Well, I've listened to various Magicos, mainly the S1 MkIIs through to the S5s. I don't really think of the S3s or S5s as being cool or clinical, as some have implied, just very real - with the right matching equipment and lots of watts driving them. Superb soundstaging and imaging with, for the most part, great tonal balance and timbre. However, this doesn't apply to the S1 MkII: I tried a pair for a fortnight and hated them - crystal clear, but also sibilant, with a treble emphasis and limited bass. The S3s seem to be the Magico sweet spot, whereas the A3s are so so - good, but not spectacular - which tells you a lot about the technology in their more expensive speakers.
Interestingly, Wilson Benesch reveal many similar benefits, with their carbon fibre models at very high prices; and similar problems with their lesser models. However, even the Act needs the Torus bass emitter - so I would probably buy the Magico S3 MkII.
So, after years of experimentation with everything from Sonus Faber to Tannoys, I settled on a brand that gets very little exposure, but is big in terms of its 'bang for your buck' quotient: the Audio Solutions Figaro L - from a distant Lithuania. Superb cabin design, imaging as good as the front end allows, huge soundstage and bass, and tremendous finesse when required. Superb treble extension and control, a slight hint of warmth, but wonderful clarity and articulation of both instruments and voices. Great with jazz, classical music and rock. They are hardly heard of in most audio circles, but offer 95% of what the S5s offer for a fifth of the price. Not the absolute last degree of realism, but certainly more than nearly all of the speakers mentioned above, apart from Magico and Vivid (the Giyas). Note, the "Ls" are significantly larger and better than the "Ms", and they offer considerably more than the likes of Vandersteen, B&W, Kef, Wilson Audio, etc. They are also pretty efficient at 93db, so they love my 35 watt amp.
Like Magico, they represent a new wave of innovative design, but at a quite different price point - at least with their Figaro series.
For what its worth ................
Interestingly, Wilson Benesch reveal many similar benefits, with their carbon fibre models at very high prices; and similar problems with their lesser models. However, even the Act needs the Torus bass emitter - so I would probably buy the Magico S3 MkII.
So, after years of experimentation with everything from Sonus Faber to Tannoys, I settled on a brand that gets very little exposure, but is big in terms of its 'bang for your buck' quotient: the Audio Solutions Figaro L - from a distant Lithuania. Superb cabin design, imaging as good as the front end allows, huge soundstage and bass, and tremendous finesse when required. Superb treble extension and control, a slight hint of warmth, but wonderful clarity and articulation of both instruments and voices. Great with jazz, classical music and rock. They are hardly heard of in most audio circles, but offer 95% of what the S5s offer for a fifth of the price. Not the absolute last degree of realism, but certainly more than nearly all of the speakers mentioned above, apart from Magico and Vivid (the Giyas). Note, the "Ls" are significantly larger and better than the "Ms", and they offer considerably more than the likes of Vandersteen, B&W, Kef, Wilson Audio, etc. They are also pretty efficient at 93db, so they love my 35 watt amp.
Like Magico, they represent a new wave of innovative design, but at a quite different price point - at least with their Figaro series.
For what its worth ................