TAS A5 Review
Matthew Clott | Nov 11th, 2021
In the near future, both SpaceX and Blue Origin are expected to introduce the world to space tourism. The plan is to start by auctioning seats on their spaceships to essentially go straight up, and then straight back down again. The big deal is that magical 62-mile altitude, known at NASA as the Kármán Line. Designated by international agreement, 62 miles vertical altitude is accepted as the starting point of space (you know, the Final Frontier). Fewer than 575 humans have ever crossed that line. (As a fascinating aside, only 21 humans have ever descended to Challenger Deep, the deepest portion of the Mariana Trench in Micronesia—a depth of 35,761 feet or 6.8 miles under the ocean’s surface. But I digress.)
If Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos chose to equip their cutting-edge rocket ships with speaker systems, I have no doubt in my mind that they would both agree (likely for the first time ever) that Alon Wolf, owner and Grand Jedi Master engineer of Magico, is the man for the job. Alon embraces state-of-the-art materials and engineering solutions, and approaches those solutions with advanced computer-driven mathematics. His speakers sound and look beautiful because beautiful engineering results in beautiful aesthetics and performance. Magico incorporates space-age materials, utilizes cutting-edge technology, and implements NASA-level tolerances. Alon takes the old adage “measure twice, cut once” to a whole other level.
The A5 is Magico’s new A Series flagship. It is industrial art—simple, compact, efficient, and elegant in a Washington Monument kinda way. I will openly state I really like its looks. It is a three-way, 5-driver system in a sealed, 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum enclosure, anodized and finished brushed black. The A5s utilize internal bracing and cabinet materials previously implemented in Magico’s top-tier Q Series speakers, which result in detail and dynamics unexpected in a speaker at the price of $24,800 per pair. Did I mention the A5s weigh 180 pounds each?
Three 9″ woofers, utilizing Magico’s Graphene Nano-Tech diaphragms newly modified to even stiffer and lighter levels, provide the bass. I will leave you to read over Magico’s website to get more specifics regarding the woofer innovations.
Speaking of innovations, the Magico A5 uses Mundorf’s new M-Resist Ultra foil resistors, delivering “greater power handling, transparency, and liquidity.” The tweeter is a 28mm pure beryllium diaphragm implementing the same technological design principles as the tweeters in the S and M Series speakers, with a specially engineered back chamber for super-linearity, low distortion, and superior dynamics. The A5’s tweeter lacks the diamond coating that the higher-end S and M Series models employ.
What is most exciting about the A5, to me, is the premier of Magico’s newest Gen 8 Nano-Tec aluminum honeycomb cone design (the same technology implemented in Magico’s mighty M9 cabinet)—an ultra-thin aluminum honeycomb matrix with an overlying layer of carbon fiber. In its driver configuration, it is as close to perfectly pistonic as is currently possible, according to Alon. In cabinet form, as implemented in the M9, it offers the perfect combination of light weight, stiffness, and rigidity.
A phone interview with Alon gave me insight into the pride he has in his newest innovation. He described how the new 5″ Gen 8 Nano-Tec cone midrange with Graphene/carbon-fiber inner and outer layers and a unique foam surround results in better dispersion, inaudible breakup, a reduction in distortion, and improved signal reproduction. He also explained that the A5’s enclosure is as damped and rigid as that of the M2 speaker, but lacks the added benefits of a curved cabinet. I received a brief but fascinating lesson on the advantages of underhung driver-motor design. He also explained his Elliptical Symmetry Crossover topology, and how it features a 24dB-per-octave Linkwitz-Riley filter that maximizes frequency bandwidth while preserving phase linearity and significantly minimizing distortion. He spoke of scientific theory, material implementation, and pistonic motion as comfortably as we discuss milkshakes and cheeseburgers (one of my favorite topics of conversation, I might add). Alon is clearly a very smart man, driven to advance the science of speaker design and passionate about the science and engineering that make that task possible. He endeavors to share his passion and make others understand it as well as possible.
