Magico VS Daedalus VS Marten VS Spendor


Guys, I would appreciate some help here please!!

I have just upgraded my electronics to:

Modwirght LS-100
Modwright KWI200 (as amp only)
Berkeley Audio DAC (v2) and USB
Basis 2200 with calibrator base, cable isolation and clamp
Lyra Titan i
Zesto Audio Andros Phono stage
Gingnko Cloub 14b for TT
Shunyata Hydra 8
Shunyata main power cord
Mostly Cardas Clear Light Cables for all my system

The speakers I have are Golden Ear Triton Two speakers. Although I have not heard a better speaker (since there are basically no high end dealers where I live) I believe that the Triton's are holding my system back in terms of naturality and resolution. I love the bass but I am sure that sometimes it is not as focused and tight as it should. Moreover, the mids and highs I find hard to categorize as natural. I love the imaging though.

I have some options for upgrading my speakers and, based on reviews, I have concluded:

Marten Django XL
Magico V3 (I got a really good offer from a guy that has a pair unboxed)
Daedalus (Athena or the new model Argos)
Spendor A9

Although very different speakers, the budget ranges from $9 to $15k and all of the options above fall into it.

I listen to everything. Classical, Jazz, Rock and Contemporary.

If any of you have some kind of advice, I would appreciate it very much.

My room is really small (3.5 X 3.5 mts) but I have the ASC tube trap and treble diffuser treatment so it is not too bad.

Thanks guys!
paco.valadez

Showing 1 response by dodgealum

As you probably know, choosing speakers is the most important of all in putting together a satisfying system. It is also a highly personal one since we all hear differently and have unique preferences when it comes to great sound. You also have a listening room that has its own acoustic qualities which will have a big impact on what sound you actually end up with. Also, it is highly unlikely that anyone will respond to your post who has heard each of the speakers you list in a controlled environment. So, (sadly) little that is posted in response to your question will be of much help with your decision. Having said that, JMBATKH is correct regarding the synergy between Dan and Lou's gear and I can personally attest to this since I am a Modwright/Daedalus client. Since the amplifier-speaker match is quite critical, if you are confident and happy with your Modwright electronics and in the absence of a demonstration of each speaker this might give the nod to Daedalus. But as Bhobba suggests, demo you must if you are really determined to find long lasting peace. I don't know about the other brands but Lou does have a trail purchase option that would allow you to hear his speakers in your room on your equipment. This is IMHO the best way to make a truly informed choice. If you do go Daedalus, I would suggest the Athena's given your room size. The larger Argo will likely over power a space that small and will limit your ability to position the speakers away from the room boundaries. Though I have not heard them I am quite familiar with Lou's "house sound" having owned the DA-1.1's for several years and heard the Ulysses at a friends house many times. As such my experience does not correspond with Salectric's, as I find the Daedalus sound to be slightly to the warm side of the spectrum overall and pretty darn full through the midbass. Salectric may be influenced by the sound of his SP-100's, which I owned some time ago and which to my ear have a slight boost in the midbass characteristic of the BBC "house sound". This is not a knock on the Spendors (the S-100's are one of finest speakers I've owned) or Salectric. However, compared to the Spendors the Daedalus (particularly the Athena) will likely read slightly lean when compared to the full midbass bloom offered by a BBC style speaker. Again, when all is said and done you really do need to do some listening (preferably in your own room) to make the right choice for you.