speaker synergy and halo jc-1's

Thanks for the advice, Perfectionist. I have been reading on this forum as well as others, that the jc-1's need serious break in time- my dealer is going to run them in for me when they initially arrive. I'll move them over to my place when my sound room/living room is finished with renovations. Between the two of us, we should have 1500 hours of break in before I start critically listening. I am going to try to get the SR and JR's for an in home audition, and my local dealer will try to get a pair of Sophia's as well for me to try. I'd say this will probably be in mid Sept. and I'll let you know how it goes.
Jfz- I'd like to try out the Merlin's, but no local dealer. Haven't heard of the Cerious speakers- I'll do a web search for them.
Thanks

If you like Electronic type music the Sophia have laser imaging (Merlin's are suppose to have this similar quality) and super fast attack/decay which the VR (basically most conventional speakers) as good as they are can't compete with, this is an electrostatic quality but with more dynamics. With that being said the VR provide more lower mid boom, and you won't need a subwoofer. The VR provide a more fleshed out presentation.
The Sophia is more accurate in the details and control but still sounds similar to a really excellent monitor. The nice thing about the sophia is that it is really tolerant of a wide range of electronics versus WP7's and will work just fine with the JC-1's (but get a warmer preamp or use the audioaero direct). Or even a good integrated (Rowland, Bat,etc)
I have heard VR 4jr's with Naim, I've listened to the Perfectionist system (talk about bass hits!) and my other friend has Sophia's (goten1969) powered by ARC VS55i integrated tube amp resulting in probably one of the most amazing soundstages I've heard. I own WP7's and I have heard the Sophias sound good on VTL, ARC, Rowland and I've heard them sound bad (to hot) on Classe and Levinson.

People either get the Wilson thing or they don't...

Cytocycle, thanks for your response. Since you have heard both the VR's and the Sophia's, maybe you could comment on which would be the one that is more tonally coherent, the one with which you could play all types of music and not get fatigued by listening for hours on end? I've just bought a few XRCD's and even listening on my little Linn Classik and 805 matrix system, I'm amazed at what I can hear, so I've been listening to all kinds of music . Basically I'm asking what will be a better "jack of all trades" speaker, one that I can live with for many years.
Also, do you mean to say that the Sophia's would require the use of a sub, because this will preclude me from buying them.
It's funny you mention using the audio aero direct because I recently spoke to Johnathan Tinn (thanks for your advice, John) at Chambers Audio and that's exactly what he recommended except to use the system with VR4SR's. That system had been my original intent and I'm very tempted to go that way.
By the way I like your choice of colors for the Wilson's. You must be one of the Tifosi!
Cheers

Vargus: The Wilson's are a premium compared to the bargain VR's,but I feel that as a Wilson owner that I would not feel the need to switch speakers (which makes them a bargain in my eye). The Sophia's do not require a sub, but if you are looking for getting a speaker that includes a Sub (aka movies in a large room) the VR4 SE III or the VRSR would provide that. The other cool thing is the Wilson disappear in the room and can be put as close to the back wall using the WASP setup that wilson provides, so they don't overwhelm a smaller room and this was key for me. My room now is 12x16 and I've had them in a 10x12 room also (without the sub)
If you like the intimate sound of your 805's or any good monitor where you can really see into the music and the minute details of the presentation then you will appreciate the Wilson Sophia's. The Sophia speed and crossover integration are truely amazing and this is what I couldn't live with on the VR's. I could life with the Sophia's and less electronics ($) for a same total system cost and be happerier for longer. Keep in mind I'm a planar guy and I value speed and I use to play the upright bass and the wilson speakers are one of the few that.
You really have to bring your own music and listen to a properly setup (which is hard to find) set of wilson's to appreciate the character... moving them 1/4" is very noticable but that's why the dealer uncrates them and sets them up for you in you house!

Chris

Chris, I'm going to listen to the SR's and JR's on an all BAT system tomorrow and I'll let you know how it goes. A few weeks later I'll cross the border (to MI) to listen to the Sophia's- I think they're with a Krell system.
Now here's the thing- I can probably get the Sophia's cheaper or at the same price as the SR's. Now I'm not sure if you have heard them, but my VS dealer states the SR's compete with W/P 7's, and not the Sophia's. Is that an accurate statement? I know price will not affect my decision in the end- whatever I like best is what I'll get, but I do like getting value for my money. What are your thoughts on this?
The other thing you mentioned in your first post is that the VR's provide a more fleshed out presentation- are they "warmer" than the Sophia's? Are the Sophia's better suited to tube than SS amplification?
BTW, I was surfing around and saw you have a Guzzi- I'm a Duck owner. I have an '02 Monster S4 and I love it.
Cheers