Thread: Magico S3 (2023) Listening Impressions

I just got back from visiting the Magico headquarters to listen to the new S3 loudspeaker. As soon as music starting playing I thought to myself this is an incredible speaker. It quickly became obvious that it is not just an improved iteration of the previous S3 MkII. In fact, I don't think you should consider it part of the current S- line. It would be better to consider this the first model in a new S- line. Calling it the S3 Mk3 would be a disservice. It is just that good.

Still, as the obvious comparison is to the S3 MkII, that's what I will use to describe it. The midrange and bass is clearly more detailed and faster, with more subtle content being reproduced more accurately. The tweeter was very smooth. Overall everything sounded very, very detailed and clear. A lot better than the S3 MkII in detail and clarity. The soundstage was also excellent, and I was able to place individual musicians in a symphony.

There was one track where for a while I wasn't sure if I was hearing the musician breathing or if it was my own breathing, or Alon standing right behind me. But it was actually coming from the speakers and just sounded so realistic, present, and was there in addition to the music.

The new technology used is detailed on Magico's website, but there were some things in particular I noticed. Despite the larger dimensions, the new S3 still seems short or squat, and not that large in person. The internal volume is on par with the S3 MkII. The new midrange and woofer surrounds are a kind of dark grey foam instead of the black rubber that's been used on all the other speakers. How dark and how bright the foam is differs based on the light (see photos). Foam has a reputation for deteriorating quickly but this is a new kind that is specified to last decades.

I firmly believe the new enclosure design and construction, and new vibration absorbing feet, is a large improvement over the previous build with SPODs. The S-series has always been great in those areas, but the new S3 is better in every way with respect to enclosure vibrations.

[I don't know how to post image thumbnails that will open larger when you click on them, so instead you can find large photos on my Imgur Magico S3 (2023) album.]

Fantastic report! Thank you. Can’t wait to get my pair. People that missed out on our trade-in/trade-up program will be seriously kicking themselves.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Did you compare the S3 mk2 and the new mk3 at the Magico factory?

Originally Posted by XV-1

Did you compare the S3 mk2 and the new mk3 at the Magico factory?

I’m fairly familiar with the S3 MkII, having had them here for a long time and also recently listening to them at someone else’s place. Plus we still have the S5 MkII and S1 MkII here.

Originally Posted by exupgh12

Thank you for sharing, S3's were always good spot in Magico line, giving so much performance for there cost, however the new version is real bump in price - hopefully performance will at list be equal to the price increase.

You’re welcome. It’s always nice if things can cost less, but I think you will find the improvements to be well worth it.

Any thoughts on how they compare to the "M" series?

Originally Posted by NekoAudio

I’m fairly familiar with the S3 MkII, having had them here for a long time and also recently listening to them at someone else’s place. Plus we still have the S5 MkII and S1 MkII here.



You’re welcome. It’s always nice if things can cost less, but I think you will find the improvements to be well worth it.

Originally Posted by the professor

Any thoughts on how they compare to the "M" series?

Yeah...I think it's actually going to become a point of consideration for people: going with an S3 or an M2. Particularly with the price difference. I usually listen to the M2, but obviously with different electronics and in a different room. Whereas before I would easily say the M2 is better in every way than the S3 MkII, I have a feeling the S3 might have better detail retrieval than the M2 while the M2 might still sound more "pure". I'll feel more confident about that assessment once I can hear them side-by-side in the same room with the same electronics. But at the moment I don't know yet which one I'll end up wanting in my primary listening setup. So on one hand that's inconclusive, but on the other hand it shows how good the new S3 is.

Originally Posted by GSOphile

1. What was the component chain used the drive the new speakers in the demo?
2. Other than speed/detail, in this venue was it possible to further characterize the new speakers' bass vs. your recollections of the S3 MkII?

