More on the Q5s

**Bruce B** · 10-21-2010, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by ack

I read Fremer's review of the Q5 in the Nov Stereophile last night - I find it extremely spot on with my own experience. .

With the Q5 you'll need multiple speaker systems... One for acoustic, one for large orchestra, one for rock... one for.........

**Ron Party** · 10-21-2010, 04:38 PM

Bruce may I ask you to elaborate?

**ack** · 10-21-2010, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Bruce B

With the Q5 you'll need multiple speaker systems... One for acoustic, one for large orchestra, one for rock... one for.........

Not sure what you mean, but his review covered large orchestral pieces right along with acoustic et al.

**Bruce B** · 10-21-2010, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Ron Party

Bruce may I ask you to elaborate?

2 Quotes from the review:

"If you listen exclusively or mostly to acoustic music, you'll find the Magico Q5 sets new standards in many areas of speaker performance."

"I can't imagine anyone who's in this game for the music and not the gear, and who's okay with the Q5's subtler bottom octaves, who wouldn't want to own a pair of Magico Q5's-particularly if they listen mostly or exclusively to acoustic music. "

Sounds like a "one trick pony" to me.

**Ron Party** · 10-21-2010, 06:24 PM

Thanks, Bruce. I did not read the review - heck, I have read any review in more years than I can remember - but I wholeheartedly agree with what you are implying: a great speaker is one that will sound great no matter what you throw at it.

**ack** · 10-22-2010, 03:46 AM

Originally Posted by Bruce B

2 Quotes from the review:

"If you listen exclusively or mostly to acoustic music, you'll find the Magico Q5 sets new standards in many areas of speaker performance."

"I can't imagine anyone who's in this game for the music and not the gear, and who's okay with the Q5's subtler bottom octaves, who wouldn't want to own a pair of Magico Q5's-particularly if they listen mostly or exclusively to acoustic music. "

Sounds like a "one trick pony" to me.

You should probably read the entire review and not just the conclusion.

**jperrein** · 10-22-2010, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by Bruce B

2 Quotes from the review:

"If you listen exclusively or mostly to acoustic music, you'll find the Magico Q5 sets new standards in many areas of speaker performance."

"I can't imagine anyone who's in this game for the music and not the gear, and who's okay with the Q5's subtler bottom octaves, who wouldn't want to own a pair of Magico Q5's-particularly if they listen mostly or exclusively to acoustic music. "

Sounds like a "one trick pony" to me.

What a strange thing to say, especially coming from a mastering engineer. You are a mastering engineer, right?

If you call "acoustic music" (which I believe includes, among others: classical orchestral, chamber and instrumental music, Operas and vocals, Jazz in most of its forms, blues, folks etc) a "one trick pony" then it must be a hell of a pony.

BTW, If you bother to fully read the review you will realize that MF actually does think that the Q5 is a hell of a pony.

**FrantzM** · 10-22-2010, 11:28 AM

Hi

I seem to have apointed myself "Bruce B defender of the Day". Acoustic Music is demanding, no doubt but electronic music can be brutal... It is one thing to reproduce a guitar nicely, another to reproduce the massive SPL of a Hard Rock COncert or the huge Bass wallop of some (well recordeed0 hip hop music.. I have not heard the Q5 so can't comment on its performance , I have however heard that bass and sheer SPL ouput were not its forte .. hearsay I repeat ... So if it is good at Acoustic Music only, then I would have looked at a more "universal" speaker since I listen to anything from Power Wester Clasiical to Easter Indian Classical Music and Hard Rock and Rap and Hip Hop and World Music ...

**Bruce B** · 10-22-2010, 11:56 AM

I have read the review, twice. As a mastering engineer, I don't know what's coming though the door next. Last week I did a rock/punk band from Belgium, this week an electronic band from D.C. Next week I have 7hr. of solo jazz piano to do. I made sure the speakers I have now can reproduce Chinese drums!
As I've stated before, I"ve heard every Magico speaker (except for Ultimate), in multiple venues/set-ups, and have not liked any of them. Speakers are a personal thing, I prefer busty blondes...