Magico speakers too clinical and fatiguing?
A while back I was very enthusiastic about these speakers. They look nice and supposedly supposed to sound very nice. I’ve heard them a few times and the level of precision and accuracy is very good. But is there too much science going on to create the speakers that makes them at times a little uncomfortable to listen to for more than a few minutes.
Are modern age speakers going nuts with all the science?
Definitely don't want to put big speakers in a small room. Erik_squires just touched on an important point with the use of tubes preamps will make a positive improvement for these particular speakers Further I don't think there is another component that will have as big an impact in your system than the preamp itself. |
I don't think - although I can't know for sure - that the sound you heard was colored by CAT electronics to the extent of sounding 'chocolate-y' , unless someone was playing around with tubes. I owned CAT electronics for many years, and colorations in the system you heard is not an inherent trait of the CAT 'house sound.' Their sound is closer to exactly 'neutral' not "yin" or "yang," although between the two, it would tilt towards Yang (infinitesimally bleached out). I wonder what else in the system might have produced that. The front end, or the cabling, perhaps? |
I've heard 17+ Magico speakers from Q, A and S series over the years. The Q were the worst. Their smaller speakers (monitors) sounded tiny (orchestra stuffed in a box with 300 watt/side monoblock SS amps). I prefer the Rockports, Legacy, Acora Acoustics and especially Von Schweikerts. The VS speakers used are a bargain for sound. Their latest Endeavor with a pair of V-12XS SHOCKWAVE subs for around $32K new will outdo many $100K speakers, especially in dispersion. |
@fleschler I have the Von Schweikert Endeavor RE speakers. The less expensive walnut version (otherwise identical to the painted SE). I'm using them with a pair of REL S/510 subwoofers. The speakers are rated down to 28hz, but the subs do improve the overall sound. I'm quite happy with them. |
Your results with Magico speakers will vary depending on amplifier synergy and Magico model designation. In other words making assumptions that all Magico speakers sound bright and clinical with all amplifiers is not correct. I listened to the A3 model with beryllium tweeter during a long demo driven by a smooth high end Class D amplifier and the sound was very good. Exceptional bass, smooth, clear midrange and treble, nothing overly bright or fatiguing. The lack of cabinet resonance takes some getting used to but once you hear what it offers a conventional MDF box speaker can sound colored and veiled in comparison. Overall there are speakers that I prefer more than the A3 in its price range but it isn't caused by them sounding clinical of fatiguing.
Another example was hearing the Magico S5 speakers at AXPONA audio show driven by Luxman mono blocks. The sound overall was OK, loud and powerful but inorganic and un-natural. Poor system matching. The best I have heard Magico speakers sound was at a dealer in their showcase room featuring the model M2 speakers driven by a top of the line McIntosh system with two chassis tube preamp and 1KW mono blocks. This system had the best sound of any system I have heard. Incredibly clear and life like, literally extraordinary. No fatigue, clinical nature or excessive brightness at all. Too expensive for my budget but impressive sounding nonetheless.
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