S5 mark 2 versus S7

M

Marck1973

Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2013
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Hi,

Am after some opinions please. I currently have Martin Logan CLX Anniversaries, however contemplating moving to Magico.

I have heard the S7's although not with the same equipment as I have. I have a demo scheduled for a couple of weeks time though.

I would also like to hear the S5's, although may not be as easy to demo, well certainly not in the next few weeks.

The S7's have been around longer than the new S5's, although I have been told there is not a new S7 coming anytime soon. Would that be correct?

What are people's views on which speaker to go for? I have read a few articles saying S7 is better in all aspects (as it should be for the price differential). Has anyone done the comparison? If so what are your thoughts?

Lastly, has anyone compared either speaker with and without the MPod's?

Sorry for all the questions, hopefully there will be some people that have comments on the above.

Thanks
Marc.
Equipment: DCS Vivaldi full stack, ARC Ref40, ARC Ref250SE
 
Hi Marc - welcome to AS. Can you tell us a little about your room? Size? Also, your listening tastes?

Great associated equipment! DCS and ARC - nice!
 
Marc, I went to Magico and heard the S7 compared to the S5 MKI, which I also had. We started with the S5, and I commented that it sounded like my S5. Alon says; "That's the point." What I meant was I didn't have an acoustically treated room, and it sounded like my system. Anyway, as the S7s were swapped in and out, it was apparent that the S7 was the better speaker. However, being an engineer, I didn't feel it was twice better than the S5 (from the price perspective). While better, I would have had a hard time justifying its purchase, since I do not have an infinite amount of money. It would be very interesting to hear the S7 against the S5 MKII.
 
Hi,

Thanks for the replies so far.

My listening tastes favour female vocals, although do I listen to most things (well, so long as it is well recorded!)

I am used to a big sound with the panels. I should also add that I have a Martin Logan subwoofer to augment the lower end, obviously this won't be needed going forward. My equipment, including my current speakers are all on StillPoints 5's with an ESS StillPoints rack.

My room is not that big (at the moment), 5m by 4.8m. Although there is a possibility I will move in the next couple of years. This will be more of a one off exercise, so would rather go with the best short and long term option.

Just to add my budget would allow the S7, however nothing above that, so the M3 etc is unfortunately not possible.

Also have you tried the MPOD's? Worth having?

Thanks
Marc.
 
Marc, firstly congratulations on an excellent system! Based on your current room size, between the S5 Mk2 & S7 I would suggest the Magico S5 Mk2's would be a better option. The S7's are best suited to a medium-large to large size room. I have a medium size room which is bigger than yours & find the S5 mk2's couple perfectly to my room. My friend owns the S7's & has them in a large treated listening room, sans subs. He has the S7's well out in the room for best integration.

As far as the S5 Mk2's vs S7's, they are both wonderful speakers. The S5 Mk2 is clearly the best bet for the money. But I know of one Dealer who sells more S7's (than S5's). The S7's are more enjoyable overall with better dynamics and an easier on the ear balance. However, the S5's are not far behind, and for a lot less money. And I think the sound staging from the S5's is a little better thanks to it's machined 3D convex top plate. The S7's have the potential to throw a bigger stage, but need a large size room to allow them to breath. But the S5 Mk2's have that slight edge in image focus, thus improving staging. On paper the S7's are 1db more efficient than the S5 Mk2's, but in practice both speakers will need robust power amps with plenty of current to get the best out of them. Your ARC Ref 250's driven by the powerful Ref 40th Anniversary should be up to task.

You mentioned you favor female vocals. One interesting thing about the newer S5 Mk2's is they use the exact same midrange drivers as the M3 (part no: MAG6004RTC). Needless to say, vocals are wonderful.

With all of the above said, based on your current room size, budget & the caliber of your system, I would jump through hoops to see if you can find a Dealer who will give you a good deal on an ex-demo or traded in pair of M3's. In a small-medium size room they will have a clear edge over the S series. In a medium-large size room, the S5 Mk2's or S7's may be a better option. But if you can't snare a pair of M3's, my recommendation would be to go for the S5 Mk2's with S Pods. Re: the S Pods, Bud should be able to chime in with his experience. By all reports, they provide a nice improvement.
 
