Magico A3 vs. Joseph Audio Perspective vs. Spendor D9


Hi All,

I have been doing some research over the past while and am currently in the midst of a search for my next floorstanding speaker that costs around ~$10k. My other thread that I posted in this forum gave me a lot to consider. Rather than post there, I figured a most focused thread would be a good idea. Now, I have distilled my choices to these 3 choices... I think.

Power: I will be powering the speakers with a SET amp (48W per channel).
Sources: Most of my sources are digital (Roon/Tidal). I mostly listen to jazz, classical and female vocals. I would appreciate a speaker that provides that good, snappy bass where I don't need a subwoofer.
Room: Large room (will be in the living room that opens up to the kitchen and then the dining room). Aesthetics do matter here.

I have received a ton of help through the forums already during my search and have now narrowed down my speaker choices to (in no particular order):

  • Magico A3 - No issues driving these speakers with my amp. Tested and they sounded wonderful. Very analytical and super clear details. Tight bass as well but maybe more weighted in the clarity/details than warmth, even with my tube amp.
  • Joseph Audio Perspective - No dealers in WA or OR so no way to test these but have heard wonderful things about these speakers. Sounds like imaging/sound stage is a strong suit along with clarity. I wonder how bass performance is though as these have smaller woofers compared to my other choices.
  • Spendor D9 - Have not heard these speakers yet but am trying to find a local dealer that has them in stock.
Another one that I am still thinking about is the Daedalus Argos but I would like to hear some feedback on the top 3 at this time.

Thanks!
freesole
@prof I've read with interest your detailed impressions of the various speakers you auditioned, in the thread you started.   Wrt Revels, my take on what you wrote is that you found them accurate, but clinically competent, not organic, not engaging for you, and perhaps a bit fatiguing (hope I'm not misinterpreting your words too much).  Did those impressions include either Revel F228Be or Salon 2, if you auditioned them?  I ask because the Revel F228Be's are ones I'm very interested in, but haven't heard yet.  Thanks!


otinkyad

I auditioned lower tier revel.  3 Models, I think.  The Performa3 F208 twice.  The first time at one store the Performa3 F208 did not impress at all.  Second store (might have been the next model up, but it might have been the Revel Performa3 F208 again), was a much better audition where they sounded rich, even, full, accurate.  I don't remember any fatiguing nature at all in the second audition.


I only heard the Salon 2 very briefly at a show and it was very impressive, some big band and some jazz vocal crooner stuff that sounded very large and vivid, but I didn't have time to see if they had an "it" factor for me.

So, sorry, no experience with the models you mentioned.
I have the LM805 amp and D7 spendors. Gig Harbor audio carrys both and you should be able to demo in store as I did before buying. I used to own the JA pulsars and wasnt very impressed with them.
Were I you, and if you have a passport, I'd contact Don Sachs in Nelson BC. You won't believe how good his speakers sound until you hear them. When I say his, he doesn't sell them, he just bought/uses them. You can probably blow your eardrums out with them and 42 watts.

[email protected]

Don is an audio genius. He makes amplifiers and preamplifiers, he used to do modifications to Citation II's I believe and certain Macintosh gear, but his tube gear sounds better than either fully modified, so he quit doing the mods. Anyway, he told me about the speakers, and when I contacted the fellow who sells them, his bragging and what he said about extremely good speakers that I knew well made me think that he had to be full of it, not to mention some of the outrageous reviews on his site, and if I hadn't purchased Don's DS2 preamp, I would never have bought the speakers. Don's preamp blew away so very good preamps, so I knew without doubt that he knew what he was talking about where audio gear is concerned, so I bought a pair. New, they sounded like crap except that I was listening to a female singer, and I have never, on any system heard the immediacy that I heard, the old, so-and-so was in my room for the first time ever, was true. The rest was jacked up to be sure, but 100 or so hours in, the pieces were falling into place nicely. I used to own Quad 63's, which were magical but limited, these sound better, and don't have the limits. If you can listen to Don's, I think that the other speakers will be a distant memory for you.