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
I heard from my dealer a few weeks ago that the price will go up, I think First of September if I am not mistaken to $38,000+. I got mine at the original price. Supposedly the price went up because cost of aluminium went up considerably since Q3 was planned and initial price was announced. However I am not in commodity market so I would not know for sure!
I found the Q3 to be much better than the V3. There is a seamless coherence with the Q3. No frequency range brings attention to itself and there is little to no cabinet sound. I found the bass of the V3 to be disjointed from the rest of the speaker. These auditions were at dealerships in different rooms with different equipment.

I found the Q3 to be as coherent as my Mini II and even more transparent and neutral. Of course, it is also far more extended. It's a great speaker.
I agree with Peter. For what it's worth, I really like V3 but not quite enough to upgrade my Usher Be-20. Q3 is a different story. Not that is matter much but I understand that locally, my dealer seems to get more order for Q3 these last couple of months than V3 were sold here in the last 2-3 years.

I can't really comment much regarding M5 vs Q3. I only heard M5 once with Krell Evo One/Two. Definitely great speakers regardless of what Q5/Q3 can do.
I had the V3 and now I have the Q5. I think the V3 is
a very good speaker wth a very transparent sound.
They also need a powerful amplifier to get the best.
The Q5 are in another class. They are simply fantastic
and the improvement of the bass and the general image is very
high. I drive them with Spectral 30ss and 360 mono, Mit Matrix
cables and Esoteric K01. I listen every day 5-6 hours to
the music and I can say I'm very satisfied.
I think I will listen the Q3 in the next Top Audio in Milan
and I hope I'll be able to compare to the Q5.
Greetings Sergio