Magico S5 Mk. 2 Review in PF

[MylesBAstor]

[mep]

Just finished reading the review Myles. Good job in describing the many positive attributes of the S5 MK 2. After reading the review, there is no doubt in my mind of what you think of these speakers from top to bottom.

[Dre_J]

Myles,

I enjoyed reading the review. Having been to visit in the not too distant past when you had the S5 Mk 1 puts the review into perspective.

Regarding bass, how would you characterize the two speakers (Mk1 and Mk2) low frequency in terms of extension, dynamic contrasts, and subjective performance?

[MylesBAstor]

Myles,

I enjoyed reading the review. Having been to visit in the not too distant past when you had the S5 Mk 1 puts the review into perspective.

Regarding bass, how would you characterize the two speakers (Mk1 and Mk2) low frequency in terms of extension, dynamic contrasts, and subjective performance?

While still retaining the familial signature, there's really no comparison between the Mk. 2 and 1. Alon could have (and maybe should have) given the speaker a totally new name and no one would have blinked. To start with, you are talking about two completely different bass drivers. The new bass drivers have double the excursion distance (and the differences in machining that entails). Then there's improvements to the crossover and the stability of the speaker too. And the drivers are a bit lighter. In the end, the Mk. 2 does seem to go deeper, is much cleaner and detailed, focussed and dynamic. It's as if the bass is just pulled slightly out and more distinct through the Mk. 2. The Mk. 1's bass just sounds slightly blurred compared to the Mk. 2. I think because of the crossover changes etc., the cjs like driving the low end a lot more too. The new Mk. 2 are much more a 4 ohm load than before. Doesn't mean the bass couldn't be better with a ss amplifier but I still haven't heard one that will give me the mid and upper bass of the cjs. Low bass another story.

[Dre_J]

While still retaining the familial signature, there's really no comparison between the Mk. 2 and 1. Alon could have (and maybe should have) given the speaker a totally new name and no one would have blinked. To start with, you are talking about two completely different bass drivers. The new bass drivers have double the excursion distance (and the differences in machining that entails). Then there's improvements to the crossover and the stability of the speaker too. And the drivers are a bit lighter. In the end, the Mk. 2 does seem to go deeper, is much cleaner and detailed, focussed and dynamic. It's as if the bass is just pulled slightly out and more distinct through the Mk. 2. The Mk. 1's bass just sounds slightly blurred compared to the Mk. 2. I think because of the crossover changes etc., the cjs like driving the low end a lot more too. The new Mk. 2 are much more a 4 ohm load than before. Doesn't mean the bass couldn't be better with a ss amplifier but I still haven't heard one that will give me the mid and upper bass of the cjs. Low bass another story.

Thanks for the follow-up, Myles

[Elberoth]

Great review Myles.

In my system, I've heard the greatest improvement (vs my old S5 mk1) in soundstage depth, midrange resolution and microdynamics, and HF extension.

[MylesBAstor]

Great review Myles.

In my system, I've heard the greatest improvement (vs my old S5 mk1) in soundstage depth, midrange resolution and microdynamics, and HF extension.

Funnily, the new tape stage makes the S5 Mk. 2 sound even better. The upper octaves are oh so delicate, defined and extended.

[Elberoth]

The S5 mk 2 sounds absolutely amazing. I think that in terms of overall balance, coherence, soundstaging AND value for money - it may be the best of all Magico designs.

[MylesBAstor]

Like all top speakers, the S5 Mk. 2 ruthlessly reveals everything in front of it. But--the better the supporting cast--the better the speakers sound. In fact, the new analog tape front-end shows the speaker's top end is even better than reported. Super extended, detailed without hardness and ever ever so delicate.

That brings us back to this thread.

https://www.audionirvana.org/forum/t...ken-or-the-egg