Short answer: the TAD Evolution 2. It ranks #44 of 228 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $19,995; the Magico A5 ranks #61, rated 4.3/5, and costs $24,800, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Magico A5 is the deeper-bass option. A sealed aluminum flagship tower with a beryllium tweeter, accurate sound and high output without ports, for those wanting a statement speaker. Its bass reaches about 49.5Hz before falling 3dB, against 58.6Hz for the TAD Evolution 2. The catch: Despite three 9-inch woofers, the measured -3dB point is only 49.5Hz and the 1.17 low-frequency Q indicates a pronounced sealed alignment, so subwoofers still help with the deepest bass.
The case for the TAD Evolution 2: A high end tower with a beryllium tweeter and a nearly flat, highly accurate balance, built for listeners who want neutral sound. The catch: Its directivity-index standard deviation of 3.70 and predicted in-room smoothness of 0.25 are both unremarkable, not matching the excellent on-axis smoothness, and it’s priced at $19995/pair, sold only through a small dealer network, with one dealer showing it temporarily sold out.
Buy the TAD Evolution 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Magico A5 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A sealed aluminum flagship tower with a beryllium tweeter, accurate sound and high output without ports, for those wanting a statement speaker.
A high end tower with a beryllium tweeter and a nearly flat, highly accurate balance, built for listeners who want neutral sound.
Prices on this page were last checked October 23, 2026 at 8:27 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Magico A5 | TAD Evolution 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $24,800 per pair | $19,995 per pair |
| Ranked | #61 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #44 of 228 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 58.6Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 30.3Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Enclosure | Sealed aluminum | 2.5-way, bass-reflex, SILENT laminated cabinet |
| Drivers | Three 9-inch woofers; 5-inch midrange; 28mm beryllium tweeter | 1” beryllium dome tweeter (cast-aluminum waveguide), 2x 6.5” MACC-diaphragm woofers |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.65 | 5.55 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.49 | 6.96 |
| Sensitivity | 88dB (manufacturer specified, 2.83V/1m) | 87dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 6 ohms nominal, 4.5 ohms minimum |
| Dimensions | 44.8”H x 10.5”W x 14.9”D (1137 x 267 x 378.5 mm) | 12.6”W x 42.7”H x 15.9”D (320 x 1085 x 405 mm) (1113mm tall with spikes) |
| Weight | 179.9 lbs (81.6 kg) each | 70.5 lbs (32 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Country | - | Japan |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Magico A5 (measured by the manufacturer) and TAD Evolution 2 (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
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