WILSON AUDIO/ cost vs. value

Anyone who thinks they can do better for less should do so, and then, after a few months to allow the honeymoon period pass, they should report back here to educate the rest of us who cannot afford Wilson.

From my perspective, I own Von Schweikert VR4 Gen III HSE. They were sold to me with the pitch that they were a less expensive Watt Puppy 7. Are they? Probably not, but they got me close to the Wilson magic for a lot less cabbage.

BOa I understand that you did speak in a general sense. No harm done. Grant, as much as I admire a particular amp designed in germany/built in china, I'd never buy a chinese speaker, unless of course it was designed by the Danes with Danish parts. The chinese will never make a speaker on their own, worth my interest. The chinese may copy some things in the future, but never to match equally the best Danish drivers. If a amp made in china can deliver what Im looking for(sound quality/build quality) at a very fair (low/cheap) price, I'm gonna go for it. Sure I feel for the US/brit labs. They are about to "take the hit", maybe a big one. I just took the "katrina hit'. Life is not fair, such it is.
I heard the Wilson's in a fair setting, no disadvantage at all. What amp it was/cdp I cannot recall.
I look at it this way, Wilson sets himself up for criricism. Why? Because at those prices you should expect a sound that matches. When i go to hear a expensive speaker I kick my critical era up a few notches. Nothing gets by me, I nail down every fiber of the sound. I zone in to each range of fq to see whats really going on. i disect the sound, and also do a macro imaging test, soundstage = does it sound lifelike, vividness as someone called it.

"all prices covered...the bottom range at $6K..." Not many of us can afford that asking price, though i know used they can be had for half. Still I think I can do better. I guess Tvad balances out my comments on Wilson with his "Wilson magic". I realize Wilson is directed to a specific high end market and alot of attention goes into his product. If you want big sound, maybe its the price you gotta pay. Whatever.

06-10-06: Bartokfan
Grant, as much as I admire a particular amp designed in germany/built in china, I'd never buy a chinese speaker.

Bartokfan, are you referring specifically to the Von Schweikert VR 4 Gen III HSE, which I mention in my post, or are you referring to other speakers in the Von Schweikert line?

The VR4 Gen III HSE were designed and built in El Cajon, CA USA, not China. In fact, when I recieved mine, the shipment was delayed for a day because the varnish was still wet.

Tvad, not refering to Von Schweikert. What I was getting at it China may build some electroics/many designs copies from french, or designed in europe, when it comes to speakers they have a ways to go to catch up to the Danes. I realize many here do not want to see ssales on amps go to the chinese, but this is what the new world economy is all about. Think about this, the latins from all over central america come to this country for decades now, and in ever increasing numbers, which i have no issues with. Miami is the "capital of cuba". But for some reason they ALL (90%) buy Toyotas. That is (used to be 100%) a japenese car. Don;'t you think if they REALLY love this country they'd at least consider a Detroit car? They do not.
I do not post much on the amp forum cause everyone can pick and chose his style. Speakers is a different animal, for the most part. Some are in fact better than others.