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- Thread starter jmusica
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- #42
While the Harbeth come up frequently enough in many places to know those must be amazing, they simply do not pass WAF. Fwiw, when I say WAF I really mean my female SO jointly with me also.
So far what looks interesting (and it's worth stating, I haven't heard any of these, so it's just what I've read and looks):
- Sopra 1
- Raidho C1
- Joseph Audio Pulsar
- TAD Micro
- Magico Q1
In the cases above does cost really determine quality? For instance, Magico and Raidho are significantly more than the Pulsars or Sopra. Are they that much better?
The more time I spend with them the more I'm really pretty happy with my Argons, so this would really be an experiment, just to scratch that itch. If what I try really is better than the Argons, ok great, but if not I will just need to get a good enough deal to be able to move them along at not too much of a loss.
So far what looks interesting (and it's worth stating, I haven't heard any of these, so it's just what I've read and looks):
- Sopra 1
- Raidho C1
- Joseph Audio Pulsar
- TAD Micro
- Magico Q1
In the cases above does cost really determine quality? For instance, Magico and Raidho are significantly more than the Pulsars or Sopra. Are they that much better?
The more time I spend with them the more I'm really pretty happy with my Argons, so this would really be an experiment, just to scratch that itch. If what I try really is better than the Argons, ok great, but if not I will just need to get a good enough deal to be able to move them along at not too much of a loss.
the professor
Well-known member
A nice list
I do think that my Reference 3A Reflector monitors can compete with Magico Q1 speakers, at less than half the price ($ 12K). Are they that much better than my previous Reference 3A MM De Capo BE monitors ($ 3K)?
Only if you invest in a very good source and amp (in my case, Simaudio Moon 260 DT transport/MIT SL Matrix Plus digital XLR cable/Schiit Yggdrasil DAC as source and Pass B1/Octave RE 320 as amp combo, and great analog signal cables). Then the Reflector speakers show superior resolution and accuracy that justifies the price. I'd say they are twice as good for 4 x the price, which is a very good ratio. If you go with lesser source and amp, it's just not worth it. In fact, the Reference 3A MM De Capo BE monitors on my source and amp might be comparable to the Reference 3A Reflector monitors on a feed of somewhat lesser signal quality (just a lesser amp alone will degrade the sound sufficiently), even though strengths and weaknesses of the respective combos will not all overlap.
And of course you need high-quality subs to match the high resolution in the rest of the range (I have dual JL Audio Fathom 112v2 subs).
- Thread Author
- #46
Agreed, those are also modern and visually appealing.
- Thread Author
- #47
Makes sense. I think by the time many of us are asking these kinds of questions, a lot of the rest of our systems are fairly well sorted. So agreed, that 4x $ is worth 2x performance in most cases. Just depends what the bank will allow me to withdraw 
jmusica, looking at your system pic on how you plan to place the speakers, forget about Raidhos, they need a ton of space around them (read on the Raidho's bass issues on this forum); I think they're overpriced too.
Concerning the Magico Q1, no, I don't think their sound is worth US$ 25k or whatever they cost now; yes, they're built to a very high standard but sound wise they're not worth the price IMO. Their sealed enclosure would help you with their placement though.
Even the TAD ME1s are hard to justify at US$ 12.5k, not that they wouldn't sound great within their limits, but they're still just some tiny monitors with limited low frequency extension; for 10k you can get a pair of Magico A3 or Dynaudio Contour 60 floorstanders.
The problem of value is highly personal though, only you can decide if a speaker is worth the price to you.
Concerning the Magico Q1, no, I don't think their sound is worth US$ 25k or whatever they cost now; yes, they're built to a very high standard but sound wise they're not worth the price IMO. Their sealed enclosure would help you with their placement though.
Even the TAD ME1s are hard to justify at US$ 12.5k, not that they wouldn't sound great within their limits, but they're still just some tiny monitors with limited low frequency extension; for 10k you can get a pair of Magico A3 or Dynaudio Contour 60 floorstanders.
The problem of value is highly personal though, only you can decide if a speaker is worth the price to you.
