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


Opinions please. All are Used and are the same very good price but The Y&G are $4000 less which is nice.

KEF Blade 2

TAD Evolution One

Y&G Kipod II Signature w/Pwr Bass module

Magico S5


Would love your thoughts any thoughts on any please! Being all used and in good shape these are all within $500 of each other used price but Y&G and those had highest list but know to be good used deals because they are pretty serious speakers.

I think as far as used speakers in the great value - now less than 1/2 price but still new enough to provide great performance these are some different but pretty serious speakers. Please any and all feedback totally welcomed and is super helpful 

Source: Bricasti M1SE DAC 

Preamp: Parasound JC2 Pre

Amp: Pass Labs X350.5 Amp

IC: Darwin TRUTH Balanced

SC: HiDiamond D8 w/Furutech

PC: HiDiammond P3 (7)

AC: HiDiamond HDX2 

Transport: microRendu 1.4 and full suite of UpTone Audio Premium Power Supplies (2)x LPS-1 and (1) JS-2 LPS - (2) Regens - ISO and Amber and custom Canare DC cables for all / Tellarium Q Black Diamond USB cable and Curious Regen Link

Room is 12 x 23 w/Cathedral Ceilings - 15 Foot a peak 

Music: Assorted Music no metal or loud hard rock anymore really - not much Large Scale classical either but everything else.

Likes: Transparency- Delicate-linear-Dynamic-Fast - high resolution-microscope but not sterile not etched or lifeless - I know there is a fine Line here but I'm looking to walk it and come out on the right side - but real see through into the music - transparent to the source because I love my DAC - there more everything else sound more like my DAC the closer I'm getting to where I want to go as close as possible - image and sound stage lover - tight bass - hate flab - like speed and transparency as my selection choices might speak to

Coming from: Rethm Saadhana V3 speakers which I love and are incredible but want to try something else. 

Love any feedback about matching or equipment matching or one or multiple of these - what you heard at shows or whatever. Love more Info on these.









128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xfsmithjack
@fsmithjack

The tweeter used in the older version of the S5 is inadequate. It compresses terribly above 90 dB SPL (a major design mistake on this speaker probably corrected on subsequent models). Perhaps you listen loud and are sensitive to this harsh dull distorted sound? Being a metal dome it will also have plenty of high end and risk of resonances. Finally, tweeters that compress easily at modest volumes like 90 dB SPL will likely burn up their tweeter Ferrofluid quickly. If these speakers are a few years old then I would consider to replace the tweeters.

Based on your outstanding list of previous ownership I think your speakers are not working properly - have the tweeters checked first and see if there is an upgrade available.

Here is a link - check the two "deviation from linearity" plots the performance of the tweeter is horrendous for a speaker at this price/quality. (2 dB compression at 90 dB and 3dB at 95)


http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1043:nrc-measu...

As the voice coil in the tweeter heats up the resistance increases and then the crossover will no longer work properly as it is not matched for the higher tweeter impedance. Since the crossover is around 2KHz any trouble there will be easily audible and that frequency can sound harsh if elevated.

Trust your ears!
Shadorne - I was thinking that but these came directly from Magico. I called them spoke to them. He was like they were here 3 days ago in the lab on the bench and they told me they are perfect - and test perfect. He said they seemed like they were hardly used at all - basically like new and told me everything is perfect with them. No I don't listen loud at all and most always under 90spl. Avg like 86-87 - just not into loud except once in a while - maybe pop up to 89 but rare over 90.

i think they hate the combo of my DAC direct to my amp and hate my IC and PC to amp. I think they need different and balanced IC's to go with a balanced tube preamp and different Pc for pre and amp. 

Not sure but hope this does the trick but also this is not a cheap bit of changes needed either. This group of stuff cost some doe and I wasn't expecting it all :(

I was hoping they would sound good - different but good but not the case. I had nothing to do with my old speakers or what I'm used to. Any person after 2 minutes will say yeah Houston we have a problem here... 


Shadorne raises an interesting point, but I would add that the compression at 90+ db shown in the SoundStage measurements, rather than applying to listening levels of 90+ db, applies to the situation where 90+ db levels (at 2 meters) occur in the mid to upper treble region itself.  And that will occur VERY infrequently for most listeners on most recordings.

Also, I posted an unrelated thought about the issue in the thread you started about it yesterday.

Regards,
-- Al
   
@fsmithjack 

If you are certain the speakers are 100% then check your source - maybe you are overdriving your preamp input or something is broken.

Your speakers should sound fantastic with just an iPhone plugged into your Preamp.
Hey guys - I have an update - I updated my setup advice post and wanted to share with you guys as well:

  UPDATE:

Ok so I am trying out some different - well matching cables tonight guys! Psyched !!!

My local Magico dealer - the great folks at Goodwin Audio in Waltham, Ma are letting me try out some Kubala-Sosna Expression Speaker Cables and a pair of Balanced Interconnects tonight.

I am pretty excited about this. They tell me they have used Kubala-Sosna in their demo rooms with Magico and used these exact cables with S5's in the past and they know for sure they are a good match so this gets to help reduce some variables here which is awesome!

I will try these tonight and update you guys. So hope they help!
 
Also, if these don't do the trick or at least help go in the right directio Goodwin will send out a Magico guy to come over my house and check everything out and help me with set up and listen for themselves to help figure out what the problem/s are, offer me some ideas and help me out.

How are awesome are these guys? I couldn't afford to buy new Magico's from them but I can buy some cables and pay them for their service to help me so I am pretty excited. They have been awesome! This is a great dealer and I am very thankful. They as well as you guys have really reduced my audio anxiety - well for now anyways :)

I'll keep you posted. Too bad I can add pics on here?