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Auditioned Magico A3 - VERY DARK...

So today after waiting for months to try and listen to the Magico A3, I went to Scott Walker audio at Anaheim and listened to the Magico A3, connected to some VAC Tube amp, being fed from a Sony audio streamer, here are my impressions:

- They look fantastic, I wish they made them in silver too, but they are just great in brush black aluminum
- They're quite small and could fit everywhere
- Fit and finish is impecable
- The bass they generated was nothing but amazing for such a small cabinet, you could hear the drums, the down beats and incredible depth of bass at an amazing level
- Imaging was INSANE, you could literally place everyone and everything...
- Sound was VERY VERY DARK!!! This was a bit of a surprise, the top end lacked for my taste to a quite a degree
- I felt like the combo of the Tube amp and Magico lacked resolution, while bass and mid was great, the top end absolutely lacked resolution
- The sound was extremely laid back, again dark
- It does NEED POWER, like he had to crank the volume up, to get good sound out of this, so be aware of that

Overall, I "personally" did NOT like the sound, it lacked details and resolution at the top end, while it was great at the bottom end.  Now, the rep and I think this is mostly due to Tube amp, and connecting it to a solid state amp would bring back resolution, but we simply didn't have time to do that today.  I look forward to listen to these at another time with some decent solid-state amp, but as-is, I was NOT as impressed as I expected and wouldn't have purchased one and I strongly believe Tube and Magico A3 do NOT go well together! 

Anyone else with similar impressions?! Curious to know what others may think, or maybe there was something else in play?

Thoughts?
alexb76
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
I own Magico speakers. However if I'd gone on what I hear at shows I doubt I'd have any. Without exception Magico show demonstrations are terrible. Usually matched with uber expensive and uber soulless solid state they tend to hi-fi special effects with a complete lack of humanity. 

So don't read too much into show conditions. When matched with the right system (and it doesn't have to be expensive, and it doesn't have to be solid state) they can be warm, organic, open and melodic. 

Anyone who wants to hear a "different side of Magico" is welcome to check out my (currentlt Q3 based) system if you're ever around in the Pacific NW
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ebm
9,311 posts
 
Melbguyone your thoughts are certainly on the money i totally agree.It doesn't matter as he thinks it only his opinion that counts even though there are hundreds of happy MARIGO owners.Enjoy be well!!
fleschler
2,008 posts
 
ebm  It is not only my opinion, but the opinion of several on a previous thread, this thread, many notable mastering engineers as well as current Magico owners.  Note that Folkfreak hated the sound as demonstated at shows.  I found them soulless even using VAC and Jadis gear.  However, Folkfreak has managed to make his system sound warm, organic, open and melodic.  I'm waiting to hear from the founder of this thread.
Melbguyone-You're new to audiogon.  You have no idea what a forum train wreck is until you've read threads on Synergistic Research fuses and Total Contact.  There one can find trolls who dismiss tweaks without hearing them and make up stories concerning dangers in using them as well as casting aspersions on sex, race and religion.  I've done nothing other than voice my opinion.  
I want to hear from as many users and hearers of Magico speakers as possible but on both threads on A3s two posters dominate.

pokey77
1,266 posts
 
@wcfeil

The voice of reason right here. There's no best, just what one prefers. 

I've heard the A3s twice with SS gear and though I can afford them and am looking for new speakers, they aren't on my short list. That just means I don't like them, nothing more. I've also heard Magico one or two other times and I was also not suitably entertained. Horses for courses.

@ebm 

"Its very hard to make a great speaker sound great in a hotel room." That is the truth. But I've also heard many that have sounded just amazing.
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