Watkins Audio Generation Four Bookshelf Speakers ?

reference999, I have heard these new Watkins speakers and they are incredible. The factory currently has a two week home trial and if you decide they're not for you, you can ship them back at your expense. I have been using these speakers exclusively for about 18 months; they replaced a previous Watkins model that I had had for over 30 years.

reference999, these are without doubt the best sounding bookshelf 
speakers I've ever heard. I have had Watkins speakers for over 30 years and was involved in the manufacture of the WE-1 back in the early 80's. The new Generation 4 I have compared with Harbeth P3ESR and there is just no comparison; the Watkins is better by far. And those little Harbeths cost a couple hundred more!

bsmg....because my last name is Watkins and because I'm on the brink of buying the Harbeth P3's...I'm wondering if you can elaborate
on your comparison. I am not familiar w/ the Watkins line except
by name. The two week trial adds to my interest.I have auditioned
the P3 and liked them very much. I play B&W dm303's w/ B&W
asw 300 sub in 12x20 living room....McCormack DNA1 amp.
Hope you see this and thanks for any info

I just got mine. They are supposed to get better with break-in. Right now - super happy. Replacing Martin Logan XT35s which are fine. I have a hard time telling the difference between the overpriced stuff I buy. These are different. I had a physical reaction to them - I just smiled big like wow - I’m not sending these back. I am teased by friends I send stuff back often. Sure, you say you are great, the best I heard, and you are not - I send you back. I do not claim to be very experienced, although I do listen at Best Buy Magnolia (B&W, Ks, ML) and stay at nice hotels. These are keepers.

Somewhere around noon I turned off the REL T/7i sub.  I'm not sure if I like things better, but they are clearer, crisper and these don't really need a sub.

I use a REL T-5 but only because I had it before the Gen 4's. You are right; you don't need a sub with the Watkins but I typically use mine anyway with volume and crossover dials at 9 o clock position.

I to have a pair of Watkins Gen 4s, amazing speaker and Bill Jr is certainly a very professional and generous man with his time. I stop by his place of business ever so often, he always has time to talk music and equipment.

Bill emailed me a few months ago about a pair of WE-1s for sale, the gentleman has owned them for 37 years and in that time Bill Sr went through them and updated, also Bill Jr did the same about 2 years ago. Bill said they are mint inside and out and he game me the name and number of the gentleman selling them. After a call and a visit to his home I brought home the WE-1s. Everything ever said and reviewed about these speakers a true. I'm lucky to own a pair of the 230 built.

I tested and matched every resistor and capacitor and wound every coil in every WE-1 speaker to ensure a matched pair. But I don’t believe that 230 were built; if I recall it was considerably less than that. But it was a long time ago.