Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Beautifully finished cabinet constructed from heavy metal, using four extruded aluminum panels
- Delivers a presentation that's vivid, refined, and compelling
- Low distortion and an absence of cabinet resonance allows the listener to hear deeper into the music
- Images like a point source, but has three-way midrange clarity and gut-punching bass
- Extremely transparent and uncolored, making it very responsive to changes in upstream components
Product Considerations
- May require careful system matching to avoid revealing flaws in the upstream components due to its high resolution
- Bass response below 30Hz may not be particularly satisfying
- Some reviewers noted that the grilles are sonically intrusive
- Heavyweight hifi typically requires assistance in its unboxing and installation, given the weight and the sheer size of the wooden packing crate in which it's delivered
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Magico S3 MKII—the new S3 has been completely revised and re-engineered, using techniques and technologies developed for the M9 flagship, with a 30% quieter enclosure
Takeaway:
The Magico S3 delivers a pure and detailed sound, making music feel vibrant and dynamic, without adding its own color. If you want to really hear what your music and audio equipment can do, the S3 is a great pick.
All
S3
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Images
No items found.
Manufacturer's details
Features
Specifications
- Driver Complement: 1.1" MB5FP Diamond Coated Beryllium Dome (x1), 5" Gen 8 Midrange driver (x1), 9" Gen 8 Bass driver (x2)
- Sensitivity: 88dB
- Impedance: 4 Ohms
- Frequency Response: 24 Hz - 50 kHz
- Recommended Minimum Power: 50 watts
- Dimensions: 44"H x 17"D x 12W (17" outrigger) (112cm x 43cm x 30cm)
- Weight: 222 lbs. (101 kg)
Manufacturer product description (from their site)
Magico's flagship loudspeaker, the incomparable M9, was as much a tour de forceengineering exercise as a finished product. The knowledge distilled and technological advances gained in the M9 development have been applied to the new S3 which reaps the rewards of those monumental efforts. With new state-of-the-art R&D capabilities, we set out to redesign the S3 Mk II loudspeaker to achieve audible improvements in every parameter. With new enclosure, drivers, and coupling system, the S3 accomplishes far more than the initial design brief.
Magico’s flagship loudspeaker, the incomparable M9, was as much a tour de forceengineering exercise as a finished product. The knowledge distilled and technological advances gained in the M9 development have been applied to the new S3 which reaps the rewards of those monumental efforts. With new state-of-the-art R&D capabilities, we set out to redesign the S3 Mk II loudspeaker to achieve audible improvements in every parameter. With new enclosure, drivers, and coupling system, the S3 accomplishes far more than the initial design brief. Page 1 of 6 The technologies and construction techniques leveraged in the new S3 achieve a purity of sound and measured performance that surpassed our expectations. The new Magico S3 shatters the boundaries of performance for a speaker in its class.
Overall product release timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
We analyzed reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—and what stands out most is the following:
- Magico enclosures are primarily constructed of aluminum, using complex internal bracing to minimize resonances and provide a rigid mounting platform for the drivers.
- The brand utilizes graphene-enhanced Nano-Tec cones in their midranges and woofers for a superior stiffness-to-weight ratio, contributing to exceptional clarity and detail.
- Trickle-down technology from Magico's flagship M-Series informs the design of other models, making significant engineering accomplishments available at lower price points.
- The company is known for its seamless blending of drivers and exceptionally wide sweet spot relative to other dynamic loudspeakers.
Select products
Product lineup breakdown
Every Magico speaker uses Nano-Tec cones and a stiff braced cabinet, which keeps the box from coloring the sound. The A1 is a standmount with one 6.5 inch midbass driver that suits a small room. The A5 adds three 9 inch woofers, taking bass down to 24 Hz so it can fill medium to large rooms. The M9 adds two 15 inch bass drivers, reaching 18 Hz for loud playback in a big room. The ASUB, SSub and Titan 15 subwoofers add bass beneath any of them.
