new Magico speakers the Q5

Looks like they'll enable Magico to be more cost competitive with mbl 101s and such. Are these Magicos for smaller rooms or can they really compete with the mbls in larger rooms?

Mapman and Tpreaves, these prices are just plain silly ridiculous, and yes, there are many others in this wonderful economy.

Having listened with and enjoyed the 5's its good to know they have what looks like a full range model in a lower price category. Looking forward to hearing the Q at CES.

Regarding retail cost, everyone has a different opinion regarding value and what represents a reasonable price model. Most often these values are intertwined with one's own budget, system and what each of us thinks is "acceptable" based on limited experience. A short course with the fixed costs, small economy and overhead required to maintain any boutique business in HE Audio would send most looking for other job opportunities. There are extremely few people in high end business circles that make anything more than a simple living and even fewer brands that can get away with over-pricing goods. That happens far more with mass-market brands than small to medium sized high-end companies..

Definitely, there are uber-expensive products that will likely only appeal to a few retail customers but I seriously doubt they are over-priced or inflated beyond what they have to sell for. They are likely priced to stay in line with the revenues the company needs to grow its brand or at least keep pace in what is probably the most competitive market segment in all of H.E Audio--speaker systems.

From what I see there are very few products or companies left that get away with grossly over-pricing their products. Some few cable-based and off-commercial market brands still do as a means of buying dealer loyalty or balancing the US vs. Overseas retail pricing. That is the rare exception these days however and not the rule.

Regards,

Grant
Shunyata

Grant, I agree with you for the most part about pricing with high end audio. I always look at the value of a product, and I believe there are some very expensive pieces that remain very good values. However, I also believe Magico has pushed the price envelope beyond what I would consider to be reasonable. Having heard the V3 for example, I think the price they ask is obscene. The V2 is 32k, and the M5 is 90k. Sorry, it just doesn't add up.

Some may disagree with my assessment, and others may think that my speakers cost too much money. I'm just contributing to the discussion because I believe Magico brings criticism upon itself by the pricing they employ.

Beware telling a Magico dealer that you like what you hear. I've had the experience of a dealer attempting to ridicule me for questioning the value. They sounded good to me so I should be willing to write my check for over $30000 immediately, a 50% price increase from the year before, else I am a fool, right? Wrong. They were not that good! I can select from many very fine speakers that also sound fantastic for that kind of change, some at a fraction of the cost. There are many nice fish in the sea!