YG Acoustics or Dynaudio

Not sure YG is tube amp friendly. Pre-amp maybe.

They sounded really good. I just question the cost and value. I liked the Magico better but they cost even more. I think the others mentioned (Dynaudio, PSB and OHM) can challenge for much less.

Tidals might be included on the expense list, don't know about their sound or value.

I have not heard the Carmels, though I have heard the Magico V2. I would not trust any direct comparison between two $18,000 speakers, or any equipment for that matter, as set up by only one of the two designers. I can't help but think that particular demo was rigged to benefit YG, especially reading how these two designers react to each other.

I did hear a demo of the V2 at a dealership and it was the single best dealer demo of any speaker I've ever heard. (disclaimer, I now own a pair of Mini II's, so admit I'm biased) We did need to move the V2 around by a few inches to get it to sound best. My point is that if 1" movements can make the V2 sound dramatically different, how fair was that demo?

Listen to both the Carmel and Dynaudio in your own system and then decide.

Ironically, I preferred the Magico even though the demo was for YG benefit apparently.

It was close though and Magico's are a lot more I suppose. I guess that was the intent to show YG similar to Magico for less.

Again they both sounded spot on with minor differences. Its just the cost I question, not the sound quality.

The music playing was a very good female jazz vocal with spare accompaniment as I recall. It was very lifelike with both, but again I would want to hear a few more challenging things before dropping those big bucks. The sound was arguably best in show with either. Only the custom GOTO horn room was as good for me and that was a different more aggressive yet very nice sound.

Under other circumstances I would consider the Magicos but I am comparing two speakers at much different price points because the Confidence C1s and Carmels have been recommended to work well close to the front wall. My PSB M2s do that very well, and are very impressive, especially on female vocals (e.g. Diana Krall and Holly Cole) but maybe the others would be an upgrade.