- Start here. Someone filling a small room on a tight budget gets a beryllium tweeter and aluminum cabinet in the A1, one of the cheapest speakers, which needs only stands.
- Sweet spot. The A3 suits a floorstanding buyer who wants a fuller, deeper low end than a standmount gives, with a beryllium tweeter, at a price well below the A5.
- All in. The M9 is priced far above the next model and stands as a separate top step, and its larger bass drivers give a big-room listener deeper, louder bass down to 18 Hz.
All products from this brand
Avg. Product Price
$40,001-$75,000
Used For Sale
29
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
91
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
17
Founding Year
2004
Our take on the brand
Magico is an American loudspeaker maker, founded in 2004 to rethink how loudspeakers are designed and built. Its enclosures are made mostly of aluminum with complex internal bracing, and the flagship M9 uses a carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb cabinet with a beryllium-diamond tweeter. Midrange drivers and woofers use graphene-enhanced Nano-Tec cones, and M Series technology carries down into the S Series and A Series. Reviewers point to a wide sweet spot. The A5 suits medium to large rooms, and the A3 is on our Best Floorstanding Speakers list.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
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Used
Magico
All the brand's used products, not just this one
What if you spend more?
Stenheim
Alumine Five LE
97500
97500
/
1
Reviews
For High End Munich 2024, Stenheim introduced its new Alumine Five platform for the Alumine Five models. This elegant aluminium plinth is machined from solid billet and achieves the same effect as the Reference Platform developed for the Reference series, increasing stability and making fine-tuning the set-up far simpler through increased adjustability of height and rake. These parameters are set via discrete allen bolts on top of the spikes, different sets of which can be selected to suit different floor types. Sound is also improved thanks to the superior vibration damping that the Alumine Five platform offers. The platform can be retrofitted to any Alumine Five
The Alumine Five LE is a limited edition of the all-new Alumine Five SX, creating the ultimate Alumine Five. Just 10 pairs are due to be made. Over and above the Five SX's impressive specifications, the Five LE model boasts some luxury cosmetic appointments. Only available in Full Black, its tweeter horn, side bars, platform details and spike covers are gilded in gold leaf. The top baffle is covered in leather with a gold embroidered Stenheim logo. The rear baffle is adorned with a Stenheim emblem. An optional three-part flight case is available.
Like all Stenheim speakers, the Alumine Five SX and Alumine Five LE are designed and hand-built to order in Switzerland. They are a 3-way design featuring crossovers engineered with the finest quality components from boutique suppliers such as Mundorf and Jantzen and are equipped with highly efficient custom-built drivers (94 dB) enabling a wide variety of amplification to be used. The Five SX and Five LE models are a further step in Stenheim's mission of providing the ultimate in loudspeaker performance for discerning music lovers, and top the Alumine range.
Stenheim is a Swiss loudspeaker maker that builds every model in an aluminum enclosure. Founded in 2010, the company assembles its speakers by hand in Vétroz in the Swiss Alps. Its first product, the Alumine Two, set the formula of a CNC-machined, braced aluminum cabinet with high-efficiency drivers, which use silk-dome tweeters and pulp cones tailored with suppliers such as PHL. High sensitivity and a stable impedance make the speakers a natural match for low-powered tube amplifiers. The Reference line scales the idea up for large rooms, with the Reference Statement at the top.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- High sensitivity and easy drivability
- Clean performance, neither sterile nor colorless
- Better at reproducing the spatial information on stereo recordings than the Altec
- Considerably smaller and thus easier to place—and to live with, in an aesthetic sense
Product Considerations
- Less colored than the Altec, with a less peaky lower treble
- Very heavy (231 lbs each), which makes installation difficult
- High price
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Altec loudspeakers were more colored than the Alumine, with a peaky lower treble
Takeaway: The Stenheim Alumine speakers offer a clean and detailed sound in a relatively compact size, while the Alumine Five offers even greater sensitivity in a floorstanding design. If high sensitivity, easy placement (Alumine), and a clean sound are valued, these speakers could be a good fit.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Stenheim is a Swiss loudspeaker maker that builds every model in an aluminum enclosure. Founded in 2010, the company assembles its speakers by hand in Vétroz in the Swiss Alps. Its first product, the Alumine Two, set the formula of a CNC-machined, braced aluminum cabinet with high-efficiency drivers, which use silk-dome tweeters and pulp cones tailored with suppliers such as PHL. High sensitivity and a stable impedance make the speakers a natural match for low-powered tube amplifiers. The Reference line scales the idea up for large rooms, with the Reference Statement at the top.
