Thread: Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
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January 10, 2022, 05:19 PM #1
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Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
Hi - I'm trying to decide between a new A3 and a used pair of S5 mk1's. Either will be replacing a Dynaudio Focus 380 driven by Roger's Fidelity EHF200 mk2 tube integrated. I like the Dyn's but am looking for more bass presence, depth and control, and a less glassy (i.e., smooth, less fatiguing) treble. Price is roughly the same for the 2 speakers. I have heard a number of Magico's (A5, S5 mk2, M5, M-project) and really like the sound, but have not heard either of the two specific speakers I'm looking at.....just trying to extrapolate about best choice. FYI, my room is 19x17'. Need some clues to help decide. (Wish I could afford more, but these are already at the top end of my budget).
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January 11, 2022, 12:21 PM #2
Re: Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
Welcome to AS BA!
_______________
Mike
Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
Analog: Kuzma R, Kuzma 4Point (11”), MSL Ultra Eminent EX
Phono Pre: Pass XP-27
Digital: Esoteric N01XD Esoteric K05
Speakers: MBL 101E MKII
Subwoofers: REL Carbon Specials
Conditioner: Shunyata Triton 3
Power Cables: Shunyata Sigma 1 & 2, Alpha 2, Delta and Venom
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January 11, 2022, 12:52 PM #3
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January 11, 2022, 01:23 PM #4
Re: Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
I currently have the S5 MK 2 speakers, but this is what I posted in 2014 on another forum about the S5 MK 1 speakers.
"Magico S5, most likely the last speaker I will ever buy. These things are phenomenal. They are so accurate, whether playing low with a string quartet, or blasting at an obscene level with rock, they sound great. I am just amazed at how effortlessly they play loud. Tonight they will help me evaluate the new remastered Led Zeppelin 96/24 downloads."Bud
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD
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Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers, SPOD spikes
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Three 20 amp circuits.
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January 11, 2022, 01:31 PM #5
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January 11, 2022, 02:10 PM #6
Re: Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
Welcome!
Main System - Lumin U2, Modwright LS36.5 DM Preamp, VTV Purifi 1ET-7040SA with tube buffer, EMM Labs DAC 2X (ver. 2), Torus RM-20, Thiel CS 3.7s, 2 Rel S/812 subs
Back-up 1 - Premium Audio mini Gan Amp, Oppo 103D, 2 Richard Gray cond, Selah SA-2s, Sumiko S5 sub, Teac UD-503 DAC, Carver (modded) C-9
Back-up 2 - Onkyo TX-NR797, Panasonic DP-UB820, Vansevers cond, B&W P6s, PowerSoundAudio S1500 sub
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January 11, 2022, 06:32 PM #7
Re: Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
I don’t own nor have ever owned Magico. I have listened to all of their models except the M9s and their large horn speaker.
I would throw in to the mix the A5 which is quite good and would work very well in your room size. Of the two you mention, I would prefer the S5._______________
Mike
Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
Analog: Kuzma R, Kuzma 4Point (11”), MSL Ultra Eminent EX
Phono Pre: Pass XP-27
Digital: Esoteric N01XD Esoteric K05
Speakers: MBL 101E MKII
Subwoofers: REL Carbon Specials
Conditioner: Shunyata Triton 3
Power Cables: Shunyata Sigma 1 & 2, Alpha 2, Delta and Venom
ICs and SCs: Wireworld Platinum 8
Rack: Artesania Exoteryc
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January 12, 2022, 01:46 AM #8
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January 12, 2022, 10:51 AM #9
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January 12, 2022, 10:52 AM #10
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Re: Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
Agree with your comments. Am going that direction.
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January 12, 2022, 12:33 PM #11
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Re: Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
I have owned the S5 MK1 and found them very fatiguing and a lot of sibilants on female vocals and violin.
Many have said the MK2 corrected much of that. I would find a pair to listen to or wait for a better option!Jeff
Main System-Mola Mola Tambaqui-Antipodes K50-WW Plat 8 ic-Esoteric Grandioso S1 Esoteric C-02x Verity Amadis S-Shunyata Triton V3-Shunyata Typhon QRT
Shunyata AlphaNR V2 for Tambaqui-Elrod Statement Gold for S1, Elrod gold SCs Shunyata Sigma for Triton. Tubulus Concentus I2S.
Second System: URC streamer-Wadia 151 Power Dac, MIT Speaker Cables, Wilson Audio Watts and REL sub.
