Unboxing: Magico V2 Loudspeaker
After many none-too-sutble hints to colleagues Harley and Valin and a few well placed words to Magico marketing guy Irv Gross, I’ve finally received a pair of Magico’s for review–the 2.5-way V2, a floorstander. They arrived as you can see in a single wooden crate where they stayed for a couple days while I waited to a friend to come by and help me hoist them inside. Each weighs 120 lbs, modest by Magico standards as Jonathan “Mini II” Valin will tell you.
A couple of very early listening notes: I’ve got a lot of listening to do but even after just a few hours break-in, unspiked, the V2 reconfirms my fondness for acoustic suspension designs. My reference two-way compact is an ATC SCM20-2, also a closed enclosure design. However, and this is a BIG however, without a good control amp and plenty of current it’ll sound ill-defined and mushy. So right away, the V2 establishes that it’s very finicky about power.
What I hear immediately is the lack of any cabinet signature. Zero. Nada. Every enclosure acts to some degree like a sponge, sopping up and absorbing detail, softening transients, attenuating decays and homogenizing harmonics. The V2 doesn’t seem to absorb a thing, rather it slingshots information into the room-where music simply materializes. As a result I’m picking up low level cues like never before. And information that is more focused, no longer blurred.
The V2’s also force you to rethink micro-macro dynamics, the entire relationship of even familiar recordings like Dire Straits’ Love Over Gold– each inflection of the nylon string guitar during “Private Investigations” the cascading toms of “Telegraph Road”, suddenly even the most pin-drop quiet passages are even quieter still. And the loudest cacophonous instances are –mercy– almost too loud. I found myself riding the volume control more than normal as a result. The outside of the envelope has been pushed just a bit more. What this also means is, that special amp that you once had so much faith in, suddenly can’t keep up with the broader demands and athleticism of the V2.
Interestingly, the Magico is no drama queen. With no port, acoustic bass doesn’t bloat. Yes it’s deeply resonant, yet exceedingly clean and under control. I still haven’t established the “voice” that the V2 presents nor gotten a handle on its overall character or sussed out any colorations, if any. As I said, it’s early on, but this is going to be one helluva ride. Price: $18,000/pr. magico.net
Comments
Having heard the V2s, I must say that I'm green with envy.
Enjoy the ride!
Jim, Do you find them better than your Quad 2805's? i.e. which one do you prefer having heard both of them? Please describe some sonic features, similarities and differences between these two speakers if you can.
Jim, what amps are you planning to use with the V2s? I think they are a pretty tough load. I find the new tweeter to be extremely good. I'm interested in your impressions of how they compare to the V3 and Mini 2. I'm sure you'll enjoy your time with them. Thanks.
I thought Neil was reviewing them and JH just gave his impression on a listen. Does JH also have a pair in for review?
My mistake. I meant to ask Neil my questions, not Jim. Sorry. Thanks for the photos, Neil.
Hey Peter,
I'll be running a couple different amp combinations. Been using the Micromega PW-400 amp and PA-20 preamp and have switched to the new Plinius Hiato, a massive 300Wpc integrated and very impressive. Magnum Dynlab is also sending along their newest super-integrated, the MD309. In my small room I like using integrated amplification as a rule since they take up less rooom. Also I think it makes sense for the V2, a 2.5-way speaker that is design for smaller circumstances like mine. Cabling is Synergistic Tesla Apex, along with some working with the new Platinum Eclipse from Wireworld. LP playback is courtesy of SOTA/SME with the new Sumiko Palo Santos cart. Digital with the Simaudio CD3.3. So far so good. Thu far the only other review speaker in my room that has had close to the dynamic range and wideband performance of the Magico has been the Sonus Faber Cremona M and the Revel Performa F52. As for the low level resolution, the Magico may be in a class of its own.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Thanks Neil. I'm curious about the amp because I heard the V2 with a 100watt SS Spectral stereo amp and it sounded glorious until I put on Beethoven's Ninth and it ran out of gas at realistic listening levels. I have the Pass XA100.5. I would also love to know what you think of the new Sumiko cartridge. I thought about this one because I had the Sumiko Celebration on an SME 10/ V arm combo and it sounded great but I could not audition the Palo Santos and ended up buying an Airtight PC-1 which is fantastic. Thanks again for this thread. I look forward to your full review. Peter
Wake Up How can any speaker be worth $18 0r £25K in the UK ?
