Speaker Competition @$30K: Good Bye WP8, Hello Sasha

[David Matz]

In what seems like a very short time for a model to be replaced, the Watt Puppy 8 is history. Wilson just introduced a new WP Sasha:

http://www.wilsonaudio.com/sasha/

It seems like the $25-$30K is very competetive with Magico, Focal, CLX, Soundlab, Revel, Avalon, Vienna Musics, etc., all fighting for that price point. I am sure this is a very sweet price point for the manufacturers. It's crazy to pay as much for speakers as for a sedan, but many of us crazies do it (or dying to do it). From what I have heard, the $20K speaker is a significant jump in quality than the lower priced speakers. And above $30K, my impression is that it's "loony" territory for all but the super rich.

I know Summit owners bitched about a 4 year life of the product, but the WP8 life seems like 2.5-3 years. But Wilson must have been getting their ass kicked to move so fast.

 

[Gordon Gray]

Hi David,

My recollection is that the WP8 was introduced less than 12 months ago. But then again, I may be wrong.

However, this does reinforce my feeling that Wilson, more so than other speaker manufacturers, seems to play the "new and improved" marketing game.

Regarding Summit bitching, there was disapointment that an "X" upgrade was not offered for the original. Other than that, most Summit owners who have posted, have no issues with the original's performance, including myself.

GG

 

[tonepub]

The Watt/Puppy 8 was introduced end of 2007 but was not readily available until mid 2008.

Wow, you guys were squealing about Summits...

Wilson never does anything major, it's always incremental change.

 

[David Matz]

I am pretty sure that I heard the WP8 in August, 2007 when it was fairly new. There is a small chance it was WP7, but I do not believe so.

Anyways, Wilson must have been getting their clocks cleaned to make this move so soon.

 

[tonepub]

Good chance you could have...

They often release things to some dealers right around or even sometime just before a release to start to get some feel.

I happen to know there are a few new cool things from ARC at a couple dealers that aren't quite real yet.

 

[Brian Walsh]

With each iteration Wilson churns out every year or so, the price goes up. I would expect the Sasha to go for at least $35k if not more, and I'll bet low to mid 40s. There is a large price gap between the WP8 and the Maxx 3. Fortunately there are other choices.

 

[tonepub]

Well, Dave's got that garage full of Ferraris that aren't cheap to maintain...

 

[marck]

Good chance you could have...

I happen to know there are a few new cool things from ARC at a couple dealers that aren't quite real yet.

I don't suppose you could give an indication as to what type of products - phono stage, preamp etc!

 

[tonepub]

Nope!

 

[JonFo]

Well, Dave's got that garage full of Ferraris that aren't cheap to maintain...

yeah, and I didn't even see so much as a Porsche or Corvette in the MartinLogan lot. What does that say about relative value of the products they produce? :devil:

 

[JonFo]

For the record: the one pair of WP's I heard (back in 2003) were nothing to write home about, even though the electronics front-ending it were really good (and ones I was familiar with).

Frankly, for the money, they are a rip-off IMHO

 

[amey01]

For the record: the one pair of WP's I heard (back in 2003) were nothing to write home about, even though the electronics front-ending it were really good (and ones I was familiar with).

Frankly, for the money, they are a rip-off IMHO

Couldn't agree more Jon - one of my least favourite high end speakers around. Hate 'em.

 

[Statman]

Couldn't agree more Jon - one of my least favourite high end speakers around. Hate 'em.

Well I'll step in and make a comment. I began my love of electrostatics with a pair of Acoustat 2+2's. I then bought Martin Logans Sequel II's back in 1989 and then later upgraded to Odyssey's. Sold both pairs and bought WP7's for the mains and Sophias for the rears. It helps to have a long time friend as a dealer for Wilson. Same electronics used in the same room.

