I would prefer a JBL Paragon driven by Marantz classic tube gear:
102 responses Add your response
@smodtactical if I repeat it Jay will have it removed. Sorry you missed it. |
I ve also heard that the Alexx V is better thatn the XVX in many ways but the XVXs have larger scale. I’m very familiar with Alexx V and it is phenomenal but have not heard the XVX so this is speculation. There is a couple YouTubers that are showing the XVX but so far I haven’t been impressed. The XVX has so many drivers to line up that you could get some smearing if not setup perfect or in the right room. I’d opt for the Alexx V for less money and maybe even beat the XVX? I think the XVX has the older tweeter the Alexx V has the newer one. |
That is a non sequitur. The OP did not ask for an experience to beat the Wilson’s, he asked for a less expensive speaker that rivals them. But I seriously doubt, that anyone who can afford speakers at near $100K, and all the accompanying gear to go along with them, would have any real problem ALSO affording tickets to live concerts. I go to a lot of concerts every year. I attend concerts by the LA Phil at Disney Hall, I attend concerts at the great music school up the street, The Colburn School to hear very talented students, jazz gigs at LA jazz clubs, etc, etc. None of that negates the fact that I want the best speakers I can afford in my listening room. And yes, I have heard the XVX on several occasions. While not previously a Wilson fan, they were quite impressive. |
@simonmoon the op asked if there were any speakers that may be better than the XVX, less that $100k used. He didn’t exclude other Wilson’s. So if he liked the XVX the Alexx V may be a solution under $100k used. I agree live concerts are a must and you probably have a good ear for what sounds real. People that regularly attend live performances especially orchestra type have a real advantage when it comes to judging an audio system. |
All NEW Black Ocean Audio Le Chiffre Pro Earth Bookshelf speakers with the 6 REL Acoustics Line Array Subs would blow away the Wilson Audio XVX’s ! 😈😈 https://www.blackoceanaudio.com More about Black Ocean Audio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mtfm-X5CpZI REL Acoustics 6 Line Array Subs |
Rick 2000 Not sure what hallucinogens you have been enjoying, however no ......Like in None, "BookShelf" type of loud speakers that can be found on the "Third Rock From The Sun", regardless of how many Rel Subwoofers are being utilized, will " Blow Away " a properly installed pair of Wilson XVX speakers.....more bass , perhaps, but that's about it....... Cheers |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5A_cEYUB5g 😈KMD 700R Speakers only $32K a pair ! |
This level equipment is beyond my league but I had a couple interesting demos that may be helpful for you. I live in Memphis and met the owner of EgglestonWorks. Jim had his Ivy Signature SEs in his office and gave me a demo. I don't recall the electronics but they were modest brands. These speakers were designed with Bob Ludwig in mind, who stands while working. The tweeters are quite high for a typical listening room. I read in a review one may want to consider building a raised platform for their seat, which seems very unusual. Regardless, that was the most memorable sound experience I have ever had. They were probably 15 or so feet apart and the wall of 3 dimensional sound they created was jaw dropping. I had an audio friend with me and we were both amazed. A few months ago I visited a large Wilson dealer and heard the XVX with all Burmester electronics. The price tag was approximately $1,500,000 on this system, maybe more. I have Sophia 1 and honestly my system is more engaging than what I heard from the XVX. To all other points, there are endless variables so good luck with a demo to figure out what direction to go and see if you can find one of the few EgglestonWorks dealers to visit. |
Sorry to say, but I’m very disappointed in all of you. You cannot evaluate speaker performance or for that matter hi-fi system performance based on limited time of listening at different venues. Ask yourself the question. How many times you fall in love with a speaker/equipment just to find out later that it was’t that good? If anyone on this platform claims that he/she can easily figure out what sounds great based on limited experience here and there, you obviously never learn anything when it comes to sound. Yes, I truly believe that after you hear a "good sounding system" you are convinced that this must be for real, because you were there and heard it in person, and of corse you know what sound’s best. Unfortunately, this is a fouls reality. How many of you bought speakers/equipment and liked every bit off it to find out later that the sound is not up to par. And then, you go on vacation for two weeks, come back home, turn on the system and you like it again. Until a week later you realize that the sound is not that great again. So, the moral of the story is that you cannot learn a lot about sound quality from different venues or your friend’s hi-fi system, unless you listen for a long, uninterrupted continues period of time and let your ear/brain digest and absorbed the entire ray of music - not just pieces of notes. |
