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6 new Totem Hawks vs Used Wilson set-up ?

I think I have an interesting item for discussion. I am building a multipurpose, 2-ch audio and 6.1 home theater system. I also like the idea of being able to listen to 5 channel audio but this is not critical for the decision making process. I have spent the last 6 months auditioning dozens of speakers and I have it narrowed down to 2 manufacturers. I have really fallen in love with the Totem Hawk. I like some of the other Totems, but I have auditioned the Hawk 3 times, in 3 rooms, with three sets of components and loved them each time. I had not originally considered Wilson’s as they are out of my price point. I casually listened to a pair of W/Ps once or twice while I was waiting for the other rooms to be set up for the auditions. I liked them but I did not use my source material or listen to them very critically. I know they are considered to be some of the best speakers, period.

In this process, I have become familiar with various online used gear communities, and now I see that buying used Wilson gear brings them into my price range. I like the idea of having matching speakers around the theater room. I could go with smaller Totem speakers (Lynk or Rainmaker) and save some money, however, I lose similar amount of space and I lose coolness of having 6 matched speakers. This is a dedicated room so I can place whatever I want wherever I want (within reason).

6 new Totem Hawks = ~$8000-9000.
Used W/P 8 or Sofia II + 3 watch surrounds + watch center (or third W/P or Sophia II) = ~$12-14,000.

So for a bit more $, I can buy what most people would say is a significantly better speaker. Of course I need to audition for myself to determine if I subjectively like the Wilson’s.

Up for debate is whether buying the “better” Wilsons will make my system sound better or worse due to the rest of my equipment being of a lower caliber than the Wilsons. Will the resolving ability of the Wilsons highlight inadequacies in the rest of my system, or is buying a better speaker…buying a better speaker…and will be an improvement.

Existing equip:
Marantz AV8801
Parasound Halo A52 (5x125W)
jasonatptld
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
I wouldn't assume that the Wilson is a better speaker based on its higher cost ans very recognizable name. Some listeners love them and others dislike their sound. If at all possible you need to hear them in your system. The cliche "you get what you pay for" has numerous exceptions when it comes to High End Audio. It's certainly possible that you may prefer the sound of the Totem or another speaker that's less expensive than the Wilson. Trust your ears.
Good Luck,
raks
468 posts
 
I recently sold my Wilson Duette's and purchased a pair of Sonus faber Olympica I's. In my case, it was clear that my "just OK" amplifier wasn't up to the task of driving the "better" Wilsons... and that my "just OK" amplifier and the Olympica I's play very nice together.
jl35
2,244 posts
 
If you find you like the Wilsons much more than the Totems, I believe a 2 channel Wilson system will sound far better than a six channel Totem system, but as you seem to know, not with your current electronics. So total cost then becomes significantly more. I also believe that for multi channel music, system set up is crucial, far more so than for home theater.
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
I like JL35s comments, I'll add you could consider WP7's for a little less and spend that on a killer intregrated amp and be ahead. For the Wilson's to sound their best, a trained dealer installation is likely a must-even if buying used...
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"06-14-14: Bjesien
I would step back a little and look at the math. In the end you get what the market gives you. If you want an awesome two channel system spend around $30k (new) and you enter the market (IMHO). Awesome surround means maybe $45k."

No offense, but that's silly.

"Up for debate is whether buying the “better” Wilsons will make my system sound better or worse due to the rest of my equipment being of a lower caliber than the Wilsons. Will the resolving ability of the Wilsons highlight inadequacies in the rest of my system, or is buying a better speaker…buying a better speaker…and will be an improvement."

Its a good point, but I would refine it and say that its not about "better" in absolute terms, but "better" in the context of system matching. For example, I have a pair of Wilson's in my 2nd system. With those speakers, you have to consider that they are very efficient when you put a system together. With some components, you can get a his, either from too much gain or maybe even from not being the cleanest design. Its important to note, though, the hiss is not necessarily due to the fact that that the Wilson's are so revealing, but its a matter of efficiency. Most of the time, I can take a component that didn't work well on the Wilson's and put it in my main system that has more revealing speakers, and get no hiss.

As always, system matching is the key to good sound. If you are not planning to buy new electronics, you need to find speakers that work with what you have. Wilson's may work, but the only way I would buy them is to demo them with the electronics you will be using. I've heard that some people have good luck with Wilson and Parasound. Marantz, I don't know one way or the other, if its a good match.
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