Magico S5 mk2

[bthomas9]

My dealer was good to me, he’s made sure I received my pair first before he has his own demo pair, hence I have them before him.
They are still in their container boxes, as I need help to unpack them and move them into my apartment. There are a few steps to get them into my Apartment - have asked my brother to come round this weekend to help me unpack and move them in.

I won’t be able to give impression/comparison against the original S5 as I only heard that speaker first & last time 4 years ago and for 15mins only. My comparison will against my previous Magico S3 speaker, which I owned for a couple of years.

Congrats!! Can't wait to hear your impressions. The anticipation must be killing you.

Sounds like a good dealer you have there. Classy move letting you have the first pair while he waits what will probably be a few months for another pair.


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[BlueFox]

It seems they have changed the way the speakers are crated/shipped. The come (at last !) on casters, so you can roll them out of the crates, just like Wilsons.

I'm surprised they travel in vertical position (unlike Wilson, Rockports, Avalons etc) as that puts a much greater strain on drive units during shipping and may even result in drive units' damage.

Plus, it looks like an even bigger box to store. I like the separate S5 crates, and the way they come apart to let you get the speaker out. Casters will not help me as I need to go up two stars from the garage to inside. I bought a hand truck to move the S5s, and it works great. I wish I had the S5 MK 2 so I can move them.

[MDP]

Congrats and welcome to AS!

[Jambo]

Thank you all for the welcome and good wishes.

I know it sounds a little strange but was not expecting my post to actually appear, I tried to post a few times, but because I had pictures attached the system would not allow me to post (I did not have the 10 posts count as yet). So I was a little surprised to actually see my post with pictures.

Anyway, The timing could not have been better even if I had planned it, It was Easter so we had a public holiday on Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon. My brother came round on Friday to help me to get them into my apartment. The speakers are heavy !, we only had about 10 step to navigate – but we struggled due to the weight, even with the help of a trolley.

But they were installed without any incidents, so that was good. Brother and I set down to listen after installation, All we heard was a very pinched sound, mainly the treble and mid – hardly any bass. So nothing to jump about.

I then played them for 3 hours straight and things started to loosen up. Then I put on a burn in track (75mins) to play on repeat overnight. It had started to sound like it had potential the next day. To cut to chase I have now logged 60 hours over 5 days so far, mainly playing music – only used the burn-in CD for the first night.

Now my dealer informs me that they need 300 hours to fully break in, so take my next comments with that in mind, as I have only logged 60 hours.

In comparison to the S3, they have a more direct sound, it feels like there is less between you and the music. The S3 were already very good in that department, the S5Mk2 have moved things further along. They had the effect of bringing out details that I don’t recall hearing before. It has the same high/better quality mid-range the S3 is known for, the treble on some tracks seemed a little more obvious – it could have been the extra transparency that was just highlighting this. The bass does extend further than the S3, the S3 bass is deep but possibly a little too tight. The S5Mk2 develops a more fuller sounding bass and still tight – but not as tight as S3. S5Mk2 bass sounds more realistic than the S3.

They seem to create a bigger soundstage than the S3. They are very quiet and it seems the noise floor has been lowered, music emerges from blackness. Compared to the S3, they seem to be more linear. Now that I have them, I would say the S3 probably had a slightly more mid/upper bass output. This means that on small drums there seems to be slightly less impact on the S5Mk2 compared to the S3.

Possibly you can say the S3 had a smidgen more warmth, whereas the S5Mk2 is a little more neutral. The slight roughness that I had initially had has gone now and they are sounding as smooth as the S3.

So far I’m very pleased with them, the only small issue is that a lot of music I listen to has a lot of bongos/congas there is a small reluctance to fully ‘crack/snap’ like the S3 did. I not saying they are less dynamic than the S3 quite the contrary. But hope more hours will fix this and no doubt I will adjust a little as well.

A few more actual pictures of the S5Mk2 (quality not too great – taken with my phone) in my apartment. Hope they get uploaded too.

