My end game speaks.

Haha Awesome Go Cats!! Thanks for info 👍 

and btw, am a Northwestern grad; go Cats!

Excellent!  Axpona is a big show. so make sure you go on their website and plan for whatever amount of time you budget.  And do your research.  At my last show, I stumbled into a couple of brands I was not familiar with and was really impressed.   

Thanks,  North IL I well be going to Axpona for sure first show I have ever been to, exited for that!!

+1 to all posters recommending you hear speakers before purchasing.  $40k is a lot of coin.  Do a 2-3 day trip to a city with several good dealers.  Or go to a show;  Axpona in Chicago is 2 weeks away.  Where do you live?

Magico S7, or, Focal Mastros, both excellent choices.

In real life, let your ears be your guide.

On paper the Focal Mastros have one less driver. The fancier the plumbing the more likely you'll clog the drain.

Less is often more!

O no those Dali 11 has my interest big time..... lol 

Thanks again guys for more speaker choices and advice wow there is alot of good stuff out there! I will go to Axpona and have a listen 🎶. I will add I did hear some lower end B&W and Focals sure did like the sound of the Focal from top to bottom! One other thing how do you think the bottom end of the Mastros vs S7 would be? What would be the biggest difference in sound and feel?

Thanks 

I have a C49 and pair of MC 611's driving a pair of Kef Blades and am consistently wowed by the presentation. My room is 17x27x7'.  The most recent 'expensive. speakers I've listened to excel with Mac components are the Dali Epikore 11 if you prefer a traditional looking tower with superior sound, price is nearly double the cost of the Blades.

Before buying the Mc611's and hearing how good the Blades could sound I had my pair listed on usam and a Magico owner reached out to me. We talked on the phone and he complained his $75k magico's didn't draw him into the music and he really wanted to try the Blades. I told him I'd planned to try my speakers with 1 more different source b4 selling them and sure enough the mac gear really woke the speakers up and I pulled the listing. My point obviously is don't just trust more money = better sound.

I think you should find a dealer even if you have to fly out. Also Axpona is right around the corner. Like 3 weeks away.  This is big money. Also, have you heard the Clarisys Studio speakers. They are amazing!  A plane ticket and a couple of nights in a hotel is a smarter choice. In the Chicagoland area there are dealers for most makes and models. I understand you have a mix of equipment to speakers. I feel it is a very bad idea to just take advise from us without listening to them. 

I hand built my "end game" spx about six years ago.  Accuton and RAAL Amorphous.  All active.  Haven't heard anything at a show that can best them.

Those are serious money, I’d have to audition. I’d look at the PS Audio Aspen FR30 if it was a no problem money approach. About $30K.

+1 Focal. I’ve heard big TOTL Focals and big TOTL Magicos. I like the Focal. Magico was sterile comparatively. IMHO. 

Back in the day had some Adcoms 555s on some Klipsh horn speakers with a sub I loved that setup, but was young those days..... lol 

For all the abuse Magico gets I find them to be a really well made solid speaker. They do need lots of power and big amps that sound god are expensive. I think most magico speakers are sealed so the bass will sound difference, and again might want even more adjustments.

Never heard the Focal but they're known for being really detailed, so if you are using digital, again big money to get it right but probably big rewards too. Can you take a $300 airline flight to hear them both? I don't like packing and shipping a beast of a speaker like this, and it sounds like you don't either if you are looking for "end game."

Safe harbor statement:  I'm a Focal owner.  The Focal's are front ported while the Magico's are sealed.  You will perceive a very different bass presentations from the two speakers.  For this reason, based on your described ear, I think you will prefer the bass from the Focal's.  

My Focal's reside in a fully treated room and while the top end is lively, it's not bright or fatiguing.  The Focal's should play very nicely with your Mac gear.  Good luck and cheers!

Every Focal speaker I have heard is brilliantly detailed, and also fatiguing after a bit. My friend loves his, and the hotter highs are his cup of tea. Never heard the Magicos you are considering. If it were me looking, I'd add Vivid Audio and Joseph Audio for comparison.....not sure if you'd be able to audition though.

 Such awesome information guy's!! Again thank you & as you guys know even if I go and listen (that I should) they will all sound so different when I get them home. The crazy brains we have! Lol 

Thanks again!!!

