Wilson...

[DTB300]

Post over at the Asylum discussing MAXX 2 speakers and a review from Germany.

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/speakers/messages/240630.html

Funny how these speakers from Wilson are either loved or hated and nothing in between. Yet the other products in their lineup Watt/Puppy, Sophia, Alexandria are always very highly talked about.

Dan

 

[Audiophiliac]

People always seem to talk trash about things they could never dream of owning to justify their meager systems. ITs odd in the hi-fi world. But it shows up in other arenas as well.

Dave Wilson simply creates some of the finest sounding loudspeakers in the world. Period.

I think people look at the MAXX 2 in one of 2 ways. Either its not worth twice as much as the WATT/Puppy because it doesnt sound twice as good, OR, it is a bargain at 1/3 the price of the X-2 and sound much better than 1/3 as good. I agree with the latter.

I have never listened to the X-2, but compared to the W/P, the MAXX 2 overshadows it in every way. Simply incredible speaker.

 

[C.A.P]

My experience with Wilson has always been good for a cone driven speaker . Some of my finest have been at your establishment in Boise. Them WATTS with the big Krell were impressive to say the least !

 

[wink]

Wilson is definately on my very short list of "if I ever win the lottery system" speakers that I would own. Statement e2's being on the top of that list, that's at least until M-L comes out with something new as replacement:rocker:

Dan

 

[Audiophiliac]

If you win the lottery, the prudent thing to do would be to have both!

 

[Pcar928fan]

Wilson is definately on my very short list of "if I ever win the lottery system" speakers that I would own. Statement e2's being on the top of that list, that's at least until M-L comes out with something new as replacement:rocker:

Dan

Never cared for the "look" of the Wilson speakers. I mean when you are spending this kind of money you KNOW it is going to sound good, but shouldn't it also LOOK good?! I believe it should and I like stuff that is more unique and different. Maggies would be in that line, but I have never had an affinity for them, of course I LOVE my ML's but maybe the most interesting if I ever win the lottery I would have to say is the mbl 101d/e speakers! Every review says they sound like a dream and can reproduce sound better than speakers twice the cost and I just LOVE the look of them! They are nearly sculpture. If you are not playing them they can pass as art work in your house!

Someday I WILL have a pair of these! SOMEDAY!

 

[wink]

Yeah, once you get to the high dollar(and I use that term relatively) Wilson's they do have a cyborg look to them a little, and it takes a piano moving company to get them in your house, but the sound is incredible. IMHO though, not as good as the statement e2.

I always wanted to hear the MBL's, but haven't had the pleasure yet. I've seen them on display at audio shows in the past but they weren't connected. I would guess the sound to be like the OHM walsh series speakers, which I heard set up in a quadraphonic setup years ago.

Dan

 

[wink]

Check out this MBL surround system....

http://www.vxm.com/mbl.html

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but since we were on the subject of high priced speaker systems.

 

[jjqiv]

Post over at the Asylum discussing MAXX 2 speakers and a review from Germany.

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/speakers/messages/240630.html

Funny how these speakers from Wilson are either loved or hated and nothing in between. Yet the other products in their lineup Watt/Puppy, Sophia, Alexandria are always very highly talked about.

Dan

I think they are over-rated. At the Audio shows, people certain do flock to them like sheep. Lots of ewe's and ahh's. Didn't do much for me. It may be that they are over dampenned for my tastes. It's been I while since I have heard them. For coned boxes, Avalon's and Sonus Faber's are more to my liking.

 

[amey01]

I think they are over-rated. At the Audio shows, people certain do flock to them like sheep. Lots of ewe's and ahh's. Didn't do much for me. It may be that they are over dampenned for my tastes. It's been I while since I have heard them. For coned boxes, Avalon's and Sonus Faber's are more to my liking.

I agree - not sure why, but both B+W and Wilsons have not really done it for me. I also like the Avalons very very much - they would be my first choice if I had to have a coned speaker, and also many speakers in the Audio Physic lineup......

 

[Joey_V]

I agree - not sure why, but both B+W and Wilsons have not really done it for me. I also like the Avalons very very much - they would be my first choice if I had to have a coned speaker, and also many speakers in the Audio Physic lineup......

Audio Physic make good speakers...

Though I have been impressed with BW802D with great electronics. I also like the Wilson Maxx2 and SF Cremona and up. Havent heard the Avalons though.

Would like to hear Kharma one day.

 

[twich54]

I think they are over-rated. At the Audio shows, people certain do flock to them like sheep. Lots of ewe's and ahh's. Didn't do much for me. It may be that they are over dampenned for my tastes. It's been I while since I have heard them. For coned boxes, Avalon's and Sonus Faber's are more to my liking.

I agree, I also like in the conventional realm, Totem Wind's, although certianlly not in the class which this thread is talking about.

 

[Pcar928fan]

Check out this MBL surround system....
http://www.vxm.com/mbl.html
.

Yea, I'll take one of those please! Make mine all Piano black and throw in some serious MBL power for it all too! UNREAL! And imagine how much it would have cost IF they had actually USED MBL power! The MBL amps are about 10X the cost of what they were using, if not MORE!

Now, where is that winning lottery ticket?! I know it is around here somewhere!

 

[Statman]

"Different strokes for different folks"

I'm trying to just keep my mouth shut and just watch the posts come in!