1. I believe it was the MSB Select DAC, Pilium Alexander preamp, and Pilium Hercules amplifiers.

2. I guess you're asking about low frequency extension? Adding SPODs to the S3 MkII noticeably improves the low end compared to the S3 MkII with stock spikes, making the frequency response remain flatter as it goes lower. The new S3 has built-in SPOD-like feet, and I thought the frequency extension was comparable to the S3 MkII with SPODs.

Originally Posted by Mike

People that missed out on our trade-in/trade-up program will be seriously kicking themselves.

Sign me up now for the new S7 upgrade program!

Originally Posted by cpunter

Hi Neko, I have read your reports with interest. I own the S1 MkII and have tried the S3 MkII in my system. Since you know the S1 MkII and S3 MkII well, I wonder, is the S3 2023 just as expressive, lively, open, and transparent? Or is it perhaps warmer and sweeter? How is the treble? Just as open as that of the S1 or is it darker, more like the S3? I am kind of hoping for more of the Q-series' purity and neutrality and less of the S1's roundness.

Hi. Hopefully I have understood your questions, and my answers will be helpful. Sorry I just got back to the forum today and didn't see your post earlier.

I found the new S3 to be more transparent and I suppose expressive is a synonym for detailed and clear with good dynamic response? In which case I would say the new S3 improves on the S3 MkII in all of those areas. Someone else just posted about hearing the S3 at AXPONA and remarking how close they sound to the M-series. I agree that the improvements have made it a much more relevant comparison instead of a clean-cut answer. In that respect it may have more of what you're describing as the Q-series purity over the S-series roundness.

I'm hesitant to remark on lively, open, or sweeter because I'm not sure those adjectives necessarily mean the same thing to both of us. And I think those adjectives can just as often be a reflection of the electronics you are using. I would not describe the new S3 as warmer sounding. The treble, actually the entire range of reproduction, is outstanding. You mention finding the S3 MkII to sound darker than the S1 MkII but I'm mentally translating that into the S3 having greater bass extension than the S1, or possibly different room interactions because of the lower extension. As I don't find the S3 MkII to be darker than the S1 MkII in the way I would normally use that adjective.

In general, I think the new S3 is a significant upgrade over the current S-series speakers. If I was you, I wouldn't hesitate to go from your S1 MkII to the new S3 unless you need the more near-field listening experience of a bookshelf-like speaker or are worried about the bass extension due to neighbors, room acoustics, or something like that.

Originally Posted by cpunter

...and have tried the S3 MkII in my system.

And how do you pull that trick off? That's quite a substantial speaker for home demo.

Originally Posted by cpunter

Heard the S3s in Munich and they sounded fantastic. For an in-depth description, see the report I wrote on hifi-advice (sorry, turns out I am not allowed to post a link...)

Thanks. Just need 10 posts before you can post a link.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Munich High End 2023 Show Highlights | HFA - The Independent Source for Audio Equipment Reviews


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

That review mentions Magico S-sub Mk2. What's that?

We've been blindsided by the S-sub Mk2 news. Usually Magico gives us a few social media teasers when they have a new product about to be released. We had no insight on the new subwoofer. I wonder if there is an upgrade path for S-sub Mk1 owners?

Originally Posted by cpunter

...the new S3s will be presented in the Netherlands in an upcoming show later this year...

The new S3 and M9 are going to be presented in Melbourne in August. I'm to understand Magico reps will be in attendance.

yippy!!

The new Magico S3 was impressive in Munich. Haven’t heard the new Sasha; however, I’m quite sure it will be good as well. All subjective in terms of musical taste. Both among the best at their price point.

Wilson and Magico are indeed very different animals but both are exceptional in their own way. It should be mentioned that they do place different demands on the listening environment. Wilsons can be more difficult to integrate well in terms of bass response, especially in hard-floored and -walled Dutch homes. This makes it tricky to judge them in uncontrolled listening environments. They can be boomy but need not be. On the other hand, Magico can be sterile or flat but they also need not be. All that said, one of my favorite demos is still Wilson Alexia with Nagra in Munich some years ago with a very lifelike, LIVE, and realistic sound. But Magico also made a very strong case for itself with the S3 2023 in Munich this year, even if they used subs with DSP. In any case, I would say the new Sasha V is indeed also a good candidate in this price range.

