Magico M2

[Kuoppis]

The old Magicos were built from aluminium panels, so needed a tons of bolts and crates to put everything together. The new M2 and M6 are built as CF monococques.

The CF monococque is much stiffer than aluminium, offers more structural rigidity, has more internal dampening and allows the enclosure to be curved, which minimises internal standing waves.

It is all around a much more advanced design.

That’s a bit of a simplification, Adam. Something assembled from many pieces, like the Q7 or Q5, might need a structure to hold it together.

But the M2 and S5 are assembled from a similar amount of pieces, altogether only a few. Side panels, back panel, and front with internal aluminum front panel, baffle etc. The aluminum side panels are very stiff, and don’t as such require any more support than the carbon fibre plates do. It’s not like you could bend 1/2 inch thick aluminum side panels or something. Yet the internal support structure in the M2 is less elaborate. Magico has just decided to build the speakers in a simpler way. At the same time they increase the price. That’s all I’m saying.


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[Bart001]

Magico has just decided to build the speakers in a simpler way. At the same time they increase the price. That’s all I’m saying.

Manufacturers consistently look to simplify manufacturing processes for a variety of benefits including lower costs, better reproducibility and consistency, etc. And over time they consistently look to raise prices, not lower them. Where do we see manufacturers of luxury goods lowering their prices over time??

The typical cycle is more of seeing them improve quality . . . and raise prices. I'm glad that Magico has continued to improve quality.

[Kuoppis]

The typical cycle is more of seeing them improve quality . . . and raise prices. I'm glad that Magico has continued to improve quality.

Not entirely sure where and how reduction in internal bracing improves quality...

But it is a simplification in the manufacturing approach, which was my original argument.

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[LVB]

Not entirely sure where and how reduction in internal bracing improves quality...

But it is a simplification in the manufacturing approach, which was my original argument.

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Interesting that you see it that way.
Isn’t the A series construction is similar to the Q, for a lot less money?
A curved sidewall will be stiffer then a straight one, it will need less bracing.
I very much doubt it is any simpler or more economical building a 1/2” thick CF monocoque enclosure instead of machining a square box from aluminum. CF works at that caliber is difficult and expensive to make (Look at WB prices). Just getting the finish right will be a nightmare. These are better enclosures than the Q (or the A), and I am pretty sure more expensive to make.

[Kuoppis]

Interesting that you see it that way.
Isn’t the A series construction is similar to the Q, for a lot less money?
A curved side wall will be stiffer then a strait one, it will need less bracing.
I very much doubt it is any simpler or more economical building a 1/2” thick CF monocoque enclosure instead of machining a square box from aluminum. CF works at that caliber is difficult and expensive to make (Just look at WB prices). Just getting the finish right will be a nightmare. These are a better enclosure then the Q (or the A) , and I am pretty sure more expensive to make.

Not making any statements about what is costlier to manufacture. Just saying Magico is forfeiting their signature internal bracing construction in the M2.

Comparison was between S5 and M2, both have curved side panels.


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[LVB]

Not making any statements about what is costlier to manufacture. Just saying Magico is forfeiting their signature internal bracing construction in the M2.

Comparison was between S5 and M2, both have curved side panels.


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Agree, but judging by the results, they seem to know why.

[Kingsrule]

Not making any statements about what is costlier to manufacture. Just saying Magico is forfeiting their signature internal bracing construction in the M2.

Comparison was between S5 and M2, both have curved side panels.





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First I have heard that Magico's "signature" is their older internal bracing manufacture. I look at it as older technique that doesn't sound as good....

[Kuoppis]

Their still current top-of-the-line Q7 mk2 still uses that approach. That speaker was advertised having 600 screws to hold the structure together.

If it suddenly is not the bees knees anymore, I wonder when will Magico drop diamond coating, graphene, carbon fiber, and curved front baffles. Maybe it is all just marketing BS for hype-hungry audiophiles?


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[Dguitarnut]

My ancient S3MK2s haven’t developed a rattle yet.....

[Bart001]

My ancient S3MK2s haven’t developed a rattle yet.....

