OK WILSON OWNERS. HERE IS YOUR CHALLENGE


It seems thay many of us (including myself) have been a little too caught up in personal attacks/defenses of Wilson speakers. What we really need is an honest first hand assesment of WP 7,Max2,X2 vs high end alternative selling for less-much less. So here is my challenge : I will haul my Wilson Benesch Chimeras ( 20k plain,24k as finished in burled walnut) a reasonable distance from my home near Atlanta to hook up to YOUR system in YOUR room to compare to YOUR wp7,max,x2's. Only caveat is my speakers are less efficient (88 db) so have lots of power for fair comparison. Comparison is for: accuracy , musicality, enjoyment,value and anything else YOU want. Just be willing to be HONEST in your assesment. You have MY word that I will admit it on this forum if I am wrong and will bow down to Wilson if they earn my respect in direct comparison to my beloved WB's. I believe that even in a system optimized for Wilsons you will the beauty of a high end less costly alternative. - Jim
aldavis
Yes, khrys, tounge FIRMLY in cheek. It was late last night when I was reading through the forums and the 'challenge' just struck me as funny in an adolescent way (no offense AlDavis - sorry about that).

I'm sure the Chimeras are very good speakers, I haven't heard a Benesch speaker, but everything I've read and 'heard' from talking, emails, internet discussions, etc. from people's whose ears I trust indicates that they are very nice. AlDavis, I'm sure your speakers are very enjoyable to you, that's great; your pride of ownership and enjoyment of music through them comes through in your comments and challenge. Sorry if I was jesting and jabbing at what I'm sure is a well intentioned challenge - I know how it is to want to get folks in front of what you're hearing, - almost the lifetime cave - dweller has finally gone outside and witnessed sunshine - and tries to tell everyone back in the cave what it's like, sadly on 'deaf ears' to no avail most of the time. I'd love to be able to listen to your Chimeras, but alas am a long way from you.

khrs - I HAVE heard the WPs, although its been a while. And I was definitely impressed. Drooling for a pair at a reasonable (to me) price.
I KNOW they KICK SERIOUS ASS, man! ;-) And play music beautifully as well.

I currenly own Northcreek Revelator Rythms - which are nice, but not up to the level of either the Chimeras or the WP7, but cost about 1/7 as much too, so go figure. I've got 4 kids so other priorities compete for the dollars right now. Both of you guys have for what to me right now are 'dream speakers', though I've heard some line arrays that are altogether different than both and equally impressive in their own way.

Enjoy gentlemen..

By the way, I've just joined here... who is Vince McMahon? Sounds like a quarterback.
"I don't casually let _anyone_ I don't know over for just a listen to my system, much less some internet yokel that wants to invite himself and his speakers over for an agenda driven comparison."

Hi Samuel

I too am a Wilson owner--have been for the past 12 years in which time I have owned the WP 5.1, WP6, MAXX l's, X-1 Series 3 and now the X-2 Alexandria. I also presently have the XS as well as the WATCH center, surround and rear in my system. Personally I wouldn't own any other speaker because the Wilson's light up my ears. Having said that however I must tell you that I have met the finest people by inviting "internet yokels" into my house to hear my system. Most have become members of our local Bay Area Audio Society. Audiophiles are good people and only share the love of music. It comes in all flavors and we must be conciliatory to everyone and their own flavors. This is a very diverse hobby. Nothing is perfect. If our friend wants to travel to the SF Bay area with his speakers I would only be too happy for the challenge of putting his speakers up against my X-2 Alexandrias. Audiophiles IMO are just fine to open your house to and extend an invitation for some serious listening. I guaranty some good friendships will develop
OK fellas you win. Samuel, yes it would be duanting but I volunteered to do the work at my own time/ expense. Why Wilsons ? I think this was clearly answered somewhere above but here goes again. Many nonprodutive flame wars have been started here over the subject of the Wilson "sound" and the concept of "value" in audio. I tried to start an empiric approach by offering my time and equipment without the common childish name calling (yocal) or character besmirthment (troll) that this subject so often engenders. On one similar thread I was told to move to Canada as my sentiments about value were somehow anticapitalistic. In fact I was expresing thoughts about real world concepts with what I thought were mature adults. It is not about my WB speakers per se but any high end well built speaker ( 20 T's for instance) in comparison to the Wilsons at multiples of their prices. Yes I regret the use of capitals in my opening remark but I regret much more the lack of civility,maturity, and any sense of real curiosity about a subject which so many of you have opinions about. Well you know what they say about opinions. - Jim
Nice ideal aldavis. I'd love to help, but fear dragging your kit to the UK a bit far. I wish you luck in your venture and look forward to your results. I am genuinely interested.
Oneobgyn, I could not agree with you more. I have found inviting audiophiles into my home to be hugely satisfying; meeting interesting people and picking up some great tips for music I might not have have otherwise considered. I'm in SoCal but travel to the City frequently and would love to hear your system. You'd be preaching to the choir of course.

Jim, I think I have been civil and mature with my posts to you and I am genuinely curious as to what exactly you think "accuracy" sounds like in speakers. Maybe grist for another thread?