Magico Q3's at Goodwin's High End


Just a quick note to say that Goodwin's High End (in Boston) along with Alon Wolf presented a demonstration of the Magico Q3's yesterday.

As usual, it was a class act by Goodwin's and a real treat overall. Mr. Wolf fielded a number of questions about the speakers (and Magico's approach to design) and his detailed responses were fascinating.

The Q3's sounded spectacular. They were setup in Goodwin's huge listening room (20x30x11) and they were positioned quite wide apart and deep into the room (almost halfway). I was transported to the symphony hall with a few tracks - like nothing I've ever experienced before. They were driven with very expensive electronics, inluding huge Boulder amps that were 1000w each (if I'm not mistaken) to compensate for the size of the room.

The Q3 is a modest size floorstanding loudspeaker, but it weighs 250lbs! Like the Q5 (if you've ever heard it) it is very clean and neutral sounding. Definitely a speaker that lets you listen into the music rather than wow you with a forward presentation. Besides classical, we heard some jazz, some instrumental and a cut from Jennifer Warnes Famous Blue Raincoat that was stunning. These speakers don't call any attention to themselves. They were so coherent and produced such an impressive soundstage that it didn't feel like they were the source of the sound. Jennifer's voice had no artifacts (sibilence, etc) that it was like she was standing there. I feel I finally heard how the record was supposed to sound.

Anyways, I'm not trying to do a proper review here, but I did want to thank Goodwins and Magico for the opportunity and I thought I would share my initial impresssions.

Would love to know what other folks at the presentation(s) thought.
madfloyd
Congratulations Suteetat. It's not about the quantity of bass, but the quality of bass that matters. The Magico bass with the sealed, inert enclosures just sounds more like the real thing, IMO. Great detail, very little distortion and great weight and body. I also listen mostly to classical, though I don't get the same extension with my Mini IIs.
James, Usher midrange is a little bit larger, more forward, not quite as well focus, and may be a touch rougher. Image is also a touch flatter on Be-20. I found Usher older Berylium/titanium tweeter a bit on the cool side and DMD sweeter and rounder, which I prefer. Right now Magico is a bit darker in overall tonal balance. Q3 definitely has Usher beaten in term of resolution, detail and absence of any boxiness. Mind you, when I bought Usher (over here it is quite a bit cheaper than in the US), in its price range I could not find anything that I like better so I do have very high regard for Be-20.

Peter, I completely agree with you about Magico's bass. I listen to about 70-80% classical and vocal music. Pop/rock may be only about 5% of the time.
Just a slight update, not sure how to explain this, using Lamm 4 ohms tab instead of the 8 ohms tab, Q3 is not quite as dark as before. Usher impedance is 8 ohms so I never tried 4 ohms tab with it. On the other hand, string seems to have more sparkle with 8 ohms mode while 4 ohms is more creamy, a bit softer. The speakers are really hyperdetail but in an absolutely non fatiguing way. The first day, I started listening at about 2.30pm and did not turn the stereo off until 10 at night. This is how easy and non fatiquing Q3 is to listen to. Perhaps Lamm is also helping here quite a bit as well.