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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
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,816 posts
 
Carey the Wilson and the Rockports are both excellent loudspeakers.

The new DAW do seem to sound way better than previous versions, we have never been big WIlson Fans, the DAW at Axpona in one room with ARC was a fantastic setup, the room was very long which really helped.

The Rockports were in a couple of room but all of these rooms were much smaller.

Previously felt that the Wilsons did not have the uber resolution that we tend to like. The Rockports do seem to have a bit more detail. Both speakers produce excellent bass with a bit more lower bass boom in the Wilsons.

The best speakers for the money at Axpona was the new Vimbergs from Tidal. They were amazing, huge sound stage. deep bass, totally three dimensional, the most realistic portrayal of a piano at the entire show was with the Vimbergs, to us they felt like a blend of the best of both of th3 Wilsons and the Rockports speakers you can also get them with a pure diamond tweeter, this is the world’s best high frequency transducer, smooth yet detailed.

Before I would purchase anything I would seek out a pair.

Tidal is known for extraordinary attention to detail and superb craftsmanship.

One interesting tidbit is Jeff Fritz from Sound stage moved from Rockport to the Tidal Vimbergs for his new listening room. 

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ


fleschler
2,020 posts
 
Audiotroy-Are the Vimbergs as easy to drive as a Lumenwhite Kyara or the powered Von Schweikert VR55K? Those are two speakers which I think could replace my Legacy Focus. My room size has decreased to 19’ X 15’ X 10’ net listening area with 17" thick, sound engineered walls/doors/no other openings for smooth bass reproduction down to 30 Hz. The Kyara and Von Schweikert larger speakers I heard were outstandingly great sounding. Are the Vimberg’s nearly as good for half the price?

Speakers I would not consider are B&Ws, Magicos or Wilsons. Power hogs to boot.
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,816 posts
 
Fleschler, an active speaker is always going to be easy to drive vs any conventional passive loudspeaker. 

The Vinberg sounded better than the Kyara at Axpona, and costs  less. it was hard to really gauge the Kyara at Axpona vs the Vimbergs because the rooms were so different but our experience with hearing Lumenwhite at various shows they sounded very good, but not as amazing sounding as the Vimbergs, the setup at Axpona with the Vimbergs was extraordinary. 

Other than the image height, the Vimbergs were the match of any of the really expensive loudspeakers at the show. 

Even though the Vimberg and Lumenwhites  are very similar loudspeakers in terms of drivers, totally different crossover designs and cabinet construction in terms of pricing the Vimbergs are less expensive and their are two different sized versions for different sized rooms. 

The  smaller Mimo at $29k would be ideal for your size room.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ







fleschler
2,020 posts
 
I read on the stereo-magazine issue 20 technical review that the Mino has a DC resistor at 4 ohms but is nearly ruler flat 5 to 7 ohm speaker at 89.4 db SPL. Looks easy to drive with a 130 w. tube monoblocks. Also, it is -3db at 37Hz.  My new audio room was built to maintain a 30Hz cycle flat, then dissipate below (the custom audio room is built to the highest standards for listening use only $175,000).    The Tonda has larger woofers and mid-woofer.   It is reportedly priced at $29,000  (the Mino at $23,000).  I suspect the Tonda would be a better fit.  I have no technical specs on it other than it is 1 db more efficient but 10% more difficult to drive at 3.7 ohm minimum.  Still, easy for my amps.   Have you heard the Von Schweikert V55K active?  If you have, how does it compare to the Vimbergs?  The Luminwhites are from a smaller company.  I would prefer a larger company's products in case a driver failed.   Thanks
gmercer
193 posts
 
Focal all day everyday.
The most important part of a speaker is the driver, and Focal drivers > Wilson drivers.
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