WILSON AUDIO/ cost vs. value

Dgad,
They used all Audio Research components. They used a Reference 3 preamp, and from looking at the Audio Research site, the amps appear to have been the Reference 210 monoblocks. Sorry, I didn't find out what the other component models were. The cables were all Transparent. Perhaps someone has more details on the ancillary gear, or I'm sure you could write Wilson directly.

I switched TO Audience Au 24 cabling. For fear of being sued, I won't say what I had, and replaced. But the total cost of the old cables was over $10k. I can't believe I ever did that!

I also heard the Wilson demo at the HE 2006 show yesterday and it was fantastic - I give Dave Wilson a lot of credit for all he has acheived. Sure, he has succesfully turned his line into a "status symbol" with a great reputation for quality and service and also - great sound. Very well done demo by some guy who obviously knows a lot about music. They gave one of the best demos becasue they took control of the process, and used the demo to put their best points forward rather than letting people just wander around like most rooms.

There are plenty of mercedes type speakers - but mercedes are a dime a dozen here in LA - you want to turn heads, you bettter be driving a Spyker or MacLaren. Why not have an ultra luxury/ultra expensive line in speakers. I can't afford one - but I'm happy to cough up 20 bucks for the opportunity hear some of these greats.

I'd like to know why the WattPuppys weigh in at 700 pounds - my Josephs have 25 pounds of sand in the base and they are only 85 pounds total. Is mass loading all that important to the Wilson sound? Maybe I should stick lead shot instead of sand in my wilsons...

BTW - the most insane value at the show was Dr. Hsu's new bookshelf horn speaker for $250/pair!!! My other two favorites at the show were Joseph Audio ($3200) and MLB Radialstrahler ($46,000). More on that to come.

Gdoodle,

WP don't weigh 700 Lbs. Maybe shipping weight is that high but not the speakers.

Just to point out, the most important reason for the WP8 upgrade was that the EU's laws about lead meant the WP could no longer be sold starting next year since the speaker is damped w. lead. I would assume the lead helps w. magnetic shielding. My guess is new speakers are not shielded.

Also it appears that Wilson Upgrades their speakers more or less every 4 years. Correct me if I am wrong.

Woodburger,
I have tried the Audience Au 24 cables.They sound very dull and compressed on my systems.Actually I could not believe how contrived sounding these are.Obviously some people with very bright shouty systems or rooms must find they work.
Solid core copper lighting cable sounds much better to me.This costs about $1 per metre.It is smooth like the Audience but much more open,detailed and most of all neutral.
Mick Maloney of Supratek uses this too despite being given all sorts of cables to try.[including this Audience]
You are not the first or last person to be a victim of the Great Speaker Cable con[myself included]

JT