Exactly. If you choose a high-quality monitor over a similarly priced floorstander will depend on, among others:
a) the music you mainly listen to
b) what are your priorities in sound reproduction
c) if you pair the monitor with a sub
d) how loud you want to listen (monitors go loud, but not as loud as very good floorstanders)
e) size of your room
- Thread Author
- #51
Thanks, that's great advice. Yes, I have some room / furniture challenges for sure. The info that Raidho's need space is critical.
Also for sure, I'd prefer floorstanders, I just don't have the room for them, well at least ideally or not without major changes. Maybe I need to reconsider. The right speaker would have to sit in front of the fixed panel of a large sliding glass door, and the speakers would be off-center from my projector screen by about 3 feet (not sure how big of a deal that would be really). Just not sure.
For me it's definitely not about volume, I rarely listen loud and what I consider loud probably isn't too loud. The Argons are more than loud enough. Solid, well-integrated bass would be nice. The Argons go low (probably "low enough") but my last speakers - Aerial 7b - did so in a more "integrated", natural-sounding way.
Also for sure, I'd prefer floorstanders, I just don't have the room for them, well at least ideally or not without major changes. Maybe I need to reconsider. The right speaker would have to sit in front of the fixed panel of a large sliding glass door, and the speakers would be off-center from my projector screen by about 3 feet (not sure how big of a deal that would be really). Just not sure.
For me it's definitely not about volume, I rarely listen loud and what I consider loud probably isn't too loud. The Argons are more than loud enough. Solid, well-integrated bass would be nice. The Argons go low (probably "low enough") but my last speakers - Aerial 7b - did so in a more "integrated", natural-sounding way.
Get down next week for a listen. Let’s set up a day and time. I have all three Harbeth’s and Magico A3’s. Also, the gorgeous Gryphon Mojo S standmounts.
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- Thread Author
- #53
kzhtoo
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While you’re at it, check out S1 mk2 as well, which I think could be the dark horse in your case.
GiorgioNuvolari
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I have the Magico Q1, and have listened to all the Harbeths, and Sopra 1, driven by Gryphon Antileon so enough power available. They have a different sonic signature, and the precision and punch of Q1 outdid the slight musicality advantage of Harbeths.
I would love to hear the TAD Micros, and most likely will very soon as I am looking to create a new system in a city where I work for a studio apparment.
So far Q1 has outperformed all the monitors I had a chance to hear. I should note that I have not listened to Dynaudio, and hope to do so very soon.
hope this helps, GN
I would love to hear the TAD Micros, and most likely will very soon as I am looking to create a new system in a city where I work for a studio apparment.
So far Q1 has outperformed all the monitors I had a chance to hear. I should note that I have not listened to Dynaudio, and hope to do so very soon.
hope this helps, GN
I don't agree with you on the Raidho speakers. I have heard them often while they are not cheap and maybe not as well knows as Wilson or Magico I do think that they are in the same quality range. But I'll admit I'm biased because I own a pair
I would have preferred a pair of Blumenhofers but I could not get them to sound right in my living room. Maybe one day a pair of Grand Gioa's in my dreams.
Magico Q1: Precision is the keyword, yes. With monitors like that (and mine
) you get precision that is attainable only at a much higher price with floorstanders. A large part of this is that it is not as expensive to build a small rigid cabinet as it is to build a larger one.
I still think you’ll be surprised by the A3’s footprint. That being said, the 30.2 and SHL5+ Harbeth’s are very strong contenders for your size of room with the Gryphon Mojo S also being in play.
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the professor
Well-known member
The Raidho's sound best when out from the back wall, but are not side wall picky. Too close to the back wall does complicate the bass issues.
To get any depth from the Q1s, you need the same space from the back wall - not for the sound per se but for imaging it's critical. And they need more space from the side wall than the Raidho's.
I had Q1s and the Raidho D1s at the same time and used an ARC Ref 75, Ayre MXRs, Dag stereo amps on them. At the same time, I also had the Wilson original Duetts.
To get any depth from the Q1s, you need the same space from the back wall - not for the sound per se but for imaging it's critical. And they need more space from the side wall than the Raidho's.
I had Q1s and the Raidho D1s at the same time and used an ARC Ref 75, Ayre MXRs, Dag stereo amps on them. At the same time, I also had the Wilson original Duetts.