Opportunity to buy Demo Magico M2?
A dealer called me with an offer to sell their demo Magico M2’s at a massive discount. I was recently in their shop and tested the A5’s with my Gryphon Diablo 300, and I found the bass to be lacking with the A5’s. I think this was likely due to the fact that they had less than 250 hours on them.
My room, while not massive, is on the larger side. Vaulted ceilings that rises to 14 feet at the peak, about 26ft front to back, and open on the sides (house is open concept). There is a large and tall island that separates out the listening area.
Considering my room size, and considering my not so great experience with the A5’s, should I bother lugging my amp into the shop to test the M2’s? I have to travel a ways so it’s a bit of a commitment. But the discount they are offering is about $25k off. And they said it would include the M-Pods. Thoughts?
I don’t think the M5 is lacking in bass but rather tuned a little cool. Placement could be critical. Having said that, they also have amazing imaging on and off axis along with glass smooth frequency response through most of the vocal and treble ranges. A little chesty to my ears. B&W as an alternative... Meh. I just don’t like their treble harshness and no one can convince me otherwise. Monitor Audio Platinum are better directions, or Revel or Wilson IMHO. Many love B&W, of course, and many love Magico, what I cannot imagine is loving the Magico mid-treble balance and thinking B&W might be another good direction. These speakers don't even talk the same language IMHO and never will. |
Thanks all for the valuable insight as always. To be very clear, I’m not much of a fan of B&W either! I am however a fan of the D2 generation of B&W. I just read an old thread comparing the 802 D2 to the 802 D3, and the consensus in that thread by multiple posters is exactly in line with my experience with my 802 D2’s and comparing against the D3 line. That thread also validates what the salesman who set up my 801 D4 audition told me: that the D2 generation is richer and fatter and more bottom up. It seems this is my go-to sound and everything else doesn’t sound right to me including all newer generations of B&W. I’m sure more options would be available for me if I had room for two subwoofers, but I do not. It amazes me that my preferences in that bottom-up tonal balance is not the norm, at least from what I hear from most speakers! @erik_squires I don’t doubt that you’ve heard harsh treble with B&W but I can’t say I hear it as being any brighter than the other top tier speakers I’ve auditioned in the past few weeks. Even the leaner sounding D3 and D4 models don’t have bright treble to my ears. Maybe my ears are rolling off the highs as I get older, so it’s not an issue :)
|
I should also add - I didn’t even like my 803 D2’s with ANY of the multiple separates that I demo’d at home (McIntosh, Bryston, Moon / Simaudio, others). It wasn’t until I tried the magic combo with the Gryphon Diablo 300 that I was liking what I heard! Damn, I’m just realizing how ultra-specific my tastes are. I literally don’t know of another amp-speaker combo that sounds even acceptable to me. No wonder it’s taken 25 or so years for me to arrive at a sound I truly am at peace with! Hopefully the 802 D2 will be a “tweak” of an improvement in detail and soundstage without disrupting my tonal preferences. From everything I’ve read comparing the 802 D2 to the 802 D3 (which I’ve heard), I am pretty confident this is the best choice. |
