Magico M9 vs. Magico Ultimate 3 Horn- Box vs. Horn! Which will be better? In which ways?

[HenryD]

I am not exactly a horn fan (at all), but I have to say I have been very impressed with the AG Trio G3 with its dual basshorns. If you've heard it would appreciate your thoughts on what you think.

Equally, what is your reference speaker(s)? For me, prior to the AG Trio G3, my references were the Rockport Arrakis and the Genesis 1s (though the bass towers were something I felt I would need to listen to again more critically.)

Of course, I’ve heard the AG Trio G3 with its dual basshorns. Just put a solo piano through that setup and tell me you don’t hear the excessive coloration in the mid-bass—not to mention the plasticky character in the treble. It’s an impressive speaker, like most horns, on certain pieces. But this isn’t my idea of an ultimate setup.
If you want to see/hear what reference loudspeakers look like, just check out the new S5—arguably the most impressive speaker JA has ever measured (and heard). Unlike some audiophiles, I actually prefer well-engineered loudspeakers.

Magico S5 2024 loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

I have lost track of how many loudspeakers I have measured with DRA Labs' MLSSA system since Stereophile started accompanying its reviews with measurements in the late 1980s, but it must be close to 1000. Most of those speakers have long since faded from my memory, but there are some whose...

www.stereophile.com

 

[bonzo75]

Just put a solo piano through that setup and

What’s the source in your auditions, solo piano on digital or analog?

 

[HenryD]

What’s the source in your auditions, solo piano on digital or analog?

Let's not go there. For a meaningful discussion, please review the S5 objective performance and let me know what's not to like, objectively that is.

 

[microstrip]

(...) If you want to see/hear what reference loudspeakers look like, just check out the new S5—arguably the most impressive speaker JA has ever measured (and heard). Unlike some audiophiles, I actually prefer well-engineered loudspeakers.

Magico S5 2024 loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

I have lost track of how many loudspeakers I have measured with DRA Labs' MLSSA system since Stereophile started accompanying its reviews with measurements in the late 1980s, but it must be close to 1000. Most of those speakers have long since faded from my memory, but there are some whose...

www.stereophile.com

I am happy to know your preferences, but how can you say that "the new S5 is arguably the most impressive speaker JA has ever measured (and heard)." ?

Anyway, Stereophile speaker measurement sections are interesting, but very limited.

 

[HenryD]

I am happy to know your preferences, but how can you say that "the new S5 is arguably the most impressive speaker JA has ever measured (and heard)." ?

Anyway, Stereophile speaker measurement sections are interesting, but very limited.

JA says so himself (of course he must be a bit more careful with his words, but you could easily read between the lines).

"It is a revelation of what can be achieved by an apparently conventional moving coil loudspeaker. And the fact that state-of-the-art measurement techniques played such a large role in its design appealed to this music lover's inner engineer. I have no doubts in declaring that the S5 2024 is one of the finest-sounding loudspeakers that I have experienced in my listening room."

Feel free to show me a better set.

 

[microstrip]

JA says so himself (He is a bit more careful with his words, but you could easily read between the lines). Feel free to show me a better set.

Sorry, IMO he did not said it - but I am not able to read in his dreams.

People can read it in full. https://www.stereophile.com/content/magico-s5-2024-loudspeaker

BTW, there is not such thing as an unique "best set" - speaker measurements are complex and subject to interpretation.

 

[HenryD]

BTW, there is not such thing as an unique "best set" - speaker measurements are complex and subject to interpretation.

That is what audiophiles like to tell themselves; the reality is, however, quite the opposite. Between the on/off-axis, impulse, and impedance, you can tell, objectively, almost everything you need to know (THD will help to complete the picture - unfortunately JA does not provide that).
As I said, feel free to show us a better set, but I can meet you halfway with: "I have no doubts in declaring that the S5 2024 is one of the finest-sounding loudspeakers that I have experienced in my listening room."

 

[caesar]

No need to speculate - Alan Wolf fully addressed this subject in Stereophile and explained why he moved away. But eyes, we know you don't read magazines and prefer cheap gossip to reading directly from designers.

Just your opinion, many thanks. But again, please do some basic search before asking others to help you re-invent the wheel.

Appreciate your advice, but it's not for me. I find the audio media disgusting and nauseating. I prefer forums. But I glad the research you do works to meet your goals.

 

[caesar]

Thank you, Caesar, we are all very grateful, but I think you started too many threads, this is the one about the M9 vs. the world... LOL

Henry,
You are most welcome!!!! Repetition is the mother's milk of learning!

Kidding aside, I am glad you like Magico and puts you in the state of flow and bliss.

When I started this thread, I was looking for people's experiences and impressions of magico box vs. horn. Very little of that here, unfortunately.

Cheers!

 

[dcathro]

That is what audiophiles like to tell themselves; the reality is, however, quite the opposite. Between the on/off-axis, impulse, and impedance, you can tell, objectively, almost everything you need to know (THD will help to complete the picture - unfortunately JA does not provide that).
As I said, feel free to show us a better set, but I can meet you halfway with: "I have no doubts in declaring that the S5 2024 is one of the finest-sounding loudspeakers that I have experienced in my listening room."

Do you own the S5s?

 

[microstrip]

Appreciate your advice, but it's not for me. I find the audio media disgusting and nauseating. I prefer forums. But I glad the research you do works to meet your goals.

