Does the WATT/Puppy 8 image as well as the 7?

I learned a lot about my aesthetic priorities by comparing the 7s and 8s. Heard side by side on the same equipment, which included separate, expensive tube and solid state rigs, there was not a single sonic attribute for which the 8s did not outperform the 7s. Bass extension, treble smoothness, dynamic contrasts, midrange linearity, etc. were all somewhat to very much superior in the 8s than the 7s. However, much to my astonishment, I always found music more compellingly presented through the 7s than the 8s. This was as true for recordings of symphonic recordings at full tilt as recordings of solo piano, guitar or voice. Music through the 7s easily elicited an emotional rush that I did not experience as easily with the 8s. The sound of the 8s was definitely more accomplished but, perhaps more sterile. However, I can definitely envision someone having precisely the opposite opinion. Regardless, the 7s and 8s remain among the very best speakers that I have ever heard.

this is a very interesting discussion and one that supports my belief that the watt puppy is the benchmark. it seems to be what every speaker is compared to and many mirror in technical and physical design. wilson simply builds the best speaker in the world. i have 7's and think at the moment, (they are my fave) a steal at the current used prices. 6's too, not a huge difference. there is no more powerful, emotionally and physically, speaker that can match what they do. and once set up, the imaging is like magic. there surely are more accurate, thiel for example which i love, but none as emotional...

just thought i would jump in, i was inspired!

after hearing sonus fabers and eggleston andra's, i personally lost interest in wilson audio's quest to make "the best speakers in the world". one of the absolutely best MADE, no question. but sound-wise, while they are incredibly resolving,
they are perhaps some of the most analytical speakers out there (recall the WP-5's, the X-1's, or the cubs). UNLESS OF COURSE you can fork out whatever a pair of Alexandrias is going for these days. 'cause once you hear THEM you'll "understand" just how crazy-smart d.wilson is. luckily for years now other manufacturer's/designers are on to this marketing scheme and have some of their own amazing SOUNDING speakers to offer (and many for alot less money- like perhaps the new Revel Salons).

Well I just bought the Puppy 8 and have also had the Puppy 5,6,7 and I think the 8 beats the 7 in every aspect. The tweeter is also a little bit less "hot" than the 7 so this is an advantage to me. It is close to the Sasha.

My local Wilson dealer really knows how to set them up and get the best from them. I've heard them from the W/P 6s to the Sashas. Each iteration was an improvement; all had good imaging, but the Sasha was a bigger, more comprehensive leap.

Besides meticulous setup and placement, this dealer has really, really good upstream components--matched sets of D'Agostino, ARC, Ayre, VTL, etc. connected by top line Transparent cable. Wilsons are highly resolving; you gotta feed'em right.

The D'Agostino Momentum monoblocks feeding the Sasha W/Ps was sublime.