Magico S3 (2023) Listening Impressions

**imprezap2** · October 11, 2023, 02:06 PM

Actually I really liked a system with small Aretai speakers combined with a Bladelius integrated, maybe not very fancy, but it was very musical and did not have any room acoustic problems.

Powersupply was well taken care off with an Yeti Acoustics powerblock

**brodricj** · October 17, 2023, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by imprezap2

...combined with a Bladelius integrated..

I'm so impressed by Bladelius ASK integrated I'm listening to it now on Magico M3 in lieu of Esoteric Grandioso D1X/C1X.

**mxk116** · October 17, 2023, 12:01 PM

Wow, thanks quite a compliment.

**Bart001** · February 3, 2024, 05:58 PM

Reviving an older thread to ask my own question. I own S5MkII's (got them at a nice price as ex-dems) and am wondering how the new S3s might be compared to the S5MkII's.

I intend to have a listen to the S3s at some point but prob. not very soon.

I note that size-wise, the new S3s are almost identical in size to the S5s and maybe that's why we haven't seen new S5s??

**NekoAudio** · February 4, 2024, 01:23 AM

Originally Posted by Bart001

Reviving an older thread to ask my own question. I own S5MkII's (got them at a nice price as ex-dems) and am wondering how the new S3s might be compared to the S5MkII's.

In my opinion the new S3 speakers are better across the board compared to the S5 MkII, but I do think the S5 still provides a noticeably greater amount of bass output and extension.

**brodricj** · February 4, 2024, 03:00 AM

Originally Posted by Bart001

..I note that size-wise, the new S3s are almost identical in size to the S5s..

They are also the same weight.

**Bart001** · February 4, 2024, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by NekoAudio

In my opinion the new S3 speakers are better across the board compared to the S5 MkII, but I do think the S5 still provides a noticeably greater amount of bass output and extension.

TY so much for this info. For me in my room and system, I would not trade bass weight for 'better anything else' right now so that is good to know!

**exupgh12** · February 4, 2024, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by Bart001

Reviving an older thread to ask my own question. I own S5MkII's (got them at a nice price as ex-dems) and am wondering how the new S3s might be compared to the S5MkII's.

I intend to have a listen to the S3s at some point but prob. not very soon.

I note that size-wise, the new S3s are almost identical in size to the S5s and maybe that's why we haven't seen new S5s??

The new s3 is better almost all aspect the S5mk2, currently the biggest advantages of the S5 remains its ability to go lower and push more air on the lower octaves.

My guess will see new S5 in the next couple of months, and no later from the end of 2024.

**Bart001** · February 4, 2024, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by exupgh12

The new s3 is better almost all aspect the S5mk2, currently the biggest advantages of the S5 remains its ability to go lower and push more air on the lower octaves.

My guess will see new S5 in the next couple of months, and no later from the end of 2024.

I bought my S5MkII as floor demos with the thought that their replacement must be coming soon. That was 3 yrs ago!

I suppose that new S5s will be even bigger, given the specs on the new S3s.

**GSOphile** · February 4, 2024, 09:42 AM

New S3 2023s replaced my S3 MkIIs. The shorter height dimension will get you attention, but the cabinet volume looks to be similar due to the greater depth dimension. Run-in and final setup now complete. MkIIs are terrific speakers, but these are a big, satisfying step up. More refined and articulate across the spectrum, and, to use an overused audio word, transparent. Feels like I'm hearing exactly what's on the recording, for better or worse. On better jazz recordings, it's not difficult to sense the performers' presence in the room. One of the joys of settling in with a really good new component is the rediscovery of one's music library (CDs and SACDs), which is where I am now. Considering how I feel about these speakers, my room limitations, and where prices have gone, it's very difficult to imagine replacing these.

**Bart001** · February 4, 2024, 09:52 AM

At the risk of derailing..has anyone compared Spods to the GAIA isolators?

**exupgh12** · February 4, 2024, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Bart001

I bought my S5MkII as floor demos with the thought that their replacement must be coming soon. That was 3 yrs ago!

I suppose that new S5s will be even bigger, given the specs on the new S3s.

The new S3 boasts a larger volume than its predecessor, despite being slightly shorter. While the exact increase isn't specified, estimates place it around 20-23%. We can expect similar volume gains in the upcoming new S5.

Regarding the "wait" for model updates, it's true that once a new generation (MK) is introduced for a series, the other models within that series typically follow suit with upgrades within a reasonable timeframe.

**Darrel** · February 4, 2024, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Bart001

At the risk of derailing..has anyone compared Spods to the GAIA isolators?

I used the Gaia under my A3's not knowing the difference and wanting to spend a little less. Used them like that for about a year. I then had the opportunity and privilege to have Peter MacKay from Magico come to my house and setup the A3's. We switched to the Apods after his work. And the difference was a anchored soundstage. He explained how products like the Gaia will not transfer the energy from the speakers to the floor and will cause a thing he called smearing. Good to get information from a expert of a product.

Going from the A3's to the S3's wasn't just a upgrade, it was a complete transformation to my music experience. I removed the two SVS pro subs I used with the A3's.. The bass from the S3 speaker captures IMO the realism of the body and weight of each instrument with a energy I haven't heard since I left horn speaker many years ago.

**jslcaballo** · February 4, 2024, 09:50 PM

Loved the S3 2023 at Axpona this past year. Was one of my favorite rooms. Any insight or rumors on if/when Magico will release updated S5 and S7 models with the new tech? Would love to hear an S7 MK3

**brodricj** · February 13, 2024, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by jslcaballo

..Would love to hear an S7 MK3

Presumably they would do an S7 Mk2 first. If I'm not mistaken I think AW said they weren't going to do that.

**john1970** · February 25, 2024, 11:20 PM

I would also be interested in an updated version of the S5. I have been listening to S5 Mk2, but would be very interested in a version with the upgrades similar to the S3.

**brodricj** · February 25, 2024, 11:28 PM

There have been no updates to anything in M-series yet we're now seeing Mk3 updates in the S line. I wonder why that is?

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