Magico Q7 . . . wow


In the world's best audio system

http://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=86&Itemid=285
holenneck
Hmmmm....live music, as far as Jazz is concerned, I guess not. Let see, I went to an opera last night, will attend a piano recital this coming Thursday and a chamber concert next weekend. Does that count as live music? Oh, I also practice on my grand piano pretty much daily. Surely it can't be live music. How else could I also enjoy listening to my Q3 so much?

Anyhow, there will never be a single speaker brand that is universally love. At least I don't patronize people who enjoy speakers that I don't like.
My apologies for double posting. I thought AG has missed the first one as it was not posted after 12 hours.

BTW, for what I consider is a balance view on the differences between these two companies, you can read JF Amati Futura review on:
http://www.ultraaudio.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=225:embracing-old-and-new-sonus-faber-amati-futura-loudspeakers&catid=44:feature-articles&Itemid=37
Usermanual - the Q3, and especialy the Q5, are very difficoult to drive. Their very comlex crossovers may be part of it. I'm not sure if any tube amp will drive them properly, not to mention 27W SET Ongaku or Nagra 845.

I have heard them many times, always with powerful SS amps. YMMV.
Elberoth2- Yes, the Sasha, with a minimum value of 2 ohms at 86Hz, and –43° phase angle at 61Hz (Practically a short) is a breeze...
Keep spinning the myth, but the truth is that none of these Qs are any more difficult to drive then the Wilsons. On the contrary...
It appears that Elberoth2 is using a Dartzeel amplifier to drive his Wilson speakers. Neither of these speakers would be considered an 'easy' load.
Yes, Q5 is quite demanding but Q3? OK, Lamm M2.2 in low impedance mode with 220 watts into 4 ohms have absolutely no problem driving it (ok it is a hybrid). My local dealer tried Rogue monoblocks (120w, 150w? I can't remember exactly, into 8 ohms)and it also drives Q3 beautifully. My friend also tried Air Tight 90 watts monoblock with Q3 and it works like a charm. Personally I doubt the 10-20 watts SET would be able to handle Q3 well but good 100 watts tube amps are not out of the question for sure. Q7 is definitely easier to drive than Q3/Q5. I have not heard them with tube amps yet but with Soulution monoblocks, the volume was set quite a bit lower than Q3 ( abotu 40 vs almost 60 on volume dial). Plinius SA Reference in class A mode (100 watts) also work extremely well with Q3. I was the first person in my group to get Magico and now, I have 2 other friends with Q3 and one with Q5 so I definitely get to hear them with several different amps. Q5 is definitely harder to drive but with Q3 and now Q7, Magico does not automatically require super amps anymore. In fact my Lamm M2.2 have more difficult time driving Usher Be-20 than Q3 in my room.
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.
Agreed.

Better dynamics will help most of the "high-end" spearkers out there, even the great ones.
Peterayer,
I would agree a move in the direction of higher sensitivity is a smart one. The other consideration is easier ohm load(avoiding those low dips below 4 ohms) if this is indeed possible,depending on their philosophy.
Nope. Freak, we don't all agree. You are free to start your own thread with a new subject.
The real shame is that people like Audiofreak32 are undermining the legitimacy of this forum. I hope AG can put a stop to it.
MAGICO is a wonderful speaker thats why this thread is so big.Get a life DUDE!!
For my two cents worth, I have to agree with you usermanual. Who could possibly appreciate a writer who continually hijacks posts to tell you what an idiot you must be if you don't think the Linn DS, Sonus Faber and REL are the HANDS DOWN ONLY BEST CHOICE you should ever consider. Tiresome, and a disservice to what-at the end of the day is only a hobby. Everyone can appreciate the passion, but the rigidity of his opinions (usually unsolicited)are a bore. I love Sonus Fabers but I'm pretty sure the Magicos are amazing as well...room for all tastes. Rock on.
Wow, you right:

http://www.avguide.com/blog/product-preview-magico-q7-loudspeaker
Jeff Fritz Q7 review. Not afraid to say what he think.

http://ultraaudio.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=252:inevitable-magico-q7-loudspeakers&catid=44:feature-articles&Itemid=37
Wow, best in the world!

I guess I would expect that for that kind of money, at least in most any room resembling anything normal.