Disbeliever-what kind of speakers are you listening to?
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
In the same way that nearly everything in the UK costs about 70% more than in the US, be it a pair of jeans from Gap, a CD, a Macbook Pro, a BMW or whatever. Something about getting ripped off comes to mind ...
Magico overall is an exotic/luxuary brand. It surely is great but prices are like SUPER luxuary cars, jewelry, homes, paintings, and anything else out there that people who can afford are willing to spend on it. And don't forget that speakers like these will require similar level of associated components to get the best out of them. Distribution of wealth and Value is very different in this world for different people. For Majority of people in this world $18K for a speaker is cause of Disbelief. For the lucky few who do have that kind of money, all I can say is enjoy! I cant and never will be able to afford products like these but it still sparks fascination. If you ask JV, products like these are definately worth it, For 90% of the population its not. Even he doesn't own any of it....its all loan equipment that comes and goes. Like I said playing with this stuff here and there is all fun, but hardly anyone can or will pay for this much. Companies like magico also recuperate by selling only a few of these. It doesn't cost this much to make these things. Contact the Magnepan guy who at the CES 2009 himself said that its amazing how people charge this much for speakers, only if people knew how much it costs to actually make them. The proof of his statements is in Magnepans entire line from top to bottom. What a phenominal company. The only problem is that if you don't like the size/shape/sound of Magnepan then be ready to shell out a lot more for other brands with similar/better quality. I'm sure the Value issue can be dragged all day long with maggies too.......but such is life. I think 50% of the stuff that is reported in TAS and Stereophile are out of this world fancy products. It helps everyone, those few who can afford them, those who like to read up on gadgets like that, the remaining 50% is for the rest to look and research and invest in stuff we can afford and would like to invest in.......i.e. everyone is happy at the end of the day.
"It doesn't cost this much to make these things"
I am curious to know how can you tell? Have you seen a Magico up close? I do not see the correlation to the Magnepan. Regardless the sound, the Magnepan do look their price.
No. I havent seen a Magico being made at the factory, neither am I in the buisness. So I don't know exactly how much it costs. I just took the word of the Magnepan guy at the CES 2009 since he is in the buisness and would have a better Idea how things work. He didn't give clear examples with brands or prices....he just said "if you only knew how much it costs to make some of these speakers and how much they are asking"...... I also tried to use some common sense. for $18K you could buy a Toyota Camary and I would assume it would cost more to build a car than a speaker for that price. (I know that shipping, profits, marketing, competition, all are also factors) but the cost to build these???? I don't really know. May be if we heard from the horses mouth Alan Wolf ?? That probably will never happen. So I doubt that many people really know how much it costs, I would guess only the insiders would know. I have seen Magico up close and $18K is a lot of money. I wouldn't necesarrily go just by the looks. Magnepan analagy was just for the sound quality and the price. you can put diamonds and exotic wood on things but it doesn't mean the cost is for the sound you get. Also speaking of pricing: Do you think a CD costs $15? or some of these other products that people sell like expensive $1500 Purses, shoes, clothes do they really cost that much to make? Does a hugo boss suit really cost $1500 to make? If you look at the tags its made some where else then imported or something.....the quality and materials are awsome but the price is way above what it would actually cost to make it.....Thats my guess.... May be someone else has better information or insider information. Another thing that comes to mind is when Audio reviewers are able to get amazing bargins when buying some of these high end products for themselves....thats another hint. For example, If I or anyone spent $20,000 from their checking account to make a product worth that much, why would you sell it for say $10K and just eat up the cost of the remaining $10K, regardless if they have more then enough extra money elsewhere..... lots of buisness stratagies come into play with pricing which can be variable.
