Magico S5 Mk2 speakers

Joey_V

With alon wolf himself as your dj.... sweeeet

JayCee

Just returned from the show. Didn't get an intro'd audition by Alon Wolf but saw him (I believe he snapped a photo with his phone when I was in the seats, so maybe I'll be in one of his shots). Unfortunately, the best seats available were 3rd row...slightly back from the sweet spot, but the S5 didn't disappoint. Throws a huge sound stage and the depth from front to back is exceptional. I have fully modded Polk SDA-SRS 1.2tl's, so a huge soundstage is what I like (I know, not even close to the same speaker). My daughter and I thought the S5 was balanced from top to bottom. Solid bass, sweet mids and revealing highs. My description reads like the typical cliches but spot on.

The room was one of the larger dedicated areas and the S5's had no problem filling it. Not sure how it does in a smaller space but believe the need to breath is a consideration. Didn't get a look at the associated gear because I didn't want to be "that guy" stepping in front of the demo.

We ranked the S5 in the top 2 of the show. After I get home in the next few days I'll create another thread with pics from the rest of the show and not muck up your Magico thread.

Here are the Magico room pics I shot. Fairly close to the same ones you posted while I was at the show.

Time for a schnitzel and bier...

Prost,

John

p.s. You're one lucky guy and will have the speakers to prove it.

[Deleted User]

@JayCee, Thanks very much for your report & photos from your visit to the Magico room! With the diffuse light coming through the windows combined with artificial light, they weren't the best conditions for photography.

I know in those headline rooms it takes ages before any of the prime seats become vacant. Still it sounds like you still had a fairly good seat due to the S5 Mk2's improved off-axis performance & sound staging. I was hoping the new Mk2's would have improved soundstage depth. Apparently that was one of the improvements from the better drivers, x-over & especially cabinets.

I can understand your preference for a speaker capable of similar qualities to your modded 1.2TL's. Not wanting to go too off-topic, but what got me hooked on this hobby was an audition of a pair of Infinity IRS-V's back in 1991 in a treated listening room. The IRS-V's blew me away with their thunderous bass, huge sound stage & etherial 'reach out and touch it' imaging. Ever since then, i've dreamed of owning loudspeakers which would give me the same sense of awe and excitement & reproduce something approaching the awesome dynamics & lifelike imaging I heard that day.

When I heard the S7's, I thought they were very coherent and well balanced top to bottom, so it sounds like the S5 mk2's are similarly well sorted. How did you find the imaging?

I'm sure you didn't get to hear every top room, but getting your nod for 2nd Best in Show is a big compliment compliment. Incidentally, which room got your vote for Best in show?

Adam (Elberoth) said his favorite room (by far) was the Magico/Soulution room with the M Projects. That's unsurprising as he's a big Magico fan & the M Projects are $90k more expensive than the S5 Mk2's. I also thought the Soulution amps would have had better synergy with the S5 Mk2's imho. With that said, carte blanche, I would've matched the S5 Mk's with Vitus Masterpiece series gear which would have killed Constellation. But it makes me happy knowing there is even more potential to explore with those speakers.

Looking forward to your show report & pics. I'm glad you & your daughter enjoyed the show, and sorry I didn't get to have that bier with you. I might put that on my 'to do' list when I travel o/s in the future.

Cheers,

[Deleted User]

Here is a short video of the S5 Mk2's in action at the Munich High End show

https://youtu.be/35HiGYxFrYk

Joey_V

Wish I could hear that s5mk2 in person.

[Deleted User]

Joey_V wrote: »

Wish I could hear that s5mk2 in person.

I'm getting my pair delivered in a few weeks, so I'll be able to share my impressions, particularly in comparison to the S5 Mk1's

Joey_V

Bodhi wrote: »

Joey_V wrote: »

Wish I could hear that s5mk2 in person.

