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Magico A3 vs. Joseph Audio Perspective vs. Spendor D9

Hi All,

I have been doing some research over the past while and am currently in the midst of a search for my next floorstanding speaker that costs around ~$10k. My other thread that I posted in this forum gave me a lot to consider. Rather than post there, I figured a most focused thread would be a good idea. Now, I have distilled my choices to these 3 choices... I think.

Power: I will be powering the speakers with a SET amp (48W per channel).
Sources: Most of my sources are digital (Roon/Tidal). I mostly listen to jazz, classical and female vocals. I would appreciate a speaker that provides that good, snappy bass where I don't need a subwoofer.
Room: Large room (will be in the living room that opens up to the kitchen and then the dining room). Aesthetics do matter here.

I have received a ton of help through the forums already during my search and have now narrowed down my speaker choices to (in no particular order):

  • Magico A3 - No issues driving these speakers with my amp. Tested and they sounded wonderful. Very analytical and super clear details. Tight bass as well but maybe more weighted in the clarity/details than warmth, even with my tube amp.
  • Joseph Audio Perspective - No dealers in WA or OR so no way to test these but have heard wonderful things about these speakers. Sounds like imaging/sound stage is a strong suit along with clarity. I wonder how bass performance is though as these have smaller woofers compared to my other choices.
  • Spendor D9 - Have not heard these speakers yet but am trying to find a local dealer that has them in stock.
Another one that I am still thinking about is the Daedalus Argos but I would like to hear some feedback on the top 3 at this time.

Thanks!
freesole
ddafoe
259 posts
 
A brand is not universally better than another. That much should be obvious. Magico's have very high end speakers, yes. But while they play primarily in that ball park, the A3's are $10K speakers that compete in a very competitive price range. That is where is becomes subjective. Not to say that the Magico A3's aren't great speakers - they are. But to my ears, they aren't leagues above their $10K price range competitors. Not by a long shot.

Agreed; It has been ~ 1 year since I sold my Magico S1s to purchase Spendor D9s and I'm very happy with the D9s and ultimately enjoy listening to my music more with the D9s.   I had both speakers in my home system at the same time before deciding to go with the D9s.  Plus, my system had been 'tuned' to mate well with the slightly cool and ruthlessly revealing Magicos (e.g. Pass Labs 250.8 + SimAudio 380DSD DAC; both are a little warm and super musical).

I spent 3 enjoyable years with the Magicos and do not regret owning them at all.    To my ears the S1s offer some advantages over the D9s, and visa versa.   Over all though, I much prefer listening to my favorite tunes on the D9s.   @freesole, enjoy your D9s !!
soix
9,810 posts
 
@freesole -- these are new speakers, right?  If they're not broken in and you already like what you're hearing, I think that's a great sign.  Be interested in what changes you hear as the D9s break in.  Congrats on a great pair of speakers!
freesole OP
159 posts
 
@soix Yes, these are brand new. They do look very sleek and aesthetically pleasing :) I have heard from a few people that have heard the D9's that they should sound great out of the box but will really open up after a few months of play. I'm excited to hear those differences too. 
freesole OP
159 posts
 
@ddafoe Thanks for those listening notes on the Magico S1s and the D9's! Another person I spoke to had heard the A3's and the D9's extensively and ultimately bought the D9's as well. He gave me his thoughts which ultimately led me to buy the D9's without listening to them (even though I had heard the D7's). I'm very happy with the choice already but suspect that I will enjoy them even more after some break-in. 
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drrsutliff
870 posts
 
Congratulations on receiving your D9s. They will sound good out of the box but get better after a few hundred hours.  Mine even sounded a little worse around 50 hours but that could have been my over analysis.  They respond to room placement and some experimentation is recommended after they are more broken in.  I listen to mine daily and am never disappointed.  They only down side is they encouraged me to continue upgrading some of my source equipment as they only perform3d better with each positive change.   Look forward to your impressions as time passes.
Rick
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