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Thread: Rockport Cygnus at CES
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September 12, 2016, 09:29 AM #101
Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Two of my three Magico experiences were at audio shows, so that may have something to do with it. I heard the S5 with Rowland gear and the Q3 with Constellation and the Q5 with Soulution. I was most impressed with the Q3/Constellation match. The S5 was not set up too far from the front wall which may have affected the soundstage depth quite a bit. Very unimpressed with that room. The Q5/Soulution was pretty lifeless and flat sounding. Caveat here - I have never really heard the Soulution gear sound good to my ears with Magico or Focal loudspeakers. The Q3/Constellation room was pretty good, lots of detail and transparency. Still didn't get the depth I like or the texture/image density/musicality I prefer. I have no doubt that Magico make excellent loudspeakers and are world-class; just in my limited experiences, they have not delivered what I prefer in sonic preferences. Of course, its why their are different brands and different design principles applied to loudspeakers. Different flavors for everyone because we all tend to hear a bit differently. It's part of what makes the hobby fun!
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September 13, 2016, 04:00 AM #102
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Hi philb777, I will be very interested to hear your current assessment of the Cygnus after living with them for a while. What do you like best about them, and what areas do you find a bit wanting if any?
Regards
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September 13, 2016, 05:56 AM #103
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Yes I think the Poster made the right decision with the Rockport Cygnus Speakers-- Kudos!!!---as a previous Rockport Owner myself they have magic presentation that is beguiling The other choices are also admirable --with possible exception of the Magicos--I'm in agreement
with Phib7777 above they just don't seem to cut it in the sonic involvement stakes--well not in my book--I've never warmed to them from the first time I heard the launch at CES with Boulder Electronics. All subsequent sessions no change I'm afraid to my initial opinion of the brand.
Still they have a following and as stated above make an excellent product--just not on my watch.
Bruce
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September 13, 2016, 06:17 AM #104
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September 13, 2016, 11:23 AM #105
Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Right now, after almost a year with the Cygnus, I have very little desire to have wandering eyes (or ears!). The thing that the Rockport Cygnus did for me was the density of images with air and space / ambient retrieval around them. The images were so solid appearing to my ears, that I could actually see them with my eyes. I love that illusion when listening. Also, the textured detail of the midrange and upper bass frequencies are very revealing and involving. I still have a REL G1 sub, but have not used it in over 8 months as I don't think I need a sub anymore. All and all, I am very happy right now. I went to several audio shows, dealers and fellow audiophiles homes over a 24 month period and auditioned countless loudspeakers. I would recommend this patient approach to anyone making a serious purchase of loudspeakers over $30-$50K. The patience and work listening to several loudspeakers will pay off - you will learn more about your sonic preferences and learn lots about several products out there. You will come away more experienced and more likely to be satisfied with your purchase.
Again, I can think of well over a dozen phenomenal loudspeaker manufacturers out there right now doing state of the art stuff. It all comes down to personal preferences and listening tastes.
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September 13, 2016, 11:25 AM #106
Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Just read Myle's post about the M3's when he visited you at Rhapsody. Very intriguing! I would love to hear them sometime. Myles description of them makes me think the Magico sound is slowly evolving more toward my sonic preferences. I bet they are outstanding. Love the size of them too - would work in almost any room size.
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September 13, 2016, 01:54 PM #107
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Phil,
That is a very good observation about Myles report. I am very familiar with the Rockport Altair great speaker in my estimation. My opinion is that one time not too long ago you would have said they were exact opposites magico and Rockport now I don't think that anymore.
From my perspective they are both great speaker lines. It's great to be an audiophile these days!
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September 13, 2016, 05:18 PM #108
Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
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September 13, 2016, 05:36 PM #109
Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
When Alon played Vinyl on the Kronos, the M3's went from awesome to OMG! That Diana Krall Live in Paris was incredible.
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkMy Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
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September 13, 2016, 06:15 PM #110
Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
I have the CD , wasn't aware it was available on LP ..
