Magico Q7 . . . wow

Nope. Freak, we don't all agree. You are free to start your own thread with a new subject.

Thanks Audiofreak. Those are interesting choices. Have you heard the Q1? I'm just curious.

Why not start a thread about Charles' BPT unit? This thread is about the Magico Q7.

Looks like another S model. These guys are on their way to having two complete lines of speakers. Looks like their is some trickle down effect.

Interesting, whenever there is a Magico thread, opponents quickly change the subject to other speakers which they own. Very few people have heard the subject of this thread outside of show conditions.

Usermanual, I agree with your assessment. I own the Mini II and have heard the V2, M5 and Q3 sound extremely good in demonstrations. I liked the Q3 so much that I would trade them for my Minis if I could afford them and they could fit in my room. I did not care as much for the V3 and Q5, but those were in unfamiliar settings.

The Q7 just seems unattainable and very difficult to hear. It would be fun though.

I've heard some of the other speakers mentioned in this thread and they all have merits. I am sure their owners enjoy them.

Heard the wooden horns in NYC in the HighWater Sound room. Great room, fun
people, super music. Very vintage and flavored sound. YG and Magico attempt
to be more neutral and transparent, which to me sounds more like acoustic
music. Others find it too analytical and sterile. Impressions indeed.

Magico: Ferrari. Sonus Faber: Rolls Royce. Do you want to feel the road or travel in comfort? Both can be excellent. Both can be expensive.

Audiofreak and Jwm, I know what you are saying, and I've heard Magicos sound analytical and fatiguing and not like music. If you consider that "audiophile", that's fine. However, I've also heard them sound just as Mapman describes. Very "Musical" with a capital M, as in sounds like music that I could listen to all day long. I've also heard SF speakers sound wonderful.

I think it has a lot to do with matching the equipment and the room and proper set up. No speaker is perfect and most sound different depending on how they are set up.

I predict that the next generation of Magico speakers will all be in the 93+ efficiency range. Of course I could be completely wrong, but they seem to be moving in this direction. Explosive dynamics is one of the major characteristics of live acoustic music and IMO Magico is trying to have a very realistic sound, so this will help. It will also increase the choices for amplifiers making the speakers a better value. They are moving in the right direction if you ask me.

That's quite a review. I think I'll trade in my Mini 2s. Oh, wait. My eighteenth century house would collapse under the weight and sound pressure levels of these speakers.

Perhaps the next generation of Magico speakers will use these super magnets for mid 90s+dB efficiency. I commend them for their efforts to push the envelope with technology.

That's a long way up to jump EBM. Don't hurt yourself.

Halcro, That was my first thought as well. "World's Best Audio System, 2012" and no analog - tape or vinyl? Even Magico demoes with analog now. And they have a turntable in the factory system. I read that Alon Wolf has a large collection of records.

I agree that digital can sound very good. But for Fritz to declare a system "Best in the World, 2012" and not even have analog (tape or vinyl) as an optional source in that system, seems ridiculous on its face. He doesn't even mention it as a decision. Remember, he assembled this super system by asking manufacturers to submit product. The implication is that he could get whatever he wanted. No call to Continuum, SME, Basis, Clearaudio, etc? Seems a disservice to the audience.

Where are the moderators?

Audiofreak, Please list a speaker that costs half the price of the Q1 ($25K) and sounds better. Also for the Mini 2 ($30K) , and the Q3 ($40K). I'd like to know what to audition for my next upgrade. I assume you have heard these particular Magico models. Thanks.

I just looked up Suteetat system with the Q3 and it got me thinking about the Q7. I wonder if there will be second versions of the Q3 and Q5 with one woofer above the tweeter as in the new Q7. Perhaps the technological advances of the newest Q7 flagship will trickle down to the Q5 and Q3 and Magico will decide to reorient the drivers.

That was rather funny.

I saw that too, Mapman. The Avantgarde Trio is one horn system I've always wanted to hear, but I haven't had the chance. Their value has really dropped, but I think it is because of a lack of US support and that they really are a niche product. I've heard they really need a large room to integrate. Would really love to hear a pair.

Those Minis are overpriced, IMO. $15-18K is about right for a US pair in good condition. And for that price, they are hard to beat, also IMO. I don't care what Freak thinks about Magico. Value is a personal thing. There is little debate that the Mini is one of the best two-way speakers out there.

EBM and I are selling our MIMI II now. Where do we buy Peaks?

Front baffle also looks curved and colored. If so, it would be much nicer than the rather conventional looking baffle/driver front of the S5. I think Suteetat may be right that it is a smaller S class two/three way to replace the last wood Magico V2 speaker.

Wslam,
That's an interesting report. I thought you had given up on Magico :^) Have you heard any of the other Q's, or is Q7 the first Magico you've heard since your old Minis? I really like the Q3 and would love to get the chance to hear the Q7. What amps were driving the Q7?

Wslam, Good to read. I completely agree with your comment about "bloom". The speakers should get out of the way. In fact, I think the whole system should get out of the way.

Those who want a bad recording to sound good will have to accept some coloration from the system when they listen to good recordings. I prefer to hear as much of the recording as possible.

Wslam,
No speaker changes in the near future planned. I still love the Mini II. I just completed a major turntable/arm/cartridge upgrade. No itches here. I would love to hear the Q7 though. And the Q1 which I'm sure is better than the Mini. I just don't know if I can justify the cost to upgrade. I like the Mini look better, but I understand why Magico moved to all-aluminum.

Hifi, I just read your latest post and then reread your earlier posts bashing Magico. They read like they are from two different people. I'm glad you had such a good recent experience with the Q7 and congratulate you on your willingness to give Magico another listen. I agree that component complimentarity and system set up are crucial to getting good sound.

"It is particularly true with a brand like Magico." I agree. They are so transparent and high in resolution, that one hears what the components are contributing up stream and what the room does. They add little coloration to mask the sound. They also need amplification with lots of good, clean power or they will not perform to their potential.