You mean to say that upon introduction of the M2, they haven't spontaneously rattled apart into a pile of brackets and screws????

[GSOphile]

Regardless of how they are made, Magico has an outstanding record of delivering improved sound at various price points over time. As their products have evolved, they have shown that they are not wedded to a single enclosure technology.

[Dguitarnut]

The Lord knows I tried!........I put earplugs and muffs and cranked them to 11 with led Zep and then ....gasp .....techno and rap. Still as tight as a...........uhh.....my wallet haha
Guess I have no excuse to upgrade....other than looks. My recent hearing frequency tests
show that it would be a waste anyway and I just won’t get new eyeglasses.
There, upgraiditis attack quelled!
Still hoping for Santa Mikelous to come thru though!

[Mike]

The Lord knows I tried!........I put earplugs and muffs and cranked them to 11 with led Zep and then ....gasp .....techno and rap. Still as tight as a...........uhh.....my wallet haha
Guess I have no excuse to upgrade....other than looks. My recent hearing frequency tests
show that it would be a waste anyway and I just won’t get new eyeglasses.
There, upgraiditis attack quelled!
Still hoping for Santa Mikelous to come thru though!

Larry, back up your sleigh, and let’s load them up! M2’s for Christmas at uncle Larry’s.

[Dguitarnut]

Dang you are a slick devil!

[Calvin]

I read this thread today. Very interesting. M2 sounds like an outstanding speaker.

Mike hopefully - if the docs release me - after mid-Feb we will be able to get together and give the M2s a listen - the M3s as well (which is still the way I'm leaning, but ...).

[Mike]

I read this thread today. Very interesting. M2 sounds like an outstanding speaker.

Mike hopefully - if the docs release me - after mid-Feb we will be able to get together and give the M2s a listen - the M3s as well (which is still the way I'm leaning, but ...).

Sounds good. The M2’s are fabulous, so are the M3’s.

[kzhtoo]

I’m looking for any first hand owner experience for M2. Opinions after living with the speakers are very valuable to me. I know I keep changing my impression of a speaker during weeks/ months that follow.

Also, wondering if M2 plays bigger than S3II? S3’s are slightly taller with slightly larger bass drivers (7” vs. 8”), but M2 cabinet is much deeper (17.5” vs. 12”). For comparison, M3 depth is 19”.

[Kuoppis]

Khin, in a sentence: I don’t think so.

I was recently interested in them to a level that I got an offer. But reading Martin Collom’s review in Hifi Critic was quite eye opening.

In a nutshell, mids and highs are reproduced very nicely, but they’re a bit anemic in the bass region. Good bass down to 35 Hz (are we talking about a stand mount, or what?), below that not so much. Plus he said that he faced tremendous difficulties finding a good setup - to an extent he states that on the front page. He also felt a Naim 555 setup was inadequate power-wise. Are we really talking about a 60K floor-stander?

Got the re-print and can make a scan for you if you PM me.


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[the professor]

I've run 3 amps with my M2s. D'agostino M400 monos, a Gryphon Diablo 300 and a Naim NAP500.

All three have had NO problem taking the M2s into extremely loud conditions. Each never have had the sound of being strained.

Not exactly sure what you mean by bigger. The M2s certainly disappear better and give a wider soundstage.

[Alpinist]

I've run 3 amps with my M2s. D'agostino M400 monos, a Gryphon Diablo 300 and a Naim NAP500.

All three have had NO problem taking the M2s into extremely loud conditions. Each never have had the sound of being strained.

Not exactly sure what you mean by bigger. The M2s certainly disappear better and give a wider soundstage.

Hi Jock,

Three different amps, wow! Which one is your favorite on the M2’s?

Ken

[kzhtoo]

I've run 3 amps with my M2s. D'agostino M400 monos, a Gryphon Diablo 300 and a Naim NAP500.

All three have had NO problem taking the M2s into extremely loud conditions. Each never have had the sound of being strained.

Not exactly sure what you mean by bigger. The M2s certainly disappear better and give a wider soundstage.

