Sophia 2/Magico V2 versus Sasha/Magico V3

Hce4, thank you so much for contributing to the thread. Your post was very helpful.

I think bass & palpability are the weak spots of the V2s. When I switch back to the Sophia 2's, the first thing that hits me is the character of the bass and the dynamics. The V2 *is* wooly by comparison, but not enough to keep me from enjoying it, especially with its overall coherence.

It took me a while to warm up to the V2s as I normally do prefer a more forward presentation. I like the Wilson house sound in this regard, and really prefer the dynamics on the Wilsons, but that being said, if I had to choose between the Sophia 2 and the V2 I now think I would prefer the V2. I can listen without fatigue - at any volume level, and feel I'm hearing more information - even though they are colored (I agree with you on this). Pop recordings that are etched and painful on the Wilsons are enjoyable on the Magicos. I really think the Wilsons have a upper mid 'hump' that, while exciting, hurts.

I am also curious about trying different amps. TAS' review of the V2s claimed they needed 250-300 watts to sing and my XA 100.5's aren't less than this.

I had ruled out the V3s because my dealer doesn't have a pair that I could audition in my room and I don't want to take a chance (different tweeter, too many 'meh' reviews compared to the V2s). I could easily imagine that the dedicated midrange would outperform the V2 and that the extra bass weight would go a long way, but for all I know there'd be too much bass for my room (14x25x8).

I still have very high hopes for the Sasha. We'll see what happens in the upcoming week. I'm hoping to get a home audition at some point.

Madfloyd, may I ask how do you set up your Sophia 2's and Magico V2's in your home? Do you put them next to each other or do you put one pair aside when you hear the other pair?

Initially I moved the Sophia 2's out of the room when I got the V2s, but as I still use the Sophia 2's for movies, I now keep them tucked in the front corners.

When I watch a movie, I move the V2s off to the sides.

Neither is ideal, but more of a pita than an adverse affect on performance.

Madfloyd,

Sorry to bring back a dead thread but I was curious if you ever made it out to hear the Sasha? If so what did you think of it?

I did. I've also heard the V3.

The Sasha is one heck of an impressive speaker in the right environment. I've heard it in 5 different setups, PLUS my own (had a home audition).

I've never heard such a dynamic speaker. It does well with pretty much every type of music, but is very system and room dependant. It overwhelmed my room unfortunately (14 x 25 x 7.5 sealed) and shook my entire house with it's subwoofer-like low frequency extension.

I loved the midrange resolution. Not so much 'lush' like, say, the magico, but more textured. Piano had weigh, sparkle and attack. However, in my system the very exteneded high frequencies were alaso a problem - sibilence was painful.

My room is still a challenge. I need more bass traps. I'm still thinking of ways I can make the Sasha work, they're that good.