Opportunity to buy Demo Magico M2?

@thyname , I auditioned my Diablo 300 with the 802 D3 series, and found it to be very impressive. Definitely a highly sophisticated loudspeaker. Enough so that I bought my Diablo. However, it was barely meaty enough for my tastes, and I was VERY nervous pulling the trigger on my Diablo in 2019. I thought that my 803 D2’s at home would sound even leaner than the 802 D3’s did. I had conducted at-home tests of many separates, including McIntosh, and my 803’s all sounded harsh on a lot of material. My Gryphon dealer was in a different city and a home demo of the Diablo wasn’t possible, so I was, again, nervous. But when I first connected my new Diablo at home three years ago, to my surprise, I was greeted with a rich, room-filling, detailed and punchy sound that was what I was after.

This is why I now think I really want to upgrade within the two-generations old D2 series.

I recently tested the 801 D4’s with my Diablo 300, at the shop that I bought my Diablo, and the system sounded downright terrible - too much bass for a change, and mids and treble were the opposite of free-flowing. Uptight and ridged. Now I know the 801 is a highly regarded speaker and I’m not judging it. My amp is also highly regarded by most. So the only explanation is that it is a bad pairing, the room was way over dampened (it was), or my tastes are bonkers weird. The 801 D4’s were well broken in according to the sales guy.

When I explained what I liked about the sound of my 803 D2’s tone, he claimed the D2 series especially has a reputation for being more “rock and roll”, in that it was richer and fatter sounding with a more bottom-up tonal balance. He said some guys have a soft spot for D2 because that is the sound they are after. No idea if this is true, but it’s consistent with my limited experience with the 803D2.

So again that is really what I’m hoping for by sticking with the old D2 series! It’s a gamble but less so because it’s so much less money.
 

To be clear the D3 and D4 series are technically miles ahead of my current 803 D2 speakers, in terms of soundstaging, being able to disappear, etc.  But I just can’t listen to them - they stress me out!

Monitor Audio.

@anotherbob , Monitor Audio PL500 was originally on my list to audition until another Goner who has them told me they felt they needed 4.5ft of clearance from the front wall. I only have 2.5ft between the wall and the rear of the speaker…

@anotherbob , just one person’s opinion but this interesting review of the PL300 (they loved them) said that the Gryphon Diablo “took the life out” of these speakers.  Said the Diablo did much better with Dynaudio and speakers that are harder loads.  
just one reviewer’s opinion but another reason not to bother with the very significant effort that it takes for me to crate up my amp and travel for a full day (round trip)….

nyev,

Based on reading your thread, I don't think Monitor Audio speakers are a good option for you. In my opinion audio is about preferences, not better or worse, but what one prefers. You seem to prefer B&W and there's nothing wrong with that. Go with what you know you like!