Need help picking $30k speakers

johndoe21ro · Jul 13, 2015

Wow! So few recommendations for Marten, Tidal and Raidho... What's wrong with you people?

KeithR · Jul 13, 2015

caesar said:
Finally, if Magico is your preferred flavor and choice, I would hold off on them - delay your gratification until S5 v2 comes out shortly. Otherwise, you would spend a whole bunch of money on a new S5 v1 speaker whose value will drop as soon as the new version comes out. When that happens, you will likely hear the new S5 also, and may take a further hit if you sell your S5 v1 and upgrade to S5 v2.

Good Luck

What information do you have on a v2? Or are you just speculating.

If anything, the Q series has been out much longer than the S and would be next (Q5, Q3, Q1).

slcaudiophile · Jul 16, 2015

Wolf_d3 said:
After living with (and enjoying) my Vandersteen 2c speakers for about 25 years, I've decided to treat myself to a significant upgrade. My budget is about $30k. I've been going to the Newport High End show for a few years, and have found that in this price range, I have consistently liked the YG acoustics, Magico and Vandersteen models. The current models for each that I am focusing on are the YG Carmel 2s, the Magico S5s, and the Vandersteen 5a Carbons. Since I'm familiar with the Vandersteen sound, I'm interested in the views of others who either own the YGs or Magicos, or who have compared these models. I'm concerned about whether any of these are prone to listener fatigue, since it's hard to get a sense of how these sound in the long term when you can only hear them for 15 minutes at a show. Also, I'm curious about whether people pay list price for speakers in this price range or expect some discount off that.

going from vandersteen to YG will be a massive change. if you like the vandersteen sound i would go up in the line. if you are "prone to fatigue," which i am assuming means you like a nice layer of distortion (nothing wrong with that btw) you will find the yg or magico house sound to be WAY WAY WAY to much for you.

i went from genesis 7 series to wilson sophia and from wilson to YG carmel and then to carmel 2 and each with the exception of the latter was a massive change in sound and took some getting use to. i am happy with YG so i may go up the line but won't likely move to another line after i heard the YG sound, but i want to hear exactly what is on the recording first and foremost.

what people pay will vary, depends on a number of things. im not sure how that is relevant though. you have established a budget of $30K according to your post.

DaveC · Jul 16, 2015

These would be my 1st choice, a little over budget but worth it!

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/fu...2015-07-16-speakers-16066-cranberry-twp-pa--2

caesar · Jul 17, 2015

KeithR said:
What information do you have on a v2? Or are you just speculating.

If anything, the Q series has been out much longer than the S and would be next (Q5, Q3, Q1).

Hey Keith,

As they say, the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. The new S7, containing their trickle down innovations has been introduced earlier this year. The S5 is about 4 years old, so if I were a betting man, we see a new one at the next CES or Munich 2016. Obviously, we don't know for sure, but there rarely is an upgrade path with Magico. So it's probably fair to assume there will be a huge flood of S5's on the market very, very soon.

edorr · Jul 17, 2015

How could I forget. Not sure anyone mentioned the vivid giya line yet. Best sounding speaker (to me) at Axpona. Totally blew me away. Now, you have to stomach the questionable aesthetics... I must hear though IMO.

caesar · Jul 17, 2015

edorr said:
How could I forget. Not sure anyone mentioned the vivid giya line yet. Best sounding speaker (to me) at Axpona. Totally blew me away. Now, you have to stomach the questionable aesthetics... I must hear though IMO.

Great point. Outstanding speaker. May be the most underrated brand in all of high end audio.

And if you love modern, the Giya leaves you breathless.

BlueFox · Jul 17, 2015

caesar said:
As they say, the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.

I think the prospective states past behavior is no guarantee of future behavior.

PeterA · Jul 17, 2015

slcaudiophile said:
if you are "prone to fatigue," which i am assuming means you like a nice layer of distortion (nothing wrong with that btw) you will find the yg or magico house sound to be WAY WAY WAY to much for you.

I have never experienced this fatigue with Magico speakers in a good system and room. They are extremely revealing, transparent and "honest" sounding speakers, but their is nothing inherent in them to cause listening fatigue, in my experience. In fact, they are generally very low in distortion. If such a system is fatiguing, the Magico speakers may just be spotlighting an issue somewhere in the rest of the chain, like improper cartridge SRA, or poor cables, or electronics, or a particularly bad recording, etc.

Magico speakers are often blamed for poor sound when in fact, they may just be the messenger.

microstrip · Jul 17, 2015

caesar said:
Great point. Outstanding speaker. May be the most underrated brand in all of high end audio.

And if you love modern, the Giya leaves you breathless.

I love modern, but I can not dissociate - I would fear playing "Lucia Di Lammermoor" in such system.

Do you think that David Wilson decided to paint the introductory versions of the Alexia in orange color after seeing Jovovich with orange hair?

caesar · Jul 17, 2015

BlueFox said:
I think the prospective states past behavior is no guarantee of future behavior.

When it comes to the random walk pattern of financial investments, I'm with you.

However, when it comes to human behavior and its entrenched patterns, I'm comfortable with my statement. ThAs a proud Magico owner, you know very well the company has pushed the innovation envelope. This innovation pattern is in effect part of their brand promise. And as you well know, Magico is a business, not a charity.

Out of curiosity, how long do you think it will take them to release S5 v2, and do you think the current S5 will be upgradeable to the newer S5?

caesar · Jul 17, 2015

microstrip said:
I love modern, but I can not dissociate - I would fear playing "Lucia Di Lammermoor" in such system.

Do you think that David Wilson decided to paint the introductory versions of the Alexia in orange color after seeing Jovovich with orange hair?

Microstrip,

You have a wonderful sense of humor! Makes one realize what a limited communications medium internet forums are.

FrantzM · Jul 17, 2015

microstrip said:
I love modern, but I can not dissociate - I would fear playing "Lucia Di Lammermoor" in such system.

Do you think that David Wilson decided to paint the introductory versions of the Alexia in orange color after seeing Jovovich with orange hair?

I am with you there

... I will play it tomorrow (Lucia di Lamemoor, was one of my late father's favorite operas)
I need to hear the Giyas. A friend of mine whose ears i believe heard these and has decided to go for the G1, . To sat that I am not found of the Giya speakers as per their pictures would be an understatement. I may change my minds once I hear them ... this will be soon

caesar · Jul 17, 2015

FrantzM said:
I am with you there ... I will play it tomorrow (Lucia di Lamemoor, was one of my late father's favorite operas)
I need to hear the Giyas. A friend of mine whose ears i believe heard these and has decided to go for the G1, . To sat that I am not found of the Giya speakers as per their pictures would be an understatement. I may change my minds once I hear them ... this will be soon

Frantz,

Please report. Do you know what amplification will be used?

FrantzM · Jul 17, 2015

caesar said:
Frantz,

Please report. Do you know what amplification will be used?

Not yet...

slcaudiophile · Jul 20, 2015

the magico q1 and yg acoustics carmel 2 for a smallish room would be one heck of a comparison.

sbo6 · Aug 23, 2015

I'm surprised no one mentioned TAD Ref 1s. There's a used pair on Agon asking $43k. Might be over your budget. I thought the E1s were absolutely stellar at RMAF.

DaveC · Aug 24, 2015

sbo6 said:
I'm surprised no one mentioned TAD Ref 1s. There's a used pair on Agon asking $43k. Might be over your budget. I thought the E1s were absolutely stellar at RMAF.

I did.

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