[Kuoppis]

Hi Jambo, Thank you for sharing, really exciting.

Not trying to sound smart here, but having also burned in two pairs of Magicos by now, and if the previous models offer any indication, due to the very rigid materials I'm afraid you are actually likely to continue burning them in for the next three to six months. At least my S1s took that long, the S3s were probably a smidgen quicker and more balanced out-of-the-box.

That said, I think the S3s do have a tad more midbass warmth compared to its brethren, as you are also indicating. And that's why they are my favorite Magicos.


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[bthomas9]

All speculation and numbers - no actual listening. But a quick comparison of arguably the two most anticipated speaker releases of the last year.

http://www.ultraaudio.com/index.php/...agico-s5-mk-ii


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[Kuoppis]

All speculation and numbers - no actual listening. But a quick comparison of arguably the two most anticipated speaker releases of the last year.

http://www.ultraaudio.com/index.php/...agico-s5-mk-ii


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Quite a suprising write-up: One one side one of the most overrated piece of very mediocre hi-fi whatsoever, and on the other really a state of the art hi-end industry innovation.

And now they are being compared. If that's not silly I don't know what is. But B&W is always investing fortunes into tricking dumb and dumber to buy their brand.


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[KeithR]

Quite a suprising write-up: One one side one of the most overrated piece of very mediocre hi-fi whatsoever, and on the other really a state of the art hi-end industry innovation.

And now they are being compared. If that's not silly I don't know what is. But B&W is always investing fortunes into tricking dumb and dumber to buy their brand.


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Have you heard the new B&Ws? I'd like to, although thought prior versions were bright. I like the new look much better.

[Kuoppis]

Have you heard the new B&Ws? I'd like to, although thought prior versions were bright. I like the new look much better.

Yes, the entire range, was unfortunately not impressed. At some point I also considered buying the previous 802 but just could not make them sound good with any equipment I tried.

[Elberoth]

All speculation and numbers - no actual listening. But a quick comparison of arguably the two most anticipated speaker releases of the last year.

http://www.ultraaudio.com/index.php/...agico-s5-mk-ii


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I'm surprised JF had chosen the S5 for this comparo. Both price and sound wise, the Magico S3 make more sense.

[still-one]

I'm surprised JF had chosen the S5 for this comparo. Both price and sound wise, the Magico S3 make more sense.

The last several iterations of the B&W 802's have been one of the best bargains in hi-fi. I am not surprised that he has chosen to compare the two speakers. I would expect the Magico's to win out as long as he pairs them with Soulution or Constellation as then they compete with just about anything available. (Not counting those + $200k that a few people own) IMO the B&W's work well with a larger number of amps. All of the latest Magico's are really nice speakers. Don't assume B&W is sitting around doing nothing.

[Kuoppis]

I'm surprised JF had chosen the S5 for this comparo. Both price and sound wise, the Magico S3 make more sense.

Same problem as with S5...


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[Kuoppis]

The last several iterations of the B&W 802's have been one of the best bargains in hi-fi. I am not surprised that he has chosen to compare the two speakers. I would expect the Magico's to win out as long as he pairs them with Soulution or Constellation as then they compete with just about anything available. (Not counting those + $200k that a few people own) IMO the B&W's work well with a larger number of amps. All of the latest Magico's are really nice speakers. Don't assume B&W is sitting around doing nothing.

B&W are more marketing than anything else.

Let me give you a couple of examples: a) B&W say 800 changes or so compared to the previous model. Why is that important? Because they look pretty much like the previous version, except with some edges shaved off. The concept has not evolved. b) B&W say they have this so secret membrane material they cannot say what it is. Still looks like Kevlar though, but now in silver color.

All well enough, but when I listened to a demo of the new 802 they sounded really hard, edgy and unrefined. Comparing them to Magicos or anything hi-end for that matter is just plain funny. B&Ws still are just mass market hi-fi, pairing well with in-house Rotels.

[Elberoth]

The last several iterations of the B&W 802's have been one of the best bargains in hi-fi. I am not surprised that he has chosen to compare the two speakers. I would expect the Magico's to win out as long as he pairs them with Soulution or Constellation as then they compete with just about anything available. (Not counting those + $200k that a few people own) IMO the B&W's work well with a larger number of amps. All of the latest Magico's are really nice speakers. Don't assume B&W is sitting around doing nothing.

That is not the point. The point is, the Magico S3 is a natural competitor to 802D3, not the S5 mk 2.

Does a person looking to buy a VW Golf even considers the BMW 5-series ? The answer is simple: no. Such a comparo doesn't make any sense as the BMW is almost twice the price.

Same with the 802D3 vs S5 mk 2 comparo. 802D3 is $22k, S5 mk 2 is $38k. 802D3 has two 8-inch wooferes, the S5 mk 2 has two ... 10-inch woofers.

On the other hand, the 802D3 vs Magico S3 makes perfect sense:

Magico S3:
$23.000
Two 8-inch woofers

B&W 802D3:
$22.000
Two 8-inch woofers

Make no mistake - I think the Magico S3 is a superior speaker of the two. You just don't have to take the shotgun to kill the fly.

[Kuoppis]

My words were not as skilled, but the message was essentially the same: The comparison tries to lift the 802D3 into a space where it does not belong. That's why, IMHO, this was a misguided marketing stunt.

As to the numbers, in Europe the list price of the S3 is €32.000,-, the B&W costs almost 50% less.


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[Tom Z]

They are here

Just received my pair of Magico S5 mk2 (serial numbers 00007 & 00008) here in Australia. I guess that makes them the 4^th pair to roll off the production line. I assume the first pair (serial number 00001 & 00002) are the white ones that Magico are showing and which are in their listening room now.

Locally I was the first to order them - straight after Mono & Stereo leaked the news of the mark 2 versions. I think it was mid Nov when I placed my order. There have been a few delays at Magico, as my delivery date kept slipping/changing - but it now appears S5Mk2 production has started.

My dealer was good to me, he’s made sure I received my pair first before he has his own demo pair, hence I have them before him.
They are still in their container boxes, as I need help to unpack them and move them into my apartment. There are a few steps to get them into my Apartment - have asked my brother to come round this weekend to help me unpack and move them in.

You should expect dealers to start receiving theirs and hopefully soon you’ll all able to see and hear them yourselves. I believe there is a very high demand, so it may take some time for everyone to receive theirs.

I won’t be able to give impression/comparison against the original S5 as I only heard that speaker first & last time 4 years ago and for 15mins only. My comparison will against my previous Magico S3 speaker, which I owned for a couple of years.

Congratulations Jambo on your new Magico S5 Mk2's! They are certainly awesome speakers & look to be heavily upgraded from the original S5's. My friend David is into high end & got me into this crazy hobby. He has a pair of S5 Mk2's on order in the gloss graphite colour. What colour did you go for?

[joeinid]

Welcome Tom.

[Jambo]

Hi Tom, if my second set of pictures had loaded, then you would have seen the actual photos and colour. I did not go for premium/gloss finish, I went with the standard finish in Blue.

[Tom Z]

Sounds good Jambo, I don't mind the matt blue. Heck i'd take any color if someone wanted to donate their pair!!

[Rhapsody]

If anyone wants to hear the S5II in Manhattan, our pair in Silver has shipped and will arrive by early next week. We also have the S3 and S7's available for audition as well. We are driving all of the Magicos with Vitus electronics.

[FlexibleAudio]

If anyone wants to hear the S5II in Manhattan, our pair in Silver has shipped and will arrive by early next week. We also have the S3 and S7's available for audition as well. We are driving all of the Magicos with Vitus electronics.

Bodhi would be proud.

[Tom Z]

Bodhi would be proud.

