Considering moving on from B&W...


Hi all, I have ben a B&W speaker owner ever since I bought a par of ny first "real" speakers while i college back in 2001, the CDM7SE and a Marantz SR14 to power it. Over the years, I moved up the Nautilus line by cashing my scholarship checks each year (which my parens didn't find out until years later thankfully lol) and went from 804 to 803 to 802. During that time I also got ito McIntosh amps. Anyway, when I finished with my Masters, I had those 802's and an MC352 powering them. I kept those 802's until 2018 when I traded them in for the new 802 D3's and HTM1D3. 

I have found myself losing interest in the B&W house sound. I am looking to move away from the super forward and highly analytical sound they bring to something much more musical. I  have a dealer close to me that is willing to do a straight trade...my 802 D3's for a pair of Magico A3's. Wanted to see what the board thought of that deal and their thoughts on the A3. I have not had a chance to hear them yet,

128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xjof

Jof stick with Magico   Audition if you can .they are world class speakers.

My advice is to have a long auditioning session.  Here's my rationale

B&Ws were something I once aspired to buy and I listened to PSB and eventually Sonus faber - I went with Sonus faber.

And there's some many excellent speakers I think it's virtually impossible to hear them all.  With Magico's reputation if you like the sound and a few years down the road your tastes change I am confident someone will want your Magico.

I've enjoyed listening to DeVore, Wilson, Splendor, ProAc - but I am very fond of my Sonus faber.  If you can audition them easily listen to as many speakers as you can.

I would love to, but being in Alabama can make it really hard to audition speakers. Funny thing happened, When I posted this topic, it was while my new preamp and processor were in route. I have had the McIntosh C2700 for about week now the D3's sound like totally different speakers. I am going to wait a while and see how the C2700 and the new Anthem processor play wit the D3's.

I would add the Spendor D series to the list of speakers to audition to as well.   I owned Magico S series speakers for around 3 years and switched to D9s and have been very happy with them.   Personally, I think they are a great comprise between the ultra resolving and dynamic camp (what some Harbeth owners call the  'modern' sound) and the midrange centric, nice natural tone, etc. (i.e. musical) camp.

I got a chance to hear the Fleetwood DeVille horn speakers recently and they were also a nice mix of dynamics and jump but with a relaxed natural tone and presentation.  

Good Luck!

@ddafoe I used to own a Ferrari, but my made in China Yuan SUV is so much more comfortable 🙄