Third System: Denon AVR, URC Controller and network streamer, Netstreams Musica multi room-True Audio ceiling speakers
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January 13, 2022, 04:25 PM #12
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January 14, 2022, 01:47 AM #13
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Re: Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
i have to agree with Jeff - owned the S1 mark 1 and cudnt get rid of them fast enough. They were very bright and very hot in the top end. When series 2 came out i auditioned them and loved the new tweeter so much i have all S series mark 2 in my HT set up .... centre and fronts and sub
as far as i know the A series uses the old tweeter from the mark 1 S Series..... if that is correct then both speakers with have a similar level of treble fatigue
also, if u like the M Project and Mark 2 series of the S class, be careful with the Mark 1 .... When i auditioned the M Project i was in awe at how the tweeter disappeared - it was truly fantastic ..... almost like no tweeter existed, but clearly treble notes were playing. You won't get that experience from the Mark 1 S Series
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January 14, 2022, 10:37 AM #14
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Re: Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
If you want a great example of a be tweeter implementation, you should look at the Kharma DB9s. I heard them and the DB11s at Suncoast and they are fantastic. You can listen to them 24/7 without fatigue!
Jeff
Main System-Mola Mola Tambaqui-Antipodes K50-WW Plat 8 ic-Esoteric Grandioso S1 Esoteric C-02x Verity Amadis S-Shunyata Triton V3-Shunyata Typhon QRT
Shunyata AlphaNR V2 for Tambaqui-Elrod Statement Gold for S1, Elrod gold SCs Shunyata Sigma for Triton. Tubulus Concentus I2S.
Second System: URC streamer-Wadia 151 Power Dac, MIT Speaker Cables, Wilson Audio Watts and REL sub.
Third System: Denon AVR, URC Controller and network streamer, Netstreams Musica multi room-True Audio ceiling speakers
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January 14, 2022, 11:43 AM #15
Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
You only heard S1 mk1, correct? Then, assumed all mk1 series is fatiguing?
Plus you also claim A series has similar tweeter as S series mk1 tweeter (non diamond coated), which I don’t disagree. By your ambitious extrapolation, entire A series including A5 is also fatiguing. It’ll be interesting to hear from A series owners as there are quite many of them. It’s harder to find S series mk1 owners.
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January 14, 2022, 01:04 PM #16
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Re: Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
The A series tweeters are not the same as those in the S series. They are 28mm Be dome (vs. 26mm in the S), similar to the ones used in the M series, but without the diamond coating and a different motor system. I own the A5. The tweeter is superb (the best I had in my room).
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January 14, 2022, 04:22 PM #17
Re: Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
Most metal tweeters will sound fatiguing if supporting bass driver is lacking, amplifier power isn’t enough or signal isn’t clean “enough” (either from amp or source or both). Many people blame the speakers without giving them good enough supporting cast.
Mk2 diamond coated tweeter is smoother and may require less stringent supporting cast to sound good, but that is not necessarily mean non diamond coated mk1 tweeter is fatiguing, especially if you have done careful system matching as I have such as Everest, MIT SC, AQ Hurricane PC loom, Diablo amp, Esoteric N-05XD previously MSB Discrete, Gigafoil, EtherREGEN, Omega Ethernet, Furutech receptacle, etc.
S3 mk1 is the oldest component in my system and even to this day it surprises me whenever an upgrade is introduced in other parts of the system.
As the saying goes, your system is only as good as the weakest link.
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January 14, 2022, 05:39 PM #18
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Re: Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
Actually, I found the silk dome on my older speakers more fatiguing, especially at high SPL, than the A5 Be tweeter.
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January 14, 2022, 06:00 PM #19
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January 16, 2022, 10:11 PM #20
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Re: Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
S5Mk1 over A3. You will eventually sell the S5Mk1 after a few years for about what you paid for it. That won't happen with new A3. Keep your eyes out for Q3, used ones come up from time to time. If they were all about the same price point I would choose used Q3 first, used S5Mk1 second, new A3 last.
Speakers: Magico M3, ACC, S-SUB | Electronics: Esoteric Grandioso stack | Amplification: Halcro |
Analog cables: Crystal Cable | Digital cables: Shunyata Sigma | Rack: YG Acoustics Rack 1.8
| Source: Kaleidescape Premiere (4 x 6TB) | Power: Shunyata Typhon-QR, Everest and Denali
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January 21, 2022, 07:54 AM #21
Re: Magico A3 vs S5 mk1
Your room is pretty big and that points to advantages that the S5's will bring.
We lived with A3's in our townhome for about 3 years; a smallish living room and we LOVED them. We recently moved into a much bigger home with a big 'great room' about the size of your room, and the A3's weren't quite enough.
I had my local dealer bring over his S5MkII demos that he was selling off (for obvious reasons) and we kept them. A huge difference over the A3's in their ability to fill the room with music. And that doesn't mean that they must be listened to loud; they are sublime at low volume.Sources: Naim ND555/555PS | Roon Nucleus | Naim Soltstice Special Edition turntable and phono stage
Amplification: Naim 552/500DR
Interconnects: Ansuz/Chord Music/Naim SuperLumina
AC Power: Ansuz C2
Speakers: Magico S5MkII
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January 21, 2022, 10:15 AM #22
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