In the world of audio, there occasionally emerges a product that deserves to be called a “game-changer.” Not merely because it performs well, but because it fundamentally rewrites the standard of value at its price point. The Magico A5, announced in late 2019, arrived carrying precisely such expectations. Featuring the same aerospace-grade aluminum sealed enclosure as the flagship Q Series, a newly developed 5-inch pure midrange driver, and three 9-inch woofers with Graphene Nanotech diaphragms, its specification sheet was so ambitious it made one question the initial price tag of just over $20,000 1.
However, the situation differs somewhat here in Japan. Through initial launch pricing and subsequent revisions, the current domestic retail price exceeds ¥6 million per pair 3. No longer a “gateway to high-end,” it stands firmly as a leading player in the high-end arena. Does this pricing strip the A5 of what should have been its inherent “cost-performance” appeal for Japanese audiophiles?
In this article, we’ll cross-reference reviews from around the world, forum discussions, and precise third-party measurement data to reveal the sonic truth of this aluminum speaker and whether it truly delivers value commensurate with its price—without compromise. This is not mere product introduction. It is a comprehensive analytical report for deeply understanding the Magico A5 phenomenon.
Magico A5 — The Unmistakable Silhouette
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- Manufacturer / Model: Magico, LLC / A5
- Release Date:
- Pricing:
Key Specifications
- Type: 3-way, 5-driver, sealed (acoustic suspension) floorstanding speaker 5
- Driver Units:
- Tweeter: 1.1-inch (28mm) beryllium dome ×1
- Midrange: 5-inch (127mm) Graphene Nanotech cone ×1
- Woofer: 9-inch (229mm) Graphene Nanotech cone ×3 1
- Frequency Response: 24Hz – 50kHz 5
- Nominal Impedance: 4 Ω 5
- Sensitivity: 88 dB/2.83V/m 5
- Recommended Power: 50 – 1000 W 5
- Dimensions (H×W×D): 1137mm × 267mm × 378.5mm (including spikes) 5
- Weight: 81.6 kg (180 lbs) /each 5
(Sources: Magico Official Site 11, Stereophile 5)
1. Voices from the Field: A Chorus of Opinion
Let’s examine how the A5 has been received by audiophiles and critics worldwide. The assessments are remarkably consistent, yet the landscape shifts slightly depending on perspective.
| Media | Quote Excerpt (English) | Rating | Bias/Background Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stereophile | ”I had the impression of hearing unfamiliar nuance, not heard before.” | ★★★★★ | Professional magazine review using manufacturer-provided sample. Extremely positive, though notes “bass excess” in listening room 12. Won 2021 “Product of the Year” in both overall and speaker categories, showing strong editorial consensus 13. |
| The Absolute Sound | ”It’s simply midrange done right. Bravo, Alon!” | ★★★★★ | Also a manufacturer-provided sample review 14. Highly enthusiastic, positioning A5 as the price/performance benchmark in Magico’s lineup 2, 14. |
| Hi-Fi News | ”Debuted in the A5, and surely the real star of the show here, is Magico’s new 105mm midrange driver – the first ‘pure mid’ unit from the brand.” | ★★★★☆ (89%) | UK technical-oriented publication. Favorable tone but cites driving difficulty and price as potential drawbacks 15, 16. |
| Reddit User | ”fast, accurate, dynamic, and musical… without being analytical, bright, or fatiguing.” | ★★★★☆ | Owner review. Valuable real-world perspective but potential confirmation bias to justify purchase. Emphasizes need for high-current amplification 17. |
| AudioShark Forum User | ”Most importantly, the midrange is of an electrostatic level of purity and coherence.” | ★★★★★ | Experienced owner with direct comparisons to Magico A3 and Quad ESL. High credibility due to specific comparison references 16. |
| Audio Science Review (Forum) | “gently diving slope [in treble]… insure a relaxed listening” | ★★★☆☆ (from overall tone) | Community emphasizing objective measurements. Skeptical of pricing but acknowledges excellent engineering. Their discourse highlights divergence between measurements (bass elevation, treble roll-off) and subjective praise in traditional reviews 18, 19. |
Summary: Aggregating global assessments, the A5’s resolution, midrange transparency, and dynamic expression receive nearly unanimous acclaim. However, a clear divide exists between traditional subjective reviews and measurement-centric communities. The former praises its musicality; the latter critically analyzes its non-neutral frequency response (bass emphasis and treble roll-off). This gap between “how it sounds” and “how it measures” is the most critical key to understanding the A5.
