So we know they measure terribly, yet this room of folks appears to enjoy them. Have heard them? What do you think?
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Wilson Audio Speakers: Why do people like them?
- Thread starter MediumRare
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Maybe the $2M might have something to do with it...
S.
S.
OP
- Thread Starter
- #5
And the source is vinyl so….
DSJR
Major Contributor
I bet the prospective buyers have never heard a BIIIIG sound before, apart from a live gig's PA rig. Stick on your powerful D'Agostino amp, whack up the volume and blow them away.
Sad to say, but the likes of 'us' are a tiny niche in an already niche market. As you suggest, the price tag, exclusivity and having a dealer rubbing their hands with glee at the profits earned from these, the cables and maybe a more expensive amp and cartridge for their main source (vinyl of course as said above), guarantees the deal.
I bet Magico is never mentioned (which I believe is the most 'correct' sounding of the mass market high-end speakers for oligarchs).
I've listened to dozens of Wilson systems in homes and in showrooms, and I think they are some of the finest speakers available. No exaggeration, 4 out of 5 of my most memorable listening experiences were with Wilson systems. That being said, I've hear a lot of other really great systems, some that come very close even.
thewas
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People also "like" modern B&Ws or some 100k$ single driver loudspeakers which are objectively much more coloured.
In the end it is usually a mix of following factors:
In the end it is usually a mix of following factors:
- Lack of experience
- Lack of direct comparison to something better
- Influence of vision, price and hype
- Using not revealing music material
- Even real preference sometimes as the statistic research shows a general trend but individual deviations can exist due to various reasons like accustomization, hearing loss etc.
kemmler3D
Master Contributor
I haven't seen detailed measurements of any of the big Wilson models. I would guess they at least have good bass extension and SPL... maybe good time alignment given all the goofy physical adjustment they offer.
But of course, knowing they cost $2M probably makes them sound a lot better. If you told people they were $300 apiece they might not sound like much.
They look like speakers Darth Vader would have in his personal chambers. That's got to be worth something?
But of course, knowing they cost $2M probably makes them sound a lot better. If you told people they were $300 apiece they might not sound like much.
They look like speakers Darth Vader would have in his personal chambers. That's got to be worth something?
thewas
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$340000 ones have been measured by Stereophile but unfortuately only in room
Wilson Audio Specialties Chronosonic XVX loudspeaker Measurements
Sidebar 3: Measurements
www.stereophile.com
although several cheaper large models have been fully measured, the newer ones are not as bad as much of such "highend"
Wilson Audio Specialties Alexia loudspeaker Measurements
Sidebar 3: Measurements
www.stereophile.com
Wilson Audio Specialties Alexia V loudspeaker Measurements
Sidebar 3: Measurements With Jason Victor Serinus's listening room 2900 miles from my home, measuring the Wilson Alexia V presented potential logistical problems. Fortunately, Elliot Fishkin of Manhattan audio retailer Innovative Audio was amenable to my measuring the Alexia Vs that had just...
www.stereophile.com
Wilson Audio Specialties Sasha DAW loudspeaker Measurements
Sidebar 3: Measurements Because of the Wilson Sasha DAW's bulk and weightas well as the fact that Sasha Matson's listening room is on the second floor of his upstate New York homeI drove my test gear the 230 miles from my Brooklyn home to measure the speakers in situ. (I also wanted to hear the...
www.stereophile.com
Wilson Audio Specialties Sasha V loudspeaker Measurements
Sidebar 3: Measurements
www.stereophile.com
Wilson Audio Specialties MAXX loudspeaker Measurements
Sidebar 3: Measurements Taking account of the system height and the mike position, the MAXX's sensitivity was close to specification: nominally 91dB in the aurally most sensitive range, perhaps 92dB in the mid and lower mid. This sensitivity is well above average, and is comparable with the WATT...
www.stereophile.com
Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx V loudspeaker Measurements
Sidebar 3: Measurements Because of the Alexx V's size and bulk, I measured its performance in Jim Austin's listening room. I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Wilson Audio Alexx V's frequency response in the farfield, an Earthworks QTC-40 microphone...
www.stereophile.com
jcarys
Active Member
Detail retrieval. It's been many years since I listened to a rather wealthy friend's system of Watt Puppy's and Krell electronics - everything you were supposed to spend big money on during the 90s. This system didn't sound spectacular all the time, but there were times when it paired great with the recording and it really did shine. At the time they seemed to get everything you could out of a recording - more than other speakers that I had heard until then. That said, they could often be too analytical with pop music (most likely just high frequency boost). I remember to this day how they made my new favorite U2 CD sound like #@$^ because you could hear every flaw that the engineer never thought you would at home.
Keith_W
Major Contributor
Wilsons do one thing very well - the bass is really punchy. And I mean it seems to hit you in the chest - you can actually feel it.
I haven't figured out how they do it. The published FR's don't look anything special. If anybody knows, I am all ears.
I haven't figured out how they do it. The published FR's don't look anything special. If anybody knows, I am all ears.
Because there are people that will spend 6 millions on a banana. Same with those that spend 2mil on speakers, they don't care what they sound like, wouldn't notice the sound difference between those and a transistor radio, but the fact that they cost 2 millions is reason enough for them to buy those.
Polish a turd, put a high price tag on it, i bet there will be someone that buys it.
Polish a turd, put a high price tag on it, i bet there will be someone that buys it.
Sokel
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I can tell you lots of speakers like this as this kind of dry hit is one of my vices.
Rocport, Magico, ATC, Vivid, lots of older big stuff, etc.
Recipe is the same, big voice coil mid-woofer (not the x-max based ones) crossed at about 250-500Hz, big (and broad) cabinet, high SPL ability.
Certainly in the U.K. they were heavily marketed by the U.K. distributor , advertising wins.
Keith
Keith
kemmler3D
Master Contributor
Yep... if you want to get this effect with "lesser" speakers, just boost everything from 3-10khz by about 2.5dB, more if you're feeling spicy.
Sokel
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I don't think that's the case, I mean I would run for my life every time I listened to those if highs were hot as you describe.
Measurements don't suggest so either.
(at JA's room)
Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx V loudspeaker Measurements
Sidebar 3: Measurements Because of the Alexx V's size and bulk, I measured its performance in Jim Austin's listening room. I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Wilson Audio Alexx V's frequency response in the farfield, an Earthworks QTC-40 microphone...
www.stereophile.com
dshreter
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In sighted listening sessions I've always enjoyed what I heard. I suspect they tend to be setup well in good rooms, and they definitely look impressive. Without knowing how state of the art speakers work, they look as though their form follows function (though those in the know realize it does not).
I don't consider myself a talented or trained listener, so there's no reason to put any weight into my sighted experiences. But I do think they sound good enough and tend to have a full enough range response to impress a listener.
I don't consider myself a talented or trained listener, so there's no reason to put any weight into my sighted experiences. But I do think they sound good enough and tend to have a full enough range response to impress a listener.
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