Unboxing the Magico S3 mk2

Congrats on the S3mk2!
The most technologically advanced Magico outside of M series. great choice.!
I agree, great choice of loudspeaker at or close to its price point, but "most technologically advanced Magico outside of M series"? The S5 Mk2 employs large 4" diameter graphene-reinforced carbon Nano-tec dust caps on their 10" bass drivers, uses the M3's midrange drivers & has a more inert 1/2" thick extruded aluminium cabinet. In fact, their is only one company in the US able to manufacture extrusions that large. That's why the S7 had to have a split top section. I'd argue that gives the technological edge to the S5 Mk2's.
 
....In fact, their is only one company in the US able to manufacture extrusions that large. That's why the S7 had to have a split top section. I'd argue that gives the technological edge to the S5 Mk2's.

But S5mk2 enclosure is not a single piece extrusion, no?

Surely there is more technology involved in making the carbon fibre side panels of M-series than the technology required to press a heat-softened aluminium billet through a die?
 
But S5mk2 enclosure is not a single piece extrusion, no?

Surely there is more technology involved in making the carbon fibre side panels of M-series than the technology required to press a heat-softened aluminium billet through a die?
The S5 Mk2's side panels are single piece extrusions. The S3 Mk2's monocoque chassis it should be said is no less of a technical achievement (both pushing what is currently possible). It's main benefits are that it makes the manufacturing process a bit easier & looks cleaner. There is no performance advantage however since the S5 Mk2's rear bolts are secured with Loktite, and hence never need tightening.

No question the M3 is technically superior to the S series. It is a great speaker for small to medium size rooms.
 
Congrats and let us know when they fully break in !

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To be honest I have not followed the break-in much lately, as I just listen to music [emoji3].

But yesterday I added two more Shunyata Alpha cables to the DAC and pre and that got me a very nice creamy and dynamic sound with really superb bass (Shunyatized the power amp already earlier). So not sure whether that really can be attributed to break-in.

But then today I did the hardest test of them all for a high end system: does it rock. You might be surprised, but I think if someone is mostly listening to Jazz and tuning a system accordingly it can easily sound a bit polite with crunchy rock. But this time around there was sufficient bite and punch in the guitars, and as such it is a pass. In general I have observed some walloping in all drivers.

How about your system, any more changes after 400 hours?


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Sorry to butt in but I have about 350 hours on the clock now and what I have noticed is a tightening (ie more precise and detailed) sound. I was worried about my mid range as the first 200 hours or so it wasn’t as clear as what I expected. Seems a lot clearer and more balanced now.
 
Sorry to butt in but I have about 350 hours on the clock now and what I have noticed is a tightening (ie more precise and detailed) sound. I was worried about my mid range as the first 200 hours or so it wasn’t as clear as what I expected. Seems a lot clearer and more balanced now.

On the contrary, thanks for chipping in and sharing your experiences.

I also went through that muddy period during which I mostly listened to digital. But now the system seems again more sensitive to nuances and I am back to vinyl with ever greater joy.




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Hi Kuoppis,

How are your S3 Mk2’s sounding now that they have more hours under their belt? Have you been making any other changes or tweaks with your system?

Best,
Ken
 
Hi Ken,

I guess in the meantime I do have the required 500 hours on the speakers, enough to say they are burned-in. The sound has changed quite a bit.

While the sound was great from the get go it has become more sophisticated, so to say. After burn-in they are more sensitive to the slightest signals and hence portray nuances more delicately. The bass is very articulated and the lows are really effortless. There is no need to turn up the amp to eleven to elicitate a very nice and musical presentation.

In terms of overall sound there is a further improved coherence to be noted, it is not possible to make out the different drivers unless there is some distinct element in the recording high-Iighting a certain frequency range.

The highs went through some meandering between more spotlight and slightly veiled but have now settled in providing smooth details - nicely articulated but never harsh.

Overall a very good speaker as I find, the previous generation is really no comparison.

Regards,
Kuoppis


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Have you been making any other changes or tweaks with your system?

Further to your question, I added three more Shunyata Alphas on the power side and modded the turntable with a double-pivot (separate thread). Otherwise the system is as it was before.

I am currently in the comfort zone with my system in the sense that any changes are just to make a great system greater [emoji3].


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I have to tell you that your room/system looks gorgeous :amazing:

Thank you, that is a very kind thing to say.

Currently I am quite happy with it, but I guess the itching never stops...


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Hi Ken,

I guess in the meantime I do have the required 500 hours on the speakers, enough to say they are burned-in. The sound has changed quite a bit.

While the sound was great from the get go it has become more sophisticated, so to say. After burn-in they are more sensitive to the slightest signals and hence portray nuances more delicately. The bass is very articulated and the lows are really effortless. There is no need to turn up the amp to eleven to elicitate a very nice and musical presentation.

In terms of overall sound there is a further improved coherence to be noted, it is not possible to make out the different drivers unless there is some distinct element in the recording high-Iighting a certain frequency range.

The highs went through some meandering between more spotlight and slightly veiled but have now settled in providing smooth details - nicely articulated but never harsh.

Overall a very good speaker as I find, the previous generation is really no comparison.

Regards,
Kuoppis


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500 hours already? Fantastic. Did you also find, as I did, that the bass became so much more defined?
 
500 hours already? Fantastic. Did you also find, as I did, that the bass became so much more defined?

Yes, I also have a projector connected to the setup, so not just using them for music [emoji3].

I find the bass did not only become more defined, but also more effortless. This speaker does not require to be driven by an arc welder to sound nice, which is something I particularly like. Also, it sounds great on lower volumes too.


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