Magico A1 Loudspeaker Review (Take 2, Ep:14)

Magico's A1 loudspeaker is fairly small, but it's something of a beast - measuring only 15.6" high x 8.5" wide x 12" deep, it weighs a whopping 48 pounds. A lot of that weight comes from its cabinet construction - 3/8"-thick aluminum panels all around - as well as its robust drivers, which are all bespoke Magico designs.
SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider reviewed the A1 on May 1 on SoundStage! Hi-Fi, for which it received a Reviewers’ Choice award. In that review Doug wrote: “The all-black A1 isn’t beautiful to look at, but it’s extremely well built, and very accomplished in how it sounds when given enough power -- its full, rich, superbly voiced sound belies the speaker’s size, and has a purity through the midrange and highs that made it intoxicating to listen to.”
Read the full review here: www.soundstagehifi.com/index....
In this video, Jay Lee follows up Doug's review with his own unique perspective on the A1. Was he as taken with it as Doug was? Watch the full video to find out more
#magico #speaker #hifi

[@soundsgood12]

Hi thx, great evaluation I'm interested, can't wait to hear these speakers.

[@arunhembram1859]

Please always do comparisons

[@LQ-gaming]

how would you compare these against the sopra 1?

[@JD-mm4ub]

Hi Jay, What stands did you use with the A1’s? Thanks

[@rcarloz]

Hi, What speaker mounts are you using?

[@daveshear]

NAD M33 on your rack? When should we expect the review? Thanks Jay!

[@raphaelmeillat8527]

My favorite bit... "they didn't have to... But they decided to use very good binding posts!" hell yeah they had to! $7500 with no grill covers... They sure can provide decent binding posts! And some spare ones! You're too nice Jay!

[@klaymoon1]

Great comprehensive review! Any thought vs Focal Diablo Utopia Colour Evo, which also sports a beryllium tweeter?

[@soundstagenetwork]

Check out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJ3Nq5-MipaIq8U

[@stephenosman8286]

Please help! I have a Naim Uniti Atom and a pair of Sonus Faber Sonetto II’s but I am upgrading to the Magico A1’s. What amplifier should I get in a reasonable price range and have for years to come? I will eventually sell the Naim but will just make it the pre-amp for now.

[@kimchee411]

Jay, would you take the Magico A1 or Sonus Faber Electa Amator 3? Paired with, say, McIntosh MA352, Hegel H390, or Linear Tube Audio Z40. I value natural tone/timbre above all, and have loved Sonus Fabers in the past, but am also interested in trying something with elite level imaging, soundstage, detail, and micro dynamics but still with emotion. Listening at low to moderately loud levels, maybe 90db peaks.

[@sunpoon233]

Hi! 48 pounds is for each pair? or 48 pounds each speaker?

[@jackbarnard1781]

I'm a big fan of sealed acoustic suspension loudspeakers. The bass is so tight. Magico reminds me of acoustic research ar3. The downside... They need lots of good clean power!!!

[@kevinturner8367]

How do these compare/contrast to the Gershman Studio II you reviewed?

[@gnoter2]

Different platform to comment on. Buy A3's, cheaper. Interesting showdwn, l like the Gersh's. A3's prob win overall. ???

[@daredevilkk]

You should do a vivid audio Kaya S12 to compare.

[@klewja]

Jay the A1 is an incredible speaker. I have a pair of the S1mkII and they are almost 3 times the price and do sound better but the A1 is an incredible value.

[@willmac5642]

Not sure why the comments, seems like a very positive review. Altho curious to know how many dB down at 35hz the response is

[@gnoter2]

Negative comments? Lack of experience, for level of content. A review? A 'summary' @ best. If it were me, I would have a musical gear party, w/ sound demos! It's a Magico!!!...

[@KeithCopeland778]

I'm sure that these are great loudspeakers, but $7500 is a lot for stand mount speakers! I must say, though, that the even more expensive B&W 805 D4 stand mounts sound incredible-more like larger floor-standing loudspeakers!

[@dap777754]

Try $9400

[@backrack01]

Did these go up in price by 2k?

[@soundstagenetwork]

Since this was published? If so, possibly.

[@ganesang5537]

Magico is a brand that reveals how good it bad of a system you have.

[@tamsaiming2003]

Proud A1 owner. Very transparent sound but very hard to drive. Lab test 82.4 db SPL and min. ohms 2.7!

[@tamsaiming2003]

Hegel H390 and Gryphon Diablo 300 are the best match

[@tamsaiming2003]

The speaker disappears like other Magico speakers. Amazing. Need huge amount of time to burn-in

[@soundstagenetwork]

Did you use our measurements or others? Here are ours: www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2293:nrc-measurements-magico-a1-loudspeakers&catid=77:loudspeaker-measurements&Itemid=153

[@tamsaiming2003]

@@soundstagenetwork another reputable site

[@tamsaiming2003]

@HiFi Magico more than 2 years

[@respondent5226]

Please compare tune tot

[@willbrink]

Nice review. Dude, 48lbs breaking your back, time to hit the gym. Just sayin'... At $7k, I'd get floor standers from ATC all day long.

[@blankface6866]

LOL

[@202One]

😂 Floorstand Magico A3 for $9,800 is better deal than a $7,000 bookshelf!! ✌

[@Maccaboy1984]

@@202One wish they didn’t cost over double that in the uk

[@202One]

@@Maccaboy1984 Insane! DIY.. ✌

[@paulgillard5094]

Mágico A1 vs Wilson Audio Tunetots.?