Hi David,

Firstly, thank you for your comprehensive reply, very much appreciated.

The M3 comment is interesting, I will definitely ask that question when I am with them in a couple of weeks. What I want to ensure, is that whatever I buy will accommodate a larger room in the future, hence why I was angling towards the S7's.

The midrange drivers in the S7's, are they not the same as the M's? I thought that the newer S5's were the trickle down from the S7's, and those being from the newer technology in the M series.

I am interested in the SPod's, although I cant see any specific details on SPod's with the S7's. If Bud could advise that would be great.

Thank you
Marc.
 
Marck1973 said:
Hi David,

Firstly, thank you for your comprehensive reply, very much appreciated.

The M3 comment is interesting, I will definitely ask that question when I am with them in a couple of weeks. What I want to ensure, is that whatever I buy will accommodate a larger room in the future, hence why I was angling towards the S7's.

The midrange drivers in the S7's, are they not the same as the M's? I thought that the newer S5's were the trickle down from the S7's, and those being from the newer technology in the M series.

I am interested in the SPod's, although I cant see any specific details on SPod's with the S7's. If Bud could advise that would be great.

Thank you
Marc.
Click to expand...
YW Mark.

The M3 would definitely trump the S series speakers given your current room size. Having auditioned the M3's, I think they will couple well in anything up to a medium size listening room. From there on, they may not adequately pressurize the room. However this is purely a matter of personal preference. A few guys on here heard the M3's sans subs in Magico's cavernous listening room & were happy with their output. If however you found you were still wanting more/deeper bass in your new room, remember you could always use your ML subs or upgrade to Magico Q Sub 15's.

Don't get me wrong, I love my S5 Mk2's. They are terrific speakers and couple perfectly to my medium size listening room. But if I had a slightly smaller listening room and the budget for maybe an ex-demo, or traded in pair of M3's, I'd be all over them like a cheap suit!

The S7's came out before the M3, so they had all-new midrange drivers developed from trickle-down technology from the M Pro as well as Q series. The M3 came out next, then the S5 Mk2. The S5 Mk2 was designed from technology distilled from the S7...but not entirely. It picked up the M3's midrange units & machined, 3D convex top plate which the S7 doesn't have.

Re: the M Pods, the S7's outriggers will accommodate the M Pods, but not the smaller S Pods. The upshot is the M Pods are more effective in that weight range than the S Pods (which are designed for a lighter load). But they're not cheap @ $8400US for a set of (8), so you would have to factor that into your budget. The S Pods are $2995.00US for a set of (8). I plan to order the S Pods in the near future, but you can check out Bud's thread for his thoughts.
 
Marc - the S7's are going to give you more of that wall of sound and seamless integration that you're used to with your ML's. The Sandman here has S7's in a room similar in size to yours. The MPOD's for the S7's are also well worth it. Hopefully your dealer can give you a good demo of both the S5 mk2 and S7's.

As for future plans for the S7's, I haven't heard of anything coming. I think Magico has many other projects in the fire first (M series for example).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
@Marc, agreed. Though the only caveat i'd say is the S7's need a medium-large to large size room to give them space to breath and throw the huge sound stage they're capable of. S5 Mk2 is master of the medium size room, and M3 is master of everything below that (unless we're talking about a Hong Kong apartment! :lol:). But I think the M3's + Q Sub 15's would kick tail and ran ;).
 
I heard s7 and s5mkii in the same setup. Constellation Centaur monoblocks and constellation pre amplifier, dcs rossini(cd and stream capable), ar ref3 phono pre with acoustic signature ascona+sme312 tonearm with benz ?? mc cartridge. S7 is a different and better speaker in every aspects then s5mkii. It is so interesting because, generally when you move higher in the same speaker line, in every speaker you hear the same or similar sound, which i mean same sonic performance. It gets only bigger to fill a bigger room. But in S series, you feel that until you reach the S7. I cannot say it worths or not for this price. Price is a very relative thing. But clearly, S7 is a very good Magico speaker, it has all the ability which you may expect as a Magico owner, also it has a very good, strong, sufficently punchy, and textured bass performance. I heard Mpro, without a doubt Mpro is a better speaker, but for the cost difference, probably most would buy S7, I mean S7 is that kind of good.