I'm getting my pair delivered in a few weeks, so I'll be able to share my impressions, particularly in comparison to the S5 Mk1's

Sweet, I will look forward to it.

[Deleted User]

Here is a pic from TAS

[Deleted User]

Here is the latest review by Rafe Arnott from Part Time Audiophile

Joey_V

Impressive review

[Deleted User]

This is the best looking & *sounding* show report i've seen from Munich 2016. The Magico S5 Mk2's appear from 4:26 in Part 1, and from 0.39 in Part 2.

[Deleted User]

I heard the S1 Mk2's for the first time today paired with a Vitus RI-100. Although they weren't optimally setup & are still running in, I like the improvement in smoothness, sound stage size and 'ease' over the old S1. There is also more robust bass, but not at the expense of coherence. Alon has done a really nice job integrating the drivers. And last but not least, the cabinets look *much* nicer and there is less cabinet 'excitement' compared to the old S1. If that's how good the base model sounds with a Reference series integrated sitting on a cardboard box, I think i'm ok .

Speaking of which, my pair are due to be delivered in the next 1 1/2 wks. I picked up a Purist Audio Luminist system enhancer cd today to optimise the run in process. I plan to leave the speakers on their coasters initially until they're through the initial run in process before we dial in a final position & spike the speakers. Looking forward to posting my first impressions soon!

Joey_V

Bodhi wrote: »

I heard the S1 Mk2's for the first time today paired with a Vitus RI-100. Although they weren't optimally setup & are still running in, I like the improvement in smoothness, sound stage size and 'ease' over the old S1. There is also more robust bass, but not at the expense of coherence. Alon has done a really nice job integrating the drivers. And last but not least, the cabinets look *much* nicer and there is less cabinet 'excitement' compared to the old S1. If that's how good the base model sounds with a Reference series integrated sitting on a cardboard box, I think i'm ok .

Speaking of which, my pair are due to be delivered in the next 1 1/2 wks. I picked up a Purist Audio Luminist system enhancer cd today to optimise the run in process. I plan to leave the speakers on their coasters initially until they're through the initial run in process before we dial in a final position & spike the speakers. Looking forward to posting my first impressions soon!

That's good news! Looking forward to your impressions.

[Deleted User]

@Joey, yes I was excited to see the crates in my Dealer's showroom. I've just had a new Daikin a/c unit installed in my listening room, so there is a bit of cleanup to do next wk with plaster repairs/re-painting, then we're good to go!

[Deleted User]

Wonderful sound from the Magico S5 Mk2's at Axpona!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYltiYu04tk&feature=share

[Deleted User]

Here is a fun fact about the S5 Mk2's; they have exactly the same midrange driver as the new M3 (part No: MAG6004RTC), which is an improved version of the midrange in the MPro!

BlueFox

David, I am really looking forward toward your S5 mk2 review, as much as you are just waiting to get them.

Personally, I will be happy to get my two channel system, with its lowly S5 mk1 speakers, operational after the home remodeling is done.

[Deleted User]

BlueFox wrote: »

David, I am really looking forward toward your S5 mk2 review, as much as you are just waiting to get them.

Personally, I will be happy to get my two channel system, with its lowly S5 mk1 speakers, operational after the home remodeling is done.

Cheers Bud, at this stage i've only got the S7 & S1 Mk2 to go by, so i'll have to reserve judgment until i've heard the new speakers in my room & they've had a chance to get through the initial run in process.

Though it's all relative; at their price point (esp 2nd hand), the S5 Mk1's are a high end bargain imho. They sound well balanced, smooth, coherent & do it all well. I'm sure you must be excited to get your system setup again!

BlueFox

Indeed. I hope to have it together for our upcoming three day Memorial Day weekend next week. However, since the system has been idle for almost three months, everything needs to be burnt it. Plus, with all new wood floors, and an adjacent open kitchen, the acoustics will s u c k. So, between burn in and getting the room right, it will be a while to get it all optimum as before.