So we received our new Magico S3 speakers and have had them set up and running in for a little bit.

After hearing the S3 here in our own setup I'm even more impressed! Everything I've said earlier about how good the S3 speakers is was evident in spades and I'm only going to double-down on it. Across the board the improvements to detail, clarity, speed, and tonal presentation are incredible.

Anyone considering Magico speakers for their next upgrade (or first pair) should be placing the new S3 speakers at the top of their list.

Originally Posted by NekoAudio

So we received our new Magico S3 speakers and have had them set up and running in for a little bit.

After hearing the S3 here in our own setup I'm even more impressed! Everything I've said earlier about how good the S3 speakers is was evident in spades and I'm only going to double-down on it. Across the board the improvements to detail, clarity, speed, and tonal presentation are incredible.

Anyone considering Magico speakers for their next upgrade (or first pair) should be placing the new S3 speakers at the top of their list.

Nice! Can’t wait for ours. You must have gone for black? The other colors are coming next. We went with Pewter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Originally Posted by NekoAudio

So we received our new Magico S3 speakers and have had them set up and running in for a little bit.

After hearing the S3 here in our own setup I'm even more impressed! Everything I've said earlier about how good the S3 speakers is was evident in spades and I'm only going to double-down on it. Across the board the improvements to detail, clarity, speed, and tonal presentation are incredible.

Anyone considering Magico speakers for their next upgrade (or first pair) should be placing the new S3 speakers at the top of their list.

I see you are a dealer for Vivid and I would be curios to know you impressions of how the new S3 compares to a comparably priced Giya model.

Originally Posted by NekoAudio

After hearing the S3 here in our own setup I'm even more impressed!

I can't help but think Magico have kicked an own goal with building an S3 that is this good...it's probably an M3 killer.

The diamond coated tweeter in S3 would give it a significant advantage over A5. But the A5 would make up ground with the extra 9" bass driver. They are difficult to compare on paper, you really need to listen to both in the same space.

Originally Posted by Mike

Nice! Can’t wait for ours. You must have gone for black? The other colors are coming next. We went with Pewter.

Yep, went with black.

Originally Posted by Audio 1

I see you are a dealer for Vivid and I would be curios to know you impressions of how the new S3 compares to a comparably priced Giya model.

In my experience, people who prefer the Vivid Audio speakers over Magico speakers (or vice versa) have their preference because they are prioritizing different aspects when evaluating them. I think that will likely still apply for most people in the case of the new S3 compared to a Giya. Perhaps a bit of a diplomatic answer, but people really do seem to firmly end up in one camp or the other, instead of being pulled towards both.

Originally Posted by pdxaudio

How would these compare to A5?

The previous generation S-models already provided a big jump in performance over the A5, assuming you're not just evaluating based on raw SPL output. And the new S3 is so, so much better than the other S-models. Like brodricj mentioned, the A5 has an extra 9" bass driver and has a slightly higher maximum power rating (at comparable sensitivity), but the quality of bass on the new S3 is a lot better than the A5.

Originally Posted by NekoAudio

..but the quality of bass on the new S3 is a lot better than the A5.

I'm sure it is. I continue to be impressed by the quality of bass that 3 x 7" drivers in M3 can do. 2 x 9" bass drivers in S3 are pushing more air than M3, and they have the better Gen8 cones. I bet they sound incredible.

Originally Posted by Mike

Nice! Can’t wait for ours. You must have gone for black? The other colors are coming next. We went with Pewter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

The hope was that the new S3 would arrive for me to hear in mid July. It turns out that the S3 are in bronze I think. So, now it is suppose to be here mid August.

Alas, no news as of yet pertaining to the release of the 2023 S3. But we do have the following images to whet the appetite.