I'd like to try a shootout between my OHM 5s and those. On paper, they would seem to do all the same things well. ONly <5% of the cost, and a fraction of the weight though. Could they compete? I'd like to find out.
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.
If I had a dollar for every reviewer that said they just heard the best [enter component] they ever heard, I would be a millionare.
"If I had a dollar for every reviewer that said they just heard the best [enter component] they ever heard, I would be a millionare."

Yes, one certainly risks their credibility with a statement like especially based on a limited audition!

My personal opinion is that in the case of most any room that most anyone might have in their home, there are many speakers out there that do everything very well that might be deemed "best" based mainly on personal preference.

When we start dealing with larger spaces like auditoriums, etc,then the game inherently changes. No longer can a single speaker be best most likely. The physics associated with scaling sound to larger areas dictates well designed multi speaker systems to do the job well, as is evident in many better quality commercial sound systems out there for public audition in various facilities around the world.
I will say though that in terms of pure build quality, Magico would seem to be on the cutting edge. The question is more about value and what it really takes practically to achieve top notch/upper echelon sound in most peoples rooms.
Agree with Mapman... nobody is arguing that the build level at Magico is "extremely solid" and technically "top shelf", but at what cost?

Could you convince a blindfolded group of ten average people that another speaker at half that price sounds just as good? Most likely. For me at least - it has become mush more about value as I have gotten older.
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.
Yes it's funny Peter.......but there are a few reviewers out there who also don't listen/have an analogue system?
What these sages are essentially saying is....."yes, I've heard the best that vinyl and analogue can do, and for me, I can't tell the difference from good digital."
For Jeffrey Fritz....it appears that even MP3 is 'good enough'?
Would you buy a car from such a salesman?
"Would you buy a car from such a salesman?"
Yes,I don`t except the premise that an analog source is inherently superior.One can achieve superb music reproduction with 'either' digital or analog components. It will depend on the quaility of the specific source and system set up. Both formats can be just average or fabulous.
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.
"seems a disservice to the audience"
Apparently not to him if 'he' believes his digital source front end equals any analog he`s heard,purely subjective, that`s all.
Everyone is entitled to listen to whatever he wishes........but I would certainly not expect a teenager who listens to MP3 as his only source to be elevated to a position as paid reviewer of high-end audio equipment?
And I would equally not expect someone who cannot appreciate the differences between anlogue and digital....to be similarly entrusted?

You, who appear also to be unable to appreciate the differences......are happily not so entrusted?
Halcro'
It`s simply a matter of opinion. If you believe there are appreciable differences between the two formats that favor analog that`s your choice. Not everyone agrees, simple as that. Some will find both to be equals and some even prefer digital at this at this current stage. There`s no absolute answer ,this will depend on who`s listening/judging.Your preference is no more or less 'informed', it just yours and that`s fine.
Regards,
I agree with you Charles. But that is not the issue!
The issue is that I, along with hundreds of thousands of other audiophiles hear differences......in my case enormous differences.....between vinyl and digital.
You apparently do not.
However, you are not writing reviews of high-end audio equipment?
If you were.....I would not read a word you wrote because I know you hear differently to the way I do....just as Jeff Fritz obviously does?
His opinion is meaningless to me and to hundreds of thousands of others.
That is just a waste of time, print and effort.
Regards
Halcro,
Yes we most likely hear differently(nothing new there). The issue is not everyone views analog as the ultimate sound as you do. I`ve heard excellent vinyl set ups and also some that sound just awful(same can be said for other sources). If you feel that those who don`t share your same criteria/standards don`t count as credible reviewers well so be it,we`ll just disagree.
Regards,
Charles...

Many would say that tubes are slow and muddy and to go with SS amps. You could do ALOT better than BPT by the way.
Audiofreak32,
Stereotypes exist concerning 'all' things audio(even Linn).SS components have as many cliches said about them as do tube gear. If people trust their ears and choose what sounds good to them they`ll do fine.
Regards,
Ebm,
The BPT has been fabulous in my system, but I won`t argue over such matters as this,to each their own.
Regards,
Why not start a thread about Charles' BPT unit? This thread is about the Magico Q7.
Audiofreak,are you five years old? The consensus here is that you are an idiotic moron. Johnnyb on the other hand is an asset to the Audiogon community. I think ebm got it right. Why hang out on a forum where you are known for your foolishness? You are the troll, and Johnny is here to help audiophiles with his experience and knowledge.