AXPONA 2026: Wilson Audio & DCS

[amirm]

Wilson made a much smaller showing at this show than in the past. They used to own half the floor at some shows.

I wrote down "awful wooly bass." Listening to it now, it is a rather horrible recording. Bass is not as bad on my headphones but still, not great.

Same story here:

 

[srm51555]

I spent a song or two in the Wilson room and they just don't do it for me. The room was packed, same as last year.

 

[kemmler3D]

Wilson speakers (if you haven't looked into speaker design very much) LOOK like they should sound amazing. They seem very complex and technical, it feels like that should translate into good sound. I am sure the placebo effect of this is pretty strong.

After reading about DIY speaker building, you just start seeing wacky c2c distances and lots of diffraction sources, and you start to wonder about the crossover and why the drivers are all at those distances and what the adjustability implies for the crossover... etc.

 

[srm51555]

Wilson speakers (if you haven't looked into speaker design very much) LOOK like they should sound amazing. They seem very complex and technical, it feels like that should translate into good sound. I am sure the placebo effect of this is pretty strong.

Well it's working, if I remember correctly there were at least 16 listening chairs and they were all full, plus people standing as well. I was one of the standing.

I went from this room to the Dutch and Dutch 15C's which only had about 6 people sitting and listening. These were a little more my speed.

 

[amirm]

They have built an incredible reputation. If you buy them, no one questions you that you don't have a high-end system.

 

[Lsc]

if I could buy the Wilson XVX, it’d mean that I don’t have to worry about money and that I’m set for life as a multimillionaire. It was a very warm room and with the elevator music, I have no idea what they are capable of. But I’m sure if they played the same music that Martijn played on the 15c, it probably would have sounded very good.

I’ve always liked Wilson’s. But unfortunately considering that these are far outside my budget meaning I would never be able to buy them, I don’t feel any way towards them. My feelings really don’t matter because I’m not a potential buyer.

 

[Marin]

They have built an incredible reputation. If you buy them, no one questions you that you don't have a high-end system.

Yes, this is pure prestige and a little time alignment snake oil for better holographic image

 

[Fledermaus]

Horrible recordings played on ugly speakers ... the good thing in such a setting is you can run for a thorough sensory cleansing in a decent room afterwards.

 

[tineared]

They will certainly be the focal point of any room they are in. Not every speaker's goal, but perhaps an envious one...

 

[Apesbrain]

That is literally a "million-dollar" system.