Opportunity to buy Demo Magico M2?

@larryi , very interesting!  I am listening to the A5’s again tomorrow (a different pair that is broken in).  I know what you mean about “meaty”, I like meaty too!

I listened to the Wilson Sasha DAW’s today with my Diablo 300. I thought they sounded really great on most material. I think many would love this pairing; sound was very natural and free-flowing. Imaging and detail was fantastic and the sound wasn’t bright or harsh at all.

But on harder rock with louder guitars they definitely sounded thinner with less mid-bass and lower bass than is comfortable to listen to. Less “meaty” to use the descriptor above. I don’t listen to this type of music often but with my 803 D2’s at home, ALL music sounds fantastic; not just the audiophile friendly material. Maybe that is asking too much of a speaker when things are this highly resolving.

I could just about see myself springing for these speakers as they were perfect in almost all ways, except for loud rock with distorted guitars (Pearl Jam etc). But I’m not sure I think losing the ability to play certain music is worth the clear increase in performance when playing other material. I’m certain many would be over the moon with this pairing. And, while Wilson’s look bizarre and weird in photos, I have to say in person I thought they looked spectacular.

One thing in my mind is that again, as usual, the room had quite a bit of dampening. So, I do wonder if the harder-edged music would sound fuller in my room which has far less dampening and a hardwood floor. Maybe the Wilson’s WOULD be perfect in my room? Again, testing at home is not an option. I’m not even local to the dealer, and returning after purchasing is not an option either as the shop would be specially ordering them (and there’s a 4-5 month wait). Anyone know if harder-edged music would sound fuller with far less dampening in the room? At the dealer one side wall was entirely covered with treatment and all corners were treated. The ceiling too.

These speakers are the closest fit yet. I feel like the Rockports could be a bit more forgiving and “meaty” based on what people are saying, so I might need to wait until I can travel to hear those to make a decision. Or just be happy with my speakers for now! I am finding that the more I upgrade my cabling/electronics, the better my current speakers sound.

Will be trying a broken in pair of A5’s tomorrow. After that, all that’s left on my list will be the Rockports.

Update:  I found a pair of good condition B&W 802 D2’s for sale, from a seller that I could pick the speakers up from on a day trip.  Price might be a tad high at $9k USD considering the seller is the second owner.

That said, this may be a great opportunity because:

-I like the sound of my current 803 D2 speakers but am looking for better detail and imaging.  In theory the 802 D2’s could retain what I like about my speakers while adding the improvements I’m looking for.

-This approach would save me a ton of cash.

Only odd thing is that the ad says the terminal binding posts have been upgraded “to the WBT version”.  Not sure what that is but it sounds okay?

I might really consider this.

I think most speakers benefit from a couple of well placed subs.  In both my systems, (Revel Salon 2s) and (YG Haileys) adding two REL subs enhanced everything.  They do sound good without subs.  But once they are dialed in, you surely miss them if you turn them off.  It is like that, not boomy bass, just better music  I feel well worth it; with speakers costing 10 -50 k, adding a pair of even super nice REL Carbon Specials at 3500 each (yes use the baseline blue upgraded cables) is a value.  I did upgrade the subs PC's but not anywhere as expensive as the rest of my system).

So I feel don't expect and select a speaker entirely for its bass.  (Sure it has to go low to blend with a subwoofer).  Go for the musicality, imaging, tone  and all around sweetness.  And add subwoofers.  BTW I run both my systems with full signal to my main speakers.  With great amplification it is not an issue.  Then blend the subs in with phase, crossover and volume.  Good Luck!

I myself like the higher end Focals.  Scala Utopia evo or even sopra 3

Check out sound sommelier on YouTube