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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

128x128ozzy
ronboco
849 posts
 

I would also suggest to all the people who are dissing million dollar systems to listen to Mike Lavigne’s system and see if they think theirs sounds better. I have never heard his system but I’m quite sure it is amazing! 

ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,493 posts
 

I was expecting a $1Million dollar system to blow me away! And very surprised that it didn’t even come close. I doubt if I will ever get a chance to hear Mike Lavigne’s system, but it looks to be very nice, probably is impressive.

Now that I think of it, I also asked the presenter to play "Taxman" from the new Beatles Revolver. When he played it, he turned the volume way down and only played it for a few seconds. Hmmn.

ozzy

1971gto455ho's avatar
1971gto455ho
499 posts
 

It’s the price tag people are dissing. Value of the dollar is depressing, don’t care who makes it IMO it’s not worth a million dollars !! Try going 10 years back, buy some of the best…. Could you even realistically spend a million on a simple very high end two channel system back then ? And would todays million dollar system trash it ? Not likely, technology hasn’t advanced anywhere‘s near that degree. Heck you could buy 2 Genesis 1 speaker systems complete with adequate amps and associated material and still come in way under $1 million. Wilson CronoSonic speakers.. stupid name to boot ! Wait 3 years get em 75% off Lol

Cheers

shkong78's avatar
shkong78
1,485 posts
 

When I attended Pacicifc Audio Fest 2022, two big 1 M$ systems Genesis and Gebel sounds fine while Accaphela sounds fall short of optimal.

 

I do not intend to denigrate Accaphela which still sound decent and dynamic.

 

The point is that it is not easy to optimize big system in room in short time.

 

Your dealer must fail to optimize big Wilson.

 

Thomas

invalid
1,203 posts
 

Sounds like the dealer may have set the system up the way they liked it, mellow. I heard systems like this at Axpona sound terrible one year, and then sound great the next year.

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