Wilson Sophia

Thanks dmurfet...I laughed too when she called them trash cans. It was quite a shock to see the way she changed her POV once she heard them!

Regarding the comments from everyone about stretching my budget...This is just such an addictive hobby. A year ago I was using a surround sound receiver and a dvd player as my source for cds. I would never have even thought about spending 10K+ on a system let alone a pair of speakers!

Clearly I have come along way in a year...Buying the Sophias is not going to break me but it is a choice and something else is going to be cut if this is the route we are going to go. I have listened to just about everything that is out there and really have decided it is the Sophias or nothing. Everything else just seems to be spending a lot of money for not much more in terms of performance over the 704s. So it is either now, or wait and buy the Sophias later.

Again, many thanks to everyone for their input. Will keep everyone up to date with whatever we decide to do.

All the best,
John

This thread confirms what I have always believed about Audiogon threads posed around questions like "should I buy this or...", which is that a significant percentage of the posters are seeking validation of decisions already made. In two years, I have yet to see one Audiogon member change their buying decision despite receiving valid alternatives presented in the answers. Fascinating.

No offense to you Jhorton19, many threads have the same intent and the same outcome. It's just that yours really crystallized it for me.

Enjoy the Sophias...and the journey.

One of the reviewers in an audio magazine, I believe John Marks, had great advice on this subject. He said to buy the speaker that you fall in love with, even if you have to sacrifice in other areas for now, because that will determine the basic quality of the sound.

I would do the same. Buy the speakers you love. Then buy other parts that complement it. In particular, the speaker-amp interaction is so critical and hard to predict, so I cannot imaginge not selecting an amp for a specific speaker.

Funny, my gf also declared that the WP7's look like "trash cans", but that the Sophias look "less trash-canny". These women must have all been watching the same TV design show or something.

Anyways, I have never heard the Sophias, but wholeheartedly agree that you should buy the speakers you fall in love with. Have fun with the addiction.

-Jake

Tried B&W 802D and Sophia at medium volumn. Been a B&W speaker owner, I suddenly understand why some people say B&W have some house sound. it just sounds a little bit too emotional comparing to the Sophia. Sophia sounds very natural, relax and no color been added to the music. Actually the sophia is most colorless speaker I tried. JM lab Utopia is too warm with the YBA passion. All the music tested sounded like X'mas songs.

You mentioned you live in a apartment. Do you have a big living room as I am not sure if the sophia appretiate small room?

My wife and I both think the Sophia is better than the B&W 802D with the same list price and the best speaker we heard. Then I can't help asking myself that is this all I get for a $10K speaker. Sophia is good but in my mind I feel I should get better sound for $10k.

The sophia is the best I heard in that price range, but I am also disppointed to see diminished return in the sophia and have no big rush to buy it.