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B&W vs Estelon vs Magico - Recent Demo
- Thread starter cpachris
- Start date
I would start by looking at really fine measuring loudspeakers irrespective of price.
Keith
Keith
DSJR
Major Contributor
Having said that and scanning this thread, the Avalon speakers do look most interesting to me, as I like the triangular theme most seem to have. No idea otherwise and I suspect the start at astronomical prices and go up from there. The top Beolab model is simply far too fussy even if it does perform rather well for such an ornament.
I'm getting restless but have no money to splash out - well, I'm allowed to 'tyre kick' aren't I?
Hmmm first result,
Even Rockport seem a little inconsistent if we look at their Stereophile results.
Keith
Keith
Hi - I have listened to all of the speakers you mention (of the two Estelons mostly the X Diamond) and would personally and subjectively agree with your experience, preferring the Estelon sound (tuning) to the Magic s3 (I prefer the bigger Magicos - but they are stratospherically priced!).
Back your quest. Presumably,
- you have adequate amplification for these (you are driving the quirky B&Ws after all)
- Your listening room is big enough to accommodate
- You have some room treatment - if not, measure it and look into it. You can diy measurements: Amir has an excellent thread on this subject - "REW (or) room measurement for dummies"- all you need! Any of the speakers above output bass energy that will create havoc and other artefacts. More importantly, you won't fully appreciate your system.
As to choice of speakers - first, I would eliminate models with quirky measurements. Having done that, there is a very wide range of possibilities beyond your stated choices. Personally, I would keep the Estelons in the game and also listen to the larger Vivid Audio models, Avalon are nice but not dissimilar in tuning to the Estelons, Stenheims, Goebel (all of these utilise similar drive units & componentry). OTOH, you have products like Blumenhoffer that manage to match a horn with 15 & 18'' woofers and sound good.... and offer the perception of stunning dynamics.
The quest is part of the fun, my recommendation is: don't make up your mind tomorrow. Keep on looking !
- Thread Starter
- #46
Again...appreciate all the suggestions, comments and responses. I'm nearing the end of my planning journey and will begin execution shortly. I attended Southwest Audio Fest and thoroughly enjoyed hearing/seeing/touching all sorts of speakers and other components. For some reason, I kept gravitating back to the rooms with the Estelon and Magico speakers.
Just yesterday, I spent another few hours with my dealer auditioning the Estelon X Diamond and Magico M3 in a room about the size of the room I am doing at home, with some of the same components as well. Pictures below:
Both sounded amazing, tight and balanced, but the Estelon felt a little bigger in the lower-end. I think I've settled on the Estelon X Diamond, but am exploring the new X Diamond Signature's just released also. The form factor really does it for me and I love the sound of theses speakers also. As far as colors, I will decorate the room around color of speaker, but really like the red Estelon's...
Just yesterday, I spent another few hours with my dealer auditioning the Estelon X Diamond and Magico M3 in a room about the size of the room I am doing at home, with some of the same components as well. Pictures below:
Both sounded amazing, tight and balanced, but the Estelon felt a little bigger in the lower-end. I think I've settled on the Estelon X Diamond, but am exploring the new X Diamond Signature's just released also. The form factor really does it for me and I love the sound of theses speakers also. As far as colors, I will decorate the room around color of speaker, but really like the red Estelon's...
It sounds like you are set on the Estelon, but the M3 are truly spectacular, and objectively, based on what I learned to expect from both companies, are superior (and do sound better, IMO). The Estelon are definitely not "bigger" in the bottom they're more bloated. Just my 2c. it's a big investment; you don't want to make a mistake 
Interestingly, that's the first impression I had when I walked into the room with the big Estelons at SWAF. I bit muddy bass, not as defined as I'd like.It sounds like you are set on the Estelon, but the M3 are truly spectacular, and objectively, based on what I learned to expect from both companies, are superior (and do sound better, IMO). The Estelon are definitely not "bigger" in the bottom they're more bloated. Just my 2c. it's a big investment; you don't want to make a mistake
- Thread Starter
- #49
It sounds like you are set on the Estelon, but the M3 are truly spectacular, and objectively, based on what I learned to expect from both companies, are superior (and do sound better, IMO). The Estelon are definitely not "bigger" in the bottom they're more bloated. Just my 2c. it's a big investment; you don't want to make a mistake
Both speakers were amazing. But for me...it was definitely the Estelon. The new "special edition" will take 10-12 weeks to get. Gives me time to work on the room. Need to make it look as special as these speakers. Will post pics once they have arrived. Thanks for all the opinions and advice!
