I cannot recall the specific model of Magico I heard in comparison with Carmels. I know that the Magico model sold for quite a bit more than the Carmel. This demonstration was at an audio show. The demonstrator was the distributor for the Carmels, so this was not entirely a fair demonstration. Both speakers were placed in the identical spot (one pair auditioned at a time). The room was a very large ballroom in an old mansion. The electronics included a Veloce tube linestage and a Soulution solid state amp.
I thought both speakers sounded decent. The Carmels were a little warmer sounding and harmonically richer. I was particularly impressed with how accurate it was with acoustic instrument tonality (both strings and woodwinds sounded fantastic). I would have preferred an even warmer sound, but, it was still quite good. The Magicos sound drier and a bit harsh by comparison. Both speakers were quite capable of filling the very large room with high volume sound. Both speakers fall into the highly resolving and detailed camp. As for which is more "musical" by my standards that would easily be the Carmels; I was left feeling a bit cold when listening to the Magico, by comparison.
For me, as between the two, the choice would be easy--the YG Carmels. But, again, this demonstration probably involved electronics favorable to the Carmels, and the chosen speaker location was probably optimized for the Carmels.
I thought both speakers sounded decent. The Carmels were a little warmer sounding and harmonically richer. I was particularly impressed with how accurate it was with acoustic instrument tonality (both strings and woodwinds sounded fantastic). I would have preferred an even warmer sound, but, it was still quite good. The Magicos sound drier and a bit harsh by comparison. Both speakers were quite capable of filling the very large room with high volume sound. Both speakers fall into the highly resolving and detailed camp. As for which is more "musical" by my standards that would easily be the Carmels; I was left feeling a bit cold when listening to the Magico, by comparison.
For me, as between the two, the choice would be easy--the YG Carmels. But, again, this demonstration probably involved electronics favorable to the Carmels, and the chosen speaker location was probably optimized for the Carmels.