Since you really do not know much about the cost to build and distribute such a product like the V2, you should probably not develop any theories about it. My company builds unique pistonless pumps that cost about 500 times more than a typical pump use in general applications. For the unsuspected eye, one would not see/understand the cost structure of such a pump. But if you need to propel N2O4 in less than 700 Thrust/weight ratios in your design, you need our pump. You will also gladly pay the price of it. As I said, the comment you heard from the Magnepan guy is irrelevant. The fact that a Mazda MSRP is $16K does not reflect whatsoever on a price of a Ferrari.
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True. I apologize if I implied or started to create any conspiracy theory out of air. Magnepan has been making amazing products for the last 15+ years that come in the Top Tier of speakers in their entire line, as said by one of the top names in audio Harry Pearson, as well as many other reputable audio reviewers. Magnepan it self makes speakers so they have a little bit of know how of the industry. I still don't know the true cost of making any of these products but do I trust Magnepans irrelevant statement according to you? Or should I trust an anonymous Pump maker who also doesn't know anything about speaker making, or perhaps knows just as little as I do about them? I'll go with Magnepan. If anyone actually has some relevant information about speaker pricing and may be some numbers that information would be of more use. Other than that, us fighting over who knows more because of the job they do can go on forever.
The questions should be: Do they sound better and are they made better than other speakers selling for $18K? If the answers are yes, then someone will buy them. I would think that in general, profit margins are based on market conditions and what any particular manufacturer can get for a product based on perceived value.
The questions should be: Do they sound better and are they made better than other speakers selling for $18K? If the answers are yes, then someone will buy them. I would think that in general, profit margins are based on market conditions and what any particular manufacturer can get for a product based on perceived value.
Peter Ayer said: "profit margins are based on market conditions and what any particular manufacturer can get for a product based on perceived value".
I agree. I think this is one of the factors involved in pricing.
Sam,
There is a lot in common between well engineered and manufacture products. I do not need to know much about loudspeakers to tell you that a 3D CNC machine part is very expensive to make (V2 face plate). In fact, I will not be surprise that just the face plate alone, on the V2, is more expensive than the entire part sum of a typical Magnepan. So yes, if indeed you heard the Magnepan guy say such rubbish, you should put your trust in an anonymous Pump maker and not him.
I commend you all to read Robert Harley's review of the Magico V3 from Issue 179 (the V2s big brother). There he outlines in detail the way these products are built, the choices that are made. For example, Magico could spend 8 bucks for a particular crossover component but after listening to the differences they opted for the $126 version. Crazy? Maybe but this is what happens when you decide to push the outside of the envelope. We can all agree these are expensive products but when a company aspires to reach the state of the art, compromises don't figure into the equation. One thing is clear, when you are in the presence of the V2, the detail, the lack of distortion and the freedom from box colorations, the price–while still an inhibiting factor for most of us –suddenly begins to fade from view.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
BTW, I belive that the V2 in the UK cost £18.5K.
Let's look for a moment at Sam's opinion of the Magico V2 speaker. Are you game, Sam?
First, he hasn't seen the speaker, nor heard it.
Second, I believe it's safe to infer that he likes Magnepan's product line.
Third, we don't know what kind of music Sam listens to nor the gear used with the Maggies he presumably owns.
To be fair to us, Sam --and to anyone interested in discussing audio seriously or productively-- it's important that you state 1) your Music listening preferences 2) your listening Experience 3) your System components 4) what your listening Room is like (dual purpose office, living room with cathedral ceiling, bedroom with stereo, etc) and if / what room treatment(s) has been performed and 5) how long you've been listening at an audiophile level and, optionally, 6) if you are a musician, what kind / instrument / style. Thus we get the 'MESR' of the man and his listening preferences, concisely.
This information establishes a baseline for understanding. Comparing cars is reasonable, at one level, yet fails at another: Toyota or Chevy are production cars, designed to perform an increasingly complex array of functions, do so with minimal attention, do it safely, and mostly live outdoors at the mercy of the elements. Seldom are these cars taken outside their grocery-getter / commuter functions. And they are designed and created with the economic momentum of gigantic scale production. Many millions of Celicas have been made.
Ferraris are another matter. A Ferrari, depending upon model, is a seriously limited edition hand assembled high performance automobile, many numbering in four digit runs, some as few as 500. A Ferrari is expected to be able to drive to the race track, race, and --barring any mishap-- drive home, having made a respectable showing all the while. This is inconceivable for a grocery getter. Here the analogy fails because one can hear the same notes on all respectable audio gear today.
