So, I listened to a $1Million Dollar System
So, I listened to a $1Million dollar system.
A somewhat local dealer had an event that showcased the Dan D’Agostino Relentless Epic mono block amps, Relentless Preamplifier, Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX speakers and subsonic subwoofer. Along with the Transparent cabling, HRS stands, DCS Dac and other accessories I estimate the total cost to be over $1Miilion.
I was able to sit in the front row center. The speakers estimated to weigh over 700 lbs. were toed in quite a bit towards the listener.
The demonstrator played a lot of obscure music that centered on some very deep bass. I must admit the bass was quite impressive.
Eventually (reluctantly) the demonstrator played a few tunes that I requested, and I was quite surprised.
With this million-dollar system the music sounded quite dull, the rep called it “mellow”, but to me it was dull. There was no life to the music, limited highs and zero music coming from the extreme left- right.
For instance, I use the Linda Ronstadt track “Blue Bayou” as a reference. Within this track at about the 40-60 second mark there is a mandolin that plays in the extreme left channel. On many systems that information is buried deep into the mix. However, systems with high resolution can play it clearly. Unfortunately, with this million-dollar system I could not even detect it.
So why is it? Can the Wilson speakers be adjusted in such a way as to accent the bass and attenuate the mid-treble? If so, why would they demonstrate that way? Were the speakers too toed in? Or was it because there were about 10 people in the room (btw, a large room) which muted some of the speaker’s energy? Whatever, I was NOT impressed.
ozzy
I understand and I agree with you. I've heard a lot of high dollar systems that are poorly positioned, in a crappy room that sound like crap and easily bested by a mid level system placed right and a proper room. It's a bummer you had a bad experience, Wilson speakers sound wonderful when done properly and I am grateful I was able to meet Dave Wilson.
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@ozzy +1, brilliant! I notice we both use an ADD-POWR product, I am using a QRT Octave (QRT was previous iteration of ADD-POWR before Bill selling it to Nordost) and you are using the Sorcer. |
I find that too much toe in reduces seperation or imaging effect in my room. I find I need the speaker more straight toward me with slight inward slant to allow the sound to hit the side wall and reflect back to me from the side. I wish I could recall the song, but I was listening this weekend and I literally had to look to the side to see if someone was to the side of me making noise. I was surprised by the imaging I got. |
12many, Yes, I have my speakers with a very slight toe in. I guess with extreme toe in it produces more depth but at the expense of the soundstage. I still don’t understand the lack of upper frequencies with the demo. I always thought Wilson speakers were actually tipped up in the high frequencies. Could it be the Dan D’Agostino Relentless Epic mono blocks? Again, the presenter called it "mellow". ozzy |