Well, nice to know why you choose to ignore the interviews of designers, manufacturers and dealers and prefer audio gossip and denigrating without proper knowledge. Surely audio forums are an excellent source of knowledge and complement other sources. But unfortunately most of the more knowledgeable people do not have the time or even simply the interest to contribute to forums where members find audio media "disgusting and nauseating" and systematically denigrate the high-end industry.

 

[microstrip]

That is what audiophiles like to tell themselves; the reality is, however, quite the opposite. Between the on/off-axis, impulse, and impedance, you can tell, objectively, almost everything you need to know (THD will help to complete the picture - unfortunately JA does not provide that).

Well, I suggest you start replacing the expensive premium parts used in the S5 crossover with cheap chinese equivalent parts and sell the originals at eBay ... The measurement will not show it.

As I said, feel free to show us a better set, but I can meet you halfway with: "I have no doubts in declaring that the S5 2024 is one of the finest-sounding loudspeakers that I have experienced in my listening room."

Fortunately most of the loudspeakers JA tests belong to this group.
To be true I do not care of what JA likes or dislikes - my interest when reading reviews is on how they sound and why.

 

[PeterA]

Henry,
You are most welcome!!!! Repetition is the mother's milk of learning!

Kidding aside, I am glad you like Magico and puts you in the state of flow and bliss.

When I started this thread, I was looking for people's experiences and impressions of magico box vs. horn. Very little of that here, unfortunately.

Cheers!

It’s a great topic, but very few people have heard Magico horns. Most discussion is speculation. I lived for years with two Magico speakers. I liked them a lot, but now owning corner horns with SET, I’ve learned to recognize their limitations. I suspect some of it has to do with the amplifiers needed to drive them.

 

[HenryD]

Well, I suggest you start replacing the expensive premium parts used in the S5 crossover with cheap chinese equivalent parts and sell the originals at eBay ... The measurement will not show it.

You're losing me here. Good quality XO parts alone don't make a good loudspeaker. Good XO parts will enhance a good design's sound quality. Luckily, with Magico, you get both.

Fortunately most of the loudspeakers JA tests belong to this group.
To be true I do not care of what JA likes or dislikes - my interest when reading reviews is on how they sound and why.

So what didn't you like about his impression, and the supporting data??
Sorry, but you are not making much sense. You can like whatever, but in many cases, it would be hard to rationalize it objectively (Audiophilia at its best). Not so hard if you like Magico

 

[HenryD]

Do you own the S5s?

Working on it. I own an M3, for many years now, but I think it is time to move on.

 

[caesar]

Well, nice to know why you choose to ignore the interviews of designers, manufacturers and dealers and prefer audio gossip and denigrating without proper knowledge. Surely audio forums are an excellent source of knowledge and complement other sources. But unfortunately most of the more knowledgeable people do not have the time or even simply the interest to contribute to forums where members find audio media "disgusting and nauseating" and systematically denigrate the high-end industry.

Just calling things how I see them. I can provide many examples and have. If you were such a great forum citizen, you would have provided a link. makes forums kind of disgusting also at times, unfortunately

 

[HenryD]

Just calling things how I see them. I can provide many examples and have. If you were such a great forum citizen, you would have provided a link. makes forums kind of disgusting also at times, unfortunately

Oh, please, where are your links? What you 'see' is severely skewed, other than your imaginary friends, I don't see much support for anything you say. You're probably the last person to reprimand anyone here. But you're still entertaining at times, so don't push it!

 

[caesar]

Oh, please, where are your links? What you 'see' is severely skewed, other than your imaginary friends, I don't see much support for anything you say. You're probably the last person to reprimand anyone here. But you're still entertaining at times, so don't push it!

Henry,
sorry your feelings have been hurt. not everyone is going to like what you like and perceive things the way you do. you got a great system and you are very successful human to be able to afford it and enjoy it. go turn it on!

 

[HenryD]

Henry,
sorry your feelings have been hurt. not everyone is going to like what you like and perceive things the way you do. you got a great system and you are very successful human to be able to afford it and enjoy it. go turn it on!

My feelings are not hurt, and you are most certainly not sorry
By the way, I did hear the M9 at AXPONA. Despite the typical poor show conditions—room limitations, a super crowded environment, unfamiliar music, and electronics that wouldn’t be my first choice—it was clear the speaker has serious potential. The bass, in particular, was by far the most impressive I’ve ever heard, not just at a show, but anywhere. Everyone I talked to agreed... (LOL)
If you couldn’t at least acknowledge that, then you’re either clearly biased—or, frankly, not being honest.

 

[caesar]

My feelings are not hurt, and you are most certainly not sorry
By the way, I did hear the M9 at AXPONA. Despite the typical show conditions—room limitations, a super crowded environment, unfamiliar music, and electronics that wouldn’t be my first choice—it was clear the speaker has serious potential. The bass, in particular, was by far the most impressive I’ve ever heard, not just at a show, but anywhere. Everyone I talked to agreed... (LOL)
If you couldn’t at least acknowledge that, then you’re either clearly biased—or, frankly, not being honest.

It did nothing for me and my friends. We hated it!. But I am glad you enjoyed it! If you find the reinforcement from your social networks valuable, keep seeking their advice and company. If you find my taste and comments unhelpful, minimize your contact with me , or ignore is your friend.