S5s in for audition

Yes the S5 is an extremely neutral speaker that does not add any color to the sound. But it is an extremely honest and revealing speaker also. I have noticed with the S5 more so than any other speaker that you can hear the changes in electronics or cables more so than any other speaker I have ever owned. Change power cords, interconnect's or speaker cables and the S5 will reveal the characteristics of those cables immediately. This also seems to be the same with amplifier and preamp changes. I think Soulution electronics with Magico S5 would be extremely neutral and honest to your source recording. If you want to add a little warm just change your cables. But if you're starting out with an extremely high resolution, extremely detailed, great bass and control speaker, this would be a great foundation to build a two channel system from. Just add electronics and cabling of your favorite variety.
 
just went back and saw your room. Looks extremely well designed and treated. Do you have S5 in approximately same position as D3. I thought D3 thrive when at least 5 ft from rear wall. Magicos not as much an issue with rear wall proximity.
Nick
 
veindoc said:
just went back and saw your room. Looks extremely well designed and treated. Do you have S5 in approximately same position as D3. I thought D3 thrive when at least 5 ft from rear wall. Magicos not as much an issue with rear wall proximity.
Nick
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The Magicos are roughly 6' in from the wall whereas the Raidhos were close to 7 1/2' in. The S5s are toe'd in less and spaced just a smidgeon closer together. As for "thriving," I found any more than the 7 1/2' added no incremental improvement in my room (24' deep) while anything less degraded bass performance. The D3s simply need as much help as possible taming their bass so I would think 5' would be a minimum.

Well, after doing plenty of listening this week, the S5s are definitely speakers I can live with for a while. The bass has presence, the stage is wide and enveloping, and, most importantly, I just plain listen to music without trying to be wow'd by a particular sound/cue or color. I think I may have never realized/known what people were referring to when they spoke of things like pace and timing. I believe I do now. While the Magicos are not perfect, I can unequivocally say people must audition them.

Next week I plan on listening to the Alexias again and finding out what the Rockports are all about. Stay tuned ;).
 
I recently was quite impressed with Alexia but also I am biased as I lived with Watt puppy for 15 years. I like the adjustable aspect to help dial in speakers to my exact listening height etc.
Nick
 
mdkim said:
The Magicos are roughly 6' in from the wall whereas the Raidhos were close to 7 1/2' in. The S5s are toe'd in less and spaced just a smidgeon closer together. As for "thriving," I found any more than the 7 1/2' added no incremental improvement in my room (24' deep) while anything less degraded bass performance. The D3s simply need as much help as possible taming their bass so I would think 5' would be a minimum.

Well, after doing plenty of listening this week, the S5s are definitely speakers I can live with for a while. The bass has presence, the stage is wide and enveloping, and, most importantly, I just plain listen to music without trying to be wow'd by a particular sound/cue or color. I think I may have never realized/known what people were referring to when they spoke of things like pace and timing. I believe I do now. While the Magicos are not perfect, I can unequivocally say people must audition them.

Next week I plan on listening to the Alexias again and finding out what the Rockports are all about. Stay tuned ;).
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Michael,

First congrats on auditioning all these great speakers in your home. This is absolutely the best way to audition gear.

I really look forward to your impressions/comparisons of all these great speakers. Which Rockport model would you be auditioning, the Avior?
 
Allen:

Yes the Aviors. Don't think have the room for the Altairs; I would try damn hard to find the room though if I thought they would work :lol: I still haven't located a local dealer with whom I can get a meaningful listen yet.

Unfortunately, the Wilsons will be at the dealer again although I will be bringing a HDD with my music.
 
mdkim said:
oy do I wish I could create a Frankenstein and stick the Raidho ribbon in the S5 chassis :snicker:.
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This was my exact thinking after I had the raidho 3.0's in my listening room next to my tad's for a month. A tad speaker with raidho ribbon, purely for extension and the airiness.... I started looking into electrostatic super tweeters but never followed up because I quickly forgot what I heard after they had left :P.
 
Mike said:
What about the TAD mod Joe was talking about?
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I'm finding out more about this mod. Looks like it should not be too tough. I think the TADs are safe now with the MC601's and surely better with the mod.

:woot:
 
mdkim said:
Allen:

Yes the Aviors. Don't think have the room for the Altairs; I would try damn hard to find the room though if I thought they would work :lol: I still haven't located a local dealer with whom I can get a meaningful listen yet.

Unfortunately, the Wilsons will be at the dealer again although I will be bringing a HDD with my music.
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Michael...Rockport lists Cake Audio in San Clemente, CA as a dealer. According to Yahoo maps that looks like an hour away from you. Here's a link: Cake Audio. Looks like this is a by appointment only dealer, so maybe home-based? But yo can always give a call and see if they would be willing to provide a home demo of the Aviors if they have them to demo. Good luck.
 
Cyril:

Yeah I got their info from Rockport's site. Will reach out shortly.

Allen:

Yes I've had two extended Alexia auditions; very impressive but I prefer the S5s. Perhaps if I had the opportunity to try them at home my opinion would differ. To my ears, they lacked weight and bass despite their size.
 
mdkim said:
Cyril:

Yeah I got their info from Rockport's site. Will reach out shortly.

Allen:

Yes I've had two extended Alexia auditions; very impressive but I prefer the S5s. Perhaps if I had the opportunity to try them at home my opinion would differ. To my ears, they lacked weight and bass despite their size.
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Interesting. So focusing in the S5s and the Aviors then?





the professor said:
IMO Alexia's sound very good w D'ags consistently with other amps I've heard them with they are hit or miss.
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+1!
 
Wish I had had the opportunity to listen to the Alexia/D'Ag combo :(.

There are always so many variables. In fact, I was one of the few that kept my pants clean after hearing the S5/Constellation setup at the 2012 Newport show (my buddy went ape over the combo). At the time, I recall thinking that I heard a characteristic of its non-ported design that bothered me; I even heard it with the S1s as close as four months back. Now, I can't for the life of me figure out what it was that I heard. I should also point out that I've listened exclusively with class A (while auditioning and now at home) whereas before it was Constellation, VAC and Esoteric.

Anyways, I haven't dismissed the Wilsons but I think the Magicos will hold their spot for a few.

I am looking forward to listening to the Rockports however.
 
Michael, I heard the S5's and the Rockports back to back at Goodwins in Boston last fall. I would be shocked if you like the Rockports better than the S5's, but I've been wrong before. When David gets the new XA100.8's in the house,we will be pairing them with the S5's. I have a feeling that they will be magic together, as you are finding out right now !!
 
Mark:

I think you may be right about the XA.8s and the S5s being a good pairing. IMO, Pass has found a good balance between air/delicacy and just plain old full bodied "music," and, wrapped it in a no-nonsense case that is alluring for a lot of buyers. Please keep us posted of your impressions.

I would love to hear Pass on the Wilsons as well. I think Mike should try this "experiment" immediately and report back to us :snicker:.
 
mdkim said:
Mark:

I think you may be right about the XA.8s and the S5s being a good pairing. IMO, Pass has found a good balance between air/delicacy and just plain old full bodied "music," and, wrapped it in a no-nonsense case that is alluring for a lot of buyers. Please keep us posted of your impressions.

I would love to hear Pass on the Wilsons as well. I think Mike should try this "experiment" immediately and report back to us :snicker:.
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Oh, I'm sure he will try it :snicker:

Michael, I'm also going to get a chance to try both the Constellation and the XA100.8's at home with the Salon 2's. I keep tying to find a speaker that I like better than the Revel, but I'm not there yet.

Seriously, I really am trying !!
 
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