2. speakers
  3. 192549-129048

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.  

jeffreyw

Showing 1 response by rauliruegas

rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 

Dear @jeffreyw ;  I think that the Wilson ( I listened and listened the D3 not D4 B&W ) is not clinical and anemic it's that the B&W goes deeper in the bass and gives a little more " body " to the overall MUSIC presentation.

The other issue could be that the Sabrina just does not likes the Mackintosh auto-formers , me neither.

 

Both speakers designs are very good and each one needs to be mated with the " rigth " electronics and in a good treated room. The other issue is that each one of us have different MUSIC home targets in MUSIC reproduction.

 

TRegards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

More to discover