Magico S5 vs Tannoy Westminster Royal SE

I'm afraid I am not in the price league of being able to consider Magico speakers, but spent a long time auditioning in a top price system with Dartzeel pre and monoblocks. The rather foolish dealer was boasting that the speaker cable cost more than most peoples whole systems. I agree with Islanmadman, I found and have found in other demos, that Magico are brittle and fatiguing, even with a top flight Dartzeel amp set up. I see why people might enjoy them, but they were'nt for me.

Like Islandman, I put Magico in the same camp as Wilson. However, I went to a small show in the UK recently with Wilson speakers and reinforced my view of them, with a Krell amp. Switching to an Audio Research ref 150 and another room with D'Agostina pre and monoblocks, they were a revelation. No edge, just detailed, transparent with a wonderful deep wide soundstage. I presume Magico could also be made listenable to me, with different ancillaries.

I have never really "got" magico at all, having heard various iterations at a number of shows. I went to a store demo of Devaliet amps, which had the D Premier and S5, this week. Now I get it, really delightful balanced sound, detailed without edge or grit, great soundstage.

Perhaps Magico fall into the same category as I would put Wilson, excellent, but difficult to match with the right electronics.

If it was me, I would still go Tannoy, for looks if nothing else. That is'nt mentioned much, but a speaker pair is a big piece of furniture you will be stuck facing for some years, hopefully, so looks do count. Again like Wilson, I find Magico have a look, only a mother could love, to put it politely

The discussions are'nt just for the OP, some are of general interest to all of us.