Speakers that are very accurate sounding but don't produce an emotional connection.


I have listened to a few speakers over the years that impressed me with their accuracy and presentation of the music, but just did not create an emotional response or connection. I have often wondered what that quality is in some speakers that produce an emotional connection with the listener. This quality has been identified by audiophiles, as "magical", "engaging"  "just right"  "euphonic"  "natural"  "true to life". " "satisfying"  "musical"....  I am sure there are at least 50  other  adjectives that could describe this "quality" of  sound . 

Considering the various aspects  of achieving  good and accurate sound by component synergy, is there a way to explain this so-called magical element that often eludes so many of us??.  I don't think such a feeling is temporal, conditioned by personal moods, or the phases of the moon or sun.  

Like to hear from members who have given some thought to the same issue.    Thanks,  Jim   

BTW, I know the thread is a bit out there, but  I don't think the topic is pointlessly pursuing the genie in the bottle. 


sunnyjim
@gpgr4blu , Like I said, if you’re relying on notoriously sub-optimal
show conditions alone to judge an entire manufacturer, you’re only fooling yourself. I formed my view of Wilson Alexia’s based on auditions in a Dealer’s main treated room *and* under show conditions.

I can't comment on Daedalus,  Salk or Nola as I have only heard Daedalus, and only under show conditions.  Look out for my future review of the Magico S5 Mk2 speakers. They are completely different animals to the original S5’s & incorporate many of the innovations of the M Pro.
Melbguy, I do intend to go to a local dealer here in Manhattan that carries Magico with Constellation and DCS and listen there. He also carries Rockport which I intended to listen to anyway. BTW I have heard numerous products in a dealer's showroom with room treatments and more and thought nothing of them until I heard them at another dealer who knew what to do with that component. Case in point, I have heard Martin Logans at least a dozen times in many different showrooms throughout the years and they left me cold. I had decided that I simply did not like the sound and I figured it was probably because of the technology. Too diaphanous with a bright tonal balance and no stage depth I thought. That was for years one of my least favorite of the more popular speakers. I heard them last week at Stereo Exchange in NYC with Rogue amplification and they sounded great. In fact, I went there for something else and just happened to walk by an open area where they were located and the music stopped me in my tracks. I now view that speaker as one that can be pretty awful if not set up right and outstanding if done properly. I love discovering that I was wrong about a product. I will have no problem admitting I was wrong about Magico if I hear them sing. 
The Rectilinear speakers have been mentioned a few times in this thread. I relative has had a pair now for 40 plus years. First time I heard them, after helping lugging them into an apartment, I was blown away- they were that good . 

Heard them again a month ago- folks, speakers have gotten a lot better since the hey day of the Rectlinear. 
@gpgr4blu The Dealer I mentioned is Tivoli Hifi in my neck of the woods. The Dealer has 30 years experience and chooses good staff. Their main room is well sorted from my limited experience with room acoustics, and the night I heard the speakers was a special buying night for members of Stereo.net.au forum with a wine merchant doing wine tasting, so every effort was put into setting up the speakers properly. I think on the balance of probabilities, given two auditions, my findings are probably not going to change much. Remember, we all hear things differently and all have our own tastes/preferences.

It is clear to me you like fast, open speakers with warm, liquid sound and a holographic soundstage. From what i've read, the new Magico S5mk2 & S7 have lighter, stiffer, faster drivers, much higher quality and more powerful magnets, better materials, better cabinet design & better crossover. Paired with tube-like ss amps such as Vitus Signature series or Pass XA.8/XS series, or CJ Art/Gat or Absolaire tubes you could find the sound you like out of Magico. I haven't found a sound I like yet out of Wilson, but never say never they say.
Hello melbguy1

Did you hear TAD Compact Reference One and/or TAD Evolution One versus your Magico S5.

I heard Magico S5 last week with Zanden power, 2 X 90 W tubes and found it beautiful, especially very open, lots of detail and not harsh, but also a liitle weak at the bottom.
Heard S5 before and then there was much more low-end, even a little too much for my tastes. 
Indeed careful setup with electronics and room is highly recommended to reach audio nirvana.

So I think Magico and also TAD can accomodate listeners with very accurate sound, which however both can be too clinical for some.
I heard Magico V3 with all Spectral gear and while it was sounding very correct it left me cold as it was.