new Magico speakers the Q5

"Sorry, it just doesn't add up."

"Actually, it probably does.
Magico's appeal is its no compromise focus on quality...."

And 'there's the rub' - the price is more linked to marketing than it is to either cost of manufacture (surely a fraction of their price) or value for sound (purely subjective but to this day the Magico V3's stand out as the most disappointing 'high-end' speaker I've ever heard (and you can add the Minis to this viewpoint).

Magico find themslves in a circumstance where their speakers have received massive reviews and they need to 'make hay while he sun shines'. Release a new model at 30K less than the awesomely reviewed M5 and there's an instant market from those that couldn't quite reach the stratospheric price levels of the M5. I say good for them - if there are buyers, then they're satisfying a demand and the loss is to those (other companies) that couldn't meet that demand.

Bottom line is that I'm probably not qualified to comment on the sound of speakers priced at such levels, my system being as humble as it is. Nevertheless, I have spent several hours auditionong the Magicos (V3) at the same time as Avalon (Indra) and Wilson Watt Puppy 8's and the Avalons were in an entirely different league. All very personal, of course, but the Avalon Indra's put it all together - one of the best integrated and most persuasive speakers I've heard. The magicos were fine, but didn't seem to present anywhere near the musical landscape that the Indras put forward. To be fair, the Wilsons were also well behind the Indras. All in my subjective and humble opinion of course!

So, if Magico keep finding purchasers with deep enough pockets, then all to the good for them. As far as the advancement of speaker technology goes or the pursuit of the 'live sound', you can relax; it hasn't been found yet. I'm yet to be convinced that Magico are actually ven looking for it!

Apologies to those fans of Magico - ours is a hobby that is inseperable from personal tastes and listening preferences - mine just don't happen to favour the Magico. At least, not at their asking prices.

Speaker systems and their pricing will always be a topic of hot debate because more than any other component they are open to subjective assessment within a limitless array of contexts. Full range speaker systems are not inexpensive to produce and the competition for sales in that limited high-$ market is fierce.

If there are brands that grossly over charge for what is delivered I do not believe they will have long term success. European and Asian markets can sort out the wheat from the chaff even more quickly than the US and without strong markets overseas there is little chance for prolonged success.

That Magico is bringing a new model into the market in this economy is a sign of health and growth. That does not come by accident or slick marketing campaigns. They have some good dealers supporting them in the US and Europe and those are hard to come by these days.

I've heard Magico speakers sound great in Europe M5's with Spectral in Munich and at Goodwins with Boulder-- and not so great at a past show (mini 2's). Like other brands they are probably sensitive to rooms and ancillaries.

People may knock them or love them, but I doubt their pricing is inflated based on their obvious build quality and normal import margins.

Hens,
I wonder what marketing are you talking about? Any supported data you like to share? All I have seen so far from Magico, and I have been a big fan for many years now, is a monthly single ad page in TAS. It dwarfs in comparison it to the massive multiple pages ad campaigns of companies like Wilson or YG. Yet, all over the world Magico is being recognize as one of the best, if not the best, loudspeakers brand around. It surpasses YG dealer and distributor dealers network by 10 folds. Are you suggesting that the majority of audiophiles community, all over the world, are all wrong?

One thing which never cease to amuse is that whenever the name Magico popped, there's bound to be controversies and many will start ridiculing their prices. Wonder why this seldom happen with the many other exotic brands commanding similar or even higher pricing (categorically). Question is, are these other brands' asking price then more commensurate with the quality offered? Or perhaps market profile simply not 'tall' enough to be targeted as yet?

Bvdiman-

Very good question. I believe that Magico is challenging the typical audiophile “modus operandi”. Some people find it threatening since it puts their “reasoning” for buying products that they desire. Take for example Rtn1, which seamlessly criticizing Magico “value” while owning, what is “objectively” truly a very poor value, the Avalon Isis. Just because it is big, it does not mean it is worthy. I am truly amazed at the levels of “reality banding” that is going on, just to protect some vulnerable ego.