp.Fine with me.
The Minis are powerful dynamically,and mate incredibly well with "really good" powerful SS amps(they DO exist,btw).If driven well,one gets a ton of the typical "audio" cliche impressions,which is a good thing,IMO.
The way the Minis are voiced(I've heard them alot,lately,and love them,as I love the 3.2's,which present the music differently to me)a good SS design gives a very dynamic presentation,and with this new carbon based driver,in the mk-II version,the SS amp crowd is rewarded with a beautiful,almost tube glow.Very nice tonality.I don't feel they are more revealing or open sounding than the 3.2 set-ups I have heard.
When I heard the 3.2's at their best,they were driven by the LAMM 2.1's and though not quite as dynamic as the Minis(not that far off though),they still had that absolutely lovely ambient envelope,along with surprisingly good bass response.I HATE the sub woofer,with the 3.2's btw(totally kills the magic),but that is only my silly opinion again.
GREAT speakers,"both" of them!I cannot possibly imagine the gorgeous sounding 3.2's being too "ceramic" sounding,if you choose matching componentry carefully.
This is where a really good dealer,or better yet,a very helpful audio club,with well intentioned,open minded friends come into play.
Best of luck.
As to "that" ceramic sound...whenever I heard the 3.2's driven by really good tube amplifcation(particularly the LAMM 2.1)they absolutely FLOORED me!!I brought all my reference LP's and some amazing CD's of John Zorn compositions,which were very well mastered on the Tzadic label,to the 3.2 audition,knowing they would be carefully driven by good matching equipment.
I TOTALLY forgot to concentrate on bass/mids/highs/etc!!They simply "flowed".Literally bathing me in the musical envelope!God,I loved THAT sensation.Really different from what I had been used to.
The Magicos are absolutely fabulous speakers,but completely different from the "correct"(to me,as this is only my opinion)way the 3.2's should be driven(with tubes,SET particularly).The Minis are just as valid,driven differently,from my experience.Different listening perspectives come into play,when I hear each.I'm fine with either ,but some folks are "locked" into one camp.Fine with me.
The Minis are powerful dynamically,and mate incredibly well with "really good" powerful SS amps(they DO exist,btw).If driven well,one gets a ton of the typical "audio" cliche impressions,which is a good thing,IMO.
The way the Minis are voiced(I've heard them alot,lately,and love them,as I love the 3.2's,which present the music differently to me)a good SS design gives a very dynamic presentation,and with this new carbon based driver,in the mk-II version,the SS amp crowd is rewarded with a beautiful,almost tube glow.Very nice tonality.I don't feel they are more revealing or open sounding than the 3.2 set-ups I have heard.
When I heard the 3.2's at their best,they were driven by the LAMM 2.1's and though not quite as dynamic as the Minis(not that far off though),they still had that absolutely lovely ambient envelope,along with surprisingly good bass response.I HATE the sub woofer,with the 3.2's btw(totally kills the magic),but that is only my silly opinion again.
GREAT speakers,"both" of them!I cannot possibly imagine the gorgeous sounding 3.2's being too "ceramic" sounding,if you choose matching componentry carefully.
This is where a really good dealer,or better yet,a very helpful audio club,with well intentioned,open minded friends come into play.
Best of luck.