Magico A3 vs. Wilson SabrinaX


Well, coming down the stretch, I can't find a on this forum comparing these 2 speakers. I listened to the SabrinaX, and found them "flat" somehow, hard to describe. Incredible definition and soundstage, but not much knack/dynamic. So, I'm wondering how they would compare to the Magico A3s that I haven't had a chance to listen to. I would be pairing these with a Pass XA25 which should be sufficient to drive them. Or is my "flat" experience simply unrealistic?
trackmoe

@kingbarbuda 

I also have a pair of Benchmark AHB2s. Again they drive them well and are highly resolving and quiet. With tubes which is my new revelation they dynamics are great and soundstage is wide.

When I went and demoed the Magico A3 I took my then single AHB2 and it was awful. I figured it was not powerful enough. I have AHB2 monos now and it is good to hear they drive the A3's well. I am considering using the AHB2's with my Livingroom system. They currently drive my office KEF LS50 Metas. I do not have speakers for the Livingroom.

 

@linndrum808

The Magicos are not capable of low bass extension.

Falses. The A3 extend just as low as the Subrina, and it is doing it in a much more linear way.

If you do this you hear the mids in greater detail.

False again. Learn the difference between elevated bass (Subrina - typical Wilson) and real extension (the A3 - typical Magico).
The A3 is a much better speaker, objectively (See reviews and measurements).
You, of course, can like what you like.

I auditioned the A3s (associated electronics were Lyngdorf integrated and very high end cables) in my search for a new pair of speakers. I found them to sound dark, closed in, lacking air and sense of space, with boomy bass. They lacked life and I just couldn’t get into the music. When pushed hard I could hear the artifacts of that sealed aluminum cabinet. At first they reminded me of the original Sonus Faber Cremona (I remember those sounding warm but seductive) where the A3s just ended up being dark, lacking engagement factor and unnatural. Not much life in their presentation and once you hear the cabinet artifacts you can’t unhear it.

I ended up buying a pair of Wilson Sabrina original not X.
I drive them with a Pass Labs XA30.8 amplifier.

The Sabrinas required weeks of listening and playing with placement. I had them on furniture sliders and listened to them in one particular placement for days before changing their position. They’re by far the most difficult speakers I ever had when it comes to set up and are super sensitive to room acoustics and upstream components. They’re really a clear lens that lets you see all the faults elsewhere in your system and room. But once everything gels they reward all your hard work with a very satisfying listening experience. Plenty of Wilson Audio haters out there but every time I read their comments I wonder if they actually had an opportunity to audition a properly set up pair, had they even owned a pair of Wilsons paired with proper electronics and room? In most cases the answer is probably no. 
 

 

Plenty of Wilson Audio haters out there but every time I read their commentsI wonder if they actually had an opportunity to audition a properly set up pair, had they even owned a pair of Wilsons paired with proper electronics and room? In most cases the answer is probably no.

Funny, and you don’t think the same logic can be applied to Magico??
Lyngdorf integrated is a class D, room/signal correction integrated. The last amplifier you want to run an A3 on.
I have been running the A3 on Pass NT250 for a few years now. Nothing like what you are describing, and was not difficult to setup at all.

@mheinze I’m not familiar with lyngdorf design but I can’t imagine it contributed to the sound that much especially when we’re talking about cabinet artifacts.

Also, I don’t see any threads on any forums titled magico haters.
Do you?

But here is Wilson Audio Haters thread