Talking with Alon Wolf

**DaveyF** · 06-05-2012, 08:43 PM

At THE Show in Newport Beach, I had the pleasure of an interesting discussion with Alon Wolf of Magico fame.

Alon was present at the room featuring his new S5 speakers and using the impressive Constellation gear.
As I walked into the room, he noticed that I had just left the contiguous suite featuring the Wilson Sasha's as displayed by Brooks Berdan and utilizing the DCS gear and VTL amps. The front end of Berdan's system consisted of a mix of DCS for digital and the Black Diamond racing TT. Alon asked me what I felt of the sound, which IMO was the best that I heard at the show up till then. When I told him that I thought that the Sasha's were sounding great, he told me that he was going to check them out for himself and asked me to revisit his room in about 30 minutes.
When I returned ( and after having heard his room) the conversation went like this:

Alon: I can't believe you liked that room so much!
Me: Come on Alon, it sounds exceptional
Alon: Our room is much better in my opinion and no comparison.
Me: Laughs, Come on That's a little biased.
Alon: I know, I'm just kidding, it is good, BUT I still think we are better.
Me: Alon, I know you play classical guitar and you are an accomplished musician, i too play this instrument and wanted to ask you about where you think your speaker's sound is in relation to the real instrument.
Alon. ( Now very peaked) That's a very easy question to answer, we are NOT even close to being able to reproduce this sound. NOT close.
Me: Why do you think that is?
Alon: Well, there are several reasons, but one has to remember that the sound that the speaker gets to reproduce is far along a chain of reproduction that has multiple levels of drop-off and error. Many links on the chain that are subtractive and reduce the possibility of accurate reproduction. Plus, real instruments are immensely dynamic and I don't think speakers can really get that aspect too well. Our Big Magico horn system ( he told me the name and I cannot remember) or Q7's come about as close as possible and they still aren't up to the task.

Me: That's very interesting, so the ability to move air is important.
Alon: Yes, what do you think of our new S5 speaker's, they have a different representation in the bass than our Q3's
Me: I think the new S5's are more "robust"
Alon: That's a good description, Laughs. The Q3's are more accurate but put out less quantity.
Me: You know your speaker's have been accused of being "analytical" in the past?
Alon: No, that's not correct ....Sorry, Yes, they are "analytical"...how do you understand "analytical"?

Me: "analytical" in the sense of"?

Alon: I do like this subject of "how far have we to go in regards to getting the sound of real instruments"
Me: I have demonstrated on numerous occasions the difference between my 'live' guitar and the reproduced and there is no comparison.
Alon: It cannot be even close, like I said, many issues and reasons-- electronics, wires, engineers and on and on.
At this point Jay Kaufman of Audio revelations interrupts and tells Alon he needs to talk business with him. Alon, turns back to me and says that he enjoys this type of conversation and wants to continue, BUT Jay is having none of it, and asks me to leave...since I have known Jay for several years, I agree and end the conversation.
What I do have to say about Alon, is that he is a VERY strong defender of his line ( as he should be) and a very thoughtful man, devoted to his craft and IMHO a MAJOR benefit to the high end community.

**amirm** · 06-05-2012, 09:02 PM

Thanks for the write up. It is comforting that industry person says we can't reproduce live events.

**Andre Marc** · 06-05-2012, 09:18 PM

Great write up. I believe Wolf is brilliant and has pushed the envelope. It is a shame his speakers can only be enjoyed
by the most fortunate among us.

But from personal experience, I know him to be a superb conversationalist and someone who believes in facts and science, and that
is how he goes about designing his products.

**NorthStar** · 06-05-2012, 10:42 PM

-----Great read Davey; thanx for sharing.

**Randall Smith** · 06-06-2012, 05:03 AM

I really enjoyed meeting Alon at the TWBAS event. He was very kind and loved to talk audio. The man is very detail oriented. He discussed in detail the type of materials he uses in all of his products and why he chooses certain vendors to buy from. The process is extremely time consuming and expensive, but he puts in the time and money to produce the best product he can. He is extremely passionate about audio and this comes through when he talks about it. He has strong opinions based on his extensive experience and he will defend his opinions. He was respectful of his competitors, but he believes his product is superior. I liked that about him very much. I have been very lucky to get to know him and Andy Payor of Rockport. These guys are at the top of their game right now. Jeff will get the Avior within the next month and I cannot wait to hear it.

**DaveyF** · 06-06-2012, 05:57 PM

Randall, this wasn't the first time I have had a conversation with Alon. The last time, we talked about the fact that in his opinion, there is no art required in the design or manufacturer of a great speaker; ONLY science. I'm not so sure I totally agree with him, but do completely understand where he is coming from.
Alon is nothing IF not passionate and detail orientated, as you point out. I greatly enjoy talking to him and respect his intellect.

**jap** · 06-07-2012, 01:29 AM

After reading this thread, I'm left with two thoughts.

First, Mr.Kaufman is someone to avoid.

Second, Alon is still chasing the market leader Wilson Audio.

It's very obvious that the S5 was created to compete with the Sashas at that price
point...bass presentation, color options,etc...the Sashas still owns that price point.
I'll bet more Sashas have been sold than the entire Magico product line.

So now the next price point is the Q3, I think Wilson will address this with a new model and once again out sell Magico.

**Andre Marc** · 06-07-2012, 07:42 AM

I agree with your premise about Magico chasing Wilson. and the S5, now that I think about it,
is designed to compete with the Sasha.

But let's not forget, that in around 6 years, Magico has penetrated the market to a degree that is quite shocking. Wilson has had 2 decades to get to their position, and their was plenty of backlash
along the way.

Originally Posted by jap

After reading this thread, I'm left with two thoughts.

First, Mr.Kaufman is someone to avoid.

Second, Alon is still chasing the market leader Wilson Audio.

It's very obvious that the S5 was created to compete with the Sashas at that price
point...bass presentation, color options,etc...the Sashas still owns that price point.
I'll bet more Sashas have been sold than the entire Magico product line.

So now the next price point is the Q3, I think Wilson will address this with a new model and once again out sell Magico.

**nirodha** · 06-07-2012, 11:00 AM

Since when are the amounts of products going over the counter of interest? I thought only quality matters...silly me

B&W sell a lot too...do I have to explain my last remark

?

Originally Posted by Andre Marc

I agree with your premise about Magico chasing Wilson. and the S5, now that I think about it,
is designed to compete with the Sasha.

But let's not forget, that in around 6 years, Magico has penetrated the market to a degree that is quite shocking. Wilson has had 2 decades to get to their position, and their was plenty of backlash
along the way.

**mep** · 06-07-2012, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by amirm

Thanks for the write up. It is comforting that industry person says we can't reproduce live events.

It may be comforting from the fact that he is stating the obvious and is not trying to convince us that Magico has pulled a live rabbit out of their audio hat, but it is still disconcerting to know how far away we are from truly capturing and reproducing the sound of instruments being played live.