Wilson Sophia 2

How are the Sophias on vocals?
My old Watt Puppy 6s (Pass X350 amp, Accuphase DP75V and Meridian 508.24 cd players) often had vocals that were so astringent and etched they were unlistenable. Listening to the Beatles was impossible. Most classical was pretty good though, except for some piano recordings that sounded annoyingly "electric." ('loved that tight bass + deep soundstage, though.) Is this part of the Wilson sound, or have things improved in the intervening years?

On these boards we have all read what might be construed as "hate-mail" t'ward many mfr's,ranging from Krell/B&W/and certainly Wilson,included. Everybody has their favorite front end,cables and the like. Then we have listner's preferences_____ALL part of the hobby.I don't have your ears/ you don't have mine. Vocals that are etched ?____That I don't hear from ones or twos. I think tone of instrument (all instruments) and vocals go hand in hand.I have no loyalty to Wilson beyond my speakers.I would be unhappy as would just about all of us with etched vocals.---Jeez,get you some speakers--hold the "etched"--

Sorry, I did not mean to sound so negative or grouchy. I actually think that Wilsons (Watt Puppies, at least, I have not heard Sophias) have a wonderful sense of space and a bass that is perfectly integrated and natural, almost a bass to die for; that is why I bought them 6 years ago. My WPs probably deserved better cabling and more compatible upstream equipment, and I truthfully regretted letting them go without trying harder.

I was just making an specific inquiry on how the Sophias handle voices, as I feel some otherwise fine speakers somehow, to my ears, get them wrong. I had another post elsewhere noting that Apogees excelled on vocals, so that subject was on my mind. Just my 2-cents opinion from many years of listening. Thanks for writing about the Sophias.

Well I just came back from my audio dealer and had a great time auditioning some of the speakers mentioned. I had a chance to listen to the Wilson Sophia 1 against the Verity Audio Fidelio....I brought my wife also to give a second opinion. Well all I have to say is the Wilson Sophia was fantastic! I auditioned with a full Linn system and the Sophia was just great. It was fuller bodied than the Fidelio, great tight bass, vocals were smoother and just overall soundstage was better. I am sure the Fidelio is a fine speaker but in this case it just was a matter of preference and the Sophia just suited me better.

I had the B&W 802D at my house on demo and the Sophia was better IMO. One thing that struck me is that at lower listening levels the Sophia retained so much detail where as the B&W's really wanted to be cranked up to get their full potential. I thought the bass was tighter and cleaner on the Sophia compared to the 802D's.

All the speakers I have listened to have been great but really a matter of taste as to which one would suit an individual. I am no considering purchasing a new pair of Sophia 2's.....I just have to get the courage to plunk down the cash as this is probably my biggest audio investment. I will be spending this week thinking about it.
Thanks for all the comments and advice!