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Auditioned Wilson Sabrina X vs B&W 803D4 and Shocked

I recently auditioned the Wilsons vs. B&Ws and am a little befuddled. I had money in hand and was ready to purchase the Wilsons, but after reading the stellar reviews of the Sabrina Xs, I didn't think anything could compare in that price range. The source equipment was the McIntosh MC611s and the MC12000, which closely replicated my equipment. 

It was not even a close comparison; the B&Ws were clearly better in every aspect. The midrange was glorious, the highs were crisp, and the bass filled the room. The Wilsons were anemic with bass (roughly 14'x16'). The midrange was clinical, and the highs were nothing to write home about. I'm perplexed because Sabrina's bass output (per the reviews) belies its driver size. We even experimented with the 4 and 8-ohm outputs on the Macs.

Has anyone experienced something similar, or am I missing something (synergy, cabling, etc.)? I really wanted to love the Wilsons, but at $20K, I am not impressed. I know the B&Ws are $5K more, but I heard that Wilson is doing a price increase for 2025, which will level the price gap. I would love to hear about some experiences involving both brands or the discrepancies I heard in the presentations.  

128x128jeffreyw
overthemoon
425 posts
 

Trust your ears!  Wilson makes great speakers and I don't many of their models to other brands (I do think the new Watt Puppys are incredible but they are also almost $40k).

The amplification does have an impact on the sound - if you don't own Mc I wouldn't use Mc amplification as a proxy.  I've owned Mcs and they were very enjoyable to me - there is a house sound and I think that house sound matches B&W very well.  

12many
277 posts
 

I agree that the amps probably helped, however, I listened to a pair of B&W bookshelf's this weekend and was impressed.  Still voiced a bit higher than I prefer, but nothing annoying or wrong.  Clear with an engaging mid-range.  

richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
204 posts
 

If you want British done well, you could do worse than hop across the county border from Sussex to Kent, to the old Kent Engineering and Foundry where KEF speakers are designed.  If you are technical, read the 40-page White Paper on the Reference Series.  This is science in practice.

B&W are great at finishing cabinets, but personally I have never heard B&W speakers I really like, though I have yet to hear the Nautilus!

soix
9,625 posts
 

I got to compare the B&W 805 D3 to the original Joseph Audio Pulsars, and to my ears the Pulsars were superior across the board.  Better imaging and more 3D soundstage, tonality, bass, treble, and overall just more musical without sacrificing air/detail along with a better disappearing act.  The 805s just sounded less accomplished and clinical by comparison — but again that’s my ears.  All this to say if you can hear the JA Perspective 2s somewhere it’d be well worth your while.  FWIW, and best of luck. 

krell303
40 posts
 

I have tried both B&W 805 D3 and Wilson Sabrina X. Ended up with Revel Ultima Salon 2 and cannot be more happy listening to jazz, art rock, ang large scale classical music. My amps are McIntosh MC452 and Parasound JC 1+.

 

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