Magico mini 2 versus Magico mini 1

My Mini were just upgraded to II. When new, they do sound a little lifeless, but that is because the new woofers really need time to break in! I am only at the 100 hours mark, and will patiently let them break in for another week before any critical listening.

Hi Sirspeedy,

My initial impressions of the Mini II are very positive. When I first heard the Mini II at the dealer's showroom, I was, for a short while, in 'denial' mode. How could the 'perfect' Mini be improved?! But Magico certainly did something magical with the new woofer.

IMHO, it is very 'modest' for Magico to call the II an 'upgrade', and not a new model. Aside from the cabinet, stands and tweeters, everything is different. I will let mine burn in for another few days until the weekend, then I am putting them back on the stands and start listening, and let them break in with normal listening.

Sirspeedy, the list of questions you asked is pretty much the exact list of questions I am asking myself.

Here are my thoughts and observations so far:
1) The Torus is one of the better subs out there. I am using it via digital crossover and a 1000W ICEPower amp. The way I have it setup, I can switch the sub completely out of the signal path with a few clicks. Initial impression is that the bass of the Mini II is indeed 'sufficient' for 'musical' information. Right down to 40 Hz or so, possibly lower with room gain. The Torus is serving below 40Hz for the 'hall ambience' effect. It is too early for me to decide whether the Torus is 'necessary' or not. Since I will be moving in the next 9 months, probably into a bigger room, I am going to keep the Torus until then to see how the Mini II work in the new room first.

2) the dartzeel has its limits. So far, I have not managed to clip the amp, but those 'eyes' have brightened up during one of those Mahlerian climaxes, even though I did not hear any sort of strain or compression. Will it be sufficient once I move into a larger room? I don't know. In my current room, I think it is doing a very fine job.

The Mini II is one of those speakers that the physical appearance and the sound they generate simply do not match in terms of 'scale'.