Magico mini 2 versus Magico mini 1

Hi Sirspeedy,

My initial impressions of the Mini II are very positive. When I first heard the Mini II at the dealer's showroom, I was, for a short while, in 'denial' mode. How could the 'perfect' Mini be improved?! But Magico certainly did something magical with the new woofer.

IMHO, it is very 'modest' for Magico to call the II an 'upgrade', and not a new model. Aside from the cabinet, stands and tweeters, everything is different. I will let mine burn in for another few days until the weekend, then I am putting them back on the stands and start listening, and let them break in with normal listening.

Nice to get such a fast post,Wslam.I do wonder whether you will "still" need the SUB once the Minis are broken in.My friend seems to have a room similar in size as you.The bass is incredibly deep and powerful.I mean really good!!!So good,in fact,that one other friend of ours(a very serious hobbyist/former TAS reviewer)was present for the listening session,where the Mini II was fully broken in.He was in complete denial as to how good the bass was.I LOVED his rationalization,which was the typical "audio mentality" of not giving credit to something which is SO totally out of the "norm".Sometimes,when a new and fabulous design "hits" the hobby,many well heeled hobbyists "first" deny it's superiority.This was the case the other day,but my feelings are that the speakers "speak" for themselves.BTW,before hearing them ALOT,I was a "denial" person too.I cannot imagine wanting anything else,unless in a gargantuan sized room.!I have come from the Infinity 4 tower school,of years ago,and now have a sub driven Avalon set-up,yet if I were to move to another speaker(which will happen in a couple of years,since I will sell my home,with grown kids now)I will have the Minis on a VERY short list.I find it hard to believe any sub can keep up with the new II version,and still keep the magic.
BTW,how does the Dartzeel hold up on orchestral works?
Best of luck.

Sirspeedy, the list of questions you asked is pretty much the exact list of questions I am asking myself.

Here are my thoughts and observations so far:
1) The Torus is one of the better subs out there. I am using it via digital crossover and a 1000W ICEPower amp. The way I have it setup, I can switch the sub completely out of the signal path with a few clicks. Initial impression is that the bass of the Mini II is indeed 'sufficient' for 'musical' information. Right down to 40 Hz or so, possibly lower with room gain. The Torus is serving below 40Hz for the 'hall ambience' effect. It is too early for me to decide whether the Torus is 'necessary' or not. Since I will be moving in the next 9 months, probably into a bigger room, I am going to keep the Torus until then to see how the Mini II work in the new room first.

2) the dartzeel has its limits. So far, I have not managed to clip the amp, but those 'eyes' have brightened up during one of those Mahlerian climaxes, even though I did not hear any sort of strain or compression. Will it be sufficient once I move into a larger room? I don't know. In my current room, I think it is doing a very fine job.

The Mini II is one of those speakers that the physical appearance and the sound they generate simply do not match in terms of 'scale'.