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September 13, 2016, 07:33 PM #111
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Yes certainly while I've never hung around long enough to check the Models at the Demo's--the Magico "house sound" never appealed--if it has "progressed" today then all well and good
but it would not change my opinion of that particular sonic presentation -- I just would not consider it amongst my choice of Speaker--and I've heard a few in the 58 years since I bought my first Quad57 (Mono!)
As for the sessions --RMAF/ Newport/ CES /2010/2011/2012/2013/2014--with Spectral /Constellation( better but no Cigar!) and others-- sonics varied from Ok to fatiguing--overly bright and etched--especially with the Servers they were using
Agree the following is there and for those that appreciate the virtues I have no problem horse for courses--that's what this hobby is all about as for us to voice an opinion -good or poor
You as a favoured dealer have ample opportunity to show what the brand can do to your customers--and I'm sure they appreciate that as is your right to laud the product for its capabilities--and Kudos for that!
However-- like I said not on my watch
Bruce
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September 13, 2016, 08:21 PM #112
Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
If you are into the 57 type of sound then of course , no "box" speaker will be your cup of tea ...
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September 13, 2016, 08:32 PM #113
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
I don't want to turn this thread into a Magico bashing party, but I, like Phil, also did exhaustive due diligence and after listening to many speakers in several audiophile homes and dealer showrooms (including the Magico S5II and S7s, which were at the top of my list), I cast my vote and purchased the Rockport Cygnus as well. Interestingly, the Cygnus is a very boxless sounding and exceedingly coherent speaker despite having a substantial box and a big rear firing port, both features which I have scrupulously avoided over the last decade of speaker auditioning and ownership.
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September 13, 2016, 08:57 PM #114
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Oh I don't know about that--!
--I luv my Avalon Ascent II's( original Charles Hansen models) and Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage( original Franco versions) and Harbeth LS3/5A 11ohms.
But between you and me I do MISS my Stacked Quad57's --the custom built and restored ones bought from The Radio People Hkg--no longer sadly
No I agree I possibly was tad harsh with my criticism --so let Magico continue with what appears to be a very successful business approach and a Product that obviously satisfies its many customers and B+M Stores--the industry needs success stories in these times.
Good listening
Bruce
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September 13, 2016, 09:07 PM #115
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September 13, 2016, 09:09 PM #116
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September 13, 2016, 09:56 PM #117
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
I doubt very much if Andy would want a SP review. I have seen the famous waterfall plots that measure cabinet resonances versus frequency and time of a Magico; a Wilson and a Rockport speaker together on the same screen. The Rockport was dead flat. The others, not so much.
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September 14, 2016, 01:29 AM #118
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September 14, 2016, 09:18 AM #119
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Hi Alectiong and welcome to the forum!
I have a medium size room. It is only 13.5' wide and while the Cygnus fits just fine, I'm certain the speakers would benefit from a wider room. I would love a 16' width or more. Even in my room, I still have the speakers close together. 80" from centre to centre, 24" off the side walls and 72" off the back wall from the back of the speaker. My ceiling is peaked starting at 8' high at the walls and peaking at 10' 8" in the centre of the room. The speakers fire into an open concept living/dining/kitchen space. The dining room is behind the listening chairs and is separated from the open concept kitchen by a 42" high half wall located 25' from the wall behind the speakers. Even in this space I have managed to install 6 Rel Gibraltar G1 12" powered subs, three a side located in the back corners behind the mains.
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September 14, 2016, 09:49 AM #120
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September 15, 2016, 01:28 AM #121
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Thank you fro sharing. Kudos you made them work in what seems like a narrow-ish room. I guess there is no worry of bass boom due to the "open" back wall. I wonder with the dense image presentation of Cygnus, what is the soundstage like when you place these speakers relatively close together the way you do? My room is wider 17.5' but short 21', and I worry Cygnus will overwhelm the room if I go for it.
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September 15, 2016, 02:33 PM #122
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
The Cygnus are by no means huge. They present, for example, a much smaller footprint than say the Rockport Alterras. The footprint is only 13.5w x 27.5d x 50.5h.
I would gladly trade you rooms and set them up a similar distance or more off the back wall and further apart. 1/3rd of 21 feet suggests the tweeter dome would be 7' off the back wall.