The A5 is a speaker that makes no excuses. It is well proportioned, well executed, and well designed to accomplish a singular task. Interior decorators were barred from the design room, and Alon makes no apologies for that. At $24,800 per pair, it is certainly not inexpensive. But for what it is designed to accomplish, it most certainly is. Its sealed enclosure makes it well suited to near-wall placement. The under-11″ width and under-45″ height make it small enough to sit in most living rooms without calling much attention to itself, until it starts to play.
My process for reviewing is always the same. Set up equipment. Listen quickly. Burn in equipment. Listen again after a week. Let burn in thoroughly, and review. I don’t take notes until the “let burn in thoroughly, and review” part, for the same reason I don’t eat homemade soup just after all the ingredients are added—it has to simmer for the magic to happen. However, when I set up the A5s and had my first taste (“listen quickly”), I dove for my notepad. “Out of box…too good for $24,800! Rich, transparent, holographic” is what I wrote.
I will flatly state that there is an almost creepy synergy between the Magico A5 and my Pilium electronics; so, take that for what it’s worth. The remainder of my impressions (and notes) were made after the soup was fully cooked and ready to serve. Speaking of setup, I was fortunate to have Peter Mackay come over to help fine-tune the A5 setup. I was pleased to see his final placement ended up less than 2″ from where the speakers were when he arrived. Yet, his expertise, acumen, and cabinet manhandling resulted in a noticeable improvement in spatial cues, staging, and dynamics. Once they were spiked, the A5s spent the rest of their visit where Peter put them.
The A5, as I said, is built to NASA tolerances, and it performs like it. It offers micro-resolution, yet never approaches sounding analytical. Treble extension is near stratospheric, while dancing on the razor’s edge but never falling off. The tweeter is light, extended, airy, detailed, and delicate without any ringing, breakup, shoutiness, or fatigue. It’s quite remarkable, and it’s got dynamics to spare. I can understand why Alon chose this particular 28mm dome tweeter even over his diamond-coated variant for the A5; it just suits the overall voicing so well. The tweeter does offer near the same level of complexity and depth as the M2 tweeter, but seems to lack its sense of finesse and faster-than-light speed. If memory serves, the M tweeter may be a touch warmer overall. Yet the A5 tweeter is lightning fast, like a Maggie with laser-accurate image specificity. It presents the upper registers with an almost mystical weightlessness and fantastic acceleration, yet cushions them with mellowness without ever truncating extension. Details in the treble and midrange come through totally without restriction. With the rare combination of higher volumes and poor (or low-resolution) recordings, the A5 can blossom to the point of sounding tipped-up. A step or two lower on the old volume knob, or skipping that particular track, solves the problem post haste. This speaker does not, in any way, sugarcoat a miserably compressed file, offensive recording, or poor source.
The new 5″ aluminum honeycomb matrix driver simply shines. Alon’s technological creations have midrange reproduction I have only experienced in significantly more expensive speakers. The presentation is neither warm nor lean, with full and beautifully well-rounded body, top to bottom. Timbre and tone are presented in a natural and texturally coherent way that just sounds and feels very real. Although not warm, the A5 offer a wonderfully rich, luxurious presence that is, at times, intoxicating. The aluminum honeycomb structure results in tweeter-level speed that keeps the whole unified and on pace, while maintaining that weightlessness and acceleration that reinforce the overall sense of scale, impact, and transparency. It’s simply midrange done right. Bravo, Alon! I can’t wait to hear this tech in the M9 and the next generation of Magico speakers as they emerge.
