Does Anyone Not Like Wilson Speakers?

[gadawg]

Originally Posted by W9TR

That’s a great story George - enjoy your Sasha’s in good health and prosperity!

Tom

Tom ... A friend of mine is now enjoying those Sasha's as I moved up to Alexx! I'm hoping to avoid the XVX ... although I'm not sure what's going to happen once I get to hear them! LOL

George

[W9TR]

Congrats! I really need to listen to Wilson’s latest offerings as my experience is with the Sophia 2, certainly dated now.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by gadawg

Tom ... A friend of mine is now enjoying those Sasha's as I moved up to Alexx! I'm hoping to avoid the XVX ... although I'm not sure what's going to happen once I get to hear them! LOL

George

Sounds like someone will be enjoying your Alexx in the future.

Good luck with your quest George.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

I never liked anything designed by Dave Wilson, and have some experiences where Wilsons have driven me out of the room in less than 5 minutes.

My understanding is that the newer models designed by Daryl Wilson (e.g. Sasha DAW) are significantly different and better-sounding.

I would assume it to be the Ti tweeter that you couldn't stand. I owned a Maxx3 and had zero problem with it. I liked the treble but it had a characteristic sound. When the new tweeter arrived many folks that were Wilson aficionados didn't like it, preferring the Ti tweeter.

However, in current Wilson designs, if you attempted to use the Ti tweeter, it would stick out like a sore thumb.

There's no way the Wilson mid or bass would drive you out of the room. You might not like it but not that objectionable. The new soft dome tweeter has turned out to be a real winner IMO allowing Wilsons to appeal to more folks.

Best

Charles

[Charles]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Ok, I'll bite, although the OP just recently expressed his negative experience facilitated by some unknown experience with Wilson and the dealer and in combination with stating that the Wife Acceptance Factor rules out Wilson for him....



My experience has been the opposite. From 4 different Sonus Faber which I enjoyed very much, to a pair of Sophia and Sophia 2's with Lamm gear which was outstanding.

Wilson house sound at that time brought a different set of strengths, like any other speaker would when introduced in the context of the same system. I learned to appreciate the "dynamic contrast" concept much more.

Sonus Faber were either romanticizing everything (I enjoyed that for a few years) or sounded rather neutral but unengaging (I had 4 different pairs of SF over the years).

When I moved into another house and had the dedicated 2ch/HT room built out to custom dimensions and completely acoustically treated so that the room itself would not be a part of the equation (that was always my goal) the speaker became a voice of a much truer character, uncolored by the room and early and late reflections were no longer a concern.

Even the dual layer of drywall was separated by special rubberized spacers so the drywall could not "sing" to the speaker.

I was finally able to tap into the sonic signature of whatever speaker came through much better. It was at that time I decided to leave Wilson Sophia 2 behind and try going back to SF. SF Elipsa, matching center, and 4 surrounds in the form of Cremona Auditor Elipsa Surround Speakers became the setup. A true 7.1 setup with speakers all voiced to each other.

The Elipsa 2ch/HT was a very enjoyable setup. The rather neutral presentation of Bryston amps with the Elipsa worked well for most genres of music. Not much unnecessary sweetening, not offensive to the ear by any means either. Here it is https://youtu.be/a3i_DETaCg0


After a while I did start to miss the Wilson sound again. So my dealer worked with me to make the transition a no brainer with more than reasonable trade in allowances, etc... We made it happen with a an all Wilson theater. First with Sasha and then moving on up to Alexia, a Polaris center, Wilson surrounds, etc. D'Agostino 3 Momentum Monos powering the front 3 channels.

Now I know we all have our preferences, that is logical and that is to be expected and the reason we have perhaps over a few hundred serious speakers to choose from?

But I will wrap it up and just say this, the pinnacle of that room was Alexia with D'Agostino amps and I have since to hear anything quite like that combo for my ears and my preference. Able to convey the minute micro-detail, the flow, the pace, the rhythm, the timing, the emotional content of any musical piece played through it. With exquisite tone/timbre, the Alexia/D'Agostino combo simply scaled up the highest peak of my personal audio nirvana expectations and left me speechless each and every time. No listening fatigue here, it was jaw dropping music each and every time. Here is that combo. https://youtu.be/yh7J8u_7Lvs

I know, it can be difficult to stay "objective" in audio, realizing that no great system was ever just thrown together and often the first impressions are such that they may leave one with a very different set of impressions due to less than optimal conditions.

It was no different for me the first time I heard a pair of B&W 800D speakers. My mind was set right from that moment, they sounded impressive but very sterile and cold. Although I have heard the various iterations of B&W and they were much better since, I am still not convinced I could ever live with any B&W speaker... Just does not agree with my ears.

The last time I visited my local dealer, I listened to a pair of Sabrina's (not the X). They were a departure from what I remember the Sasha and Alexia being in my own system but I thought, "man, what a fun speaker to listen to". In combination with VTL gear, it sounded, rich, full, dynamic, expressive and truly engaging. I can easily live with a pair of Sabrinas and not even worry about what the X upgrade brought.

So it goes, you choose that which sounds closer to your personal taste as we all hear things quite differently it turns out. Nothing wrong with that, it is what it is, choose wisely for maximum personal satisfaction.

Charles

[BuffaloBill]

Originally Posted by robfine

I would respectfully disagree and say that for many, the best speakers are the ones they want next!

For you, is that the current pair or the one before, or the one before that?

[PHC1]

Now all you Wilson haters can say anything you want but the reality of things is quite different. https://youtu.be/xXfLxC3jnzw

[Antonmb]

I loved the sound of well-set-up Wilsons I’ve heard, especially the XVS driven by D’Agostino Relentless. I’m just one of those who can’t get past the “Transformer” looks and auto body paint. Maybe if I had a separate listening room...but then there are the Aidas[emoji41]

[2fastdriving]

Like anything else, it's subjective. Many of the people who wouldn't buy them state aesthetics as the reason.

As far as sound, I think that all the current models leave the older ones in the dust, so if you are basing your opinion of Wilson on what the old Titanium tweeter did, you should hear the latest models.

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

Like anything else, it's subjective. Many of the people who wouldn't buy them state aesthetics as the reason.

As far as sound, I think that all the current models leave the older ones in the dust, so if you are basing your opinion of Wilson on what the old Titanium tweeter did, you should hear the latest models.

Yes, as you say, aesthetics is subjective, and of course personal, but there’s no question the sound is irreproachable. I’ve heard several great setups (including yours and Ed’s), and always been impressed. While I may not care for the looks for my own environment, that doesn’t mean they don’t look great in others. And I had someone tell me once that my problem was I was just stuck in the past with “old-fashioned wood speakers.”[emoji41]