Powered speakers show audiophiles are confused

@mheinze 

+1, the Magico crossovers are designed in house and custom made by Mundorf in Germany, ($$$) not some factory in Shenzen.

@mheinze, lets start with the only thing definitive better about a wrapped foil inductor. It is more mechanically stable. Does it make any difference in the real world? No, because the inductance modulation is orders of magnitude below even the best drivers non-linearities. A lower DC resistance is claimed for equivalent gauge, but does that come with downside?  Due to the large difference in winding diameter, there is more variability in the magnetic path, which if you put a core in the center can lead to more non-linearity. When used with an iron core, there is also more shielding due to the foil structure which can also cause non-linearity. Finally a foil wound inductor has greater eddy currents which are frequency dependent again adding to non-linearity. Mundorf has most the most excellent word salad, "For High-End mid and high frequency applications, they are particularly distinguished by their 3D-like staging, their harmoniously dynamic vitality and detailed performance, If you want truly distortion-free but multifaceted and all-musical beauty, you may consider copper foil coils as first choice for your bass coils."  What they don't have is anything to back it up. You love measurements @kota1 , where are theirs?   

@mheinze, the issue is strength of the solder connections in a potentially high vibration environment (or just shipping). Single layer boards are far more prone to soldering failures and delamination. The difference in cost is pennies per square inch. $70K, I expect better quality PCBs. Even if you only put traces on one side, a double sided PCB with part pads on both sides is more reliable.

Mundorf has built themselves a nice business selling very expensive parts, most values likely in very low volume, but with very healthy manufacturing margins. As evidenced by this comment, that impresses some people which is likely a major reason Magico goes that direction. Consider it part of the marketing budget. One of the crossovers I posted is from an equally well like $100K speaker.

@kota1, are you deeply knowledgeable about PS audio manufacturing? Your statement is erroneous.

Which is why PS Audio makes a point of buying local whenever we can. For example, we use our local economies for our chassis, paint, circuit boards, fasteners, sub-assemblies, packaging, etc. In fact, with few exceptions, everything we make (other than Sprout) is mostly made in the USA. The few components we buy overseas, like our top covers and heat sinks, are simply unavailable in the US.

@thespeakerdude Appreciate your reply. I look forward to hearing your speakers in Munich's high-end show in a couple of months. What is the name of your brand?
Until then,  if you don't mind, I would give Magico and Mundorf the benefit of the doubt. It sure looks like they know what they are doing. BTW, while visiting the Magico factory a few years ago, I remember seeing these impressive XO boards with massive copper traces and a substantial soldering point. I didn't get the impression there will be any physical compromises there.   

@thespeakerdude 

I look forward to hearing your speakers in Munich's high-end show in a couple of months. What is the name of your brand?

+1

I'll even settle for a picture 🙄🔇🤡

No offence, @mheinze, but we would take a different view of what constitutes physical compromises, and don't expect either Magico or Mundorf understand in any detail why the construction is flawed. There are several aspects of Magico drivers I respect, namely the magnetic structure of the woofers/mids, the cone material, and the overall rigidity. It does not mean that everything they do is perfect. Mundorf I respect their marketing mainly.