Upgrading from Wilson Sophia 2's?

Your room is way to narrow for Avalon. I feel your pain with the Wilson speaker. Over time I felt the same thing with my WP8.

Given you room size you have options. Maggies have new speakers coming out so I would wait. Rockport makes a nice speaker but controlling the bass is not easy.

Any other speaker you listen too in that price range will not be as aggressive as the Wilsons.

BTW I'm a very happy Modwright transporter customer. That darn thing has me listening to music again and I never have to get off my butt.

I would say give Verity a listen you would be very surprised.

Can you give some examples of the recordings that end up sounding harsh?

I've heard the Sophias several times with a wide variety of material for extended periods in Brooks Berdan's listening rooms at his shop(and trade shows) and the two words that I would never, ever, attribute with those speakers are aggressive or fatiguing. If anything, his systems have always been on the forgiving side of the spectrum.

But, you have a top-notch system, so as few others have suggested, it might be more a factor of room interactions - or more correctly, room reflections causing the problems.

I have heard Watt Puppy's with Jadis tube gear and it was amazing. My friend had WP as well with all ss and I did not like it nearly as much (though pretty darn good but VERY fickle)

I know my experience is with the WP not Sophia 2 but I hope this helps - also fwiw I am a tube guy...

Thanks Dave,

It sounds like you have a lovely room, however my question was directed towards the OP! (LOL)

Sorry about the Confusion!

Regards,
Rich

dave- i think you have room issues. if your couch is against the rear wall, that is a telling sign.

the trees, canvas art, and drapes aren't really treatment. i am going through the same process myself, and i've given up on better components until the room is solved. i ended up hiring Rives...

cheers,

KeithR