Short answer: the TAD Evolution 2. It ranks #18 of 71 floorstanding speakers by sound quality at $19995; the Magico A5 ranks #19 and costs $24800, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Magico A5 offers: Manufacturer Spinorama data shows a narrow 1.7dB reference band, 0.524 listening-window smoothness, 0.324dB on-axis average absolute deviation, and a 2.92 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation. Bass measures 49.5Hz at -3dB, 39.1Hz at -6dB, and 25.1Hz at -12dB; preference scores are 4.74 without a subwoofer and 6.58 with one. The rigid sealed aluminum enclosure, dedicated midrange, three 9-inch woofers, and beryllium tweeter support high output without ports. Watch for: 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 $24,800/pair price is extremely high, the data is manufacturer supplied rather than an independent ASR or Erin measurement, and the design needs substantial amplifier power.
What the TAD Evolution 2 offers: Independently measured by ASR (not vendor-supplied data) with an excellent on-axis smoothness score of 0.182 and a nearly flat tonal balance (a slope of just -0.01dB per octave), from a beryllium tweeter on a cast-aluminum waveguide paired with dual MACC-diaphragm woofers. Alpha Audio’s review called it a “competition killer.” Watch for: 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 $19,995/pair, sold only through a small dealer network, with one dealer showing it temporarily sold out.
Buy the TAD Evolution 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Magico A5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Magico A5 | TAD Evolution 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $24,800/pair | $19,995/pair |
| Ranked | #19 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #18 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | - |
| 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 |
| Dimensions | - | 12.6"W x 42.7"H x 15.9"D (320 x 1085 x 405 mm) (1113mm tall with spikes) |
| Weight | - | 70.5 lbs / 32 kg (70.5 lbs) each |
| Sensitivity | - | 87dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Impedance | - | 6 ohms nominal, 4.5 ohms minimum |
| Country | - | Japan |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Arendal Sound 1610 Tower 8 vs Revel F228Be
- Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan Tower vs JBL Studio 698
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Revel F228Be
- TAD Evolution 2 vs Arendal Sound 1610 Tower 8
- JBL Studio 698 vs KEF Blade Two Meta
Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 PM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Magico A5: $24,800/pair Magico Dealer Network eBay
Pros: Manufacturer Spinorama data shows a narrow 1.7dB reference band, 0.524 listening-window smoothness, 0.324dB on-axis average absolute deviation, and a 2.92 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation. Bass measures 49.5Hz at -3dB, 39.1Hz at -6dB, and 25.1Hz at -12dB; preference scores are 4.74 without a subwoofer and 6.58 with one. The rigid sealed aluminum enclosure, dedicated midrange, three 9-inch woofers, and beryllium tweeter support high output without ports.
Cons: 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 $24,800/pair price is extremely high, the data is manufacturer supplied rather than an independent ASR or Erin measurement, and the design needs substantial amplifier power.
Full Magico A5 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 30Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 49.5Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Drivers | Three 9-inch woofers; 5-inch midrange; 28mm beryllium tweeter |
| Enclosure | Sealed aluminum |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
TAD Evolution 2: $19,995/pair House of Stereo eBay
Pros: Independently measured by ASR (not vendor-supplied data) with an excellent on-axis smoothness score of 0.182 and a nearly flat tonal balance (a slope of just -0.01dB per octave), from a beryllium tweeter on a cast-aluminum waveguide paired with dual MACC-diaphragm woofers. Alpha Audio’s review called it a “competition killer.”
Cons: 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 $19,995/pair, sold only through a small dealer network, with one dealer showing it temporarily sold out.
Full TAD Evolution 2 review and specifications →
| Country | Japan |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.6"W x 42.7"H x 15.9"D (320 x 1085 x 405 mm) (1113mm tall with spikes) |
| Drivers | 1" beryllium dome tweeter (cast-aluminum waveguide), 2x 6.5" MACC-diaphragm woofers |
| Enclosure | 2.5-way, bass-reflex, SILENT laminated cabinet |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.5 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 87dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Weight | 70.5 lbs / 32 kg (70.5 lbs) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons