A brutal review of the Wilson Maxx

Now these last few comments are what confuse me. What is "High end" audio. Is it a bunch of expensive products that lay some claim to fame? No wonder Best Buy and Circuit City thrive. Why not? Their stuff sounds as good to their customers as this stuff sounds to us "Golden ears." What makes us so special? If we are in pursuit of what sounds good then I'm getting off this bandwagon. Where does all the other attributes fit in. Why test if you are going for something that sounds good to the individual. Just go out and find something pleasing. It seems to me that it renders this whole thread a mute point other than the digs at reviewers. What do we need them for anyway? If we want something that sounds good to use no matter how technically incorrect, how inaccurate or whatever, then we can bypass all this nonsense. What difference does it make if its got a 1st order, 2cd or 95th crossover. If it sounds good, it's justified even if it costs $40k. Is doesn't matter how it's built, right?
So, in closing, manufacturers should give up all this fancy crap and just make products that sound good. Quit spending so much on R&D and listen more. Come up with that silky smooth, bold sound that overwhelms the listener. Who cares if it's plus or minus 10db over the midrange. You really don't even need to test it. That doesn't matter, it sounds good!

I'm still entertained!

Only thing is, this sounds way too much like freedom of speech here fellows... considering the current administration.

Cheers!

Yeah it's been quite funny and entertaining.The Agon staff must not be a fan of Wilson either. Normally threads like this don't last long around here.LOL
I'm not going to dawg out the Wilson speakers. But I must agree a speaker used as a reference that cost this much should measure well also.. nuff said.

Trick or Treat!

Hey Karmapolice,
Yes everyone is entitled to enjoy music as they see fit and yes Wilsons are used in lots of setups. My only point is that they have attained status because of their price and because of their particular controversial colorations. A budy who is a highend retailer(> 30yrs) has a sideline of cloning speakers. After pulling apart Wilson WP's I can tell you that they are kit speakers being sold at a very high markup.( yes I know they aren't max2's but Wilson continues to use kits) So,does this matter ? I think it does. Consider almost any other purchase of yours. Would you be comfortable paying $700,000 for a $200,000 house ? How about $1800 for a suit that is not made as well as a $800 suit ? Most people shop with an idea of fair value. In the case of audio equipment this means a retail to cost ratio of about 5/1. Where luxury items (cost no object)vary from this is that there is an assumption that the most expensive is the best and people are willing to pay for this luxury. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Certain "manufacturers" take advantage of this fact and price accordingly.If you like the sound,fine. Who could argue with that ? I think its "dumb" to pay these manufacturers anything when they are clearly taking advantage of your need to own "the best" by selling at multiples of 5/1.

I am a big fan of Thiel and Meadowlark, owning a pair of CS6s and Kestrel 2s, and though I believe I hear and enjoy the benefits of time and phase coherent speakers I ave to tell you folks about an experience that still qualifies as the best I've yet heard in playback.

It was at the 1998 Son et Image show in Montreal, Quebec and the equipment was Watt/Puppy 5 (?) powered by Classe Omega monoblocks and a Levinson preamp and CDP. It was a big band CD and when my girlfriend and I sat on the floor to listen (because the room was packed) we both swore that it was a live band in the room. That is the only time I have ever had that experience save for the real thing.

So, hey Dave Wilson at least got it right that time in that room in that configuration. Can I get it with my system? Perhaps if I spent more time with it.

I am not a fan of Wilson's speakers, but hey guys and gals, let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater.