Magico S3 mk2

I also think that the new drivers are better, especially the tweeter.
 
OK, just to clarify:

S3 mk 2 (vs mk 1)

- new tweeter
- new mid
- new bass driver design
- new graphene reinforced CF bass driver cone
- new concave top

S5 mk 2 (vs mk 1)

- new tweeter
- new mid
- new bass driver
- outriggers
- new eliptical mid sub-enclosure
- new concave top

I don't really believe outriggest brought in any performance benefit - they are for look mostly.

So that leaves us at new eliptical mid sub-enclosure vs new graphene reinforced CF cone (with a different bass driver design). It is a toss, really.
You're confusing Magico's elliptical symmetry crossover topology with their computer-modelled polymer sub-enclosure. That said, I wouldn't describe the shape of the S5 mk2's sub-enclosure as exactly elliptical in any case (see comparison below).

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Also, you're confusing concave with convex when you described the machined 3D convex top plate (see comparison below).

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I found the reference where Alon described the new S series 10" bass units as having more in common with the Q series than the S series, however it was in reference to the S7. Here is the exact quote from Myles Astor's review of the S7. As Magico state on their website, the S5 Mk2 uses "newly designed 10-inch Magico bass drivers" which I would expect to be a refined version of the S7's bass unit, tailored for that model.

No doubt Magico followed a similar process for the S3 mk2, with the main difference in respect to design features being the graphene woofer diaphragms.
 
You are right - the right word is convex. Need to work on my English skills :)

As for the subenclosure - I have called it elliptical, you may call it rounded or whatever - the point is it is not flat walled anymore and I think that everyone understands what we are discussing here.

The S7 bass drivers have nothing in common with Q series bass drivers (apart from the fact that Q5 and S7 both use 10" woofers, but of completely different design). AFAIK all Q series speakers use Morel based bass drivers, whereas the S series models (S3, S5 and S7) were Seas and Scan Speak based.
 
The S7 bass drivers have nothing in common with Q series bass drivers (apart from the fact that Q5 and S7 both use 10" woofers, but of completely different design). AFAIK all Q series speakers use Morel based bass drivers, whereas the S series models (S3, S5 and S7) were Seas and Scan Speak based.
This is a direct quote from Alon Wolf from the PF review of the S7 - "The S7's new woofer probably has more in common with the Q-series speakers than the S-series speakers". I guess you could contact Myles Astor if you believe the quote is wrong.
 
Sounds like a marketing talk to me. HiFi companies use it all the time. The truth is, those drive units have very little in common. They all use alu cones, they all that big have CF dust cap, but the drive unit design is completely different.

The truth is - the S5 m1, the S7 and Q5 all use different bass drive units, sourced from different manufacturers (S5 m1 = Scan Speak, S7 = Seas, Q5 = Morel). The Morel driver is ~$100 more expensive than the other two. Scan Speak and Morel cost roughly the same. At least in a stock form, as all of those drivers are modified.

It seems that Alon Wolf chooses the drive units per application, which is probably the right thing to do. If you are tied to just one drive units supplier, you limit your options.
 
Until someone opens up an S5 Mk2 (or S3 mk2 for that matter) and pulls out a bass driver, this is all just speculation. However as Peter Mackay (VP Global Sales & Marketing) said "We design all of our own drivers at Magico. We don't buy off the shelf, so we have total control over how each driver works independently of the enclosure, as well as when they're loaded in the enclosure".
 
Until someone opens up an S5 Mk2 (or S3 mk2 for that matter) and pulls out a bass driver, this is all just speculation. However as Peter Mackay (VP Global Sales & Marketing) said "We design all of our own drivers at Magico. We don't buy off the shelf, so we have total control over how each driver works independently of the enclosure, as well as when they're loaded in the enclosure".


I'm carrying tools so stay tuned ..... :)
 
The drivers are held in place with some type of Allen type screw. I bought some to remove my mid and tweeter on my S5 MKI. I do not think there is any type of sealant under the driver, so it isn't difficult to remove. The wires are soldered onto the terminals versus connectors. Anyway, I am not taking my S5 MKII woofer out. Not me. Never again. :)
 
These VAC Signature 200iQ monos are the f@&$ing amazing on the S3 mk2's. One is superb. Two are unbelievable. So rich, organic. Slightly warm. Engaging beyond belief.

I was never a fan of the phi200 amps. But with these Sig 200iQ's, VAC has their mojo back. Wow.

Ok...back to listening.

I [emoji173] tubes. [emoji41]

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The drivers are held in place with some type of Allen type screw. I bought some to remove my mid and tweeter on my S5 MKI. I do not think there is any type of sealant under the driver, so it isn't difficult to remove. The wires are soldered onto the terminals versus connectors. Anyway, I am not taking my S5 MKII woofer out. Not me. Never again. :)

There is some form of foam/padding/sealant (there always is) between the box and the bass driver. If there is a problem with removal - use a hairdryer to heat up the basket. Always works :)
 
These VAC Signature 200iQ monos are the f@&$ing amazing on the S3 mk2's. One is superb. Two are unbelievable. So rich, organic. Slightly warm. Engaging beyond belief.

I was never a fan of the phi200 amps. But with these Sig 200iQ's, VAC has their mojo back. Wow.

Ok...back to listening.

I [emoji173] tubes. [emoji41]

eb17d52e9879283ccdc6986a151f2f02.jpg


5945ff0b923e472fe56aa602621d9569.jpg


8b441c3c7627d1258fb3cd00e9915ad2.jpg


6d324c67257d0e472a200a3222c8f78e.jpg


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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Ok , So you did go to Mono Pr's ...
 
Mike- can you elaborate more on the difference between the 200iq and the former Phi 200?

To me, the phi200 just never sounded right (being PC here). It was not like the 450 sonically or any other VAC amp of the past, for example, like the PA100/100. Heck, the phi200 finished dead last in our big amp blind shootout two or three years ago. Heck, even the guy who had the phi200's didn't like them! (with blindfold on). LOL.

I never heard the phi300, so I can't comment.

The Signature 200iQ is my favorite VAC amp of all time. It returns VAC to their glorious sounds and is one of the best push pull tube amps I've ever heard. ARC GS150 is another.

VAC absolutely nailed it with the Signature 200iQ. $14k MSRP, start with a stereo, progress to monos, use any KT tube, sleep at night knowing you've got the iQ auto bias and protection circuitry. It's a home run.



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