Wilson Watt Puppy, which version?

The Sasha and Sophia 3 use a Focal tweeter developed for MAXX Series 3, "a new topology that reduces the back-wave reflections which otherwise propagate through the diaphragm, adding noise and distortion to the primary signal. By significantly reducing this source of distortion, the highs have more dynamics, air, and resolution -- free of the grain nearly all other tweeters exhibit."

I've had 5's 6's 7's and sophias. In my opinion the best buys are the 7's. The 6's and 5's are good but seem over priced right now. There are lots of 7's avialable and that seems to bring the price down.

I have never seen the Sophisas as eveen close to the watt puppies. Maybe thats becasue I like a strong base and like to listen to rock and roll on occasion. If you like classical music the sophias might do but if you want strong bass go watt puppy, period

i will agree that when i first got the 7's the tweater was a little shrill at high volume but it was also easily fixed by buying better interconnects. If I was going to buy speakers in the ten grand range 7's would be very hard to beat. I did just buy some mbl 111e's and they are quite nice. They don't rock like Wilsons but do sound a little cleaner at normal listening levels.

I also think the shrillness was often caused by poor recoding qualities of the source, whether it be a cd, dvd or album.

"Upgrade1394---you are mistaken. the short life of the 8 was due to the Magico V3 which was a better speaker at a lower price."

Obviously you have never auditioned the V3, W8 or Sasha or you listened to the Wilsons in less than ideal conditions. I lived with both Wilson's and auditioned the V3 extensively. Not even close.

BTW, your room looks really cool. Congrats!

Vdosc,

I personally would try to stretch a bit and get the W8. IMO it is smoother on the top end and has a more natural bottom end. it is a more coherent speaker.

If this is not possible then I would go W7. The Sopia 2 could also be a possibility but I have not had any experience with this speaker but I have read great things. I have auditioned the Sophia 1 and I would go W7 over Sophia 1.

One more thing. You may want to upgrade your CDP as the W7's will let you hear all of the good and bad of your upstream gear.

My biggest suggestion is that you try to by these speakers through an authorized dealer and and have them professionally installed. Proper instillation of these speakers is key and you most likely will not get optimum performance if you do it yourself