Bigger maybe a confusing word here. I don’t think Magico intended to make M2 that way - plays bigger and louder than S3. That’s what M3 is for. But for my application and music I listen to, I do need M2 to be at least on par with S3 in the bass department. My room is 14 x 20, so in general, I don’t think M2 would have any issue pressurizing it.

[the professor]

The Naim. But Naim is such a system and not just an amp, so it's not just the amp that has to be compared as long as it drives the speaker well - which it does excellently.

Hi Jock,

Three different amps, wow! Which one is your favorite on the M2’s?

Ken

[Kuoppis]

Interesting, Martin Colloms says no.


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[a.wayne]

Sounds good. The M2’s are fabulous, so are the M3’s.

Agree on the M2 &M3 sweet spot of the line IMO ...

[the professor]

I will add. The first Naim amp I listened to the M2's was the NAP250 and it sounded pretty good at low to mid volume levels. BUT, at loud volumes it definitely had issues and became screechy. Knowing the difference between the 250 and 500 from previous experience I had no doubt the 500 would be ok so I went ahead and ordered it.

[NekoAudio]

But for my application and music I listen to, I do need M2 to be at least on par with S3 in the bass department.

I think saying the bass output of the M2 is on par with the S3 MkII is a fair statement, having both in the same room here. The quality is different.

[kzhtoo]

I think saying the bass output of the M2 is on par with the S3 MkII is a fair statement, having both in the same room here. The quality is different.

Bass quality I assume M2 is better? Thanks for the feedback, it’s very helpful.

[brodricj]

The articulation and finesse of the M2 bass would be better than S3mk2, no question about that. As for the weight of bass for both speaker, let me just say "QSUB"

[kzhtoo]

The articulation and finesse of the M2 bass would be better than S3mk2, no question about that. As for the weight of bass for both speaker, let me just say "QSUB"

Maybe I should get QSUB first

[brodricj]

I slummed it with SSUB. It doesn't do much, it just does enough.

[kzhtoo]

I slummed it with SSUB. It doesn't do much, it just does enough.

Actually I currently use JL 113v2 with my S3.

[brodricj]

There you go. Nothing lacking with the JL option.

[Kuoppis]

Magico is the only brand I know, where you buy speakers costing as much as a BMW five series, and then you need subs to make them sound right .

It’s kind of a paradoxon.

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[the professor]

LOL

- but then again I know of no speaker by any manufacturer under a quarter of a million dollars that would not be improved by adding an excellent sub.

Magico is the only brand I know, where you buy speakers costing as much as a BMW five series, and then you need subs to make them sound right .

It’s kind of a paradoxon.

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[a.wayne]

Any SOTA attempt not using 4 towers are posers , sub bass location will always be different from the mains.


Regards

[Kuoppis]

LOL

- but then again I know of no speaker by any manufacturer under a quarter of a million dollars that would not be improved by adding an excellent sub.

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[NekoAudio]

Bass quality I assume M2 is better? Thanks for the feedback, it’s very helpful.

You're welcome, and yes it is better.

The articulation and finesse of the M2 bass would be better than S3mk2, no question about that. As for the weight of bass for both speaker, let me just say "QSUB"

If you want to pull the bottom few octaves then both the M2 and S3 MkII can benefit from being paired with a subwoofer, particularly one that has DSP applied to extend output to at least 20Hz but preferably lower.

[dznutz]

Magico is the only brand I know, where you buy speakers costing as much as a BMW five series, and then you need subs to make them sound right .

It’s kind of a paradoxon.

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And in 3 years... the Magicos will still re-sell for more than double the BMW!!!

[JimmyS]

Never connected with the M2 myself, I have not heard it in a real room setup though only shows and “bad rooms”. M3 on the other hand has always been my favorite and the one that could replace my S3’s.

As for my BMW, I could have had the M3’s or my M4 GTS, and the car as done much better value wise

[BlueFox]

Of course, any car will sit idle 99% of the time while you can listen to your stereo 16+ hours a day, seven days a week.

[Rob181]

And in 3 years... the Magicos will still re-sell for more than double the BMW!!!

Best of luck with the fantasy becoming a reality