Happy sleepless night while you try to decide :)
 
I am sure there will be some sleepless nights after the demo in a couple of weeks time!!

The S7 demo is scheduled for just over 2 weeks time, so will report back thereafter.

In the meantime, if anyone else has any other feedback / experience, then would love to hear about it

Marc.
 
How about pre-owned Mpro? The used price now is similar to new M3.
 
kzhtoo said:
How about pre-owned Mpro? The used price now is similar to new M3.
Click to expand...
+ 1. Very good point kzhtoo! And that speaker would couple extremely well in a lot of different size listening rooms from small-medium to large rooms.
 
So I will need to buy new since I have the trade in elements if I am to make the deal work...

Melbguy1 said:
+ 1. Very good point kzhtoo! And that speaker would couple extremely well in a lot of different size listening rooms from small-medium to large rooms.
Click to expand...
 
Marc
I have both ARC ref 40 and ARC ref 250se
And S7 previously S5 mark 1
Can I just say Magico and ARC tube amplification in my opinion is wonderful
So you can't go wrong
The S7 is an incredible speaker completely disappears
The only difference in our systems is I am a pure analogue person
 
Thanks for the reply, that is vey interesting since we have the same kit apart from the front end.

Was there a massive difference between the S7 and S5? Assume you are happy with the extra money paid for the S7 over the S5?

Btw have you got MPods, or tried them?

Thanks
Marc.

gardener1 said:
Marc
I have both ARC ref 40 and ARC ref 250se
And S7 previously S5 mark 1
Can I just say Magico and ARC tube amplification in my opinion is wonderful
So you can't go wrong
The S7 is an incredible speaker completely disappears
The only difference in our systems is I am a pure analogue person
Click to expand...
 
Marck1973 said:
Thanks for the reply, that is vey interesting since we have the same kit apart from the front end.

Was there a massive difference between the S7 and S5? Assume you are happy with the extra money paid for the S7 over the S5?

Btw have you got MPods, or tried them?


Mine were the S5 mark1
Loved them again with ARC amps

But the S7 is so much bigger
I think Mike described it as a wall of sound . So right
But also for some music it is like the stero sound disappears ,and the central image takes over

No MPods no Subs haven't felt the need

Have not heard M3 but heard Mpro
Very very good but it was with solid state amplification so could not compare

Tubes and Magico work
Click to expand...
 
I am very much looking forward to hearing them with the ARC amps, I think it will be a match made in heaven!

The more I read about the S7's, the more I am thinking this is the way to go....

Has anyone tried the MPod's on the S7's?

Thanks
Marc.
 
So I had the demo on Friday and thought I would let you all know how it went.

The equipment that was being used was pretty much the same as mine, although the amplifier was the ARC 150SE and not the 250SE's that I have. Apart from that all else was the same.

I spent pretty much the whole day in their demo room, and it was just us, so very private and was able to ask many questions and really listen to the qualities of the S7's.

I was expecting the mid and bass to be very different (better) from the CLX's, which in every way it was. Percussion actually sounded like drums, even with my sub on the CLX's it was no where near the same. It actually sounded real!

The complete range of what the S7's could do was so impressive, they had the air, transparency of electrostatic but with the clout and realism of big box speakers. Infact, when I returned home I played a couple of the tracks that I had listened to during the demo. I was so shocked, my system now sounded rather flat and unreal. These are two qualities which I have never associated my system with previously.

After the break we replaced the Ref150SE with a larger Constellation amplifier. I preferred the presentation of the ARC, however what I wanted to hear was how the speakers sounded with the bigger and more powerful amps. It was very obvious that the speakers definitely need the extra power. The grip and even more realism was more apparent then before. Hence my 250SE's will be a perfect match for the Magico's.

Oh, just to add, there were no additional tweaks added to the speakers, so for instance they were on standard feet. They wanted me to hear them as they come, which I agree is the better option.

So next steps, work out what deal I can get for the speakers, including the trade-in of my CLX's....!!! I will let you all know how that progresses. Exciting times ahead!!

Marc.
 
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