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Auditioned Wilson Sabrina X vs B&W 803D4 and Shocked

I recently auditioned the Wilsons vs. B&Ws and am a little befuddled. I had money in hand and was ready to purchase the Wilsons, but after reading the stellar reviews of the Sabrina Xs, I didn't think anything could compare in that price range. The source equipment was the McIntosh MC611s and the MC12000, which closely replicated my equipment. 

It was not even a close comparison; the B&Ws were clearly better in every aspect. The midrange was glorious, the highs were crisp, and the bass filled the room. The Wilsons were anemic with bass (roughly 14'x16'). The midrange was clinical, and the highs were nothing to write home about. I'm perplexed because Sabrina's bass output (per the reviews) belies its driver size. We even experimented with the 4 and 8-ohm outputs on the Macs.

Has anyone experienced something similar, or am I missing something (synergy, cabling, etc.)? I really wanted to love the Wilsons, but at $20K, I am not impressed. I know the B&Ws are $5K more, but I heard that Wilson is doing a price increase for 2025, which will level the price gap. I would love to hear about some experiences involving both brands or the discrepancies I heard in the presentations.  

128x128jeffreyw
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rauliruegas
13,101 posts
 

Dear @jeffreyw ;  I think that the Wilson ( I listened and listened the D3 not D4 B&W ) is not clinical and anemic it's that the B&W goes deeper in the bass and gives a little more " body " to the overall MUSIC presentation.

The other issue could be that the Sabrina just does not likes the Mackintosh auto-formers , me neither.

 

Both speakers designs are very good and each one needs to be mated with the " rigth " electronics and in a good treated room. The other issue is that each one of us have different MUSIC home targets in MUSIC reproduction.

 

TRegards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

james633
1,043 posts
 

The MAC needs to be on the 2 ohm tap for the wilson’s to be optimal but really should not matter.

I had the older 802D3 and the Sophia 3 in the same room/system for a direct comparison. On that day I liked the 802D3 better for similar reasons you mnetioned. But B&W can be hard to live with due to the peak in the mids and treble. They get fatiguing and harsh with some lesser music. I think I would enjoy the Wilson more longterm.

I have also heard the 803d2 and Sabrina, I think both needs subs and have some issues in their price range. There are better speakers out there for less money.

Wilson raising the price in 2025 lol… no thanks… I was once a wilson fan too but their prices are down right silly now for what is kind of average sound quality in their price range.

yesiam_a_pirate's avatar
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yesiam_a_pirate
204 posts
 

I suspect that the amp is the problem. Mac's "house sound" isn't a good match with the highly resolving Willies. 

It could also be speaker placement. Wilsons seem to come alive it the perfect placement- more so than others I've auditioned. 

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