I had the same opinion about them (Wilsons) for years. In my wildest dream would I have thought that I jump ship from Martin Logan to Wilson speakers. It wasn't until I heard them set up in my room which took a little bit of doing properly just like Martin Logans require and with my electronics driving them. I can say I'm happy with my decision and have no regrets, with the exception of wanting to upgrade my preamp now!

 

[amey01]

Audio Physic make good speakers...

Though I have been impressed with BW802D with great electronics. I also like the Wilson Maxx2 and SF Cremona and up. Havent heard the Avalons though.

Would like to hear Kharma one day.

You've got to hear Avalons Joey......just listen to the Eidolon Diamond!! Sonus fabers would also be a choice before Wilsons for me. Not that Wilsons are bad - I just like the Avalons better!!

Oh, and I'd be interested in what you thought of the Audio Physics - I've heard the Virgo, Spark and Tempo and they've all had an extremely neutral and fast character that is very very like electrostatics in my opinion - probably the most "electrostatic" sounding cone speaker I've heard.

 

[risabet]

Never cared for the "look" of the Wilson speakers. I mean when you are spending this kind of money you KNOW it is going to sound good, but shouldn't it also LOOK good?! I believe it should and I like stuff that is more unique and different. Maggies would be in that line, but I have never had an affinity for them, of course I LOVE my ML's but maybe the most interesting if I ever win the lottery I would have to say is the mbl 101d/e speakers! Every review says they sound like a dream and can reproduce sound better than speakers twice the cost and I just LOVE the look of them! They are nearly sculpture. If you are not playing them they can pass as art work in your house!

Someday I WILL have a pair of these! SOMEDAY!

Form follows function. Let's hope that DW styled these in service to the sound and not to be different. I find the speakers odd, definitely not a high WAF but at these prices they really deserve a dedicated room so not much of an issue IMO. They are really incredible sounding however and a speaker I would consider after the lottery winnings come in.

 

[twich54]

Form follows function. Let's hope that DW styled these in service to the sound and not to be different. I find the speakers odd, definitely not a high WAF but at these prices they really deserve a dedicated room so not much of an issue IMO. They are really incredible sounding however and a speaker I would consider after the lottery winnings come in.

Risabet, Good point, I agree, and after one has won the lottery and ordered their Wilson's they can build the Dedicated listening room as well !

Statman, You have had your Wilson's for several months now, do they Wow as much now as when you initially pulled the trigger ???

 

[DTB300]

People always seem to talk trash about things they could never dream of owning to justify their meager systems. ITs odd in the hi-fi world. But it shows up in other arenas as well.

Dave Wilson simply creates some of the finest sounding loudspeakers in the world. Period.

For myself, I base my reactions and preferences solely on the performance of the speaker and not the price. I do agree with you that one has to make sure their preferences are not based on the cost alone, as it is easy to do. Most of the time the items that I really like I cannot afford Go figure !!!!

With our ML's - the Summit and Vantage, we have talked many times here about performance and price of the two. When within budget, almost all have purchased the Summit, but some that can afford either, have purchased the Vantage and used the other $5k for additional equipment. Would this be a decision based on cost versus performance?

Back to Wilson: I really love the sound of the Sophia's in their lineup, yet the MAXX2 has never wow'ed me and this is regardless of the price (like I have said to Joey, it just may be I have not heard the right setup/room for them yet). The older W/P were much better sounding than their newer versions. The Cub's are okay, but for that type of cost, I much prefer something like Aerial's (another favorite of mine)

But back to the orginal post. It seems that the MAXX2's never get an overall great review or liking across the board like some of their other models. The Alexandria has always recevied great talk and reviews. More of just a curious note and observation.

Dan

 

[Statman]

Risabet, Good point, I agree, and after one has won the lottery and ordered their Wilson's they can build the Dedicated listening room as well !

Statman, You have had your Wilson's for several months now, do they Wow as much now as when you initially pulled the trigger ???

twich,

I can honestly say yes! The WP7's have performed better than expected. I know for a fact that setup is critical after watching Brooks Berdan move the speaker around while I was sitting in the sweet spot until it was imaging correctly. Just like Martin Logans move the speaker slightly and it has a drastic effect. I have been able to hear detailed information in some recordings I've listened to before that I hadn't heard prior to the Wilsons.I am still amazed as to how well these speakers reproduce drums. My room is treated which also helps as it did with the Odysseys. I really enjoy sitting down and listening to music. Movies are now more dynamic and seem less strained on loud peaks. I am able to locate all the little cues that are mixed in some soundtracks.

 

[Audiophiliac]

Statman, thats the feeling I get when listening to a Wilson speaker (any of them for that matter). They are soooooo dynamic and "fast". The attack and decay of percussion is amazing. (try Kodo Mondohead for a demo). Placement is very critical....there is a scientific, yet simple setup procedure used to set up any Wilson loudspeaker. Takes preferrably 2 people and a couple hours, tape, sharpie, tape measure, and some demo material (familiar favorites as well as songs you absolutely dont like, but sound good....so you dont get too drawn into the music (which tends to happen with systems like these))

I will have a hard time choosing between ML and Wilson when it comes time to put together a 2 ch. setup. What a good dilemma to be in, yes? haha