Magico Comparison

The Q3 is one of the poorer speakers Magico has made...not that I really like any of them. Audio is such a "what's new, I'm bored already" world these days, so the Q3 got lots of news. Wolf proclaimed to the top of his voice how much better the Q3 was over the M5. In reality, the M5 is a lot better in a musical sense and is one of the better Magicos ever made, maybe the best.

The Q3 will soon be yet another abandoned speaker by Magico, so the value there will suffer as much as the M5. M5 sounds better, better deal, nicer looking.

Inspect the M5 for delamination of the stacked ply, there was a problem with this on several units and he cannot fix them.

I am not impressed with Magico - brittle comes to mind. Also a guy I know has a LOT of experience with Magico being invited to private demonstrations by the maker, Wolf. He is even less impressed, telling Wolf just what he thought - and it was not complementary. For my money the Rockport Mira 2 murders any Magico's as well as some others I know by a small maker where I live - but unless you are in Australia I wont mention those because there in no way for you to hear them.

If you are spending that sort of money you must listen to them - sorry no shortcut. But do check out the Rockports - I think you will be impressed.

Thanks
Bill

I have heard both the M5 and the Q3. These were in different dealer systems and about two years apart, so I think any comparison from me would have little value. I can tell you, however, that the M5 sounded like a bigger version of my Mini 2. Very coherent, great tone, great detail. Very convincing IMO, especially on symphonic music. Very good speaker, but large and hard to drive.

However, compared to those, the Q3 is just better. Even less cabinet sound. Very little sense that music was coming from a speaker. It just disappeared. Ultra clean, clear, transparent and effortless. If my room could support the Q3, and I could afford it, it would be my next speaker. I still remember that demo at Goodwin's High End and it is perhaps the best demo I've heard. A very special speaker in the right system and room.

The M5s are being auctioned I believe. I would much prefer them to the Q3s, although they require more amplification.