Magico A1 or Sopra 1 or Marten Oscar Duo


Hello,

I am looking for a new speaker to replace my 803d3’s. I don’t need the lowest frequencies in my 4 by 6 meter room. So, what would be a good replacement?

Can someone tell me about differences in sound?

- Focal Sopra 1

- Magico A1

- Marten Oscar/ Parker Duo

My amps are: pass labs xp12, Bryston 14bsst2

cd: simaudio 650d, Bryston bcd3.

 

thanks!,

audiogek

I own the Marten Duke 2, not the Parker Duo that you shortlisted. The Marten is smooth and detailed at the same time which may sound contradictory. The treble is just so smooth and liquid with all the details sounding crystal clear. It’s a fatigue free listen with the Marten, only if you get the matching amp right. It will sound rough and forced with a metallic piercing treble if you match it with the wrong amps.

With other less revealing speakers such as Harbeth for instance, you don’t get the same result if you use the same amps as the speakers won’t reveal the character of the amps as much as the Marten. In other words, these loudspeakers have a larger influence to the sound than the amp. On the other hand, the Marten will show up the shortcomings of the amps that are matched to it, sounding quite different when matched to different amps.

I haven’t listened to the Focal Sopra or Magico but read that the Sopras have a bright sound.

Personally I love Focals but have not heard the one in question. Magicos I heard did not do much for me. Gotta get the right amplification for Focal. IME not bright if it’s a fit. 

I"m not sure if this is useful few months later but...

I haven't listen to the Parker nor the Magico, but I choose the Sopra #1 over other brand (BW 805 D4, Dynaudio Heritage Special and Totem Element Fire) and I am extremely please with them. Among the 4 bookshelves I auditioned, there were the one with the most distinctive sound. More clear (I would say harsh), transparent and the bass is clean and puchy, but not super deep (these are bookshelves after all).

If I ever upgrade, it will be for bigger Focal!

 

I second Rick's recommendation. As you are in Europe, you may be able to audition a pair of KIM.

I had a long listen to the Marten Parker Duo, but ended up buying the KIM.

Here's a link to a comprehensive review by Martin Colloms (in pdf form):

FinkTeam KIM review