Wilson LōKē - Wilson's smallest subwoofer

[dolsey01]

When you realize your almost 9K sub is using a $299 plate amp.

https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton...h-DSP-300-8012

[dkorbal]

Originally Posted by dolsey01

When you realize your almost 9K sub is using a $299 plate amp.

https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton...h-DSP-300-8012

Gotta make those margins somehow. If that is what Wilson requires to cover cost so be it. Everyone has a individual choice but it's good going into a purchase with eye wide open.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by Charles

Bill, I'm a believer in matching Wilson speakers with Wilson subs. If I owned Magico speakers I would match them with Magico subs, etc. I believe the B&W sub and 10Hz is theoretical. I believe the quality of the sub, like its speed and ability to blend far more important than the absolute lowest usable frequency. I do recognize that many have achieved tremendous results with REL, JL, etc. and many top quality high end speakers including Wilsons.

But I'm sure Wilson has spent hundreds of hours carefully tuning Loke to Tune Tot, SabrinaX, Yvette, and Sasha DAW. This cannot be said for REL or JL. In addition Wilson has a long history of making great subs. This can be traced back to Dave Wilson who loved subwoofers

If you believe your advertising, Wilson devotes an entire page to the Tune Tot so if I owned a Tune Tot I would feel comfortable that LoKe would be totally compatible.

What is "North Star development parameters"?

Best

Charles

North Star for Wilson is "Excellence in All Things."

Development Parameters means being willing and open to process modifications that leverage current technology without shifting focus from experiential integrity and quality craftsmanship.

Past, present, future. Don't lose the lessons from the past, develop to the best of our abilities with current capabilities, invest in the future.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by dolsey01

When you realize your almost 9K sub is using a $299 plate amp.

https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton...h-DSP-300-8012

Now ain't that somethin'

[PeterMusic]

Originally Posted by dolsey01

When you realize your almost 9K sub is using a $299 plate amp.

https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton...h-DSP-300-8012

This does not change my level of interest in the Loke (OK, maybe just a little), but it is very interesting. Although I'm not surprised they chose Class D for speed, I had assumed some of the weight, cost, and size was for a more substantial amp. Also strange that they would not change the facade in order to disguise the origin.

Of course, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. So if I clear WAF, it will be sound that determines my purchase decision.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by PeterMusic

This does not change my level of interest in the Loke (OK, maybe just a little), but it is very interesting. Although I'm not surprised they chose Class D for speed, I had assumed some of the weight, cost, and size was for a more substantial amp. Also strange that they would not change the facade in order to disguise the origin.

Of course, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. So if I clear WAF, it will be sound that determines my purchase decision.

Bearing in mind that Wilson is a speaker manufacturer and not an amplifier manufacturer. It makes sense that they would go outside for the amp plate. But jeez, that's a pretty inexpensive component for such an expensive sub.

By way of comparison, a replacement amp plate for my SVS SB1000 can be had direct from SVS for $150. And that's bolted to the back of a $499 sub (that is a fantastically musical sounding sub btw).

[Projectman]

Originally Posted by dolsey01

When you realize your almost 9K sub is using a $299 plate amp.

https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton...h-DSP-300-8012

Just another example of “high end” audio manufacturers perfecting the best way to make massive profits on overhyped products.

[Projectman]

Originally Posted by Audio Fi-Fo-Fum

I’ll keep my JL Fathom, thanks.

Me too!

[Charles]

Projectman, the LoKe is made for Wilson speakers. I think you are missing the point when you single out the amp. It's how it sounds with a Tune Tot, for example. Can the JL Fathom112 be made to sound as good, or with a Sasha DAW? That's the question. I learned a long time ago that once the purchase is made and you love the result, the pain quickly recedes. Wilson is a premium brand, and they need to make a profit. I don't believe they are ripping people off, as you seem to suggest. If I owned an appropriate Wilson speaker, I would be pleased to have the opportunity to match it with a LoKe as opposed to a JL112. When you must live with inferior sound for years to come 4K becomes inconsequential. It reduces to how it sounds, not the price of the amp, in the end.

Respectfully,

Charles

[audioguy3107]

I understand both sides of the debate here, it is interesting……..I do agree with Charles’ sentiment above, you do have to look at the system and how everything works together as a whole. If the Loke sounds excellent paired with the Tune Tots, then so be it. The problem here is not that Wilson may have outsourced an amplifier, I think the issue is when you have a highly skilled, advanced technology company like Wilson Audio and find out they’re using something that any random person can buy for a couple hundred bucks on a Parts Express website, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth of someone who just spent 8 grand on a high end subwoofer.

Look, the thing is, if you had subwoofer brand X for a price of even $5000 and someone found that they were using a Parts Express plate amp, pretty much everyone on this forum would think, most likely it sucks, they couldn’t even use a high quality amplifier.

- Buck