I am thinking of putting the S5s, with spikes, on two maple speaker plinths which have 4 two inch brass footers. That will make the speaker four inches taller, but should better couple it to the floor. We shall see/hear if that works or doesn't.

[Deleted User]

Wow, I didn't realise your refurb was that extensive. Yeah, my system has been idle for several months as well while i've been waiting for the S5 Mk2's (I had pre-ordered my pair), hence as you said my whole system will need to be run in again. To assist in that process, I picked up a Purist Audio Design Luminist system enhancer cd. Apparently this cd speeds up the burn in process by 4 x & properly conditions your components and cables. The Cable Co are selling that cd at a promotional 50% discount at the moment .

On your room acoustics, my listening room is also my living/dining room. However I live in a loft apartment which has an open atrium to the right of my RH speaker, so my room is medium size in volume. I'm not using any room treatments, though i'm pretty happy with the basic acoustics of the room. I've found having an open atrium, floor to ceiling timber venetians, a carpet pile rug in front of the speakers & a large 3 meter long soft-apolstered sofa all help. Also, I have open hardwood stairs running up the front wall which probably act as a crude diffuser.

I have a tiled over concrete floor in my listening room, so I can't comment on how the S5's might sound on timber boards. I know that these guys experimented with Stillpoints on different timber floors. To avoid upsetting the sound staging, personally I would start out listening to the S5's with the factory spikes. Then If you're not happy with the sound. I'd consider investing in a set of 6 Stillpoints Ultra 5's with Ultra bases & the custom adaptors from Magico. The feedback i've read from other Magico owners who upgraded to the U5's has been almost universally postive. I have an unused set of (6) U5 adaptors I could sell you. food for thought.

[Deleted User]

Cool CAT!

[Deleted User]

I had a delivery arrive today

BlueFox

Excellent. Enjoy.

[Deleted User]

BlueFox wrote: »

Excellent. Enjoy.

Thanks very much Bud , I haven't connected the speakers yet as I'm waiting on a spare pair of hands to help me re-seat the Cerabase feet under my smaller rack & move my 26kg Vitus spinner back on my main rack. I'm also taking the opportunity to clean behind my rack which is difficult to access. My system should be up and running by next weekend. But straight off the bat I can tell you the S5 Mk2's look stunning in M-coat Titanium! The build quality is superb. I told my Dealer it's like owning a Bentley. They give you a great pride of ownership. Looking forward to posting my first impressions & some more photos soon!

Btw how did your home re-modeling go? Did you manage to find a good setup for your S5 Mk1's? I know you were contemplating placing them on spiked maple blocks. Would love to know how your system is sounding now with all the changes .

WagnerRC

very impressive. Enjoy.

BlueFox

David, take your time and do it right. I finally put my two channel back together now that the home remodel is done. I think it was in March when I took it apart. Now everything is burning in again. Tomorrow night will be when I find out how the new room acoustics sound.

BlueFox

Absolutely. Dreams are what makes reality.

[Deleted User]

BlueFox wrote: »

David, take your time and do it right. I finally put my two channel back together now that the home remodel is done. I think it was in March when I took it apart. Now everything is burning in again. Tomorrow night will be when I find out how the new room acoustics sound.

Bud, great to hear your system is setup how you want it & is playing music again. Looking forward to your impressions!

Thanks for your timely and great advice. The last time I rushed setting up my system, I blew the fuses in my Vitus player which was a pain as the the contacts needed cleaning after the arc left a bit of carbon residue (smell). Lesson learned. Yeah this time i'll approach it patiently and get everything done mickey mouse. My first job is cleaning down my racks and the general area around my racks + cleaning all the contacts with some 99.8% Isopropyl alcohol to give them a spruce up. Can't wait to hear those S5 Mk2's playing for the first time!

[Deleted User]

BlueFox wrote: »

Absolutely. Dreams are what makes reality.

+ 1

[Deleted User]

The bad boys!