Product Page
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Monitor
Hyphn
95000
95000
/
6
Reviews
Monitor Audio builds its speakers around metal drivers, C-CAM cones and domes of ceramic-coated aluminum and magnesium that are light and rigid. The British company, established in 1972, adds Rigid Surface Technology to many cones for extra stiffness and lower distortion. Reviewers hear a lively, detailed sound that stays smooth over long sessions. The hifi range climbs from Bronze through Silver and Gold to Platinum, and Stereophile rated the Gold 300 6G and Platinum 300 3G Class A. The SoundFrame models mount on or inside a wall instead of on a stand.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Unique design where form follows function, resulting in a contemporary and sleek aesthetic
- Incredibly tight, impactful, articulate, and controlled bass response with impressive dynamic power and clarity
- Seamless integration of midrange and tweeter via the M-Array, creating a virtual point source for maximum imaging and soundstage
- Exceptional clarity, transparency, and detail retrieval across the entire frequency spectrum
- Soundstage is incredibly wide, deep, accurate, and immersive with instruments placed precisely in a three-dimensional field
Product Considerations
- Significant power from amplifiers is required to perform optimally, with recommendations ranging from 200 to 1600 watts RMS
- The Hyphn is a large and heavy speaker, needing a decent-sized room and strong flooring
- Sensitivity is rated at 86 dB, which is considered low and necessitates high-power amplification
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sonus Faber: Hyphn has a far more forward-sounding presentation compared to the more relaxed and recessed soundstage of Sonus Faber
- Vs JBL Everest DD67000: Hyphn's bass is not as 'huge' as some monster high-end speakers like JBL's Everest, but it is tighter and more tuneful
Takeaway: Monitor Audio's Hyphn is a state-of-the-art loudspeaker with a unique design, delivering exceptional clarity, deep bass, and a wide soundstage. If unrestrained performance and a forward-looking aesthetic are desired, the Hyphn is worth considering for an immersive listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Monitor Audio builds its speakers around metal drivers, C-CAM cones and domes of ceramic-coated aluminum and magnesium that are light and rigid. The British company, established in 1972, adds Rigid Surface Technology to many cones for extra stiffness and lower distortion. Reviewers hear a lively, detailed sound that stays smooth over long sessions. The hifi range climbs from Bronze through Silver and Gold to Platinum, and Stereophile rated the Gold 300 6G and Platinum 300 3G Class A. The SoundFrame models mount on or inside a wall instead of on a stand.