The Cygnus image well behind and outside the speakers to the sidewalls with no acoustic treatments (yet) and completely, and I mean COMPLETELY disappear. Absolutley no driver artifacts off the baffle or between the drivers.
I am still working on optimizing setup, but want to wait until they are fully broken in before I attempt final dial in. (500 completed and another 500 hours to go).
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September 18, 2016, 06:38 AM #123
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
I will be very interested for folks who have heard the Cyngus and the new Magico M3 to share their opinions about these two great speakers. Are they sounding more alike than different? They are close in price and likely compete in the same segment.
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September 18, 2016, 11:57 AM #124
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
First a disclaimer. I have not heard the M3, but I have heard both the S5MKII and S7 at length in home setups. As a Metallurgical and Materials Engineer, I have a problem with the choice of single layer extruded aluminum for the cabinets in Magico speakers. They make bells out of pure aluminum (really), and even though the Magicos are subsequently internally braced, it makes little sense to start with a single layer of a material with these characteristics. And while Rockport's new speaker, the Lyra has an aluminum composite cabinet, it it a constrained layer design with over 150 pounds of liquid composite epoxy/granite pumped in between the inner and outer aluminum shells.
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September 18, 2016, 09:03 PM #125
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
The Lyra is so new I haven't seen much information. I do hope it presents real sound improvements over current models. Can't wait.
The Magico M3 has carbon fibre sides instead of aluminium. With other changes and what not to the drivers, people who heard them seem extremely impressed. "Resolution with soul". The size of these speakers is also quite palatable.
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September 19, 2016, 07:09 AM #126
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Musicfirst, (I agree with your name It would be interesting to hear your impressions once you actually hear the M3's. All of the recent Rockport speakers are great speakers and so are the latest versions of the Magico speakers, especially the M3. Along with so many other great brands out there that have been developed over the last few years. Great time to be an audiophile AND more importantly a "music lover".
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September 19, 2016, 11:05 AM #127
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Rhapsody
Thanks for the kind words. After all its all about the music.
I agree that audio, especially certain speakers (not all), have advanced by leaps and bounds over the last few years. This is especially true for some less costly designs, such as the Olympica line by Sonus Faber for example.
As for my Cygnus, I love the wave guide loaded Scan Speak beryllium dome tweeter. For me there are none better in my experience; be it dome, ribbon, or exotic.
I have a couple of destinations in the greater NYC area that I have been thinking about road tripping for. Maybe your store to hear the M3s could tip the scale and make the trip worthwhile.
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September 19, 2016, 11:08 AM #128
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September 20, 2016, 02:29 AM #129
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Rockport Cygnus at CES
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October 11, 2016, 12:25 PM #130
Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Just got back from RMAF. Despite the construction issues, the show was better than expected.
For the Rockport/Magico topic on the latter half of this thread, I heard the Magico S1, S5 and M3. Rockport Cygnus was in the Soundings Room.
First of all, my opinions about Magico from the Q series up to the S series hasn't changed. Just not emotionally involving, analytical and a thinnish midrange.
However, the M3 is a different beast altogether. It was outstanding. Magico had the M3 with Soulution electronics in a separate hotel at the Hyatt off campus from RMAF by a couple of blocks. They were smart - they reserved the Presidential suite for the demo room which was large and spacious. They also had two large Magico subs for M3 support. With or without the subs, the M3 was stellar. Phenomenal imaging, great holographic soundstage and tuneful, perfect bass with extension. Realism and solidity of images were outstanding. I could really find no faults. The new M-Pod feet were under the M3's too.
The Rockport Cygnus was in the Soundings room (dealer from Denver) with Boulder electronics. Extraordinarily dynamic, tonally balanced and and great soundstage width. The bass was tuneful yet impactful. They used two REL subs with the Cygnus. However, it lacked depth and holography due to set up. They had the Cygnus only about 9 inches away from the front wall. The owner of Soundings said he used the 'Masters' set up from Sumiko as his guide and was a firm believer in it. I am not so sure about that. I understand the process in the Masters set up, but I have never seen a pair of Rockport so close to the front wall. They need space to breath. I was a little disappointed in their placement at the show. The great depth and transparency I get at home with my Cygnus was lacking.