[@soundstagenetwork]

Unfortunately we've never listened to the Wilson product in a critical way.

[@audiophilevn9690]

10k usd for this damm speaker? It it made by gold.

[@erics.4113]

96lb of gold is worth approximately $2,278,863 - so you're getting these for a bargain at $10k!

[@djhmax09]

Damn, $400 for grills?! What are they made out of? lol

[@wa2368]

Magic

[@meshplates]

How much? $10k?

[@velociti03]

$7400, as Jay mentions in the review.

[@klewja]

They are probably the best sounding speaker available at this price.

[@wa2368]

@@klewja "probably"? So you never heard it..How do you know? Because the price is high?

[@klewja]

W A It is funny that you assume that I have never heard them before. I am actually friends with the local Magico dealer and have extensive listening time with the A1 and A3. I also own a pair of Magico S1MKII. The only reason that I say probably is that there might be a speaker out there that I have not heard that I would like more than the A1 at the same price. With that said the A1 is not cheap by any means but at the same price point I have not heard a speaker that can best them in terms of detail and quality of sound or build.

[@C--A]

@@klewja There are literally tons of better bookshelf speakers for the same price and lots are also a lot cheaper 👍🏾 The Philharmonic BMR bookshelf speakers are one that's cheaper and better overall sound quality 👌🏾

[@henriksrensen3220]

The Audiovector R1 arrete can compete with these Magico

[@saint6563]

Must have right room correct room treatment no 'bright' electronics + no highly sibilant sources.

[@hushpuppykl]

I did listen to the A1s a couple of months ago. Was not impressed at all. Perhaps it was the dealer’s set up/room. Must have a listen to them elsewhere again. TQ for the review!

[@gnoter2]

Compared to what? ...

[@michaela.5363]

I heard A3 and the A5 and was also underwhelmed considering their price point. A3 was better than the A5.

[@hushpuppykl]

@@michaela.5363 … just heard the A5. With some expensive components from Gryphon & CH. I got mixed feelings. 😂🤣😂🤣

[@michaela.5363]

@@hushpuppykl what was your opinion on them? Also, which speakers do you like in general?

[@hushpuppykl]

@@michaela.5363 … I find the A5 to be punchy, love the bass. Mids and highs are ok. But the price … I can’t see the magic (pun intended) for the price. I do like Graham Audio’s LS 6 and LS 8/1. That’s bcos if I want spend on a system, I won’t be listening to pop music. A carnival stall burger can be sloppy and slathered with sauce but when you want to go to an expensive restaurant to eat a wagyu burger, it’s not gonna be one that dripping in sauce. 😬

[@amourtiger5018]

Magico A1... I think the piano sound will be very good. Is the texture of the string instrument less than that of speakers equipped with soft dome tweeter?

[@donalddeorio2237]

$7000 a pair for bookshelf speakers is a bit much. I like your reviews Jay but $1000 would buy me a very capable pair of bookshelves. Diminishing returns.

[@erics.4113]

From my experience, the $1k mark (and below) has tremendous value, but even the jump to around $2k typically nets you a whole lot more. Above that range, into the 3-4k there are some solid offerings, and some from brands that only move the needle more gradually. But as you go towards $10k I wouldn't call it diminishing if you value something very special that no $1k speaker could dream of doing. Of course, you're now looking at the rest of your gear. That Node - Rega Brio combo sounds fantastic on your $900 dali, but you're not really doing speakers in the high end much justice unless you spend good bucks on source and amplification

[@genkifd]

ive never heard the A1 but ive listened to the A3. All i can say not a fan.

[@Scottlp2]

What didn't you like about them?

[@genkifd]

@@Scottlp2 bass was a little bloaty. mid range sounded thin. many other speakers i like more for a similar price

[@arunhembram1859]

Which do you prefer then?

[@genkifd]

@@arunhembram1859 none - i wouldnt buy the A3

[@arunhembram1859]

@@genkifd so which one would you buy?

[@utubecomment21]

Ah, the ol' *Wrap your knuckles on the speaker cabinet* test .... THE most inept audiophile tests there is!

[@dougg1075]

Not exactly a glowing review. I thought they would be better . Kind of a matter of fact review. Bummer.

[@dennisstempher9684]

5:51 Transients not siblances ;-)

[@jc51373]

Magico is bright, there is nothing smooth about them. You hear metal because they are made from metal. What you rationalize to be sibilance in a recording is in FACT sibilance from the giant block of metal reproducing the sound. Magico is awful, hard to place and bright, and over priced. You want to hear inert cabinet speakers that sound good you listen to Rockport.

[@gnoter2]

Compared to what? Gear or real music playback?

[@CJ-hr1ni]

Nothing magical about these speakers. $7,000 dollars. Klipschorns much better. These people are nuts with these outrageous prices. The sad part about all of this. Is that the consumers fall for this crap. No disrespect to you Jay.

[@Jayiyagi]

Some will argue klipsch are the worst. Nobody is falling for anything. Lets not assume "its crap cuz its not our own preference". Each have their own preference and we need to respect that. Please do not add to the ever growing attitude problem in this industry. In the end, we are all striving for nirvana. Cheers !

[@locmanw1583]

Sorry but Klipschhorns lack resolution, and air compare to Magico. But Khorns do sound sweet though with good dynamics.

[@erics.4113]

They're a bargain compared with $40k bookshelves though