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Avantgarde
Trio G3
91000
91000
/
3
Reviews
Avantgarde Acoustic is a German maker of horn loudspeakers, started by Holger Fromme and Matthias Ruff, who set out to build the best speakers in the world. Its speakers and amplifiers are made by hand in Reichenbach, near Darmstadt. Many designs horn-load the drivers across most of the frequency range for very high sensitivity, with powered subwoofers blended in through DSP. Owners can upgrade from passive crossovers to fully active iTRON current-drive amplification. The Uno SD brings the Duo design to smaller rooms, and the Trio G3 is the flagship three-way horn system.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Impressive midbass solidity
- Remarkable fidelity at lower volumes due to the alacrity of its drivers
- Comprehensive and dynamic sound signature with plenty of detail and clarity
- The newly developed tweeter allows for faster response and a frequency range that easily extends to 28,000Hz
- Features a modular design, offering flexibility with passive, iTron active, and all-in-one wireless streaming versions
Product Considerations
- Integrating the Spacehorn subwoofers requires careful alignment
- High-quality source components are needed to match its performance level
- Some reviewers found that the iTron amplification did not produce the requisite bloom and musicality for classical and jazz music
Takeaway: The Avantgarde Trio G3 speaker is a top-tier audio system known for its exceptional sound reproduction and flexibility with different configurations. If you appreciate high-quality audio performance and aesthetics and want a sound system that sounds exciting and sophisticated, it is an excellent option.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Avantgarde Acoustic is a German maker of horn loudspeakers, started by Holger Fromme and Matthias Ruff, who set out to build the best speakers in the world. Its speakers and amplifiers are made by hand in Reichenbach, near Darmstadt. Many designs horn-load the drivers across most of the frequency range for very high sensitivity, with powered subwoofers blended in through DSP. Owners can upgrade from passive crossovers to fully active iTRON current-drive amplification. The Uno SD brings the Duo design to smaller rooms, and the Trio G3 is the flagship three-way horn system.
Product Page
Product Page
MBL
101 E MKII
90000
90000
/
3
Reviews
MBL is a German maker of omnidirectional Radialstrahler speakers and electronics. The company's story starts in Berlin in the mid-1970s, with a young electronics engineer named Meletzky wanting speakers that send sound in all directions, as instruments do in a concert hall. Radialstrahler drivers use petal-like segments that flex in a bending mode to radiate sound through 360 degrees, so listeners can move around the room. MBL makes its drivers in-house in Germany. The 126 suits small and medium rooms, and the 101 X-Treme MKII is the four-tower flagship for large spaces.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- An all-encompassing sound keeps listeners rooted to their seats
- A unique 360° sound wave design creates a natural balance of direct and reflected sounds
- A truly huge, yet meticulously crafted, soundscape is created
- Not physically evident in the aural landscape, offering a sound that seems to have no origin
- Integration of the woofer's and melon's outputs was far smoother than previous models
Product Considerations
- High-powered amplifiers capable of delivering ample amounts of current are required due to its insensitivity (around 80dB)
- Placement can be tricky, needing more space away from room boundaries than some rooms can provide
- The biggest problem has always been the audible lack of seamless integration between the bass box and the stack of omnis atop it
- A 'chesty, compressed, almost grainy midbass coloration' can be exhibited if placement and other factors are not optimized
Takeaway: The MBL Radialstrahler 101 E MkII loudspeaker offers a distinctive and immersive listening experience thanks to its unique omnidirectional design. It can fill the room with a natural and balanced sound, creating a captivating musical soundscape for the listener.
Video review
Our take on the brand
MBL is a German maker of omnidirectional Radialstrahler speakers and electronics. The company's story starts in Berlin in the mid-1970s, with a young electronics engineer named Meletzky wanting speakers that send sound in all directions, as instruments do in a concert hall. Radialstrahler drivers use petal-like segments that flex in a bending mode to radiate sound through 360 degrees, so listeners can move around the room. MBL makes its drivers in-house in Germany. The 126 suits small and medium rooms, and the 101 X-Treme MKII is the four-tower flagship for large spaces.
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What competes at this price?
Magico
S5 2024
51000
/
Released
2024
The year 2023 saw the launch of the new-generation S Series. The first-of-its-kind S3 has since been heralded worldwide as a groundbreaking design. Magico's 20th anniversary is being celebrated in 2024, and with it, the new S5 loudspeaker continues what began with the S3. Offering an even wider performance envelope, the S5 features numerous cutting-edge advancements in a substantially larger package, while maintaining the elegance the S Series is renowned for.
