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Wilson Audio Sabrina . . . I'm smitten. Should I consider others?

Went on a small audition trek last week and heard the following:

Tekton Double Impact SE (I was curious based on the posts/comments)
Magico S1 MKII
Magico S3 MKII
Devore Fidelity Orangutan 0/96
Wilson Audio Sabrina

The Wilson Sabrinas were not initially on my list, but when I stumbled across them while searching for Focal Sopra 2s, I couldn't resist.  The Sabrinas were very impressive.  In fact, after hearing the Magico S1 and S3, I went back to hear the Sabrinas a second time to confirm what I had heard.  They were initially driven by the ARC Ref6 preamp and the new ARC $30K monoblocks, but the second trip I asked if they could be driven by more economical equipment, so they used the LS28 and VT80.  The source was the dCS Rossini both times.  Because there was no A/B comparison of equipment, I really didn't notice any drop off in performance.  

The Sabrina's price point is my upper end, but I'd like to achieve a no stone unturned level of search/comfort before I pull the trigger.  Most brands are not easily accessible in Kansas City, but I'm willing to make the effort if justified.  Are there any other loudspeakers I should consider in this range?  I listen mostly to older rock, blues, jazz, and female vocals  Streaming with something like an  Aurender A10 will be my primary source.  My goal is to decide on the loudspeakers for this system, and work backwards into the components.  That'll be a future question.  Appreciate your time and help.
kcpellethead
kcpellethead OP
137 posts
 
@jafant 

Nope.  I had to travel to hear almost everything.  I travel for work anyway.
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,737 posts
 
kcpellethead-
Yep,  I am hip.   Mention the dealers/retailers visited in your travels.
Happy Listening!
mcreyn
293 posts
 
My two cents:

1)  Speakers are very personal, there are speakers on your list I do not like, and some I love, but all of them are well regarded, so it really has to do with what you like best.  

2)  It is really, really, really hard to compare speakers from dealer to dealer.  Dealer showrooms all sound different, and in turn your room will make the speakers sound different.  I have used Magnepans for 20+ years.  I have heard them sound terrible in dealer rooms more times than good, and had I not heard them well set up, would have never tried them.  

3)  I am a big mail order person and like buying used.  You are in the situation where I think spending the extra money on a local dealer is well worth it.  It needs to be a dealer that is willing to help you setup and dial in your speakers, as well match equipment, and be able to provide demos in your house.  You are spending a lot, it should be optimized.  

4)  I would burn a CD with a variety of music you listen too, including poorly mixed music.  Use this for your demos for consistency.  It will also help you evaluate whether a potential speaker is livable with less than well recorded music.  
kcpellethead OP
137 posts
 
@mcreyn 

Great points.  I especially need to burn a CD as I've relied on a Tidal playlist and encountered two dealers that couldn't access Tidal when I went to audition.  

Which Maggies do you have now?
mcreyn
293 posts
 
I have 3.5s which I just had rebuilt, so older.  They work great with a Rythmik sub, but they really are a speaker people tend to love or hate.  Generally people who like Maggies like Vandersteens also.  I also found the new Revel F36 to sound really good (used a pair while my Maggies were being rebuilt).  The older Salons were also good sounding, haven’t heard the newer midline, but always like Kevin Vocks designs from when he was at Snell. 
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