S3 enclosures of extruded and machined 6061-T6 aluminum.png

S3 Internal Bracings.jpg

S3 enclosures 2.jpg

S3 inspection.jpg

Soon…soon….soon. I think ours is shipping this week.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I heard the Magico S3 MkIII yesterday on the Dutch Audio Event show, and they sounded absolutely marvelous. Boy, did the S3 MkIII's sound ever so fantastic! I was deeply impressed. Clearly, in every way, it is a massive improvement over the S3 MkII, almost incomparably so. The treble is ultra-refined, airy, and delicate yet not soft. The midrange is pure, clean, and detailed, yet majestic and smooth, with just the right dose of tonal saturation, and the bass is powerful, deep, and articulate. The overall sound of the S3 comes across to me as cleaner and purer, airier, more delicate, and more refined than the previous S3 MkII. Whereas I found the S3 MkII's midrange to have a subtle coloration, this is nowhere to be heard with the new S3 MkII. I am pretty sure this is thanks to the plastic cone being removed from behind the midrange unit. The last point really is more of an educated approximation than a proper assessment, but I have a feeling that the imaging and soundstaging are also improved. Compared to the S1 MkII (that I still own), I found the S3 MkII to sound spatially constrained, almost flat. Together with the midrange coloration, this was why I decided to stick with the S1's at the time. However, based on what I heard at yesterday's show, the new S3 produces a beautifully large and deep soundstage bubble, and the sound breathes entirely freely from the cabinets.

Originally Posted by cpunter

I heard the Magico S3 MkIII yesterday on the Dutch Audio Event show, and they sounded absolutely marvelous. Boy, did the S3 MkIII's sound ever so fantastic! I was deeply impressed. Clearly, in every way, it is a massive improvement over the S3 MkII, almost incomparably so. The treble is ultra-refined, airy, and delicate yet not soft. The midrange is pure, clean, and detailed, yet majestic and smooth, with just the right dose of tonal saturation, and the bass is powerful, deep, and articulate. The overall sound of the S3 comes across to me as cleaner and purer, airier, more delicate, and more refined than the previous S3 MkII. Whereas I found the S3 MkII's midrange to have a subtle coloration, this is nowhere to be heard with the new S3 MkII. I am pretty sure this is thanks to the plastic cone being removed from behind the midrange unit. The last point really is more of an educated approximation than a proper assessment, but I have a feeling that the imaging and soundstaging are also improved. Compared to the S1 MkII (that I still own), I found the S3 MkII to sound spatially constrained, almost flat. Together with the midrange coloration, this was why I decided to stick with the S1's at the time. However, based on what I heard at yesterday's show, the new S3 produces a beautifully large and deep soundstage bubble, and the sound breathes entirely freely from the cabinets.

Thanks for sharing. That's a great write-up!

It was a full MSB system with Antipodes Oladra Music Server and Ikigai cabling.

386511998_716720783834053_7844489051031230600_n.jpg

Dutch dealer AudioExperience organized the demo with Belgian/Dutch agent Very Fine Solutions and French Distributor Sound and Colors.

Here is a link to one of the photos of the system on the AudioExperience Facebook page: Log into Facebook

Sound & Colors | Importateur de materiel haut de gamme audiophile en France (Distributor)
Homepage - Very Fine Solutions (Agent)
AudioXperience inspireert muziekliefhebbers | Nuenen (Dea

I also visited the DAE show and listened to the Magico/MSB system but it was not my favourite of the show, imaging was not great IMO, voices were projected very wide between the speakers. It might have been a comprise in the set up to get a larger sweet spot. Tonally I fully agree with Christiaan's comments.

It was a nice show to visit and see great audio equipment, sometimes a bit too crowded to get a good impresion from a room, but overall the SQ was a bit disappointing (too much noise coming from next door rooms)

Originally Posted by imprezap2

...listened to the Magico/MSB system but it was not my favourite of the show...

So what was your favorite?