Magico is an American loudspeaker maker, founded in 2004 to rethink how loudspeakers are designed and built. Its enclosures are made mostly of aluminum with complex internal bracing, and the flagship M9 uses a carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb cabinet with a beryllium-diamond tweeter. Midrange drivers and woofers use graphene-enhanced Nano-Tec cones, and M Series technology carries down into the S Series and A Series. Reviewers point to a wide sweet spot. The A5 suits medium to large rooms, and the A3 is on our Best Floorstanding Speakers list.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Especially revealing, setting a benchmark for revealing the details in recordings
- Delivers dynamics, tonal balance, and harmonics of instruments, such as the piano, in a way that is very reminiscent of the real thing
- Able to reproduce low bass to upper treble with a minimal sense that some frequency bands are peaky, emphasized, or depressed
- Reduces loudspeaker error through comprehensive engineering efforts, including driver design, cabinet materials, and systems integration
Product Considerations
- Does not radically change the task list of major audio problems like bass in real rooms, the flaws of stereo, or digital distortions
- Will render some recordings harder to enjoy because those recordings are flawed
- Some listeners may prefer more tone shaping than what is offered, such as a bass boost or frequency response adjustments
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to other speakers, draws clearer distinctions between the engineering of different recordings
Takeaway: The Magico S5 (2024) minimizes coloration to provide a revealing and accurate sound, allowing listeners to focus on the recording and the music itself. It is a great choice for audiophiles who want to hear what is truly on the recording, offering a potentially transformative listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Magico is an American loudspeaker maker, founded in 2004 to rethink how loudspeakers are designed and built. Its enclosures are made mostly of aluminum with complex internal bracing, and the flagship M9 uses a carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb cabinet with a beryllium-diamond tweeter. Midrange drivers and woofers use graphene-enhanced Nano-Tec cones, and M Series technology carries down into the S Series and A Series. Reviewers point to a wide sweet spot. The A5 suits medium to large rooms, and the A3 is on our Best Floorstanding Speakers list.
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YG Acoustics
Hailey 3
63400
/
Released
2022
Hailey 3 delivers the life-like, natural sound which is the hallmark of YG, combined with an effortless sense of scale which is surprising for its compact size. This ultra-high-end loudspeaker mirrors the technologies of the Sonja 3 in a more compact cabinet. The result is an astonishing sonic performance combined with the best of engineering and craftsmanship.
YG Acoustics is an American speaker maker, founded in 2002, that machines its own parts on CNC equipment in Denver. Its BilletCore drivers and ForgeCore tweeters are made in-house, and Reference series enclosures are milled from aluminum. A research hub in Cambridge, UK, has its own GPU cluster, and YG's modeling includes the amplifier and room along with the speaker. The Peaks series, including the Cairn and Tor, uses HDF cabinets with constrained layer damping and hand-built crossovers. The Vantage 3 Live has amplifiers and DACs built in, so it plays without separate electronics.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers an immersive experience and are incredibly musical
- Integration of the drivers create the feeling of one big full range speaker
- High resolution and low distortion without ever feeling harsh, and value tonal accuracy
- Effortless presentation comes from the low distortion and careful attention to maximizing phase coherence
- Seamless clarity offers a musical experience that is not only realistic, but non-fatiguing
Product Considerations
- The best cables and components are needed to get the most these speakers can deliver
- The highly revealing nature is further emphasized during the setup process, when it was time to attach the jumpers between the three sets of binding posts on the rear of the speakers
- The speaker lacked a certain warmth
Takeaway: The Hailey 3s create a massive soundfield with incredible coherence, which makes them a top-tier speaker. The speakers deliver engagement and musicality with the help of science without relinquishing what made YG Acoustics of the past special.
