Ultimate Classical Speaker. Magico Q5, Rockport...


Hi,

I'm considering buying a new "last" speaker (if that ever exists in this hobby). I do like all types of music but my preference is for classical music especially Classic piano plays (eg. Chopin Ballade nr.1 by Horowitz or Rubinstein is as good as it gets for me) and am looking for a speaker that is able to reproduce that as accurate as possible.

A few speaker comes to mind but they all have their limitations (haven't heard them all since that's always easy) when looking at feedback on the various forums.

- Magico Q5 (Very true to source, believe great on piano but bass hasn't got a big slam. Doubt if it can produce the intensity/large scale in a piano concert in the bass.

- Rockport Altair. Stunning in the low end but "musically" voiced. Not sure if it's true on piano?

- Any large speaker with ceramic drivers. Good on classical, but can't play them very loud and generally the ceramic driver don't give the slam a conventional woofer can do.

- Hansen bigger models??

- YG Acoustic?

I own a pair of Hansen Prince and have owed the Marten Design Coltrane in the past. Greatly like the speaker but it's not full scale. Also the tweeter isn't as refined as for instance a diamond tweeter.

Would be nice to get opinions from people here and recommendations about other speakers or the speakers mentioned above since I haven't heard them myself with classical piano.

Many thanks
hififreakk
Kiddman,
The Verity are more “more true” than the M-brand?? The Verity measure so poorly that even the politically minded, JA of Stereophile, suggested that “more than usually, a home audition will be essential before a final purchase decision is made”. You can say many things about the Verity, and other speakers you mentioned and prefer, truth Is not one of them. On the other end, Magico S5 performance are flawless and has the lowest THD ever measured by Soundstage, (and bunch of other magazines all over the world). Like it or not the “M-brand”, which I bet you never heard, or simply can’t afford (your passionate hatred suggest such conditions) is a superior loudspeaker to just about anything on the market today.

Ebm,
Congratulation on your Q3. How do you like them in comparison to you Mini?
The KEF Blade is the one I am anxious to hear. I like the idea on a huge sweet spot.

http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/kef_blade.htm
Any of you folks still 'around' ?
If so, how do your rate the B&W 802d3's (which I own) in the classical music realm ?
Do they have the midrange clarity of the Rockport or Magico speakers, do they have the clean edges and natural but un-exaggerated base that larger Rockport speakers bring to piano sound ?  Do they convey the orchestral detail offered by the Rockport and Magico loudspeakers ?
Thanks.