2. Anatomy of Silence: Deep Dive into Magico’s Engineering
The A5’s sound is no accident. It is the crystallization of design philosophy founder Alon Wolf has pursued for years. To understand the sonic origin, let’s delve into the technological core comprising the A5.
Fortress of Solitude: 6061-T6 Aluminum Enclosure
What Alon Wolf hates most in speaker design is enclosure “ringing.” He declares MDF (medium-density fiberboard), commonly used in speakers, “the worst material available” 20. MDF is well-damped but lacks rigidity, absorbing and storing energy generated by drivers, then releasing it delayed to contaminate sound—this is his assertion 22.
As the antithesis, Magico adopts aerospace-grade 6061-T6 aluminum alloy. The A5 enclosure uses exactly the same material and methodology as the higher-tier Q Series 1. This cabinet with complex internal bracing becomes acoustically “inert” through overwhelming mass and rigidity, allowing only the driver units to produce sound purely. Additionally, the A5 employs sealed (acoustic suspension) design, yielding nimble, well-damped bass characteristics (gentle 12dB/octave roll-off) distinct from ported designs 12.
Heart of the Matter: Newly Developed 5-Inch Midrange
What many reviews call “the real star of the show” is the 5-inch “pure midrange” driver debuting in the A5 15. Unlike conventional mid/bass dual-purpose units, this is a dedicated design optimized solely for midrange reproduction 1.
Its diaphragm core features a new structure sandwiching an aluminum honeycomb core between Graphene Nanotech cones 1. By balancing graphene carbon material’s phenomenal rigidity with honeycomb structure lightness, it achieves unprecedented stiffness-to-weight ratio. This enables the diaphragm to achieve ideal piston motion without breakup modes, delivering transparency and low distortion rivaling electrostatic speakers. This precious unit is housed in a dedicated sealed sub-enclosure to completely isolate it from intense back pressure from woofers 1.
Power Trio: Three Woofers and Graphene
Supporting the A5’s overwhelming scale are three 9-inch woofers. Like the midrange, these employ reinforced Graphene Nanotech sandwich cones 1. Equipped with massive 5-inch diameter titanium voice coils and powerful magnetic circuits permitting 1/2-inch (approximately 12.7mm) linear excursion, they possess the ability to reproduce 115dB at 50Hz with extremely low distortion 1. The powerful, deep bass discussed in reviews is backed by this physical mass investment.
Beryllium Brilliance: Tweeter and Crossover
Handling high frequencies is a 28mm beryllium dome tweeter inheriting M Series design philosophy (though lacking M Series diamond coating) 1. Beryllium, with its extremely high rigidity and lightness, is an ideal material pushing breakup resonance frequency far above the audible range 25.
Integrating these units is Magico’s proprietary “Elliptical Symmetry Crossover” network. Employing steep 24dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley filters, it aims to thoroughly eliminate out-of-band interference from each driver while maintaining linear phase characteristics 1. Furthermore, the A5 is the world’s first product to adopt German Mundorf’s new “M-Resist Ultra” foil resistors, purportedly contributing to improved transparency and smoothness 1.
The A Series, particularly the A5, exemplifies “selection and concentration” in Magico’s design philosophy. To open doors to more audiophiles, they “selectively” omitted costly complex curved cabinet shapes and expensive finishes like diamond coating. Conversely, they permitted zero “compromise” on core sonic principles: “ultra-rigid aluminum sealed enclosure” and “hardest possible diaphragm materials.” In other words, the A5 is Magico’s DNA distilled in its purest form, stripped of ornamental embellishment.