Enough words. The point is this: KLH speakers were made in vast numbers in years past, and pleased many, many listeners (and yes, I *did* visit KLH's assembly line) probably leading many on to another level of audio appreciation. These speakers were made in huge volume, but were not the Ferrari of the listening line. They filled a niche, and did it better than many products of their period. They also had a sonic 'signature.'
Let's turn to that for a moment. If Sam likes Magneplanar sound, there's still quite a difference between the I's and the 3.5s. That's one reason it's worthwhile to include one's choice for a listening system when entering the forum: there's no stigma in my mind, about someone's choice of gear. It *does,* however, influence the way they hear music reproduced.
Some people love Klipschorn's distinctive sound while others can't get enough of ribbon tweeter-based speaker designs. Here's the rub: it's really helpful to decide what you like, but it's even more important, if you want to communicate with others about audio, that you know why you like what you like. Learning to describe your personal preference to others is part of entering the audio dialogue; without that experience under your belt, even the best intended skepticism doesn't have the ring of experience, let alone conviction, to it.
The physical characteristics of a listening environment have a profound influence on the performance of audio gear. So there's a reason for each of the categories of one's audio bio: when we readers know who's listening to what music on what gear, and in what kind of listening space, then there's a foundation of information upon which we can build informed comraderie, and from that, audio dialogue.
Sam, let us know what your listening profile is, your "Audio Bio," and we can better understand your objection to Magico's pricing. I've heard the V2, the Magico Mini II, and Magico's 6. Each of them does different things very well. I've also heard the Magnepan Tympani IV panel speaker and I've enjoyed each for different reasons. I will say that for the price point, I believe the Magico V2 presents a tremendous performance. If you wish to switch analogies, the V2 sounds more to me like a Guarnerius violin (Ferrari) than a Hohner, a more mass produced student instrument (Toyota). Do they both play? Sure enough. Are they both musical instruments? Yes, but...
So Sam, tell us a little more about your MESR so we can better know your audio signature. That way we can better understand your thoughts, as well as put your comments in a meaningful context.
Happy Listening.
David Kelogg, Copyright 2009
Audio Bio: Early music, small ensemble performances (chamber orchestra, jazz quartets, male and female vocal, some rock); intermittent serious listener for 20 years; Aurum Acoustics Integris 300B system and CDP; dedicated and treated listening room; singer: choral and small ensemble, folk guitar.
So, 7 days later, what do they sound like? Are they an easy speaker to site or must they have a lot of room to breath? Any good in small rooms? Have you heard better for the same price or are they, relatively speaking, a steal?
The Magico Ultimate II Horn Loudspeaker for $400,000 must be built like a plane then and therefore is at a fair price. And since I don't know how pricing or building speakers works, And since I don't own a plane, can those with great "MESR" and excellent audiophile CV's comment on that speakers fair pricing and purpose in this world? What are your thoughts on the price and that model in general? Enlighten my dummy brain and tell me it's a good buy.
They don't need to sell those, nor plan to put it on to their production line as I see it. More like a flagship or one off piece. But of course, to those who truly appreciate they can be had, thus the price tag. Can a piece of art costing millions then be valued by their parts-- just paints and canvas? Likewise some designers' furniture.
So you mean that pricing/value of things has multiple factors involved and not necessarily cost as much to build it?
For smart business people, cost should not directly enter into pricing. (Obviously the product should not get manufactured if it costs too much.) Price should reflect the value of the product (sound, brand image, looks, etc.). If the price does not reflect the value of the product , people won't buy it. Just recently Wilson dropped the price of the redesigned watt puppy because it was not perceived as a better value than Magico.
Most audio manufacturers do not understand this basic concept (they are engineers and physicists, not economists). Manufacturers usually apply a multiplier based on their costs. If the multiplier is too low, they leave money on the table. Most audiophiles do not understand (or don't want to understand) this concept either. Sure this stuff is expensive, but what's the point of whining about it as long as people are free to buy it?
