Rockport's or Magico's

Drac, I never judged your choice or characterized the Sason's LF response as a negative. Nor did I judge the Sason's other than to say they were likely a well made speaker design based on positive comments, including yours.

I never mentioned Wilson speakers, so there seems no point in dragging them in as another pin cushion for you to spike. You really do have quite the chip on your shoulder.

Had I ever seen the Sason's or knew where they were demoing I'd love to hear them. Maybe at the next RMAF. They look like a good speaker design. You found a great deal. Good for you.

So go listen and experience music's calming influence.

BTW, kudos to Baby Bear and Koegz. I had not seen their descriptions and sound comments above, before now. Really well explicated and not a hint of edge or narcissism. Both make great points about the speakers differences and defining character. Well done.

Thanks for the kind words Grant.

I agree with what you said that the Magico and Rockport speakers both have their charms, strengths and specific presentations that define them. And throughout their respective product lines and price points it will come down to personal preference, associated electronics and the listening room that ultimately will determine which brand a listener will prefer.

Sammy may be this would satisfy you. Magico M5 - extremely detailed (to the point of fatigue to my ears), tremendous bass extension and resolution, pin point imaging and staging, extremely fast but a little hard sounding, no warmth in the midrange, and in the end uninvolving for me. Sounded like this eventhough they were driven by VTL reference tube mono blocks and preamp and $22k Accuphase SACD player. I heard them with solid state electronics also and no improvement there either. I would put their sound similar to Wilsons and YG Acoustics - solid state sounding. Some people like this type of sound, I don't.

Rockport Altairs have bloom, warmth, wonderful natural staging and imaging, a little full in the bottom octive, sweet nonfatiguing highs, natural timbre, and very musical and enjoyable long term. But they do have a slight veil compared to the Magicos. These charasteristics were maintained even with solid state electronics.

Sammy I only have a chip on my shoulder when people like you try to make underhanded comments about my opinions. Your snide comments were not warrented.

As an owner of Rockport Antares, I am anything but unbiased. I realize, too, that these are now old speakers that are no longer made. I just wanted to add that I bought the Antares in 2001 after extensive auditioning of many speakers; and that I auditioned them in my home before buying them as well. My point? After about 40 years of "upgrade-itis", owning countless high-end speakers and other equipment, I have finally been content for 8 years. I believe the Rockports are generally "music-lovers" speakers. I imagine I might take some criticism for saying that (or at least get an argument). I am simply saying that - FOR ME, for the first (extended) time in my life - I just sit back and listen to music now, not worrying about resolution, imaging, bass, highs, mid-range, etc. I will also add (as I believe someone else also said) that my Rockports are very "chameleon-like".

By the way, I have not heard the Magicos, the latest Rockports, or the RSAs.