A brutal review of the Wilson Maxx

Cdc

My advice is to write a letter to the editor of Stereophile in order to ask your questions and to get a response in the proper fashion

I am always interested how guys like G_m_c continue to stir up the pot

I would like to ask the so called "informed" here whether in their opinion other higher priced speakers such as Von Schweikert at $60K a pop contain $60K worth of parts? Or how about the Kharmas which at $85-$110K have that much in parts. Heck, IMO the Kharmas don't even have any bass, so what's the fuss about Wilson? I would take the Maxx ll over the VR9 or Kharma any day of the week. Oh and I wasn't sure that the dealer wasn't allowed to make some profit in this country. How much margin would people fathom there is in the MAXX ll or the VR 9. I would bet that there is more in the VR9 than in the Wilson. I have been to Provo and toured the factory and watched these speakers being produced, as well as also saw all of the man hours used to build these speakers. My X-2's took over 2 weeks to produce. Last I took note, a high end Mercedes, Porsche or BMW rolls off the production line in a matter of days. The quality control that goes into the production of any Wilson speaker is second to none. Heck, I will be the first to admit that there aren't $135K of parts in my X-2's. However I will draw a line in the sand when challenged by the so called naysayers here about Dave Wilson. He has done more for high end audio than any other speaker manufacturer. Perhaps we shouldn't factor in the years of R&D that he put into the production of his speakers as that is obviously worth nothing to you DIYrs. What I bought therefore was Dave's work effort. I feel that I bought the culmination of everything he has done heretofore--essentiallly Dave at the pinnacle of his work effort.
This is a flavor thing and I have said over and over, that when all is said and done it all boils down to our ears and our wallets...nothing more. Personally I have owned countless high end speakers over the years and for me and my tastes and listening enjoyment Wilson speakers are what stir my juices. The aforementioned Kharmas and VR9's are simply not "my" cup of tea at $60K, and IMO the MAXX ll at $45K is a far better buy. I read about how "a speaker gets out of the way of the music". I am still trying to understand what that means but I see it posted here time and again. Each of our purchases should only be about one person and that is "me" the buyer . All too often it seems that the incessant posts here on audiogon and other forums seem to be begging validation from the collective. I am probably evey bit as guilty. What are we trying to accomplish. IMO it gets down to more than pride of ownership but rather how "our" system becomes "us". We all need to get a life and start enjoying the music rather than bashing other people or manufacturers

The Hardesty "review" (if you can call it that is a joke. I laud John Giolas from Wilson Audio for having sent the E-mail to Hardesty. I know John as well as the rest of the staff at Wilson Audio. They are all first class gentlemen for whom I have great respect. John is perhaps the most soft spoken individual I have ever met so for him to send that e-mail puts him in my highest regard.

I will say again, for me, Dave Wilson has enriched my life with the love of music and I have no regrets for having bought and owned the WP 5.1, WP 6, Maxx l, X-1 and now X-2 as well as the XS and completes WATCH system. Personally I feel the MAXX ll is underpriced by some of the standards in speaker prices in the market today. Go ahead G_m_c bash away. I have drawn my line in the sand.

"i heard the x-1 before not but cup of tea , but i thought it sounds pretty good, is it the best spearke in the world, i don't know , ihaven't heard all the top speakers in the world."

I owned X-1's before I bought the X-2. I love the X-2 and almost certainly will never buy another speaker. Having said that however, had the MAXX ll been available before the X-2 I would have sold my X-1's and bought the MAXX as they are so much better at 1/2 the price.

Interesting thread

I for one own Wilson speakers and have moved up the chain having owned WP 5.1's, WP 6's, Maxx l's, X-1 Series lll and now X-2's (along with an XS and complete WATCH system)

I feel therefore I can speak with some degree of authority. There is simply no question that people love them or hate them but to bash Dave Wilson makes me feel that you guys are merely trying to say that your doniker is bigger than the that of the person who owns Wilson speakers.

I can tell you that with tube amps and/or proper solid state amps, Wilson speakers will sound and image better than anything on the market. Previously I was running Audio Research Ref 600 Mk lll's at 600 wpc and now I am running Lamm ML 2.1's at 18 wpc. Show me how many speakers are able to perform as well with such different amplification.

I agree totally with Michael Fremer. In the end everyone's question to themself boils down to what your ears hear when your ass is in the sweet spot in your room with your components as well as what your pocket book can afford...nothing more and nothing less. For some of you to accuse reviewers of being bought off or churning equipment on Audiogon are just as Michael Fremer says...you are idiots.

As for the esthetics of the speakers....beauty is in the eyes of the beholder but when the lights are off and it is my ass sitting in my room listening to Dave's speakers, I can tell all of you that I have reached audio nirvana. One man's passion is another man's poison. The fact that Dave Wilson is so successful and drives a Ferarri is OK by me because he has enriched my life with the love of music. He has brought reality of the soundstage to my listening room.

I credit Michael Fremer for having the brass cajones to say it as it really is here. He is an honest reviewer. For all of the others here who rant about Hardesty's "review" I would suggest you all do some critical listening. My door is always open to any interested audiophiles in the Bay Area who want to come for a listen.

Finally to the individual who suggested that Dave Wilson's test at CES 2 years ago (when he used an iPod and fooled us all)that the listeners were easily fooled and we didn't know much about critical listening, I can say that I was at that demo and I also feel I am a very critical listener..to that extent the iPod played through the Sophia system clearly bettered the B&W system.

I agree also with the comments of Skull posted above

I'm waiting for the educated here to tell me that the VR9's at $60K are worth that or the Kharmas at $85-115K are worth it? Or how about the X-2's at 4135.

As I said it is all about our ears and our wallets.

To me the Maxx ll blows away the VR 9 at less money. But of course that is my opinion

Now as far as John Giolas from Wilson not answering direct questions, I say "give me a break"--he invited Hardesty to Provo to tour the plant and make decisions afterwards.What more would a thorough reviewer want?

Mike

there is nothing intended at you or yours, so please take a breath and stop taking things so personal.

My point is very simple---there is great discussion here about Wilson, Von Schweikert and Kharma as many members here have such gear.None of these speakers are anything more than a box, some wires, drivers and all of the R&D that goes into their production. I am happy to spend the money as are you because we share the passion. Nothing was directed at you. It just seems these 3 speakers seem to be the ones mentioned and I was using them, (INCLUDING MY OWN X-2's I MIGHT ADD),to serve as an example.
Luv ya too Mke.

It is a flavor thing. I respect you for yours and I am sure the same goes the other way. I read your posts. My point was that none of these speakers are worth what MSRP is, but I will say it again...it is all about our ears and our wallets. I respect you for Wilson not being your cup of tea and I am sure you feel the same about me and Wilson.

As I have said above, there is nothing in an X-2 that is worth $135K except for buying Dave Wilson at the pinnacle of his game.

Now every one needs to take a deep breath