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What Wilson to Buy?

I owned a pair of WP5.1's for many years. While there were many things I liked about them, ultimately I felt their upper midrange was simply to hot. Over the years I've moved more toward classical music. Massed strings were edgy on too many recordings. While perhaps the Wilson was simply revealing flaws that were embedded in the recording, I decided I needed something that didn't emphasize the flaws quite so much. In short, strings sounded much better on my old ESL-63's.

Now that I've sold the Wilson's I miss their dynamics, bass slam, soundstage and resolution. While I don't expect the newer Wilson's to make strings sound as sweet as my Quads did years ago, I was hoping they've improved enough where they aren't as ruthless as the 5.1's. Most of the reviews I've been reading of their newer models would indicate that Wilson has moved in this direction.

The two models I've been considering, used of course, are the WP8 and the Sophia 2. I might be able to swing the Sophia 3, but beyond that is out of my price range. I'd appreciate comments from Wilson owners. Particularly those that at one point owned 5.1's. Has the move from clinical to more musical been material? Can you listen to massed strings on the newer models at higher SPL's without ear bleed? I'd rather have sweeter string tone than a stronger low end, would the Sophia be a better fit for me than the WP8?
egrady
keithr
1,306 posts
 
well, the Sophia 3 has the same tweet and mid as the Sasha---just a bit less bass with the single 10" driver. definitely seems the value prospect in the line to me---Maxx3 is in a totally different league i'm sure.
rugyboogie
199 posts
 
Edgrady
Had the pleasure of listening to the Canadian debut of the new Wilson Sophia III here in Vancouver.
Very impressive for a speaker of it's size.
Dynamic at all listening levels, great portrayal of the sound
stage, and vocals that were very honest.
The fact that a mere 20 watts of either solid state or tube will drive this new Wilson is a real bonus.
Get the Sophia III.
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
Egrady, I've owned WP 6, WP 8 and now Maxx 3. I've heaard the 5.1's. I think sticking with the Wilson line up is critical given your objectives.

WP 8's used are great deal. I haven't heard the Sophia 3's yet, but have heard the wp8-sahsa and maxx 2-3 in detail so I can imagegine the gains on the sophia 3's.

One consideration here is dealer setup. If you have a good-great dealer, this makes buying new important. My dealer in Austin, TX makes all the diff in the world on setup.

The WP 8 has much more ease and relaxation vs your 5.1, but keeping all the resolution, dynamics, slam. It's a pretty big deal.

Your amplification might also decide which to go with, the Sohpia likely being a little more easy to drive. In the end, you won't go wrong here, I do think going to a WP8 is a major upgrade for you...it was for me from the 6.

Best of luck !
kkurtis
43 posts
 
A quick point of view. I've owned and loved 63's and have WP 7's. Both speakers sound different with tubes or ss. The 8's are "more" than the 7's of what you discribe looking for BUT the 7's with tubes are more "musical" than the 8's on ss (in general). I have used the 7's with a ML 23.5 and they sound fine. I use the 7's with Sonic Frontiers Power 2 and the result is fare more involving and for lack of a better word, "musical". This is a consistent opinion of the vast majority who have listened to my system. The tubes also give you the option of different power tubes ie 6550 vs KT88 or even the new supertube KT120. You can taylor the midrange sound to your preference. The WP's are not easy speakers to drive but good tube amps do make them come alive and avoid most of the clinical Wilson sound. The newer the Wilson, the less clinical the sound. The new Sasha's are a world away from earlier WP's. They would be the speaker that would most probably finally move me past missing what the 63's on tubes did best. Fortunately, I'm retired and no longer can afford to chase the fantasy or I'd be hard pressed to avoid the Sasha's. Only heard the Sophia's newest briefly but they even sounded wonderful on ss.

While there are many and vocal detractors to the old Wilson sound, most of us satisfied owners would qualify for a Wilson 12 Step group.

TRY TUBES before you decide.

Denny
rgs92
974 posts
 
Isn't that Focal Titanium tweeter the source of the edginess that I also found to be my old Watt Puppy 6's downfall?
(I actually loved the speakers except for that edgy, razzy, scratchy sound on strings and especially vocals.) I always wondered why Wilson never tried another tweeter type all these years and versions later. Really love that Wilson transparent bass...
I heard this scratchiness on WP8s at a show a year or 2 ago, so I know it's not just my system.
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