I've sold and owned my fair share of Wilsons. I've been to the factory. I know some of the family thus I am a bit of a fan boy. • Tekton Ulfberts (sp?) are big, custom colored, easy-to-drive speakers from Utah. They are a tiny fraction of the price. |
The MBL 101 a great loudspeaker by Any standard , the only speaker I know of that sounds equally good off axis . I am hoping to get their smallest 126 stand mount offering ,and use 2-SVS 4000 subs all MBL speakers have the exact same tweeter and midrange ,which s excellent no box resonances ,super fast and natural and pickup details lost in most other Loudspeakers , the low 82 db efficiency is very misleading for its equally putting out the same SPL level 360 degrees which makes it closer to 86+ db efficiency .I have heard most all their models they do like power to get the most out of them if in a big room , even at low volume though you can hear micro details very well. |
I'm not a huge fan of Wilsons. I find them a bit cold and analytical. I would rather have any decent speaker that is warmer, not "smearier" though. I helped a friend of mine purchase a pair of Wilson Sophias about twenty years ago. He loved them. But his wife disliked them so much she gave them away after he died. Another speaker that is in the chilly catefory, but moreso than Wilsons, are Dynaudios. I don't have a Wilson budget. I own Goldenear Triton 2+. I considered buying their reference speakers, but they were too large for my room. I find the Goldenears to be very good for my needs. I wouldn't want equivalently sized Wilsons in their place. Based on reviews, other speakers I would consider listening to if I could afford them are Magico and DeVore Fidelity. |
A lot has to go into a system leashed to a pair of xvx. Get it wrong and a lot of other systems done well will challenge them. Possibly for a-lot less money. The Alexia v for instance is 1/5 the money and in the right system/room could be more enjoyable. If you are following Jay right now he is curating electronics that he feels will take these to the stratosphere. Once there the system will likely be hard to better within the parameters he set out. Which is another discussion altogether. I saw a review of an Audio Note system with Ongaku amplifier. The guys were handing out tissue to each other so emotional was the experience. lol. Still pretty subjective question “ What beats ….? |
There are a lot of speakers that can compete. Not sure if they will be fundamentally better but will be different. MBL and Avantgarde have radicaly different designs at the high end that could easily compete. |
$120K Daniel Hertz Audio M1 Speakers and their Reference Gear END-GAME SYSTEM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EB5UQ-AOfA They are raving about the smaller $30K Daniel Hertz Audio M7 Speakers over on the What’s Best Forum too ! |
I heard the Wilson XVX speakers once at an Audio Show and they were absolutely as advertised, as were all the other comparable speakers from other manufacturers. I loved the Arion Audio open baffle ribbon speakers as much as, or better than, anything else I've ever heard at any price point, and they cost just a fraction of what the Wilsons cost. That's just one example. There are others, too. |
One of my friends has these all new $25K Mon Acoustic Supermon Isobaric Speakers from South Korea and these speakers must be heard to be believed ! He using some all new Sanctus Cables some of the best we have ever heard ! I’m saving my pennies for these speakers and cables for my last system I will ever buy. https://monacoustic.us/product-supermon/?v=7516fd43adaa https://monacoustic.us/cables/?v=7516fd43adaa Mon Acoustic has compared their speakers to some of the best speakers at any price in some of these videos below ! 😃😲😈 https://www.youtube.com/@monacoustic4436/videos Mon Acoustic speakers and Sanctus Cables will be at Axpona 2023 Show in Booth 646 ! |
There are many people, some named and posting here, that do not know what real music sounds like, and this is unfortunate. What is important to me, with a sound system, is to convey " what the musicians are doing ", as a solo performer, and as a member of an ensemble. I truly have heard some esoteric systems ( expensive ), that fall so very short of offering me a " connection " with the " musicianship ", which to me, is 1st and foremost. So many people ( I am glad I am no longer a consultant ), are listening to " sounds " ( again, some listed here ), and not interested in the MUSIC. It is frustrating to me, but for them, since it really has zero effect on MY music listening enjoyment. When I listen to Steppenwolf, CCR, Santana, Miles, Sarah Vaughn, Dick Hyman, Horowitz ( I am naming these, as these are recent listens ), it is the PERFORMANCE I am entranced with. Sometimes the recording is rolled off in the highs; sometimes there is no center image; sometimes the bass is muddy and ill defined. But these are recordings I enjoy ( listen to Steppenwolf's Magic Carpet Ride, just as an example ), and turn it up a