Sonus Faber Aida vs Magico Q5

mbovaird · Feb 27, 2013

I'm in the market for new speakers after having recently sold my Stradivari's. The two leading contenders are a nice used pair of Aida's or a new pair of Magico Q5's. A friend of mine has checked the Aida's out and he said they are in great shape....as you would hope and expect.

I would like to get some opinions from folks who have heard the Aida's and Q5's. I have been talking to Microstrip and I know he loves his Aida's.

Mike

Steve Williams · Feb 27, 2013

Both are terrific speakers. I prefer the Aida.

Peter Breuninger · Feb 27, 2013

It will depend on the amplifier. I would consider the Magico with an Ypsilon Aelius or the Aida with a Kronzilla DXL or Dan'D monoblocker.

Or the Wilson Alexia with either of the above amps.

Bruce B · Feb 27, 2013

I'd say either the Aida or the Alexia...

mbovaird · Feb 27, 2013

I have the Pass XA160.5's and the ARC REF 10 preamp (an amazing synergy IMO). I definitely would love a pair of Dan's amps.

I heard the Aida's with the REF 250's on the mid/highs and the DS450M's on the bottom with the REF 10 was an incredible combo.

Mike

Bruce B · Feb 27, 2013

mbovaird said:
I have the Pass XA160.5's and the ARC REF 10 preamp (an amazing synergy IMO). I definitely would love a pair of Dan's amps.

I heard the Aida's with the REF 250's on the mid/highs and the DS450M's on the bottom with the REF 10 was an incredible combo.

Mike

There is a great synergy with the Wilson's and Pass. I would like to try the ARC Ref preamps though....

JackD201 · Feb 27, 2013

mbovaird said:
I have the Pass XA160.5's and the ARC REF 10 preamp (an amazing synergy IMO). I definitely would love a pair of Dan's amps.

I heard the Aida's with the REF 250's on the mid/highs and the DS450M's on the bottom with the REF 10 was an incredible combo.

Mike

You might need to get new amps if you get the Q5s. They are power hungry beasts.

mbovaird · Feb 27, 2013

JackD201 said:
You might need to get new amps if you get the Q5s. They are power hungry beasts.

I know - that is something that concerns me. I really do like my Pass amps....a lot - except they are hot as heck. But there really is something with the ARC/Pass synergy.

Mike

NorthStar · Feb 27, 2013

-- Aida :b

JackD201 · Feb 27, 2013

I really like Pass XA series amplifiers and ARC Ref series preamps. I've never heard them in the same system but yeah, I can imagine that they would work very well together.

microstrip · Feb 27, 2013

NorthStar said:
-- Aida :b

.

NorthStar · Feb 27, 2013

--(-.-(- Nicro, you own a pair of 'SF' Aidas right. ...Which color wood finish?

microstrip · Feb 27, 2013

NorthStar said:
--(-.-(- Nicro, you own a pair of 'SF' Aidas right. ...Which color wood finish?

Red violin, the more beautiful SF color. What else could it be?

Steve Williams · Feb 27, 2013

microstrip said:
Red violin, the more beautiful SF color. What else could it be?

I completely agree.

Sort of asking what color for a Ferarri

NorthStar · Feb 27, 2013

microstrip said:
Red violin, the more beautiful SF color. What else could it be?

Very nice. ...But to be totally honest, all their finishes are splendid.

georgemg · Feb 28, 2013

I heard aida + Dann's amplifiers in munich 2012, and for some reason it did not not impressed me, maybe the cabling Van der Hull had influence, or the room had alot of reflection, two friends that were with me had the same opinion, I listen magico Q5 in 2010 with spectral amplifier, and still remember how it was fantastic, especially the piano sound, I have no doubt that the beauty of SF with the color red violin is almost unbeatable, but no doubt would choose the Magico Q5, but at this price level is better to listen again, and even better to hear other speakers.

microstrip · Feb 28, 2013

georgemg said:
I heard aida + Dann's amplifiers in munich 2012, and for some reason it did not not impressed me, maybe the cabling Van der Hull had influence, or the room had alot of reflection, two friends that were with me had the same opinion, I listen magico Q5 in 2010 with spectral amplifier, and still remember how it was fantastic, especially the piano sound, I have no doubt that the beauty of SF with the color red violin is almost unbeatable, but no doubt would choose the Magico Q5, but at this price level is better to listen again, and even better to hear other speakers.

I must agree with you on the point of Aida's + Agostino's. I had great expectations in this pairing, as many people referred to it, and in my room I simply hated the combination. I have tried the 3T Van den Hul in the system and it also killed it. Most of the time, systems are assembled at shows considering the trade partners, not the optimization of synergies.

I have limited experience with the Magico Q5. But from I have heard, you must use completely different systems to extract the best of each of these two excellent speakers.

stargate · Feb 28, 2013

mbovaird said:
I have the Pass XA160.5's and the ARC REF 10 preamp (an amazing synergy IMO). I definitely would love a pair of Dan's amps.

I heard the Aida's with the REF 250's on the mid/highs and the DS450M's on the bottom with the REF 10 was an incredible combo.

Mike

I've heard the same at the CES show and it was stunning so pure--Aida's I say

Orb · Feb 28, 2013

Steve Williams said:
I completely agree.

Sort of asking what color for a Ferarri

Well being pedantic one could also say yellow

Red was the international racing colour side of Ferrari while yellow is the colour associated with Modena/some models.

Smiling because well yellow just not so cool as a red Ferrari, although I doubt anyone is brave enough to repaint any of the classics even if yellow bleh

Cheers
Orb

microstrip · Feb 28, 2013

stargate said:
I've heard the same at the CES show and it was stunning so pure--Aida's I say

Although purity is not a WBF approved sound qualifier, any one having listened to an all ARC system with the Aida's will immediately understand what the poster means with it. If, as me, you valuate a lot this aspect, there is no doubt on the choice.

Sonus Faber Aida vs Magico Q5

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