Great show and new-found respect for Magico with the M3 - that new tweeter and they way they mount it is a definite step in the right direction for me.
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October 11, 2016, 03:34 PM #131
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Interesting comments Philb as the S5 Mk2 uses exactly the same midrange driver (part no: MAG6004RTC) as the M3 and the same high grade caps in the critical position in the x-over (Mundorf Supreme Evo Silver/Gold in oil). Similarly the S5 Mk2 uses the same diamond-coated BE diaphragm as the M3 (albeit with a slightly smaller profile) and a modified motor system & long-throw voice coil design. Obviously there are many other differences, but I was curious about your conclusion the S5 Mk2 sounds emotionally uninvolving & has analytical and thinnish midrange?
I recently heard my friend's system. He has a pair of S7's with Vitus SM-102 mono's, MP-L201 pre, MP-D201, MP-T201 transport/dac, Kronos Pro, Goldmund phono, Gigawatt conditioner, Wilson Benesch infrasonic generators, Stillpoints etc in a good size dedicated listening room which is treated and properly grounded, and I can tell you the the S7's are capable of holographic sound, delicacy and sounded intimate and engaging on jazz and female vocals. That shows the benefit of proper setup and optimizing your system as you found out when you visited the Rockport/Boulder room.
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October 11, 2016, 03:39 PM #132
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Phil- nice to find that we agreed on the Rockport setup - I've heard them sound much better at shows.
I found the S1mk2 a little hot in the treble and didn't know if it was room or whatnot. The S3 required a stupid SR demo which I didn't want to go through. But you and I totally agree on the M3 - its a much different animal. I thought with a different amp, could even be better.Brinkmann Bardo w/ EMT HSD-006 cart, MSB Reference DAC --> Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL --> Ampzilla 2000, 2nd Edition --> Fyne Audio F1-12
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October 11, 2016, 03:42 PM #133
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Kerry, have you read Martin Colloms review of the S5 Mk2 (incl: his lab test results)? MC's objective test results as well as subjective listening tests over several months don't support your bell theory. Just sayin'.
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October 11, 2016, 03:55 PM #134
Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
When we visited Magico 6 weeks ago it was very interesting how Magico uses a proprietary damping material to get the aluminum not to ring. So I think that Magico agrees that the aluminum rings which is why they go to fairly large effort to take care of this.
It's all in the finished product not each individual part used in the speaker.
Jock
If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters.
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October 11, 2016, 07:57 PM #135
Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
I have heard the S1 (twice), s3 once and S5 (three times) and the S7 once. All time in all set ups the meds sounded less meaty, dense and too refined for my taste. Thin in other words. But I am not saying that these Magico are not tremendous speakers. Contrary, just to my ears they didn't draw me in.
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October 11, 2016, 08:00 PM #136
Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
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October 11, 2016, 08:20 PM #137
Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
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October 12, 2016, 06:23 AM #138
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Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Phil, we can definitely agree the M3 is a great loudspeaker. Given the price disparity, you would expect the M3's to sound better almost across the board (as they should). I was just making the point that with proper setup in a treated/grounded room & optimum accompanying gear (eg: Vitus Signature/MP series, Soulution) the latest S series speakers are capable of drawing you into the music with holographic imaging & plenty of meat on the bones. Though its worth noting good subs seem to benefit the S series equally as the new M3 from my auditions, adding more body to the music, expanding the sound stage & obviously extending the lower frequencies.
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December 22, 2020, 07:22 AM #139
Re: Rockport Cygnus at CES
Rockport + CH Precision + Gryphon
Rockport Cygnus - Skogrand Cables - CH Precision - Gryphon Audio - YouTube
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The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
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I or anyone interested should see if FEDEX offers a domestic "LAST MINUTE RATE" for shipping heavy items within CONUS. Have no clue at this point - but when I have some time, I'll check. ...
Shipping Overseas 498 pounds w/3...