WILSON AUDIO/ cost vs. value

I also thought the Wilson room featuring the WP8 sounded very, very good. The state-of-the-art Audio Research amplification/preamplification didn't hurt, either. They used a selection of music that I suspect lended itself to the speaker's strengths...but perhaps that's too cynical. I wish Wilson had also used some large orchestral music and some rock, or at least some driving jazz in addition to the vocals. Would I spend $28k on them. No. I'd break out in hives.

I also thought the Sophias in the Lamm room sounded exceptional, and I could easily live with the sound in the Lamm room.

I have WP7s. I heard a demo of Alexandrias presented by Dave Wilson just recently. He struck me as a gentleman, far from a hypster. If he was working us, he's a master. You could see the pride he had when talking about how he felt for his workers. He did not disparage the competition, even when asked about them.

I used to haunt all the audio sites, but lately have become so satisfied with my system that while I still visit it's without the 'striving for better' (or wishing for better) that I once had. FWIW: I find Audiogon less shrill than Audio Asylum these days.

In my new Rives designed room, my WP7s sounded wrong to me at first. Only after experimentation and some changes did I find the level of great sound I hoped to achieve. My point is that I wonder how many really have heard any speakers as good as they can be? It takes synergism.

As for cost/price, a manufacturer confided in me that a well known cable brand builds them for $75 and sells for multi-thousands. (He was not a competitor.) He said he got that from the owner of the company who laughed about it.

I can't swear that's true, but after selling their cables which I had used for years, I found a much better match for my circumstances.

To sum it up: it's all about synergism. And Wilson, love him or hate him, follows his vision of what a speaker should be and do. It's a free country (mostly.)

Bob Wood
http://www.GreatHomeTheater.com

Boa2 & Tvad,

What equipment, source components & cabling did they use for the Demo. I am very curious.

Woodburger,

What are you using for your system cables?

I agree it is all system synergy & setup is critical. All I need to do is change one thing to make my system sound terrible. Every system is as strong as the room & the weekest link.

.
"I've used that spin on my wife for many an upgrade. How's this? I'm looking at $20k speakers. Really considering them. Decide, however, on $10k speakers, and go to my wife all excited that I just saved her $10k, so my new speakers won't cost anything...you married guys know the deal...It's an Abbott and Costello routine..."


Brilliant! After a few more upgrades and all the savings, you should be able to retire and get that vacation home in Tahoe.

Dgad,
They used all Audio Research components. They used a Reference 3 preamp, and from looking at the Audio Research site, the amps appear to have been the Reference 210 monoblocks. Sorry, I didn't find out what the other component models were. The cables were all Transparent. Perhaps someone has more details on the ancillary gear, or I'm sure you could write Wilson directly.