Now, let us consider the three 9″ Graphene Nano-Tec bass drivers, which, even in an enclosure of the A5’s diminutive size, offer crisp, tight extension down to 24Hz. I always find my adjustment from switching from a ported to a sealed-bass design enlightening. My first impressions of Magico’s low-end performance, years ago, was that it was light in the lows and lacked impact and drive. I have learned to appreciate what their sealed enclosures do over time, as I have learned to appreciate a beautifully crafted bourbon whiskey. It is not a matter of impact and scale; it’s about clean, articulate, absolutely phase-linear bass that neither calls attention to itself nor needs to apologize for any deficiencies. No, it does not offer the visceral presence and impact a ported system yields, but Alon is quite insistent that much of that experience is a combination of noise, distortion, and phase inaccuracy. What I heard was full-bodied bass with harmonic layers and timbral depth, which still maintained the sense of speed and masslessness of the midrange and tweeter. The overall presentation somehow reminded me of the simple beauty and scientific wonder of a prism displaying its rainbow. Science in nature creates the most wonderfully organized fabrications: crystalline fractals, honeycombs, the radiating wave of the splash of a drop of water, and Magico speakers.
The A5’s overall presentation is triumphantly cohesive. This, combined with the simple but meticulous enclosure design (and probably what’s happening in that crossover), creates a soundstage that defines itself by how it was recorded, rather than by measurements or room boundaries. The scale of dynamics, sense of mass, and boundless presentation are staggering considering the overall size (and price) of the A5. Image accuracy and presence are meticulous, as expected, and set within a stage representing the best of omnis. I actually wrote the phrase, “presence meisters,” in my notes, as the speakers simply vanished. Vocal identification was meticulous, as I was aware of each performer and his or her aura—that sonic presence around him or her that helps to define where they are, where they are not, and what they are there to accomplish. At times, I felt as if I could walk onto the stage and around the performers. I am convinced that the A5s thrived, in my room particularly, as a result of my extensive room treatments and my amplifier’s limitless power and damping. The overall design of the speaker lends itself to the benefits of good sidewall diffusion, and I strongly suggest that you do as much as you can to make your room sound the best it can possibly sound. And, with their 88dB sensitivity, don’t even think about powering these speakers with anything other than superior-quality equipment with power to spare.
The whole comes together to represent what could be considered a turning point in the ratio of price to performance. Alon himself admitted, when pushed, that the A5 is priced too low, although I was certain I detected a Cheshire Cat grin on his face over the phone when he said it. This speaker offers a beautifully balanced, rich, textured and yet meticulously accurate presentation. You can seemingly measure the attack and decay in the recording to within one-ten-thousandth of an inch. And micro- and macro-dynamics are totally unconstrained. You can almost hear the technology—the differences it makes are so dramatic at times.
Do not misinterpret my exuberance; my implication is not that this speaker should be considered in lieu of $35–$50k models. Only that it may provide what you are looking for without the need to spend that much. What you get in the end is rich, pleasant, and oh so expressive, with exceptional finesse and elegance given its price.
The new A series Magico flagship, the A5, is a watershed product for Magico. I have found its S, Q, and M Series to be somewhat polarizing to audiophiles; some love them, some don’t. But I see everyone liking (dare I say, loving) the rich, transparent, holographic presentation the A5 offers.
I hate the term “giant killer.” And I don’t really believe that concept exists. But Alon has created a product that demands attention. And certainly justifies paying a visit to the closest Magico dealer to hear what cutting-edge technology combined with next-generation thinking can accomplish. Who knows? Maybe you will also be motivated to put a bid in to be one of the first space tourists or take a dive to Challenger Deep.
Specs & Pricing
Driver complement: 1.1″ beryllium-dome tweeter (x1), 5″ Gen 8 Nano-Tec cone midrange (x1) with graphene/carbon-fiber inner and outer layers, 9″ Gen 8 Nano-Tec cone woofer (x3) with graphene/carbon-fiber inner and outer layers
Sensitivity: 88dB
Impedance: 4 ohms
Frequency response: 24Hz–50kHz
Recommended amplifier power: 50–1000 watts
Dimensions: 10.5″ x 44.75″ x 14.9″
Weight: 180 lbs. each
Price: $24,800 per pair
MAGICO, LLC
3170 Corporate Place
Hayward, CA 94545
(510) 649-9700
magicoaudio.com