Anonymous_stat__lover said: “Just recently Wilson dropped the price of the redesigned watt puppy because it was not perceived as a better value than Magico”.
LOL what a joke these guys are. Also, Presenting an opinion is not whining. Most people cannot afford these. Those who can, good for them and everyone can choose to buy whatever they want. Everyone knows that already. I don’t see why hideous pricing set for components should be a taboo topic for an audio forum. Everyone gets all upset and personal but more than half the people know nothing about pricing or how and why it’s set in a particular way. Looks like Wilson is going to get some serious butt kicked by Magico.
Sam,
You are free to talk about it all you want. I don't have any problems with it. As I mentioned, most set prices based on cost rather than on value, which doesn't make sense. So some components should be priced higher, while others should be lower. If Magico can manufacture their speaker for $600 and sell it for $99K, good for them.
The problem is that most people in the world are economically illiterate. However, most people would rather have the individuals set the prices rather than the government. So when people talk about high prices of cars, gourmet food, fine furniture, art, or anything, it's kind of like bitching about gravity. It is just what is.
Fixed costs of small production runs are allocated to fewer items which cause a higher price compared to mass produced items. When you think of the cost of building and tooling an auto assembly line, if 1,000 cars were made each car would be very expensive. The cost of cars is low because millions are made and the large fixed costs of the assembly line, direct labor cast and benefits, and non-production personnel are allocated to many units. Small production runs significantly influence the cost of all items including luxury items. In other words, high end audio is unable to benefit from the economies of scale that benefit the low end market. Any thoughts on the Revel Ultima Salon 2 versus the Magico? I intedn to drive them with Pass X600s monobolcks. Absolute Sound: Love the web site and the blogs!!
For those of you that don't know, the mark-up on speakers from the manufacturer to the dealer network is normally 50 points. A speaker that retails for $18K from a dealer probably cost the dealer around $9K. The $9K that the manufacturer sold the speaker for to the dealer had to pay for the parts, labor, loaded labor rates, overhead, and profit. When you consider all of those things, the Magico V2s are not as overpriced as some of the people complaining on this forum believe they are.
So if Parts, labor, loaded labor rates, overhead, and profit is about 50% to 60% or even say if its only 40% then the V2 costs about $5400 or less to build?
Sam,
Your price of $5400 is certainly in the ballpark.
Mark
Finally a speaker from Magico that I can entertain the thoughts of owning. Can we hear more from Neil about his impression of the V2? For lessons in economics, Sam can start his own thread somewhere else.
Since Neil is not participating, here is something I found on-line.
http://hi-fi-avenue.blogspot.com/2009/10/magic-of-magico.html
Louis,
I’ve had the pleasure of listening to this system on and off for the last two weeks, Speakers have about 200 hours on them so i have been going every three to four days to hear them breaking in.
Rg
Mark
Thanks redscouser,
And?? Please keep us inform.
I am surprised that most all magico speakers have no protective grill on them. So I guess you keep them locked in a room and when kids are around or guests/family around lock some people out of the room. lol Its a bummer if the whole family or all your guests cannot enjoy such a nice thing.
Any updates Neil?
Harry, Thanks for the note!
My intitial impressions have pretty much remained intact. The V2 is effortless, extended and may have what is likely one of the least colored enclosures that I've come across. the box just doesn't exist and this gives the V2 a sense of invisibility and electrostatic-like speed and transparency in my room that is quite special. It also gives it a dryer sound-not a hyped up treble mind you, but in the absence of cabinet resonances there's just more detail/clarity and less mid-bass masking. It's bass is extremely controlled as you'd suspect an acoustic suspension design to be. It's extension is plenty sufficient although I suspect a great sub or two in the right setting would add something special in the lower/mid 20'sHz range.
