WILSON AUDIO/ cost vs. value


wilson ad; absolute sound;issue 162. page 12.... dave wilson states in his ad that wilson loudspeakers have one of the [ lowest ] profit margins in the industry. My question is should wilson make public their profit margin percentage's to back up their claims or is this more hyperbole from a high-end audio manufacturer...
aolmrd1241
It amazes me how these threads predictably run ad nauseum.

For me, my mantra has "ALWAYS" been....."let your ears and your wallet decide. It should be that simple. If someone is happy with an $800 DIY kit, I have no problem. However, why is it that the same people all too often try to inflict their economic beliefs that those on the other side are either wrong, arrogant, seeking status or etc, etc?

Bottom line is that there is no correct answer other than for each of us to do what lights up our ears and rocks our sonic boat. I have owned at least 25 different sets of speakers over the past 35 years. Over the last 10 years I have worked my way up the Wilson line from WP 5.1's,WP 6's, MAXX's, X-1 Series 3 and now the X-2's. I couldn't agree more with the comments as to their absurd price. However I have toured the Wilson factory in Provo and seen the workmanship as well as the quality control that goes into the production of a pair of these speakers. It takes at least 2 weeks to build and finish a pair. The quality control is exceptional and the customer service is secondary to none.The staff at Wilson audio are always receptive to a phone call to give advice as to one's concerns. I have also visited Dave Wilson's home to hear a demo between the X-1 and the X-2. That was in October 2003. Just when I felt that I had the perfect system, I knew after hearing the X-2's, my X-1's sounded broken.I have done this hobby for 35 years. It is what I enjoy after a busy day at the office. It is rest and relaxation.I ordered my speakers in November 2003 and had to wait until April 2004 to take delivery as only 2 pair per week go into production. The wait was worth it. For the installation my dealer flew 2 installers to my house to take down my X-1's,crate them up and arranged to ship them out. They spent 2 days at my house setting up the X-2's and fine tune the system. In the course of those two days, many phone calls were made to Wilson Audio to ensure the exact positioning of the upper modules. When they left I felt that everything I have strived for in audio over the previous 35 years had been reached. What other company in the speaker business provides this same degree of customer satisfaction? IMO there just isn't a better speaker in the market today than the X-2. Certainly there are many in this price range or even higher. It is curious to me how it is only Wilson Audio that always takes the beating for his high priced speakers. Dave is sincere in his passion and quest to bring audio nirvana to we audiophiles. He is an absolute gentleman. Was it expensive for me? Absolutely. Based on my mantra, that is my story. I am certain however that I will never buy another set of speakers. My journey is complete.
However, why is it that the same people all too often try to inflict their economic beliefs that those on the other side are either wrong, arrogant, seeking status or etc, etc?
Because we live in a culture where everyone desires financial success, and yet most are begrudging of those who have achieved it.
Boa2 "..everyone desires financial success, and most are begruding toward those who have achieved it".
First I'll say I do not have money, nad Katrina made that even worse (no job) and even if I did , that is have BIG $'s the wilson's would not even be on my list, not even a consideration. I do not see any unfair comments made by us "the poor and the dejected" towards wilson's speakers. Only saying what we know. When spaekers are the topic we should mention all the +'s/-'s of each line. I heard thE wilson's 5 yrs ago at a local shop in New Orleans, and frankly was not impressed in any way/shape/form. btw you do not see post much in the amp forum, beacuse everyone will have his particular taste and amps have a much greater range of characteristics. Ecah can pick and chose as he pleases. But when it comes to speakers then I'll have my opinion in this most critical component.
Are you buying the Wilson just because YOU can afford it? See that comment works both ways.
Bartokfan,
My comments were not directed specifically at anyone, nor am I buying Wilson speakers. Please read more carefully.
Bartokfan, I share your taste in music.

That you heard a Wilson speaker in a N.O showroom and disliked the sound is no surprise. Some dealer set ups of Wilson speakers are sub-optimal. Was it Wilson Audio (no relation) or Audio Resource where you heard the speakers? Can't recall which carries the line.

>>>btw you do not see post much in the amp forum, beacuse everyone will have his particular taste and amps have a much greater range of characteristics. Ecah can pick and chose as he pleases.<<<

Please tell me your kidding. I don't think I'm out on a limb in stating that speaker/room type/setup are _by far_ the greatest arbiters of the end result in sound quality in _any_ 2 ch. system.

Amp/speaker interface is a distant second--but that's a shortsighted analogy as all factors, source. pre, power, signal etc are important-- but speaker room/set-up are #1 with a bullet. Screw that up and nothing else matters.

I'm not saying Wilson should be for everyone, but it does strike me-- the number of people with negative things to say that have _no_ direct experience with the Wilson speakers other than stating "I heard it at a "dealer" or a "show" as if that constitutes valid opinion compared to in home audition.

I'm not a Wilson defender. I have enjoyed a great many speaker designs in my day and would never critisize others choices or imply anyone is a dupe or has more money than sense in their speaker choice, ---yet that is exactly what is occurring here, with posts inferring the choice of a Wilson speaker is status related--what absolute nonsense.

With so much business in speakers, electronics and cables going to China, Taiwan etc from the US, I'm surprised there's so little latitude given, by so many, for a US company that keeps everything in house. If anything, we should keep that in perspective. Do you have _any_ idea how much it costs for a US company to keep production stateside versus overseas? I do.

You want Chinese made product translated to speakers, keep it up and you'll have your wish.

Compromised Chinese made products at inflated US prices. Think I'm ill informed? I've got a set of faux US set of Chinese golf clubs to sell ya.

JMHO

Grant
Shunyata Research