New Magico Q5 Review...go figure

I'm tired. Reading through the purchase, crating, moving, and uncrating wore me out. I found it a bit absurd that after a year the casters are still on the speakers. That left me wondering if this guy deserves these speakers.
 
Good speakers ... just not the most reviewer friendly ones. Reviewing poweramps will be problematic.
 
i had Q5's. I foolishly auditioned them with Boulder gear that was above my budget. I finally had to use Spectral gear to get close to the best out of them. I can see Pass with S series but no way with Q's.
 
Beside of the fact its a owner\new speaker "review" - why not do to a still on sells speaker? (or maybe i missed the announcement that Magico discontinued the Q5?)

anyway, i am with
jdandy
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i got tired from reading all his "journey" picking them.

maybe #2 will be better....
 
Penthouse-D said:
i had Q5's. I foolishly auditioned them with Boulder gear that was above my budget. I finally had to use Spectral gear to get close to the best out of them. I can see Pass with S series but no way with Q's.
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Why would you not pair Pass amps with Magico Q speakers?
 
PeterA said:
Why would you not pair Pass amps with Magico Q speakers?
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Good question Peter. I heard Pass XA160.5's with Q3's in Toronto at a friends and it was DAMN good. Best I ever heard the Q3's.


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Mike said:
Good question Peter. I heard Pass XA160.5's with Q3's in Toronto at a friends and it was DAMN good. Best I ever heard the Q3's.


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This is exactly the combination I was thinking of. My exact amps and the upgraded speakers replacing my Mini IIs. I can't get myself to sell the Mini IIs though. I have always thought that Pass/Magico is a fantastic combination. The Minis were in part developed with a Pass X350s. And the M Pro sounds amazing with the Pass XS 150/XS Pre/XS phono combination. Simply incredible, IMO.
 
Hello Peter, You will find the S series vrs. Q series polar opposites ……. For my taste , the S are far more versatile and user friendly. I found my Q5's extremely power hungry and VERY subject to amp choice. The most challenging speaker I've ever owned. I've had S5's (loved) S3's now in a smaller room, and the Q5'S…Nothing negative to say about Pass at all. I think Nelson is brilliant and have owned a few of his products.
 
Penthouse-D said:
Hello Peter, You will find the S series vrs. Q series polar opposites ……. For my taste , the S are far more versatile and user friendly. I found my Q5's extremely power hungry and VERY subject to amp choice. The most challenging speaker I've ever owned. I've had S5's (loved) S3's now in a smaller room, and the Q5'S…Nothing negative to say about Pass at all. I think Nelson is brilliant and have owned a few of his products.
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I really like the Q3 and it is my favorite Q series. I have also heard the S1, S5, S7 and prefer the Q3 and Q1. The M Project is even better and totally different. It is all so subjective and dependent on the rest of the system and personal taste. I do like the new direction of the M series, but they are much more expensive. I don't plan to sell my Mini II any time soon.
 
Melbguy1 said:
You prefer the Q1/Q3 to the S7?? :huh:.
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I preferred the Q3 to the S7 which I heard in the same dealer room but with different systems and a couple of years apart. The Q3 was also with vinyl while the S7 was with digital. The S7 sounded a bit better than the Q1 in different rooms and systems, so I can't really compare those two. Given all the times I have heard the Magico Q and S speakers, the Q3 left the biggest impression on me. I don't like the look or size of the S7, but it did sound excellent in the dealer demo with digital.

They are all different and designed for different tastes, budgets and room/system requirements. My comments are based on what I prefer subjectively, sonically, and aesthetically, and with consideration to cost.
 
That's fair enough Peter. I guess it's hard not to take a subjective view when auditioning speakers in terms of how the speaker might sound and fit into your room requirements. For me, whilst the Q series cabinet might have a bit less self-noise, the S5 Mk2 (of which I'm most familiar with) has a better midrange and tweeter, throws a bigger soundstage, goes deeper in the bass & sounds more dynamic. The Q3 might be a touch more transparent, but the S5 Mk2 has more meat on the bones. And although this is subjective, I personally prefer the M-coat titanium finish. That said, I recognize the S1/S3 Mk2 or Q1/Q3 would work better in a smaller size room.
 
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