Maybe the most addictive aspect is that I can't stop dredging up old LPs and discovering inner details that I would have thought were lost to a bad pressing or lousy mix. the V2 sorts out all kinds of minutae-especially background singers who suddenly become more distinct and individual. the V2's ability to focus on low level details is quite breathtaking. However it comes at a price. Amplification is critical. The V2 loves the Plinius Hiato-300Wpc. The 100Wpc Simaudio i3.3 and even the superb Magnum Dynalab MD-309 at 225Wpc sound plenty good but simply do not have the oomph to draw out the V2s best. They'll sound sweet and refined but won't be able to muster the full dynamic slam they're capable of. Hopefully my full review will appear in Issue 202 early next year.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Hi Mr Gader,
I love the updates and initial impressions you have provided about these speakers. My question is on the Magico V3. You eluded to the lack of low level extemsion on the V2's, how does it compare to the V3. Even though the Magico V3 does not play down to the 20hz range, it still managed to win the Golden Year Award. Do you think that takes away from the overall sound of the V3 and makes them less effective compared to the Revel Ultima Salon2. Please provide your thoughts. Thank you.
Neil,
Thanks for the updates! I'm looking forward to your full review, but before I wait for the review, I wonder if you could shed some light on one aspect of the speaker's character, it's difficulty or ease of placement within a room? I utilize loudspeakers that are quite sensitive to placement and excell at revealing detail, consequently, any nudge or misalignment during setup can throw off the entire presentation. My speakers are ported, which complicates the issue, but since the Magico V2s are sealed, I'm curious if placement is easier, or if locating the speakers closer to the backwall is acceptable, or if toe-in is as crutial, etc. I'd be interested in your experience during the setup of the speakers and getting them to "click" with the room. It may be too much to ask, but I'd love to see a picture of the speakers in your room in their final positions.
Thanks again!
I wouldn't say it's easier to position but it's not a tough one either. The drivers integrate well even at closer listening distances. Athough it's not ported it still doesn't lack for deep bass so I would be just as cautious moving them close to a back wall–it will reinforce the low end and probably thicken the sound too much. Also try to keep them away from sidewalls. Too close and the first reflection point kills the imaging. On the other hand, these distances don't need to be extreme to get fabulous results. My room is a smaller one and I've been getting great results with the speaker roughly three feet from the back wall (that is 36 inches from wall to back edge of speaker and about two feet from the sidewall. they are toed-in but still visible is the inside sidewall of each speaker from the listening position. If you only see the front baffle and side panel you've got too much toe-in.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Regarding cost and pricing... lets not forget to include the intellectual property of the designer. The actual parts cost is trivial, labor adds to the mix, but what about the hours, weeks, and months spent on the theoretical work and then the emperical testing, tweaking, and retesting? Next add in the cost of marketing and distribution. (The dealers need to make profit too, so they can pay their own mortgages, children's tuition, etc. and have some for retirement.)
As a small business owner, I could easily spend >100% of revenues in an attempt to gain more market share, with the hope it would payoff in the long run. If I take that gamble and fail, so too will the company and the employees. Suppose nobody likes the V2, or too few think they are priced competitively? Then every penny spent developing them and bringing them to market is lost.
The upfront costs to bring products to market must ultimately be recovered if a profit is ever to be made. No profit, no products. Long live capitalism!
Neil, great feedback, much appreciated! Well said bobvin...
Hi Mr Gader,
I love the updates and initial impressions you have provided about these speakers. My question is on the Magico V3. You eluded to the lack of low level extemsion on the V2's, how does it compare to the V3. Even though the Magico V3 does not play down to the 20hz range, it still managed to win the Golden Year Award. Do you think that takes away from the overall sound of the V3 and makes them less effective compared to the Revel Ultima Salon2. Please provide your thoughts. Thank you.
MIQ,
I think Robert Harley provided the most intelligent compare/contrast of the V3 and the Revel in his review in Issue 179. Both are fine speakers, the Revel, with more drivers and porting certainly extends deeper and probably plays louder but on the other hand, an acoustic suspension design like the Magico conveys a realism, and control in the bass that to my ears is generally more transparent than most ported enclosures. And to be fair, the V2 doesn't "lack" for low frequencies. On the contrary I'm getting substantial (i.e., perceivable) bass (with room gain) into the mid/upper 20s Hz. True it won't go flat to 20Hz but when did that ever disqualify a 2.5-way or 3-way speaker from meriting a Golden Ear Award?
