Jimmy’s Audio System

[PeterA]

Congratulations Jimmy. I too noticed a big difference when I switched from the 100.5 to the 160.5 driving my Magico Mini II. More bass control, more effortlessness, greater dynamics, more extension. Better all around.

 

[JimmyS]

Congrats on the upgrade!

Would love to hear about the differences you witnessed by upping the power to the S3's (being a fellow S3 owner). I'm using the baby XA60.8's on my rig.

I may have missed it but, what is the size of your room?

Room is 13'w. There is 14' back to my chair which is up against the "bar" which forms a 1/2 wall into the laundry room, which is another 7' of depth.

Not sure what I can attribute to the change from 100 to 160 vs the change from .5's to .8's, but the main difference I heard immediately was the control of the speaker. The low end was the most defined I've heard in my system and there was additional low end depth I had not had before.
When I had the chance to meet Peter and hear his system, he shared his journey from 100's to 160's and it seems he had a similar experience. I wouldn't have thought that the 100's were under powered for my setup, but the improvements I have with the 160's, even in my small room, points to something..

As I listened more, the midrange was more balanced with the rest of the music presentation. I think this may be the .5's having a sweeter midrange vs the .8's. I preferred the .8's in my system here.

The other factor I heard has that the .8's were "faster" and more resolving vs the .5's, yet I still have an overall musical presentation. I have had Soulution in my system to demo and it was faster and more resolving as well, but the Soulution was more "dry" vs what I hear in the .8's.

My long term goal is Magico M3's, and I think the .8's will be a great match for them as well.

 

[cjf]

Thanks for the added details JimmyS.

 

[PeterA]

As I listened more, the midrange was more balanced with the rest of the music presentation. I think this may be the .5's having a sweeter midrange vs the .8's. I preferred the .8's in my system here.

The other factor I heard has that the .8's were "faster" and more resolving vs the .5's, yet I still have an overall musical presentation. I have had Soulution in my system to demo and it was faster and more resolving as well, but the Soulution was more "dry" vs what I hear in the .8's.

Jimmy, I think this sums it up very well. I have not heard the Solutions in my system, but I did compare the 160.8 to the 160.5 in my system with the Mini 2, and this is more or less what I heard. With fuller range speakers, I might prefer the .8 too. Hard to say. It may be a preference thing and the differences between the Magico S and Q as well playing a role.

Congratulations again. And I will follow these pages for the eventual addition of the M3.

 

[johndoe21ro]

Great system, Jimmy! What about the dCS comparison?

 

[JimmyS]

Its been a long time since I updated this thread, and I'll let the picture do the talking for now.... Its been a crazy couple of years with work, travel, and Covid.