2. speakers
  3. 137307-113867

Wilson Audio Sabrina . . . I'm smitten. Should I consider others?

Went on a small audition trek last week and heard the following:

Tekton Double Impact SE (I was curious based on the posts/comments)
Magico S1 MKII
Magico S3 MKII
Devore Fidelity Orangutan 0/96
Wilson Audio Sabrina

The Wilson Sabrinas were not initially on my list, but when I stumbled across them while searching for Focal Sopra 2s, I couldn't resist.  The Sabrinas were very impressive.  In fact, after hearing the Magico S1 and S3, I went back to hear the Sabrinas a second time to confirm what I had heard.  They were initially driven by the ARC Ref6 preamp and the new ARC $30K monoblocks, but the second trip I asked if they could be driven by more economical equipment, so they used the LS28 and VT80.  The source was the dCS Rossini both times.  Because there was no A/B comparison of equipment, I really didn't notice any drop off in performance.  

The Sabrina's price point is my upper end, but I'd like to achieve a no stone unturned level of search/comfort before I pull the trigger.  Most brands are not easily accessible in Kansas City, but I'm willing to make the effort if justified.  Are there any other loudspeakers I should consider in this range?  I listen mostly to older rock, blues, jazz, and female vocals  Streaming with something like an  Aurender A10 will be my primary source.  My goal is to decide on the loudspeakers for this system, and work backwards into the components.  That'll be a future question.  Appreciate your time and help.
kcpellethead
divertiti
225 posts
 
@kcpellethead As the other two posters, I am interested in your impressions of the Tekton DIs vs. the Sabrina.

Seems like you are taking this decision pretty seriously and weighing all your options as you should. You might be interested in hearing other highly regarded speakers such as: Revel Salon 2, B&W 803 D3, Dynaudio Confidence C4, and GE Triton Refs
danzspkrman's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
danzspkrman
72 posts
 
Interesting you chose the Magico S1, and S3. Both outstanding designs, but DO consider the A3 if you care for that voicing at all. I too really like the Sabrina. But wound up taking delivery on the A3. The A3 sells for quite abit less and has all of the beauty of the Sabrina IMHO. Either investment will be worth your while depending on room sizes, equipment upstream, and listening preferences. 7k will but quite a bit of software, or records.
ejr1953
912 posts
 
I took a year or so, visiting all sorts of audio shops in my search for a new pair of speakers.

On one visit, before my listening, the salesman asked me of I preferred "analytic" or "musical" speakers, interesting way to put it.  I thought for a moment and said I prefer "musical".  Before auditioning a pair of Magico S5's he called them "analytic".  I suspect the Wilson's would also be considered "analytic" by most.
kcpellethead OP
137 posts
 
Several have asked about the Tekton Double Impact SE and while I don't feel qualified to answer this in the appropriate way, I'll just do what I can . . . . . I had a lot of anticipation to hear them, so I heard them first.  They were paired with equipment that was moderately priced compared to the equipment used in the Magico, Wilson Audio, and even Devore Fidelity auditions.  Even before hearing the other brands, the Tektons did not impress me more than my GoldenEar Triton Ones.  The seemed a bit flat or two dimensional.  They lacked something, but I cannot truly put my finger on what it was.  In summary, they just weren't my taste.  

I can see where someone might say the Magicos are analytical, but I'd say the Wilson Sabrinas are musical.  I just drove 3 hours each way today to hear them again, in a different room, with different equipment, and so wanted them to sound different/worse, but they didn't.  I have one more audition, the Vandersteen Quattro CTs again early next week.  I don't want to be predisposed, but it's going to be really hard.

I can't say this enough. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to respond here.  Your answers are all part of my learning process.
prof
3,473 posts
 
@kcpellethead

You haven't mentioned yet:   What did you think of your audition of the Devore speakers?

It's been a while since I heard the Magico S3, but having auditioned a bunch of speakers lately I personally preferred the Devore 0/96 and 0/93 to the Magico A3.   (I found the Devore speakers richer sounding, yet very open and transparent on top, with an even more convincing presentation for drums than the A3).


More to discover