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
That's is a great point. Thanks for the quick reply. I appreciate it. MIQ
Neil,
Is there any chance you can audition these speakers with tube amplification? I'd be interested in your impressions. VAC, CJ, VTL, Rogue, AR, Pathos, or any other high powered tubed amps and preferably separates?
Any chance for more pictures?
Thanks!
Neil,
Something else I'm wondering is how transparent do you find these speakers? Do they morph with each CD and equipment change, or do they develop their own "sound" track after track, amp after amp?
Thanks!
They are hugely responsive to system changes especially amps. An integrated like the tube/hybrid Magnum Dynalab MD-309 will warm and thicken them up a bit likely due to its 6922 preamp gain stage. the Plinius Hiato will control the bass more and cool off the treble some. to hear it's full dynamic capacity-micro as well as macro- power is a must-the Hiato is 300wpc. It really lights up with analog playback and reveals the best and the worst of both analog and digital. IN short, its one of the most transparent speakers I've heard and probably the most transparent to hit my listening room.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Neil, can you name a few other top contenders that have hit your listening room? What were the top 2 or 3 speakers before you heard the V2
Hi Neil,
Something else I'm wondering about the V2s, how do they do with different types of music? With loudspeakers, I find I listen to music that suits them best. For example, monitor speakers sound great with acoustic, vocal and simple music. However, if you put something with a lot of bass, or too much dynamic contrast (such as heavy rock (Metallica), or orchestral (a Mahler symphony)), it becomes almost offensive to listen to.
Do you find the V2s capable of playing loud, complex, dynamic, full range music at full tilt to good effect? Or, are they out of their element, so to speak? Partly the reason I ask is becuase I have a concern about the bass extension with their two small drivers (impressive as they may be). I know most of you say music doesn't go much below 30 hz, but to me that's like saying monitor speakers can play rock and big classical when they can't. Getting deep bass is important, it opens up the soundstage, adds ambiance and (especially important for our hifi speakers), it adds weight and body to the music.
Interested in your thoughts, Happy New Year!
I agree with everything you've said about the virtues of deep bass. However, a very satisfying experience can still be had with less than true full range speakers-the vast majority of audiophiles can attest to that! the V2, even though its the smallest of Magico's floorstanders might not have much in the last half of the bottom octave but in my room it's flat out flat down to approx 30 cycles-clean controlled, dynamically full of punch. It's dynamic envelope gives it the ability to convey (as you suggested) Mahler or Metallica in equal measure-I played them both actually. Will the V2 move as much air as Magico's larger V3 or M5 or now Q5, well, no way. But you also have to assume that with the V2 one is going to match the speaker for the room. In my smaller confines, I'm getting all the performance I can handle. Would a sub help? Maybe for the last ten Hertz or so but that also introduces other issues, specifically room interactions, resonances, etc., issues that are not always easy to ameiliorate.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Neil,
You have addressed some of the concerns in my post above previously, but I'm still interested in your feedback. In a previous post, you mentioned a subwoofer would benefit these speakers in the 20hz range. I suppose I'm wondering if there is a subwoofer out there that could blend with these speakers seamlessly? You mentioned they are probably the most transparent loudspeakers you've reviewed, so I'd imagine getting a subwoofer to work properly with them to be a bit of a challenge! If you were to pair a subwoofer with them, which one would you utilize? Obviously you'd want to find a sub that has a similar "voice", so naturally a Magico subwoofer would be best. Unfortunatly Magico does not make a subwoofer.... Any idea if they have plans on making one?
Thanks again!
Harry,
Haven't heard a peep about a Magico sub but that's not to say there are no possiblities. I'd wager that JL Audio subs would match up nicely. Robert Harley never fails to mention them whenever the subject comes up. And TAS writer Jacob Heilbrunn has a pair of JL's Gothams paired with Maggie 20.1s–and few speakers are more transparent and fast as the Magnepans. Jacob, by all reports is thrilled with the results he's getting. He also plans to review the new Paradigm Reference subs shortly as well so be on the look-out for that one. Happy New Year!
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Thanks for the response Neil. JL would be a good match, just looked up the specs, they're in a sealed box! Can you believe that, a sub that's not ported?!
If you have a subwoofer around, and you were willing, I'd be interested in your experience pairing it with the V2s. Thanks!
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