My speakers now are B&W 801Ns Thanks 

@skydog25  You are in a wonderful situation.  I have not listened to those exact speakers.  I have listed to the Magicos A series and the S series a step down at two dealers (short sessions) and I have spent alot of time listening to the Focal Scala Utopia Evo, which is similar.  All with SS amplification.  I don't want to use words like bright or dark because those terms leave a negative impressions.  I find these two speakers are voiced differently, but I referred to as different shades of amazing.  I believe the Focals are more detailed (which people may refer to as bright) and that level of detail is not for everyone.  I found the Magicos are warmer in comparison but not dark warm.  Both sounded great to me - certainly no wrong decisions between the two.  

Both were very clear and transparent.  I would consider both speakers great at all types of music and not focused on a particular type of music or genre.  Due to the Focal/Naim common ownership, I am told dealers are required to pair the Focals with Naim components and that can yield a less than ideal pairing for some people's ears so keep that in mind.  

Since you are using Mac gear, I suggest you seek opinions on the forums about pairing Magico with Mac gear to obtain feedback whether that pairing would be a good match with Magico.  Only you know what you like.  Likewise, your Mac pre-amp may be a nice match for Focals to soften the high detail level, particularly if the high detail level is highlighted even more by all SS gear.  Again, ask about your pairing on forums.  I know the Focals have the ability to slightly adjust the frequency response with some jumpers or knobs.  That is a nice feature to slightly tailor the sound to your preference.  

As others have said, your decision is worth spending a few thousand an a vacation to listen for yourself.  At this level, it is just about what you prefer.  Of the many speakers I have experienced, these two brands (upper product lines) really amazed me with the sound quality over a wide range of music types.  

So as a dissenter I would buy (if you don't have a pair already) a pair of subwoofers that go deep (meaning not REL)  and pair them with the Focal's. I would not choose the Magico S7's. The sound with this pairing is immense and with your McItosh equipment it would be even more luxurious,

For me I enjoy the musical quality of the Focal's, and I find most Magico speakers somewhat harsh sounding. (exacting, grating, forced...)

Good luck with you decision though, it's a great dilemma to have.

another thing that you should look at is getting the Townshend podiums that's the best upgrade you'll ever do it isolates vibrations down to three Hertz when I put it under my speakers which are the monetary platinum 200 ll it was as if I had gone to much more expensive electronics they're not cheap but they get rid of pretty well all room problems.

The monitor audio platinum G3 and the Borresen X-Series are better than both of those speakers.

I am not sure what your current speakers are.

I wonder if you have subwoofers in your system.  If not, I added a pair of REL SHO subwoofers and it was a game changer.  Their high level connection allows them to play more like woofers to fill in the bottom end without sounding boomy.

I too feel the Focal’s sound a bit bright.  I would imagine the concrete floor could make things sound brighter.

there are so many in this group who are so knowledgeable and it will be interesting what they come up with.

here is a few more between 15 and 45K https://speakerchoices.com/?pricemin=15000&pricemax=40000 

I would also consider the Estelons. For this kind of money and your room, they could be much better. Take a look at almaaudio.com/collections/estelon and clubedoaudio.com.br. Fernando has reviewed three different models and one is his current reference. I trully trust his reviews.

Looks like lots of YouTube vids and studying to do! Thanks again guys for all the information and suggestions!

I hate to throw more speakers into the audition list, but check out German Physic and MBL speakers. If I was going well into 5 figures for speakers, those two would be high up on the audition list. If you really like it loud, consider a horn-based speaker. Volti Audio makes horn speakers that don’t suffer the drawbacks of horns, IME. And for something completely different, check out the Arion Audio Apollo. This system was my favorite at Capital Audio Festival. They play big, loud, super clean, spacious and musical, in in a huge room. I had Mike, the designer, play a cut from Peter Gabriel’s US album. This album sounds murky and confused on all but the very best systems. I had never heard it as well reproduced as on the Apollos. Might be hard to arrange an audition, though.

I have a friend with Magico 7s powered my 300 watt Mac mono amps. They play loud enough for anyone. You will have no problem. He also uses subwoofers, but I would listen first. If the bass is satisfactory for you I would leave well enough alone. It the bass does not go low enough for your situation and the music you play you will have to alter your approach to electronics to match up the subwoofers well. The Magicos are a much better speaker than the Focals. Pictures do not do them justice at all.

