Considering a change. Avantgarde for Wilson.

# 1 neither speaker is remotely part of the same sentence. Believe me minus maybe that new Wilson 8 I know I have heard the big dogs from wilson, whatever the cost was the time I know was well into the 100 k plus range model. Anyway also at the same dealer avantgarde.. Believe it or not the Wilson with VTL mono's that were about 30 k were no contents with the avantgardes on a 40 watt 700 dollar integrated amp! They were way more real, smoother, and of course due to the efficiency far more detailed and powerful without breaking the bank.

Beyond that room acoustics and on both otherwise you will get grain or bright on top, many other balance issues. And My honest opinion is selling the duo's for 9,000 and buying into a wilson that would become worth of the new 27 k a pair would be a mistake. I would go and buy the Omega upgrade kit for your avantgardes which with the Mundorf Silver oils in the new crossovers etc... will really smooth out and turn your horns into liquid. Yeah its pretty expensive at 8 k but better than the losses and barley parallel move you would make going into a whole different speaker that will required 5 times the power amp size, and have its own issues.

I don't own either, and both were a tad bright in the rooms I have heard them in, but still the wilson was really edgy which is a bit weird. 2 people were with me on a few occasions we visited both of these super costly speakers, every time we all gave the nod especially for size and value to the Duo's.

When the basic system is revealing the little things really matter- tube rolling, Herbies Tube Dampeners, vib control- even in the rack (if you have one). I filled my Solid Steel rack with play sand and it still rang, so I stuck a bunch of Moretight on it and replaced the stock spikes with Sound Care SuperSpikes. I also isolate each shelf with vibration products from Herbie

Think your Duos would be the better. Ever consider replacing the tweeter? Bet a fostex t500amk2 would be a big step up.

widen your search, unless your mind is made up.

The two are really very different, both are excellent but in their own way. I have heard duos extensively and the big issue is getting them set up properly. It is not easy and if they are set up poorly, or even just ok, they will not sound their best. The new omega is a big improvement as far as an upgrade but expensive (though cheaper than new speakers). The duo sound you know but it is very dynamic, as befits a horn. If they are bright up top it may be the ancillary equipment or your room, classically it is not a problem with them in my expereince.

The wilson sound is much different. I have friends with wilsons and those that like wilsons, like them period. They also tend not to like speakers like duos. I have other friends who can't stand the wilsons. It sometimes takes a bit of listening to figure out which group you fall in. Its not that they are bad at all just a very different presentation. Wilsons also need proper set up but as a whole I suspect they are more tolerant than the duos.

Since it is always cheaper to fix your current system than buy new stuff I would suggest make sure proper setup, consider your room acoustics and the ancillary gear. If those are not remedial then by all means audition the wilsons but try to listen in house with them.

Good luck

Gary