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Speaker upgrade question - Wilson vs Focal

Hey audiogoners!

Thinking of upgrading and need the community/expert input.

Thinking of upgrading from a set of usher mini ones that I've had and loved for a few years.

I listened to a bunch of speakers, Focus Audio, Martin Logan, B&w, higher end ushers, Wilson audio, and Focal.

The ones I liked the most were the Wilson Audio Sasha DAW and the Focal Sopra 3. 

Loved the forward and detailed instrumentation on the Wilson's, especially the Sasha DAW, but liked the vocals slightly better on the sopras, though instrumentation on them was not as crisp as on Wilson's. But the two are very close.

Music is mostly jazz, classical, light rock, electronic and occasionally symphonic metal / European metal (night wish, sonata Arctica, dream theater). Mostly jazz though, vocal and instrumental. 

Trying to decide between getting the Wilson audio yvette, ( Sasha is too expensive and Sabrina's don't deliver enough) and Focal Sopra 3. Though I can wait a few years and get the Sasha then second hand.

I won't be considering other brands since I already did that research run around. These two brands work best for me and synergize well with my inwall home theater speakers (origin d87s).

I will be powering them using a McIntosh mc452 /C2600 for 2 channel, mostly LPs (McIntosh mt10) and tidal streaming and a anthem 1120 for home theater. 

What you guys think? Go for the Yvettes, wait for the Sasha's or go for the focals? 

Thanks.


128x128mepstein10
mepstein10's avatar
mepstein10 OP
19 posts
 
I compared the Focal Scala to Wilson Sasha back to back with the same electronics and room and preferred the the Wilson Sasha.  The Focal was too forward and in my face.  Actually got a headache within 30 minutes every time I tried over a few days.  I tried repositioning and tried to like them but failed.  I kept the Wilson Sasha which is laid back , dynamic , visceral and does bass with impact together with natural mids and tops.  I haven’t heard the Focals and Wilson’s you refer to. Hope this helps

That's what I liked about the Wilson's as well, the natural sound and slightly more relaxed approach. 


Might want to consider looking at some of the previous generation big Wilsons, which are probably a tad less in the used market than the DAWs. Maxx3, or even Grand Slamm if you came across them. The drivers for the Sasha were taken from the Maxx3......

Hi go for wilson sasha's mk 2, great speakers, i have a pair, i have seen them go for £17000, great bargain great sound,


I have been thinking that, but honestly, the changes they made to the Sasha DAW compared to the Sasha 2 is pretty substantial.   


mepstein10's avatar
mepstein10 OP
19 posts
 
Thanks for all the help. I found a great set of Sasha Daws for an amazing deal so I went with that.
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,820 posts
 

enjoy the new Daw they are the best Wilsons we have heard in a long time. What will you be using for the rest of the system?


Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ
mepstein10's avatar
mepstein10 OP
19 posts
 
enjoy the new Daw they are the best Wilsons we have heard in a long time. What will you be using for the rest of the system?

McIntosh mc 452 for power
Preamp McIntosh c2600

Sources -
1) McIntosh mt10 with clearaudio talisman v2 cartridge
2) Sony Hapz1es with modwright truth mod 
3) McIntosh t450 transport
4) Allo one signature for tidal ( to be replaced by lumin or ayrender later)

I mostly use the turntable.

gphill's avatar
gphill
130 posts
 
 A couple of years ago I was shopping for speakers and found myself at Paragon sight and sound and managed to listen to three sets of the smaller Wilson speakers all powered by Mac gear. I thought they all sounded very good. I didn’t like the B&W’s, the Sonus Faber’s I heard we’re pretty nice too. The best I heard we’re the Wilson Alexia 2’s with the D’Agostini amps and other very high end gear and cables in a great room. My budget was around 10k and I ended up buying Aerial 7t’s, because of the price, the sound and the look.
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