Well I can't thank you guy's enough! I will add the other speakers to the list and start studying them as well!! For me right now is about the best part of the experience! :) 

Thanks Matt 

In that price range I highly recommend you audition Rockport Cygnus. Amazing speakers with outstanding reviews and praise from owners. Good luck! 

In that range, the best I have heard are the Dali Epikore 11 and SF Il Cremonese.  Both musically balanced, effortlessly conveying completely integrated full scale soundscapes. Both beautiful designs too.

Check out the Perlisten R7, and S7. They will do everything you want and certified 

to play to 116 db before breakup , 

well worth researching,and to save $$. Perrotta Consultants has excellent 

sales ,including focal.

to answer the question you asked, I would prefer  the magico. Both your choices are obviously excellent, high-quality speakers. It’s very subjective and it’s too bad you can’t hear them for yourself given the investment.
 

As others have said, I think the magico is better balanced, and would not be tiring during a long, listening session. For me, that might not be true of the  focals although the Macs might tone down the high end a bit . 
 

good luck!

The OP stated that he cannot hear either speaker. He is asking for input from people who love to give advice and hopefully does his own research and then comes to a logical decision. And then he will wonder if he made the right choice and start drinking. I prefer good bourbon.

choosing a speaker for 10s of 1000s based on strangers' input seems unusual to me, I would also suggest hearing them first. 

Wait for Magico s5 2024

@stereo5

+1

I think the Magico would be a good match to your Mac equipment… assuming you like the Mac sound, of course. But the up stream stuff must be really good. I am not sure your Rose is up to it. But, if you’re doing speakers… I would do those now. Then adjust the rest of your equipment to optimized them.

Both are world class.  Your decision should be based on audition and personal preference.  IMHO … recognizing that my comparisons were not with standardized electronics and the performance of speakers at this level are extremely sensitive to electronics and environment, …

I found the S7 more coherent because the bass impact matched the mids and highs better.  This is not to say the Maestro is deficient.  The S7 was brutally honest with recordings.  The Maestro always told the truth but was more forgiving. The test selections were controlled.  

I purchased at a level below you because my room is smaller.  I compared Focal, Magico, Raidho, Wilson, and Vivid.  I chose the Vivid Giya G3.  IMHO as coherent, as clear and detailed, but also musical to my preference.  If you will allow, subjectively a little more warm and sweet on top. Also a little easier to drive for your two choices need much power. I do not have as much power as you with my integrated.   If you can get past the not traditional aesthetic, you should add them to your research and audition list.  At your price point the model would be the Giya G2 S2.  If you go higher, the G1 Spirit. 

 You cannot go wrong with any choice.  It comes down to personal preference, system compatibility, and environment (setup). Good luck

Might I suggest that you look at an audio quest Niagara power conditioner. 

I find Focal to be very hot at the top end and quite fatiguing. The Magicos I've heard sounded well-balanced from top to bottom. Ultimately, I wound up with Joseph Audio Pulsars. However, if I had to choose between the two speakers at which you're looking, then I'd go with the Magicos.

Thanks very much,  yeah I should probably try to heat!

Thanks!

Those are great components….   Not so sure I would spend that much on a speaker without hearing it first.  

Could be new or used. 

Thanks guys and yes you are so correct about end game! Lol 

Hi guys so my system is McIntosh c2700, McIntosh Mc611s, Hi Fi Rose 130, Power Quest 707 all with up graded power cords. My listening room will be 15x35’ with concrete floors. I pretty much have it down to two speakers the Focal Mastros and the Magico S7. For music I really listen to everything and do like bottom end and smooth clear highs plus I like it loud. I would love to hear you’re guys input and experiences as I really can’t hear either speaker.

Thanks Matt

Buy either one ---> nothing much left for discussion.

- Magico S7: More balanced

- Focal Maestro: Guys who like a hotter top end

- Both of them sound kinda fake, but, not a problem for guys who aren’t really picky about how instruments should sound.

P.S. "End game" doesn’t really exist. The psychological "end games" tend to last only until the next hype train rolls in. Good luck.

Never heard the S7, but Magico S5 MKII powered by Convergent amps are among the best sounding speakers I've heard.

used or new?

Never heard either speaker, sorry.  I will say I find the Focals bright but not so with the Magico A5 speakers I heard.