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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
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sciencecop
79 posts
 
Clearly the best offering at that price, and one of the best sounds at Axpona.
The Paradigm sound (and measure) bright and edgy. Hard to imagine anyone likening them over the A3 (some people do need/like help on the upper register). 
Revel F228be were, as all Ravel, a bore (I prefer the Focal's, although a bit grainy)
I am also surprised anyone who owns an S5 will not hear the resemblance; the A3 are Magico all the way.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
1,457 posts
 

The A3 may have been the best-sounding 10K speaker at AXPONA (wasn't there, don't know), but that doesn't necessarily make it the top pick among 10K speakers.  We need to resist the temptation to pursue the latest flavor of the month.

On any audition list at the 10K mark, I'd put the likes of Proac, Spendor, Dynaudio, Spatial Audio, and Daedalus higher among my priorities.

sciencecop
79 posts
 
"flavor of the month"??   It has been a very long month...

tutetibiimperes
202 posts
 
@sciencecop 

I don’t know if I’d agree about the similarities with the S5.  I heard the S5 in the Synergitic room and thought they were amazing.  The A3 just didn’t wow me.  

It didn’t sound bad by any means, but compared to the Paradigm Personas and Revel F228be it seemed a bit flatter and didn’t resolve detail as readily.  I’d go as far as to say it had a slightly ‘dark’ tonality.  

Some of that could have been the various room setups, and you really can’t go wrong with any of them.  I could see someone having a preference for the A3 if they prefer that darker sound signature.  
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
1,457 posts
 
It's only over the last few weeks that a number of people have been able to auditon the A3's.  I'm not aware of the Revels being shown anywhere else.  My point is that that these models and a few others are brand new, and novelty automatically invites attention and curiosity.  But while we're being attentive and curious and intrigued, let's not lose sight of the other real competition out there.
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