Magico A3


I auditioned a pair of Magico A3's this week to replace my long-term, beloved speakers (Von Schweikert VR5 HSE) that are just too big for the apartment I moved into, and are sounding (but not looking) a bit dated (ca. 2001). I am emotionally attached to my speakers and changing is like divorcing and re-marrying -- they may look and sound good and seem compatible, but one doesn't know until one has lived with them for some time whether the relationship will last.

In brief: If someone would have told me the A3's were $15K - $20K I would not have been surprised. First, they are much more handsome in the flesh (or in the aluminum, to be literal) than in photos. They have a clean, bold, post-industrial look. They also are Goldilocks-size: not too big, not too small for a 22x12x8 living room. And the sound, especially the vocals, is eerily natural and realistic. The bass is astonishingly deep and tight, the highs crisp but not sizzling and the mid stellar. They just sounded fresh and clean without being antiseptic. And, they can rock with the best (check out Maybe the People on Love's legendary album Forever Changes) but be delicate when the music is (e.g., Wilco's Jesus etc., or Natalie Prass's Bird of Prey). So, I ordered a pair on the spot. Delivery will not be until August as the early production run apparently has sold out.

I predict this speaker will go down as one of the greatest values in audio history, and I cannot imagine the price remaining at $9,800/pr for long, especially when the formal reviews come out. BUT, we will see how we get along when I bring them home and we have lived together for some time. That will be the true test of whether it is love, or just respect and admiration.

Neal
nglazer
I heard them at Axpona and loved them. One of the best sounds of the weekend.

I’m curious how the new A3 would compare in sonics vs the S3 mk1’s which I’ve heard many times and used would fit my budget.

Kenny.
I'm with @mtrot on this one.  They sounded nice, but the Revel F228be was better.  I didn't hear the Paradigm 3Fs at the show, just the 5s, but if the 3s sound like the 5s I'd give them the edge as well, though I imagine the Magico has more bass output than the 3s. 
I heard the A3 at Axpona and didn't find them to be anything special outside of build quality.  Their sound did not set them apart from the many other speakers in the price range, in fact there are many others that I prefer.  I am a S5 Mk1 owner.
FWIW- the person sitting behind me was raving about how great they sounded while I was thinking, meh.
I also was slightly underwhelmed.  Stopped by all three days.  They are another great option at the 10k price point -- but I think too many people go in listening to them knowing they're a Magico and have expectation bias, which can have profound effects on what you (think) you hear.