Anyone out there willing to pay full price for a non-aluminum Magico speaker?
David Matz -- Wed, 10/20/2010 - 22:17
Just wondering if there is anyone out there after the M5-Q5 debacle willing to put out the cash... Even if you like the Magico house sound, the new aluminum speaker will be out in no time at 25-45% less.
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If you want stat-like detail, why not check out, besides the CLX, the other big stats, like the Sound Labs and the Kings? And for that matter the Quads, given the levels you prefer.
Josh - the Quads have always been on my "list" but the last pair I saw were sold before I could make an offer, here in Vancouver. Sound Lab A1's look nice, and would fit my decor, but haven't seen in town yet. King Sound Emperor's look nice, and would work in my parent's living room, but not in my condo, sadly. Very much my style, though! The Quad 2905 were well-reviewed, if I remember. Did they make a Classic version, similar to the ESL-63 or 57, in color? I have a old Quad 303 amp, and Quad 405 amp, serving in "monitor" duty in my computer/PC room for web TV, etc., but I'm guessing the 2905's would want younger dance partners... what's a good system? The Quad II-eighty any good as a 2905 mate, I wonder? I've never heard DeParavicini gear, but he has a good name out there on the net in Headphone amp circles.
Staxguy
The model number escapes me, but yes, Quad does make an ESL-63 model.
Thanks. I was just wondering about a classic colour/finish! :) It looks like they do: http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/showpreview.php?image=/images/models/1/large_... but the default version looks far too modern to go with my decor. The A1-PX's http://www.soundlab-speakers.com/a1px.htm are about where it's at for my living room - just a wood border, and neutral grill. The Quad 2905 in "Esl classic finish" looks neutral as well: http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/images/finishes/35.jpg
The Magico Q5 is "architectural" enough to look good to me on it's own: http://www.magico.net/magicoq/magicoq06.php, but I wonder if it would grunt and die up-close to my living room wall. Painted Gyproc in front of concrete. It's looks quite deep, the Magico, from the photos.
Staxguy
I'm afraid you know as much about Quads as I do! But I'm sure there are more knowledgeable folk here. They'd seem to be the obvious choice since your space is limited. Another relatively compact possibility, the Maggie 1.7, which I haven't heard yet myself but which apparently has a fairly electrostatic-like sound. Or even the new MMC2 on-wall dipoles:
http://www.avguide.com/review/magnepan-s-wall-surround-sound-speaker-sys...
Just read that a few hours ago.
Josh - Thanks! It looks like I can hear Magnepan MG3.6 at the local Wilson dealer (HiFi Centre). Nola's, Quad's, SoundLabs, and Magico's will require some travel. What's your reference? Staxguy
Try the quads 2805 or 2905 with primaluna dialoge 7 monoblock tube amps. Reference level performance at a reasonable price. I have never seen a solid state do the magic that tubes do to quads. I've hear them with 63, 2805 and 2905. Amazing sound except for bottom and and playing loudly. If u listen at lower volumes quads are unmatched. I prefer them over any Maggie but everyone has their own taste try it.
Thanks, Sam. I'll try to hear that setup. I'd be only worried about tube life, if that's so.... From what I've read of the "new" Quads, they should be able to do what I'm looking for, quite politely. The downside, I've read, is realibility! There's a hi-fi shop near me, that can do the re-paneling, which I've read is about every 5 years in damp regions. Here in Vancouver it is pretty wet, but I'm guessing that stat is more for tropical rain forested areas versus the temperate, rainy place Vancouver is. I'm hoping the Prima Luna's aren't as as wicked on tube life as the big ARC gear is. I'd hate to waste 1/3 of the product life just breaking it in, lol! :D Until now I've only experimented with tubes, and have relegated them to the bedroom for now (Foreplay homebrew, Ah! Tojeb, etc. etc. lol) I'd imagined the newer Quad panels would be Martin Loganesque in size (particularly height), but they're actually pretty tiny it seems. I'm guessing the bass will be worse than with my Stax Omega 2's, but generally, I really like the experience of electrostatic bass. You can hear the low frequencies, emiently clearly, even if you can't feel them at all. Quite different from Velodyne reinformed bass, anyways, which I was used to. Before I make another move, though, do you think that the Magico Mini II would be a better transducer than the Quad 2905 or visa versa? I have no kids, so holes in any mylar won't be a problem, unless I overdrive them I guess. I'd need some bigger amps for the Magico, and some bigger arms, lol: they're about twice as heavy as I'd wish. :D (100 lbs vs 50). The only other question I have is whether the B&W 800D series (really widely available here) is in any competition with the Quad gear for quality and reliability? I've liked the old Matrix series with the best YBA gear before, and the old Matrix 800 in particular, with others, though I've only had the cheaper YBA gear in my house, which was really underpowered for my application. I took a look at the Odyssesy Audio stuff after hearing about it re: Solution, which I admire, and love the way it is built, but am shocked by how homemade the Odyssey pieces look - aghast, actually, but if it holds a candle to the Solution, and gives any see-through. which I'm to, I may have to see I can find a box for them, and if they can be available, in a kit.
From what I've heard the Magico Mini II is a totally different class. It requires a lot of power, but most of all excellent equal level associated equipment to get the best out of them. Price was like $32k until news spread the new full metal ones are coming out so prices have dropped to $16k or less near the quad range. I would certainly audition it and include in the final list. Quads have had horrible history with repairs, electrostats sound significantly different based on where u live/humidity levels. They are now made in china but thebiggest draw back is the costs of repairs if it needs them as well aspacking and shipping the beast. The great thing about quads is that u don't need expensive amps or superpowerfull amps. But they sound best with tubes. I would not consider anything other than tubes with the quads. But that's me. Ask around from dealers and audition it. U will know. Quads are amazingsounding but lots of drawbacks. You will have to decide and MUST audition the speaker to buy. The mini II could only be dreamed by most but now they can be a reality for many more audiophiles.
Thanks, Sam. I'm thinking of the Thorens TEP 3800 / TEM 3200 for "tubes." (200W 8ohms / 400W 4 ohms). Nowhere as nice looking as the Solution electronics, inside, but layout wise, coming from a computer perspective, I can understand them: Very PC-ish! :) My thing I guess.. I I'll move this thought to the amp forum, unless any Magico mini people here, have the T's?.
Should go with the Mini II or the Quad 2905,
Thanks, again!
This just in from goodwins highend:
● News
Some Forthcoming Price Increases. We have recently learned that both Magico and Spectral will have to increase their prices on certain models. We expect that those price increases will go into effect January 2011. However any orders placed before the pricing is raised will be honored at the old price even if backordered and shipped after the price has increased.
Now we are talking real highend!
Sam,
The scarcity play - "get 'em before they're gone" - is the oldest influence technique in the world.
And do you really trust them?