Video review
Our take on the brand
YG Acoustics is an American speaker maker, founded in 2002, that machines its own parts on CNC equipment in Denver. Its BilletCore drivers and ForgeCore tweeters are made in-house, and Reference series enclosures are milled from aluminum. A research hub in Cambridge, UK, has its own GPU cluster, and YG's modeling includes the amplifier and room along with the speaker. The Peaks series, including the Cairn and Tor, uses HDF cabinets with constrained layer damping and hand-built crossovers. The Vantage 3 Live has amplifiers and DACs built in, so it plays without separate electronics.
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Stenheim
Alumine Five SX
66900
/
Released
2024
Building on success. Following the critical and commercial success of the Alumine Two was no easy task. Building a bigger, more ambitious speaker that still maintained the Two's sense of musical articulation, coherence and communication? That's a serious challenge. But it's a challenge that the Alumine Five took up and mastered in spectacular fashion.
Stenheim is a Swiss loudspeaker maker that builds every model in an aluminum enclosure. Founded in 2010, the company assembles its speakers by hand in Vétroz in the Swiss Alps. Its first product, the Alumine Two, set the formula of a CNC-machined, braced aluminum cabinet with high-efficiency drivers, which use silk-dome tweeters and pulp cones tailored with suppliers such as PHL. High sensitivity and a stable impedance make the speakers a natural match for low-powered tube amplifiers. The Reference line scales the idea up for large rooms, with the Reference Statement at the top.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- High sensitivity and easy drivability
- Clean performance without being sterile or colorless
- Good at reproducing spatial information on stereo recordings
- Elegant look and smaller size makes it easier to place and live with
- Well-made PHL cone drivers
Product Considerations
- The Alumine Five is very heavy
- The Alumine Five is very expensive
Takeaway: The Alumine speakers are good quality speakers that have high sensitivity, are easy to drive, and can reproduce spatial information on stereo recordings well. They have an elegant look and will perform well in a home sound system.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Stenheim is a Swiss loudspeaker maker that builds every model in an aluminum enclosure. Founded in 2010, the company assembles its speakers by hand in Vétroz in the Swiss Alps. Its first product, the Alumine Two, set the formula of a CNC-machined, braced aluminum cabinet with high-efficiency drivers, which use silk-dome tweeters and pulp cones tailored with suppliers such as PHL. High sensitivity and a stable impedance make the speakers a natural match for low-powered tube amplifiers. The Reference line scales the idea up for large rooms, with the Reference Statement at the top.
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YG Acoustics
Vantage 3
42504
/
Released
2023
Vantage 3 delivers the life-like, natural sound which is the hallmark of YG, combined with an effortless sense of scale which is surprising for its compact size. It shares many of the same technologies as the reference XV and Sonja models and bridges the gap between Carmel and Hailey: a compact design which still retains the additional scale and bass depth of a three-way speaker.
YG Acoustics is an American speaker maker, founded in 2002, that machines its own parts on CNC equipment in Denver. Its BilletCore drivers and ForgeCore tweeters are made in-house, and Reference series enclosures are milled from aluminum. A research hub in Cambridge, UK, has its own GPU cluster, and YG's modeling includes the amplifier and room along with the speaker. The Peaks series, including the Cairn and Tor, uses HDF cabinets with constrained layer damping and hand-built crossovers. The Vantage 3 Live has amplifiers and DACs built in, so it plays without separate electronics.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality using aerospace-grade materials
- Revolutionary Lattice tweeter technology delivers phenomenal high-frequency extension without harshness
- Outstanding phase coherence (±5° relative phase)
- Impressive bass extension from a compact design, reaching down to 26 Hz
- Presents vocals with uncanny realism due to the 7.25' BilletCore mid-driver
Product Considerations
- Premium price point
- Requires high-quality amplification to shine their brightest
- 2.8-ohm minimum impedance may challenge some amplifiers
Takeaway: The YG Acoustics Vantage 3 speakers offer a masterclass in sonic excellence due to their innovative engineering and excellent build. These speakers will satisfy even the most demanding audiophile with their engaging sound and remarkable construction.
