Magico S3 mk2

It's not like the original S3 just came out, they've made several technological improvements to their product since the original so a new model introduction was justified. I can understand as an owner of the original version you may be disappointed that a new version has replaced yours, but the speakers you have still perform at the same high level they did when you bought them. Stereo gear is rarely if ever a solid investment from a resale perspective, and I really don't see that name calling is justified but that's me.
 
FWIW, I'd rather have Magico innovate every 3 years than stand still. With each iteration of new Magico speakers, I hear real advancement in SQ. One of the few brands that offer real improvements vs. just different for different sake.
 
I too applaud the innovation and glad that Magico is not staying put, but why no factory upgrade path from mk1 to mk2? After all, a lot of S series owners just have theirs for very short amount of time. S5, S1 and now S3, mk1 pretty much look the same as mk2. It's highly likely it could be done unless there's a physical limitation, which anyone has yet to say otherwise. Similar to Raidho Dx.1 upgrade to Dx.2 or Ayre MXR/KXR to Twenty upgrade.
 
In the case of the S5, while the S5 MKII cabinet looks the same as the S5, it is different. I don't know if the enclosure for the mid and tweeter could have been retrofitted into the S5. However, they certainly could have upgraded the drivers and X-over in the S5. I would have taken that option if it were available.
 
Elberoth said:
How their policy is different to Wilsons, Raidhos, Rockports or B&W ?
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Significantly shorter product cycles (e.g. B&W kept their range almost 10 years and became thus the most successful hi-end LS product line in audio history), no upgrade path (e.g. Raidho offers one).


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Kuoppis said:
Significantly shorter product cycles (e.g. B&W kept their range almost 10 years and became thus the most successful hi-end LS product line in audio history), no upgrade path (e.g. Raidho offers one).


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I think it's your time to buy the Tannoy or Harbeth [emoji6]


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socfan12 said:
FWIW, I'd rather have Magico innovate every 3 years than stand still. With each iteration of new Magico speakers, I hear real advancement in SQ. One of the few brands that offer real improvements vs. just different for different sake.
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I think innovation is good, but I'd rather see step changes every 5 years than incremental improvements every 3 years.

The S3 mk2 is pretty much the same same housing with thicker top and bottom plates and slightly modified drivers. The woofers are admittedly a more significant change though. But what slightly irritates me is the ad hoc nature of Magico technical changes, there is no consistency and as such Alon lacks vision.

The S5 mk2 and S7 were still launched with aluminum woofers similar to the S3 mk1 (yes, including some graphene sprinkle on the dust caps), while the S3 mk2 now comes out with these new graphene woofers. So, while the S5 mk2 is pretty much brand new, already the question looms, when does the S5 mk3 with graphene woofers come out. Makes the S5 mk2 bit of a this year model car with last year's engine.

Consequently, Magico somewhat lacks the character I personally expect of a premium product, where you can buy with confidence and you know you're always getting the best and your money is well spent. But Alon's products are no Birkin bags or Patek Philippe watches, they don't last, what you should expect at his price points. That's my criticism about the range policy. That's all.

PS: Maybe someone noted, nowhere did I say the products were bad or did not sound good. I really believe Mike when he says the S3 mk2 sounds spectacular right out of the box.


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Paul said:
I think it's your time to buy the Tannoy or Harbeth [emoji6]


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As a matter of fact, I already do have Harbeths in my summer house and really like them. They are going to be paired with the INT-60.


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Kuoppis said:
I think innovation is good, but I'd rather see step changes every 5 years than incremental improvements every 3 years.

The S3 mk2 is pretty much the same same housing with thicker top and bottom plates and slightly modified drivers. The woofers are admittedly a more significant change though. But what slightly irritates me is the ad hoc nature of Magico technical changes, there is no consistency and as such Alon lacks vision.

The S5 mk2 and S7 were still launched with aluminum woofers similar to the S3 mk1 (yes, including some graphene sprinkle on the dust caps), while the S3 mk2 now comes out with these new graphene woofers. So, while the S5 mk2 is pretty much brand new, already the question looms, when does the S5 mk3 with graphene woofers come out.

...
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Since the Q & M line use graphene woofers, that would distinguish the S3 Mk2 from the rest of the S range. Q range type of drivers (Be/Dia tweeter with carbon midrange + woofer) in an S range form factor (and price).

At the end of the day though, its how they sound. Hopefully, they are more coherent than the Mk1 (in the context of S1 vs S3, I found the S1 somehow more of one voice - must be the 2-way vs 3-way).

While you are probably right in that the S range will stabilise once all the models have carbon woofers, there must be reason(s) why they have not been used for the S5 & S7. Could it be a cost issue, in the sense of whether the market will tolerate the MSRP delta? The Q7 and M Pro utilise graphene woofers more than/of at least 10" but they retail at a much higher price.

Melbguy1 said:
+ 1. I'm listening to my Dealer's pair tomorrow, so I should be able to discern how they compare to the S5 Mk2's. Should be interesting.
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Would be keen to hear your thoughts.

Did you notice anything significant wrt the aluminium vs carbon woofers?