‘Bloated‘ bass is often the. speaker interacting with the room, particularly as many visitors tend to hover at the back of the room.
Keith
Keith
Maybe so, but the big Estelon room at SWAF was quite large and there was nobody hanging around the back. I still think I would describe the bass as "busy" or "untidy".
MattHooper
Master Contributor
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Sounds fun!
I can see the attraction to the Estelons. I've spent quite a lot of time listening to the Estelon YB and later the bigger more expensive XB Mk 2 Estelons, and they are fun speakers. Really disappear well, no sense of "speaker-cabinet" sound at all, very precise, dynamic, clean. Not ultimately to my taste but I can appreciate the performance.
And I like a speaker that doesn't look like just another wooden box.
Not surprising, see the bass response. This can be imposing for some for sure.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/estelon-xb-diamond-mk2-loudspeaker-measurementsf
The quasi anechoic test method JA uses always imparts a bass lift, it looks as though the bass starts to roll of at around 50Hz, so hardly bass monsters.
Keith
Keith
It would be straightforward to EQ, many dealers/retailers still don’t acoustically measure or have the first clue about acoustics, it always amazed me that considering the cost in both terms of cash and effort of attending a show that they didn’t/couldn’t take care of the speaker/room interaction.
Keith
Keith
MasterApex
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I had a chance to listen to Magico S5 Mk2 driven by Vitus SS-025 Amplifier last week.
It sounds very smooth and has good extended lower octave bass compare to B&W 800D3. However , the 800D3 has better bass definition on higher octave bass.
I personally prefer the 800D3 midrange purity and sense of presence with its D3 tweeter .
Overall, both are awesome .
800D3 presentation is more dynamic and good for active listening. Magico S5 is more laid back for background music .
The sales person recommend Magico M6 to get the dynamic and soundstage of the B&W 800D3 .
We think the 800D3 is like Porsche 992 GT3 that holds value and good performance for the price and Magico S5 is Maclaren Artura.
It sounds very smooth and has good extended lower octave bass compare to B&W 800D3. However , the 800D3 has better bass definition on higher octave bass.
I personally prefer the 800D3 midrange purity and sense of presence with its D3 tweeter .
Overall, both are awesome .
800D3 presentation is more dynamic and good for active listening. Magico S5 is more laid back for background music .
The sales person recommend Magico M6 to get the dynamic and soundstage of the B&W 800D3 .
We think the 800D3 is like Porsche 992 GT3 that holds value and good performance for the price and Magico S5 is Maclaren Artura.
analogonly
Member
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Soundlab.
I just saw this post and come in late, this is what I saw also, both this and the magico is much more neutral and with very good directivity, and for me, the OP is really demoed how a more neutral speaker can sound compared to the "trust your ears" initial impression of the modern B&Ws, welcome down the ship of the measurement
sweetsounds
Active Member
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Interesting, having both the 800D and the S5 Mk2, I prefer the latter for stage-width, voices and bass accuracy (again, in my room). So actually my impression is the reverse.
The 800D has more bass impact and indeed more tweeter energy. It is more "fun", but less accurate.
At the high end my impression is, that even flatter on-axis response is not the important factor anymore. It's flat enough, especially in a stereo configuration, where the ear/brain listens for other elements like involvement and impacts, which depend a lot on the room and the spatial/temporal patterns of the speakers.
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