Each speaker has it's stong points and weak points that I've stated before in previous threads. Electrostats are very quick on transients so smooth and sweet in the midrange/midbass and give you that really large soundstage. Cones give you dynamics and when set up correctly also great imaging. It's all in the setup of the room and it's acoustics and electronics used. My biggest fear was the system was going to be too bright with the WP7's which was so far from what actually occurred. I do enjoy reading the Wilson bashing from time to time although I keep quiet about Martin Logans and their weak points.

 

[tonepub]

I think the key word in your post though is SETUP. Many products in the high end get a bad rap because they were not setup properly. I've heard a lot of things sound great and sound terrible, just different setup/associated electronics....

I've heard Wilson sound good and I've heard them sound terrible, just as I have with MartinLogan or any other speaker.

The Verity Sarastro II's (my other reference speaker) just got reviewed by Stereophile and they said it was "finicky" to set up. Compared to the CLX setup, it was a walk in the park.

 

[User211]

Couldn't agree more Jon - one of my least favourite high end speakers around. Hate 'em.

Just cos they look like sh*te?

Actually, last time I heard Sophia IIs, they sucked. However, Ken Kessler has just been bitchin' about how great they are.

Did hear the original Sophia sounding pretty good driven by your fav ARCs a good while ago, though, playing Massive Attack's Mezzanine album. Mind you, what doesn't sound good playing said Massive Attack album?

 

[Statman]

Just cos they look like sh*te?

Actually, last time I heard Sophia IIs, they sucked. However, Ken Kessler has just been bitchin' about how great they are.

Did hear the original Sophia sounding pretty good driven by your fav ARCs a good while ago, though, playing Massive Attack's Mezzanine album. Mind you, what doesn't sound good playing said Massive Attack album?

If it makes you feel better I've only heard Wilson's setup properly once in a store and that dealer was using VTL pre-amp and amps. Sophias and even my Watt Puppys love ARC. They should seeing how Dave Wilson often uses ARC components to "voice" his product.

 

[slowGEEZR]

I've got a friend who has the WP6's, powered by MLevinson and a dcs player and I think the sound is incredible and very realistic. His room is acoustically treated and he also has some kind of room correction electronics. Granted, I haven't heard the CLX, Spire or SummitX, but Lenny's (my friend) Wilson WP6's sounded more like the real thing than anything I've ever heard in a home environment.

 

[tonepub]

If it makes you feel better I've only heard Wilson's setup properly once in a store and that dealer was using VTL pre-amp and amps. Sophias and even my Watt Puppys love ARC. They should seeing how Dave Wilson often uses ARC components to "voice" his product.

Dave Wilson had the big VTL amps and ARC ref pre and CD player when I listened to the X2's in his house. They had Sophias in one room at the factory with ARC Ref (I believe a 110 amp) in one room and Dave had the same Nagra stuff I have in his office with Sophias and it was a very different sound.

Actually I really liked the Sophias with the Nagra tube gear better, but Dave said this setup was not "as revealing" as what was in the sound room.

Always comes back to taste and your hearing.

 

[Statman]

Dave Wilson had the big VTL amps and ARC ref pre and CD player when I listened to the X2's in his house. They had Sophias in one room at the factory with ARC Ref (I believe a 110 amp) in one room and Dave had the same Nagra stuff I have in his office with Sophias and it was a very different sound.

Actually I really liked the Sophias with the Nagra tube gear better, but Dave said this setup was not "as revealing" as what was in the sound room.

Always comes back to taste and your hearing.

Jeff,

I have heard the Nagra amp playing thru the Prodigy when it was new and loved it. From what I can remember a sweet ever so slightly forward midrange that was silky smooth.I'm still blown away today by what I heard in that region of the amp. Bass was clean and detailed. I only listened to one song and that was the Train song from Hugh Masekala off of the Burmester 3 sample disc that I use as a reference.

 

[Joey_V]

An interesting move by Wilson. How does the market support a speaker of this price range? I bet it sounds good though.

I just dont know how coming out with a more expensive speaker than the WP8 can be a smart thing in this economy...