Video review
Our take on the brand
YG Acoustics is an American speaker maker, founded in 2002, that machines its own parts on CNC equipment in Denver. Its BilletCore drivers and ForgeCore tweeters are made in-house, and Reference series enclosures are milled from aluminum. A research hub in Cambridge, UK, has its own GPU cluster, and YG's modeling includes the amplifier and room along with the speaker. The Peaks series, including the Cairn and Tor, uses HDF cabinets with constrained layer damping and hand-built crossovers. The Vantage 3 Live has amplifiers and DACs built in, so it plays without separate electronics.
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Bowers & Wilkins
801 D4 Signature
55000
/
Released
2023
The 801 D4 Signature is an optimized version of our most advanced loudspeaker. It features meticulously evolved technology, carefully crafted design and unique finishes that culminate in the pinnacle of performance. This is Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Signature flagship loudspeaker.
Bowers & Wilkins develops many of its own components in pursuit of a speaker that adds nothing to a recording and takes nothing away. The British company, founded in 1966 by John Bowers, pioneered Kevlar cones and developed the Matrix cabinet to cut resonance. The flagship Nautilus, built for dedicated listening rooms, uses tapered damping tubes to lower distortion. The 606 S3 and 603 S3 open the range with a Titanium Dome tweeter, and the 700 Series adds a Carbon Dome tweeter and Continuum cones. The Zeppelin is on our Best Wireless Speakers list.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Each detail of the Signature has been carefully crafted and sees numerous updates over the standard 801, including crossover upgrades and a modified cabinet with a refined downward firing port
- The bass presentation on the 801 Signature was better across the board, it was tighter, a little more pronounced and forward, and definitely more defined
- Bass goes beyond just hitting the low notes, the woofers showcase some of the clearest, most audible detail and texture
- Vocalists and actors have better inflection, greater scale, and detail playing at low volumes
- When properly set up, the Signature is one of the most holographic windows to music experienced
- Speakers need power, the Arcam was impressive and even got the 801s to play loud, but the Macintosh MC312 made the Signature sound flow-like water
Product Considerations
- The Signature's impedance fluctuates wildly, ranging from a nominal 8 ohms and dipping lower than 3, so you need an amplifier that does more than just work
- Placement matters: if placed too close to the wall, the bass response became too pronounced and even boomy at times
- The Signature can come off as bright, and in extreme cases, it might be fatiguing to some
- Poor recordings won't get a free pass, there's bound to be a track or two that's going to leave your playlist rotation
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Klipsch La Scala, both speakers excel at the recreation of space in true-to-life dynamics
- Compared to the Wharfedale Elysian 4, the Elysian doesn't play as deep, is richer in the mid-range, and nowhere near as extended up top, so it's not the Signature's equal
- Compared to the Wilson Audio Want Puppy, the two speakers are similar in size, driver complement, build and finish quality, price, and target market
- Compared to the SVS Titan, the Titans sound two-dimensional and fat, compared to the Signature's far more realistic and natural-sounding bass
- Compared to the KEF R11 Meta, the Signature's beefy presence makes for a far grander statement
Takeaway: The 801 Signature is a speaker that elevates the listening experience to another level because it is designed with incredible attention to detail. It will be an emotional and immersive experience to own these speakers.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Bowers & Wilkins develops many of its own components in pursuit of a speaker that adds nothing to a recording and takes nothing away. The British company, founded in 1966 by John Bowers, pioneered Kevlar cones and developed the Matrix cabinet to cut resonance. The flagship Nautilus, built for dedicated listening rooms, uses tapered damping tubes to lower distortion. The 606 S3 and 603 S3 open the range with a Titanium Dome tweeter, and the 700 Series adds a Carbon Dome tweeter and Continuum cones. The Zeppelin is on our Best Wireless Speakers list.
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