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Sonus Faber vs Wilson

I currently own a pair of absolutely gorgeous Serafino Tradition speakers. They are about 3 months old and I’ve finally got them positioned nicely in my room. They are being driven by a Gryphon Diablo 300. Great soundstage and imaging even off access. Tremendous detail and I just love the way the speakers look. I must add that it’s really important to me how all this stuff looks in my home. I love the tight fast and nuanced delivery of the Gryphon but not loving the way it looks…alas..that sound made the decision for me and I’ve hidden it away so my wife doesn’t have a coronary.

So….this brings me to my newest quandary. My local dealer has a gorgeous dedicated listening room in the lovely Biltmore hotel just minutes from my home. (Very dangerous…!) There are a pair of Wilson Sasha DAW speakers that sound…well…that sound like the best speakers I’ve heard. I absolutely HATE the way they look…and I would dread getting them up the three front steps of my home…but that sound….

Do I keep the lovely sounding and gorgeous looking Serafino’s or swap them for the ugliest best sounding speakers I’ve ever heard.? 
(There is an $18k price difference so there’s that too…!)
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Showing 1 response by kencp

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kencp
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I've also visited John at the Biltmore.  Compared Focal, Sonus faber Nova III (one woofer), and the Wilson Sabrinas (not SabrinaX).  He used the BIG Gryphon amplifier.  I liked the Focal the least.  It took a lot of listening to determine the Sabrinas were just a little better than the Nova III's....but interior designer girlfriend nixed the Wilsons as "too ugly."  I think the Nova V's would likely have bested the Sabrinas, but he didn't have them available.

My opinion, FWIW, is keep the Serafinos and enjoy their excellent sound.  It is easy to get into the "better speaker" quandary, and (again, FWIW, and from 50 years having stereos, and owned a store)) you will likely never obtain the "best" speaker in small speaker increments.  If you were to make a big leap in price, you might get stuff that is better than the Wilson Sashas or Serafinos, but then the itch will hit again...  At some point, it's worth just staying with good stuff and listening to music rather than to the equipment; I think you'll get the most enjoyment.

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