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Avalon Acoustics vs Wilson Audio

I would like to know how Avalon's sound compared to Wilson's. I heard that they have a similar sound, but just want to make sure from other peoples experience. I have heard, Sophia 3's, Sasha w/p, and the x2. I liked all 3 models. I haven't heard any Avalon's yet. I will definitely be looking to audition. Just thought I would ask for now.

My budget ($15k-$30k)is pretty broad for the sake of keeping an open mind. Realistically I'm thinking $20k'ish. That price is just for the pair of speakers mind you.

My current setup consists of Paradigm studio 60's v.5 (mains), cc-590 v.5 (center), studio 10's v.5 (rear's), Arcam avr-600. Primarily its an HT system, but I use it for music alot as well. It's a pretty good sounding system, but I've grown out of it for music. Its a superb setup for gaming and movies though. This is pretty much why I'm thinking of a dedicated 2ch setup.

Second option, is to upgrade my current system with better speakers. Use an outboard dac dedicated for music in conjunction with the avr-600. It would still be a 5ch system in the end though.

Any thoughts?
kazmann
vicdamone
850 posts
 
Trcnetmsncom, well said. I had listened to Eclipse and Eidolons in stores and shows for some time and they simply didn't, "hit me over the head," the way the Paradigm Studio 100s did.

I bought the Paradigms and began a merry-go-round of replacing electronics. I was fixed on the speaker and not the music. A few years later I tried the Studio 100 version 2. Thanks to a knowledgeable friends persistence I gave up on the Paradigms and purchase a pair of used Eidolons.

Within the first hour listening to the Eidolons at home this whole audio thing became very clear. Now after living with the Avalons I've only experienced a handful of speakers that sound correct to me.
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
The thing I noticed with Wilson Audio speakers is that most of this people had a lot of acoustic problems. Even with very musical amps classical music did not sound as it should be. Depth is ok, but there are enough speakers which do this better. I sold Avalon for about 6 years. I prefer them over Wilson Audio. But I am still not convinced about it. The stage is deep and wide, but instruments and voices are smaller and more sharper focussed in real than wenn I hear it at Avalon speakers. For realism in sound for classical music I prefer B&W 800,801 and 802 and the top od Sonus Faber. These speakers are not perfect either and have the limitations to be poor in depth.
lotus340r
32 posts
 
Wilsons, very good hifi
Avalon, music/emotion
802D, bad hifi

YMMV !

I also agree that avalons (save the new compass) do not do rock yet wilsons can fatigue with rock !
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
In 2009 I had the chanche to listen to the Wilson Audio Alexandria 2 with my own music for 1,5 hours. It was with Ayre's most expensive power amps/pre, most expensive Transpanrent cables and the most expensive Wadia. I thought I will start with Nils Lofgren Acoustic Live. He was toooooo big. His head was far over 1 metre. Speakers were about 3m from eachother. Sorry, wenn you do a demo like this I never will take you serious. 2nd number: light my fire from jacintha is her name. The cross flute on the left side was at the same line of Jacinha her voice. It is recorded a few metres behind her voice. Wenn a system of this price is not able to let you hear depth I also will not take it seriously.
hal123
17 posts
 
As an owner of sophia 3, I audiotoned Avalons eidolon visions with a ceramic drivers..man highs and mids are quite impressive but lows with this drivers seems that it doesnt integrate well maybe it was my concern...I completly agree with others that avalon and wilson are quite different in every term, as I felt that one user describe as having both and I feel completely as same if I had a space I will buy avalons and run them as my mood goes..aynhow if you have concerns on lows I would not recommend them highly but again avalons have a musical texture that is bold and expressive...
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