Paul, my friend's system sounded great with his old S5's and Jorma cables. There is definitely some synergy going on there with Magico/Vitus. On the face of it, the Mk2 model seems to be a smart buy.

[Face]

I love how B&W goes through great lengths to reduce high and mid frequency diffraction, then adds diffraction to their new woofer section.

[Vapor1]

I love how B&W goes through great lengths to reduce high and mid frequency diffraction, then adds diffraction to their new woofer section.

It takes a designer to notice things like that. I thought the same thing when I saw them.

[FlexibleAudio]

I love how B&W goes through great lengths to reduce high and mid frequency diffraction, then adds diffraction to their new woofer section.

It takes a designer to notice things like that. I thought the same thing when I saw them.

I am not a designer and I know I am being a dumbo head again but I thought diffraction was largely benign at LF's??? (Just wanna learn.)

Vap, as an aside and not to derail thread, I did ok on USO. I just felt it was to oversold in low 8's and couldn't resist. Still long XOP but out of contagion.

[Elberoth]

I love how B&W goes through great lengths to reduce high and mid frequency diffraction, then adds diffraction to their new woofer section.

It will have a minimal effect on the woofers. The problem starts with their 2-way, where the woofer plays double duty as mid driver and still have that ring:






The old 805D2 was much better in that regard.

[Elberoth]

Bodhi would be proud.

Actually the best amp I've heard with my S5s were Vitus SM-011 monos.

[FlexibleAudio]

Paul, my friend's system sounded great with his old S5's and Jorma cables. There is definitely some synergy going on there with Magico/Vitus. On the face of it, the Mk2 model seems to be a smart buy.

David...is that really you??? I hope so! If not, you should tell him to sneak back onto the forum...few had more passion. Maybe he could use a new handle like Tom A, or B maybe Tom C, no wait let me think.....maybe Tom D or E. I will eventually come up with a good one.

When you see him, wish him (or you) our best. I seriously miss his get-up-and-go.

[Vapor1]

I am not a designer and I know I am being a dumbo head again but I thought diffraction was largely benign at LF's??? (Just wanna learn.)

You're correct that it's the shorter (higher in frequency) wavelengths that interact with hard edges and scatter. But that tweeter will still absolutely interact with the woofer protrusion thingies. Below 8000hz or so, the tweeter will likely have 180 degree dispersion.

Vap, as an aside and not to derail thread, I did ok on USO. I just felt it was to oversold in low 8's and couldn't resist. Still long XOP but out of contagion.

Good to hear! Making money of nothing more than a short squeeze and false rumors still counts.

[FlexibleAudio]

It will have a minimal effect on the woofers. The problem starts with their 2-way, where the woofer plays double duty as mid driver and still have that ring:


The old 805D2 was much better in that regard.

You're correct that it's the shorter (higher in frequency) wavelengths that interact with hard edges and scatter. But that tweeter will still absolutely interact with the woofer protrusion thingies. Below 8000hz or so, the tweeter will likely have 180 degree dispersion.

Both comments make sense. Thanks. What is odd is that one would think, even though B&W may not be the best speaker maker on the planet, they should be better than this implies. Particularly given their historically uncompromising efforts to minimize HF diffraction...pretty weird.

[Elberoth]

It is quite simple, really: they went for the looks.

[Rhapsody]

Actually the best amp I've heard with my S5s were Vitus SM-011 monos.

Adam, I have both the SM011's and the SM102's and which ever set of amps I use I say "those are the ones", then I switch to the other set and I say "no, these are the ones"......even the RI 100 gives the Vitus sound and really matches well with any of the Magicos....and other speakers as well.

[Vapor1]

It is quite simple, really: they went for the looks.

Exactly, just an example of form and function diverging.

[FlexibleAudio]

It is quite simple, really: they went for the looks.

Exactly, just an example of form and function diverging.

I hear you but find it shocking.....

[FlexibleAudio]

Adam, I have both the SM011's and the SM102's and which ever set of amps I use I say "those are the ones", then I switch to the other set and I say "no, these are the ones"......even the RI 100 gives the Vitus sound and really matches well with any of the Magicos....and other speakers as well.

Can you provide some texture to the basis of this synergy. What is it about the Magico that works so well with Vitus. I have long wondered this given the raves. What is it about the nature of the Magico that makes it such a good fit with Vitus or visa versa. Is it warmth, sweetness, grip, etc.???

[Rhapsody]

Can you provide some texture to the basis of this synergy. What is it about the Magico that works so well with Vitus. I have long wondered this given the raves. What is it about the nature of the Magico that makes it such a good fit with Vitus or visa versa. Is it warmth, sweetness, grip, etc.???

Hi Paul,

My best take on it is that the Vitus electronics add a naturalness to the sound of the Magicos without a loss of resolution associated with many of the current top SS brands. I would say maybe in-between neutral and warm. The reproduced soundstage is dimensional and holographic, "almost" tube like dimensionality, but then there are unlimited dynamics that don't usually accompany tubes, especially on the Magicos, which sound great with tubes but do respond to power when it is provided.

With the Vitus/Magico combination the bass is world class. The texture of bass lines even when several bass instruments are playing is uncanny.....riveting, but natural. I think that the magic of the bass with this combination has a lot to do with the overall "just right" feeling that is derived from the overall sonic presentation. Seems like when you get the bass so clean, clear and textured that overall timbre soundstaging, dimensionality, space between instruments really falls into place.

Authoritative wall of sound, with a natural midrange, dimensionality, space between instruments, world class bass etc is what I hear with the combination.

That's the best description that I can provide, hope it is helpful.

[FlexibleAudio]

Hi Paul,

My best take on it is that the Vitus electronics add a naturalness to the sound of the Magicos without a loss of resolution associated with many of the current top SS brands. I would say maybe in-between neutral and warm. The reproduced soundstage is dimensional and holographic, "almost" tube like dimensionality, but then there are unlimited dynamics that don't usually accompany tubes, especially on the Magicos, which sound great with tubes but do respond to power when it is provided.

With the Vitus/Magico combination the bass is world class. The texture of bass lines even when several bass instruments are playing is uncanny.....riveting, but natural. I think that the magic of the bass with this combination has a lot to do with the overall "just right" feeling that is derived from the overall sonic presentation. Seems like when you get the bass so clean, clear and textured that overall timbre soundstaging, dimensionality, space between instruments really falls into place.

Authoritative wall of sound, with a natural midrange, dimensionality, space between instruments, world class bass etc is what I hear with the combination.

That's the best description that I can provide, hope it is helpful.

Thanks. You made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.....

[Rhapsody]

Thanks. You made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.....

....yes that happens to me when I listen to this particular combination. Some "matches" are better than others, this just happens to be a very good match. And that is NOT to say that there not other great matches with Magicos, as there are, but the Vitus/Magico combo definitely does "the trick".

[Tom Z]

S5 MkII speakers on display at Audio by Mark Jones in beautiful gloss titanium color..

[bthomas9]

Great pic!! Thanks


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[Mike]

Nice Mark! Beautiful.


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[rrwmd]

Gotta say I really like the look.

Simple, industrial, elegant...bad ass.

[Elberoth]

They should change the S7's flat to ASAP to match the S1mk2/S5mk2 looks. The later look much more modern/nicer.

[Paul]

Pics by Audio by Mark Jones










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[Mike]

Gorgeous!


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[Tom Z]

Gorgeous!


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My friend texted me those photos this morning. Drool-worthy speakers!

[CharlesL]

Substantially better looking than the "Mk1". Very nice photos. It seems that Magico is becoming more mature in design

[madfloyd]

Mark has the nicest showroom, I never tire of seeing photos...

[Tom Z]

Mark now has the castors off, spikes on and set in proper position. Apparently they're sounding beautiful

[joeinid]

I bet the S5mk2 will be killer good with the right amps.