Competitor Specification Comparison Table
To better understand the A5’s design philosophy, let’s compare it with rivals in the same price range. Differences in each manufacturer’s approach—enclosure type, materials, driver configuration—emerge vividly.
| Feature | Magico A5 | Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4 | Revel Ultima Salon2 | KEF Reference 5 Meta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enclosure Type | Sealed 5 | Ported (Flowport) 27 | Ported (downward-firing) 28 | Ported (rear, variable) 29 |
| Cabinet Material | 6061-T6 Aluminum 1 | Plywood/Aluminum (Matrix) 27 | 9-layer laminated MDF (curved) 28 | Aluminum/composite 31, 32 |
| Tweeter | 28mm Beryllium dome 5 | 25mm Diamond dome (on-top) 27 | 25mm Beryllium dome (waveguide) 33 | 25mm Aluminum dome w/MAT (Uni-Q) 29 |
| Midrange | 5” Graphene/Alu.honeycomb 1 | 5” Continuum cone (turbine head) 27 | 4” & 6.5” Titanium inverted dome 33 | 5” Aluminum cone (Uni-Q) 29 |
| Woofer | 3 x 9” Graphene/Alu.honeycomb 1 | 2 x 7” Aerofoil cone 27 | 3 x 8” Titanium cone 33 | 4 x 6.5” Aluminum cone 29 |
| Sensitivity / Impedance | 88dB / 4Ω (min 2.6Ω) 5, 34 | 90dB / 8Ω (min 3.0Ω) 27 | 86.4dB / 6Ω (min 3.7Ω) 33 | 88dB / 4Ω (min 3.2Ω) 29 |
| Weight (per unit) | 81.6 kg 5 | 62.2 kg 27 | 66.3 kg 33 | 60.2 kg 29 |
| Price (approximate) | $26,800 8 | $27,000 27 | $22,000 35 | $22,000 36 |
3. The Machine’s Cold Gaze: Interpreting Measurements
No matter how enthusiastic subjective assessments may be, we must not avert our eyes from the cold facts of measurement data. The A5’s measurement results eloquently reveal secrets of its sonic character and potential performance demands.
Frequency Response: An Intentional “Magico House Curve”?
Looking at measurement data published by Stereophile and Hi-Fi News magazines, the A5’s frequency response shows two prominent characteristics 34. First, from midrange to around 10kHz is remarkably flat, proving Magico’s engineering precision 34. However, intentional voicing appears at both extremes.
- The Bass Bump: In actual room measurements (in-room response), consistent energy excess is observed from 50Hz to 150Hz 34. While room acoustics (room gain) significantly influence this, it corroborates subjective impressions noted in many reviews of “rich” or “excessive” bass 12.
- The Treble Roll-off: Both anechoic and in-room characteristics show gentle descending slopes from 10kHz upward 19. This is likely intentional tuning rather than tweeter performance limitation. It presumably aims to soften treble sharpness common in modern digital recordings, targeting fatigue-free sound during extended listening.
An Amplifier’s Nightmare: Impedance and EPDR
The 4Ω nominal impedance specification conceals the A5’s true face 5. According to Stereophile’s John Atkinson’s measurements, impedance drops to a minimum of 2.6Ω at 93Hz, and at 70Hz, a low 3.4Ω impedance combines with a large -50° phase angle 34. This causes EPDR (Equivalent Peak Dissipation Resistance)—indicating actual amplifier load—to drop to an extremely demanding mere 1.0Ω at 70Hz where musical energy often concentrates 34. This means average amplifiers cannot adequately drive it, failing to extract the speaker’s potential. Commanding the A5 at will demands powerful amplification with high-current delivery capability undaunted by 2Ω loads.
Proof of Silence: Distortion and Cabinet Resonance
The enclosure inertness Magico most prides itself on is objectively proven by measurement data. Accelerometer tests detected minor resonance modes at 422Hz and 547Hz, but their levels were extremely low, concluded to have zero audible impact 34. Distortion is similarly phenomenal; Hi-Fi News measurements recorded THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of merely 0.06% at midrange (1kHz) during loud 90dB SPL playback 24. This demonstrates how purely driver-derived the A5’s sound is.
Minor Imperfection: Baffle Diffraction
Measurements reveal a very narrow, deep dip near 4kHz 34. This phenomenon arises from tweeter sound waves diffracting at the A5’s angular baffle edges, causing interference 34. It represents a design trade-off from cost reduction compared to smoother curved baffles of pricier models. However, this dip’s extreme narrowness means it’s unlikely to be audibly problematic in music reproduction.
