Magico S5 vs KEF Blade 2 vs TAD Evo One vs YG Kipod II Sig w/pwr bass

Magico is a very well engineered speaker. There is no way a lowther driver even in the fanciest aesthetic box can even hold a candle to the Magico S5. I would not try to get a more tube euphonic sound out of such a wonderfully engineered speaker but your taste must be quite eccentric if you can equally love such two very different speakers.

Well I really like the Magico's but I am listening to them not set up properly and only for about an hour or so and I'm sure they will sound so much better once settled and matched up and set up properly. Plus my Rethm's have been optimized equipment wise and tweak wise over the last year to perfection so certainly not a fair comparison. 

That said I am not speaking about artilcles I read or hearing speakers for a couple songs at shows.

I own both of these speakers and both are in my room with my own gear and trust me my taste is just regular like anyone's - no special taste or preference from the standpoint that great equipment sounds great and better equipment sounds better.

I've owned Wilsons, Revels, Kharma, Ascendo, Sonus Faber, Harbeth, Merlin, Dynaudio, Audio Physic, Focal, B&W, Martin Logan, Magnapan, Quads and many others and many different models for many of these brands. I went on a tear a few years back. Amps did the tons as well from the Big Class A Krells to the buttery smooth Premier CJ's and much of everything in between and I certainly don't claim to be an expert or pro on any of it but I can speak of it from a first hand ownership experience and what I am quite confident speaking to is when something clearly - not subtle but clearly sounds better than something else.

Not to just my ears or in general. Some things are just better. Not warmer or brighter - I am not talking small nuisances I'm talking Flat out - smack right between the eyes - better - simple stuff really - no goldern ears needed. Better is better. Other than these Magico's the Rethm's were by FAR the best speakers I've ever owned. I can tell right now they floor the Magico's in imaging but imaging is just a small part of the whole. My gut says the Magico's are an overall better speaker, more refined, more sophisticated, more bass, more slam, more of everything but I've got some work to do to get to that. The Rethm's are not about to just lay down I promise you that. They are to dang good. That is why I chose such a good speaker in the Magico S5 because I knew it would take an outstanding speaker to better the Rethm. I want a better / improved pair of speakers and knew I needed to step us based on all the former speakers I've owned and what the Rethm's did to them. I knew It would take a very special speaker to beat them and I think I accomplish just that goal.

Thankfully I might add but these Magico's seem like they would benefit from some tubes and I think the BAT VK-32SE is not a slouch of a tube preamp. It's pretty dynamic and extended but has tubes.

I'm still considering Ayre K-1xe and maybe even a Pass Labs XP10 but I think the Ayre is probably a better pre but not positive. I think my pre choice is going to be pretty important getting the most out of the Magico's inline with my presence.

That's said I love the Rethm's with my Bricasti direct as it has grown on me direst to my Pass Labs X350.5.

To another point the Rethm's are not Lowers in a fancy box. That was the old model. They make their own proprietary drivers partnering with an Indian driver OEM and they are incredible.

Everyone that has heard them in my room were blow away by them not just me. A couple well know OEM's, a couple NA Distributors all were like wow I never these things sounded like that. Most people think they are just Lowthers in a fancy box but nothing could be further than the truth!

guys - BAT VK32SE or Ayre K-1xe

or maybe Pass Labs XP10

Would love some feedback!!

thanks 

Congrats, fsmithjack, on your new speakers. You obviously have "paid your dues" through ownership experiences with many of the finest pieces of gear over many years. Hoping that you have found yet another personal pinnacle of excellence with the Magicos. Enjoy!

Dave

Thanks so much Dave - I'm psyched !!! They are pretty awesome!!! I was on the speaker go round a couple years back and just couldn't find a good match! Seems like I nailed this one right away! 
thanks 

@fsmithjack

Great that you like so many very different designs and very different sounds. Your taste is eclectic and your hobby is like that of a grand master chef trying different dishes and inventive recipes with the very best ingredients.