bit. How can anyone pay more attention to the sound, and not the group, unless the system does not convey the important things.....the PLAYING. Maybe as a musician during my youth, I acquired the ability to listen " correctly ". I find musicians ( I have known, and still know many ) listen differently than audiophiles, and it is great when they both come together. I consider myself both, but without the musicianship, there is little else, ime. I am sorry for another rant. I speak to ex clients, friends, acquaintances of mine that I tried to help, asking me all sorts of questions, and many of them, and this is hard for me to say, are clueless, and I feel many here are also. I do know some here who listen as I do, and many of them are / were musicians, worked in studios, have experience with live, unamplified music, or just understands and appreciates " the essence of music ". Those who are offended by me....well, there you go....Always, my best.....Enjoy ! MrD. |
I think we all listen to music differently at different times. The goal for most of us is maximizing our musical satisfaction. An artist can paint a picture with one intention and the random viewer may perceive it differently yet gain immense satisfaction. That's the beauty of most art forms; allegory. If your suggesting that audiophiles who are not also musicians can't "understand" the performance is at least a vary myopic view. I can't even hum a tune correctly but have had a love of music since my youth. Has my love been "incorrect"? These days my mood affects how I listen the most. Sometimes I'm analytical in my approach while other times I just absorb the notes with "no mind" (a zen perspective). In the end I have loved this hobby for over 50 years. It brings me joy....plus I do love the gear! |
@skinzy, what I am saying is, musicians listen to specific characteristics within the recorded music, different than the typical audiophile. How I see the typical audiophile and listener today, soundstaging and imaging seems to be the biggest thing ( most important characteristic ), and I do not feel there will be an argument about this with most of the listeners. This is based on what I read, and my discussions with audiophiles. I get it, I understand it, and I appreciate it. Last weekend I received a call from an acquaintance of mine about hearing less center image. He was getting it, but it disappeared. A bad tube maybe. Interesting, how much music is manipulated in the recording and mastering process, to give us these effects. But when I talk about the music, all of that does not matter as much ( again, imo ), because as I said, there are other attributes I find to be more important, in conveying to me, a performance. I am one person, and I have my ways. I mean no harm in giving my opinion, and if I hit a sore spot with you, I apologize. My best, always, MrD. Enjoy ! |
@skinzy I am with you sir. I do not care at all if my system conveys ’what the musician intended’. Instead my only concern is maximizing my own enjoyment of the music.
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@rick2000 Says who ? |
@smodtactical Purifi told Kroma Atelier at one of the Shows that they never heard their Purifi Drivers sound this good before at 7:18 in this video below ! 😈 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qaN4RjWGXc We will find out at Munich 2023 Show how good the all new Kroma Atelier Mercedes Loudspeakers are... |
- seems like a leading question that “assumes” we all generally agree on the sonic quality of the Wilson XVX while ignoring the more important fact that speaker preferences are usually “subjective”. So at or below the Wilson’s XVX price point, whether one can find a more “subjectively” satisfying sonic transducer that can yield higher “subjective” sonic satisfaction I’d say yes - the only exception seems to be those who deem the XVX as their end game choice. |
@kennyc you said 'yes' but then what speaker would that be? And of course this is completely subjective... if someone thinks a logitech z5500 is better than wilson XVX because they don't like the wilson sound then so be it... state that in the thread and lets discuss. |
Borresen Z5 CRYO Speakers might just be all your ever need ! 😲😈 XVX WHO ?..🤔 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYCChUb9KnI
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I've heard a variety of Wilson speakers including the XVX, Alexx 5s, SashaX and so on. I have Sonus faber (my third set) so I have my preferences. The best combination of sound for me was ARC with Sasha X (versus D'Agostino with XYX, Alexx 5 with Martin Logan or Jeff Roland). So it's possible and it may only be to the ears of the beholder... |
@mrdecibel lol |
😂 It’s comical to read all the haters responses to Wilson’s speakers. For everyone one of you there’s probably 2x as many lovers of this iconic American brand. Are Wilson’s expensive? Yes, but to those who buy them there’s a value that other speakers can’t match. Your experience with them means absolutely nothing to those who have the financial means and the ability hear what they can do that separates them from their peers! |
