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Wilson Audio- The rest of the story

The rest of the story:
06-05-10 I posted my Wilson Sophia II right speaker had developed a razor thin crack in the cabinet between the top and bottom portion of the speaker. There was much debate within myself as to what course to take. My first option was to return the Sophia II’s and have the cabinets rebuilt with the same drivers. My second option was to return the Sophia II’s and pay additional money for the new Sophia III’s. I decided to return the Sophia II’s and I am now the proud owner of Sophia III’s.
Although originally disappointed with the development of the razor thin crack in the Sophia II, this experience has reinforced why I believe in Wilson Audio. My dealer and Wilson Audio have been above reproach during this whole ordeal. Wilson Audio arranged for the Sophia II’s to be picked-up and returned free of charge. The Sophia III’s were shipped 1 day early. There has been much debate over the cost of Wilson Speakers relative to their performance. I am not rich and it has taken me over 20 years as a music lover to get to this point. Lots of selling, trading, and saving to own Sophia III’s. I love the Wilson sound: the clarity, the pinpoint/life like imaging, and no other speaker I know of has the Wilson dynamics. With proper matching of equipment, the Sophia’s are simply magic to my ears (and my wife). The great news for me is the service matches the quality of the sound. I realize from my own experience and submit that we purchase high-end products for several reasons: sound quality, pride of ownership, expectation of outstanding customer service. Wilson Audio and my dealer has exceeded my expectations of what high-end should be! I’ve only had them for a couple of days, but here are my initials impressions.
Bass- tighter and significantly more impact
Mids- slight haze has been removed
Tweeter- too soon to tell
Overall I can’t see any current Sophia II owner not being extremely satisfied if they upgrade to the Sophia III’s. More to come as they break-in!
My system: Densen B-350 mono-amps, Densen B-250 preamp, Rega Apollo CD player, Kimber Hero interconnect, Clear Day double shotgun speaker cable.
ricred1
bjbcab
131 posts
 
Ricred1-- congratulations on your purchase and it is nice to hear of companies doing things the right way.

I had similar experience last year when I purchased my w/p 8. Wilson told me they were replacing with Sasha. This was in feb or march. Offered w/p8 at lower price with option to buy sasha for diff. Wilson would pick up all shipping and the dealer had to instal twice. BTW my dealer is same as jfrec.
kschiu
73 posts
 
leaving Price/performance aside, how much it costs to make is irrelevant, IMO. It's how much the average 2nd hand selling price that matters.
weseixas
519 posts
 
Ricred1,

Congrats on you new Sophia 3, great to hear that Wilson stood by their product and made it right for you...

regards,
squidly
9 posts
 
I coundn't agree with many of the comments about people being ignorant about Wilson speakers. Absolutely ZERO of my friends have any idea what speakers I own, or god forgive have any idea what they cost. I would think there are very few audio fans who buy expensive gear to impress others, talk about a shallow point of view. I listen to my system 99% of the time ALONE. I do get a kick when one of my friends drops by and is blown away by the sound, however. THey of course just think the sound is the speakers, not the whole system. It's always, "wow...those are the best speaker I have ever heard!" (and they know they are expensive, but in their minds it's like 2k expensive). The last thing I want them to know is that I spent a pile of money on them. Non audio folks are not impressed, generally, by audio addicts and how foolishly in their minds we spend money...why on earth would I adverstise, what I know they would think is foolish behavior? I buy my equipment for myself.
ricred1 OP
2,050 posts
 
It’s been a couple of weeks and I’m amazed with the Sophia IIIs. Instead of using audiophile terms, let me sum the differences between the Sophia II’s and III’s. The III’s are just more musical! To me there are no better words to explain the differences between Sophia II’s and III’s.
Has any other Sophia I or II owners compared them to the Sophia III’s? If so, I’m curious as to what your impressions are?
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