Help needed! (Magico S3 or TAD Evolution One?)

[MightyMart]

Have you heard the S3 & S1 in the same system?

When heard both, I found the S1 more coherent, with better transparency, a slightly lower but better defined sound stage with clearer separation/distinction between the instruments. The S3 seemed to have a layer of mist/haze, and while its extension was better, the S1 had better mid-bas punch. Surprisingly, the dealer did not disagree with my impressions.

Both were driven by Solution 5-series, CD player, pre and monoblock amplifiers and Kubala-Sosna cables in a ST treated room.

Have not heard the TAD.

What you are describing is a quite common thing when comparing floor standing with bookshelf speakers. The S1s are, in my view, somewhat of a floor standing bookshelf speaker and are extremely precise. With the S3s I would also guess that the demands on the room are greater, having to accommodate more bass that will tend to blur the mids/high and effect separation. Did you hear them in a small or a big room?

I heard the S3s with gear from Constellation Audio and it was absolutely marvelous, but I know many who have heard both to prefer Soulution. But man, are their stuff expensive or what...