Synthesizing these measurements reveals the A5’s sound as the product of highly sophisticated, intentional voicing strategy. It’s a philosophy prioritizing musical pleasure in actual listening rooms over anechoic flatness. Slight bass boost gives music foundation and authority; gentle treble roll-off enables prolonged immersion. This “seasoning” is permissible because impurities like cabinet coloration and driver distortion approach zero. Magico isn’t applying EQ to hide flaws—they’re sculpting polished, pure signals to sound more appealing. This philosophical difference constitutes the divergence point between measurement purists and subjective reviewers valuing final sonic output.
4. Audition: Sound, Stage, and Soul
Having navigated technical analysis and measurement interpretation, let’s finally listen to the music the A5 produces. Borrowing words from reviewers worldwide, we’ll paint its acoustic portrait.
| Reviewer / Medium | Quote Excerpt (English) |
|---|---|
| Jim Austin / Stereophile | ”These speakers don’t only disappear under optimal conditions; they disappear always, including when the volume of the music is extremely low.” |
| Matthew Clott / The Absolute Sound | ”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.” |
| Reddit User ‘GeorgedeMohrenschild‘ | “The three 9” sealed woofers really bring a big sound and a deep bottom end with tight bass.” |
| AudioShark User ‘devianet‘ | “Sonically they are from/on another planet. Most importantly, the midrange is of an electrostatic level of purity and coherence…” |
Genre-Specific Performance Analysis
Classical & Acoustic: This is the A5’s strongest domain. The combination of ultra-low-distortion drivers and inert enclosure reveals phenomenal resolution—from rosin texture when strings are bowed to the last fragment of piano reverb echoing in halls 12. The soundstage is vast yet precise, with each instrument’s spatial relationship rock-solid. This is a direct result of excellent pair matching and controlled directivity 12. At orchestral climaxes, its enormous dynamic range explodes, dragging listeners into music’s vortex.
Jazz: The marriage of speed and timbral accuracy is ideal for jazz reproduction. The A5 uncovers previously hidden nuances in familiar recordings, like new inflections in John Coltrane’s saxophone tone 12. Sealed-design bass, without boominess or excess resonance, renders acoustic bass strings plucking with nimble, melodic realism. From cymbal metallic shimmer to wood bass body resonance, every element emerges with vivid reality, unmudded.
Rock & Electronic: The A5 effortlessly delivers tremendous power and scale. The air volume moved by three 9-inch woofers is extraordinary, pounding out “thunderous bass” while balancing physical impact with strict control 11. However, this is where A5 assessments diverge. Its ruthlessly honest character mercilessly exposes flaws like over-compressed mastering or rough recordings common in rock sources. Reports of sound feeling “tipped-up” at high volumes stem from this nature 14. The A5 isn’t a speaker that will “sugarcoat” poor sources 14.
5. Final Judgment: A Balanced Verdict
Having analyzed the Magico A5 from every angle, the time has come to assess its overall value.
Evaluation Scorecard
| Evaluation Axis | Score (out of 5) | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Performance | ★★★★★ | Unstinting deployment of cutting-edge materials: aerospace aluminum, beryllium, graphene. Achieves class-leading low distortion and phenomenally inert cabinet. Engineering is absolutist and world-class. Only baffle edge diffraction represents slight deduction, though audibly minor 1, 34, 37. |
| Musical Appeal | ★★★★☆ | Breathtaking transparency, resolution, and dynamics create deeply engaging “live” experiences. Midrange purity especially rivals electrostatics 16. Not full marks because unforgiving honesty to recording quality may diminish enjoyment for users with diverse libraries 14. |
| Build Quality | ★★★★★ | Built like scientific instruments or military hardware. Machined aluminum finish and fit precision are flawless. 81.6kg weight per unit speaks to overwhelming robustness and durability 2, 13. |
| Price-to-Value | ★★★☆☆ | Would merit 4 stars in US market. However, in Japanese market exceeding ¥6 million, it faces tougher competition, diluting “bargain” appeal. Delivers performance exceeding price, but considering mandatory high-current amplifier investment, initial outlay is extremely substantial 3. |
| Future-Proofing / Repairability | ★★★★☆ | Robust construction suggests decades-long use 13. Magico’s brand reputation is high; reliability is strong. Sole concern is that demanding impedance characteristics may restrict future amplifier choices. Not designed assuming user modification. |
Bias Check: Strengths and Compromises
Strengths:
- Unparalleled transparency and resolution
- Midrange purity rivaling electrostatics
- Overwhelmingly powerful yet nimble, articulate bass
- Holographic soundstage reproduction
- Tank-like build quality
Compromises:
- Imposes extremely demanding amplifier loads (low EPDR), mandating expensive, powerful partners 34
- Rich bass potentially difficult to control in certain rooms 12
- Brutally honest character exposing source quality—for better or worse 14
- High pricing in Japanese market
6. A5 in Context: An Object of Uncompromising Purity
Related Reviews (Comparisons/Competitors)
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Alsyvox Botticelli Review: An Acoustic Renaissance Through Planar Drive
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Evaluating the Magico A5 in isolation risks misjudging its true value. Only when placed within the broader audio market context does its unique raison d’être emerge.
The Faith of Inert Enclosures
The A5 most purely embodies Alon Wolf’s philosophy—“cabinets should not speak”—at this price point. This is the consequence of an engineering-supremacist, material-science-driven approach prioritizing acoustic tool performance over furniture aesthetics 2. Its austere, functional appearance is the very manifestation of this philosophy.
Sonic Strengths and Weaknesses vs. Rivals
vs. Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4: While the A5 pursues overall coherence via monolithic aluminum enclosure, the 803 D4 takes a different approach combining multiple elements like turbine heads and Matrix structure to isolate drivers 27. In bass, the A5’s sealed design exhibits faster, tighter response, whereas the 803 D4’s ported design may offer richer resonance and quantity, though transient characteristics differ. Generally, B&W sound’s “brilliance” or “vividness” contrasts with Magico’s stricter neutrality and purity 38.
vs. Revel Ultima Salon2: This is a battle between two measurement-oriented titans. Both feature beryllium tweeters boasting extremely low distortion. The decisive difference lies in philosophy. Revel prioritizes smooth frequency response on and off-axis, known for textbook-perfect directivity and neutral sound 28. Meanwhile, the A5 steps beyond that textbook neutrality via intentional bass boost and treble roll-off, orchestrating a specific, more powerful in-room experience. Numerically, Salon2 may be the “more correct” speaker. Yet in actual room listening, the A5 may prevail in dramatic impact.
vs. KEF Reference 5 Meta: A fundamental difference: point source vs. virtual line source. KEF’s Uni-Q driver radiates all sound from a spatial point, creating perfectly phase-coherent wavefronts for outstanding imaging and wide sweet spots 29. The A5 adopts vertical stacking: tweeter, mid, three woofers. Where KEF offers more natural, spatially cohesive imaging, Magico delivers grander scale and raw dynamic power.
7. Conclusion: Aluminum Heart
Recommended For / Not Recommended For
Recommended for: Audio purists prioritizing resolution, speed, and transparency above all. Those desiring to hear raw truth in their sources, willing and able to provide high-current amplification and properly treated listening rooms to maximize A5 performance.
Not recommended for: Those seeking warm, forgiving, romantic tonality. Listeners primarily consuming poorly recorded or heavily compressed music. And those with budget or amplifier current delivery constraints. There is zero room for compromise here.
Future-Proofing
The A5’s fundamental design is timeless. Its cabinet inertness and driver technology will remain benchmarks for years to come. Characteristic of the Magico brand, resale value should remain strong.
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)
The Magico A5 is a monumental achievement in speaker design, realizing levels of purity and dynamic realism once attainable only in sky’s-the-limit flagships. Its midrange is an exemplar of transparency; its bass, a tectonic shift governed by speed and control.
However, this uncompromising pursuit of truth demands equal uncompromising dedication from system and listener. Its punishing electrical load and high pricing in Japan position the A5 not as a choice for everyone, but for a select, devoted few sharing its mission.
References
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