Does the smaller front plate contribute to better imaging/soundstaging (as mentioned by Mike)?
 
jap said:
Wilson seems to have a product life cycles of 5 years verses this 3 year life cycle of the S3.

Rockport went from the Atria to Atria II in about 3 years.
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I'm sorry, but you are trying to make a point based on an example, rather than group of products.

The S3 had the shortest lifecycle out of all S series products. The S5 has been manufactured for 4 years and the Q5 had been manufactured for 6 (!) years. So the point that some here try to make is wrong.

Wilson lifecycle for their most popular speaker - the W/P (which is the closest S3 equivalent, both in size and price) - is 4 years max, not 5, and in some cases it was only 3 years, just like the S3:

WP5 - 4 years
WP6 - 3 years !
WP7 - 4 years
WP8 - 4 years
WP Sasha - 4 years

But what could Magico do ? Should they drag the S3 production only to make certain S3 customes happy and watch the sales falling down to zero ? Is that what you would do if you were a Magico CEO ? There was no good solution to this problem, which would leave everyone happy.

After the S5 mk 2 and S1 mk 2 were introduced, it became obvious, that the S3 is next to be replaced. It was just a matter of time. IMO thay have been dragging this as long as they could (they have waited 12 months), but it didn't make any sense to wait any longer.
 
+1. Once Mk 2 versions of the S1 and S5 were introduced, potential S3 buyers would hold back and wait.

It is interesting that the S3, despite it being the lower middle child, has the technological lead in the S series; first with the molded midrange enclosure in the Mk 1 and now the nanotec/graphene woofers in the Mk2.
 
Technically, the S1 Mk II also has a graphene woofer ("mid bass driver" in this case). No aluminum cones here.

Take your choice: S5 Mk II and S7 with graphene woofers would be too expensive for the performance gained, would compete too closely with the Q series / M series, and/or upgraded aluminum cones are a better match for the overall sonics of these speakers.
 
Yes, indeed, and probably partly explains why the S1 Mk 2 is that good. I did consider mentioning that but I suppose we are looking at woofers in the context of 3-way systems.

As for competing with the Q series, I wonder how a new S3 Mk 2 might compare to a used Q3. Both are roughly similar in price. Hmm...
 
nicoludio said:
While you are probably right in that the S range will stabilise once all the models have carbon woofers, there must be reason(s) why they have not been used for the S5 & S7. Could it be a cost issue?
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Partly yes. But keep in mind the S5 Mk2's bass units have been designed for wide, even frequency response down to 20Hz & to move a lot of air. It would seem for Magico's needs the coated aluminum diaphragm and graphene/carbon Nano-tec dust cap ticked all the boxes. Think about what diaphragm Magico use for the Q Sub 15?

nicoludio said:
Would be keen to hear your thoughts.

Did you notice anything significant wrt the aluminium vs carbon woofers?

Does the smaller front plate contribute to better imaging/soundstaging (as mentioned by Mike)?
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Knock on wood, I should be able to report back later today.

Ive owned a wide variety of loudspeakers before from large bookshelf speakers to large stand mounts & full-size towers. From my experience, a narrower front plate and form factor does make it easier for the speakers to perform the disappearing act in a wider variety of rooms. However I've heard my friend's S7's completely dissapear in his large size, treated room. That showed me the importance of coupling the speaker to the room, building your system around your speakers (with no weak links) & room setup/acoustics.
 
nicoludio said:
While you are probably right in that the S range will stabilise once all the models have carbon woofers, there must be reason(s) why they have not been used for the S5 & S7. Could it be a cost issue, in the sense of whether the market will tolerate the MSRP delta? The Q7 and M Pro utilise graphene woofers more than/of at least 10" but they retail at a much higher price.
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That is a good question and I suppose no-one of us has an answer on it. But this is the inconsistency I was referring to, and it appears almost like there is no consistent overall plan.


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Kuoppis said:
That is a good question and I suppose no-one of us has an answer on it. But this is the inconsistency I was referring to, and it appears almost like there is no consistent overall plan.


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Or maybe there is, every new model seems to have something new/unique regardless of its place in the model hierarchy… Common strategic products lineup, design to make everyone feel good even if they can't buy the most expensive model in the line.
 
My pair of S3 Mk2s should ship next week (same colour as Mike's). As long as Prime Minister Trudeau doesn't retaliate against President Trump's Muslim ban by introducing a Magico ban, I should be experiencing the new S3s before April Fools Day. (Although Kuoppis might think it apt if the arrived right on April 1st). I bought the BHK300s with the intention to use them with S3s, and I've been waiting a long time.
 
BayStBroker said:
My pair of S3 Mk2s should ship next week (same colour as Mike's). As long as Prime Minister Trudeau doesn't retaliate against President Trump's Muslim ban by introducing a Magico ban, I should be experiencing the new S3s before April Fools Day. (Although Kuoppis might think it apt if the arrived right on April 1st). I bought the BHK300s with the intention to use them with S3s, and I've been waiting a long time.
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Should be an explosive combination. [emoji16]


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