Ok just spent some time A B ing the Alexx and the Alexx V and I will say, to me yes it’s worth the difference in price. Next to each other the differences were very obvious. The first thing that caught my attention in the Alexx V was the clarity without irritation. The upper frequencies while quite extended were ultra smooth. No sibilants or irritants at all. The midrange presented with a complete lack of glare. I never even noticed any glare on the Alexx 1 till I heard the V. Bass seems much deeper and more articulate than the older model. The Alexx V seemed more relaxed and out of the way of the music. Crazy Dynamics. Not sure if this is because the V is more efficient or because it is an easier load to drive, maybe both. Very pleasant experience.. However had I not had them side by side I could easily live with the original Alexx which is still and always will be a great speaker. However now that I know; the Alexx V with haunt me till I own it.
Wilson Alexx V
The new Alexx V is to be released at the end of this month 3/29/21. Any thoughts or predictions on how this one will compare to the current one. I know no one will know for sure until it’s out. They say it’s based off the XVX. I believe this one may rival the XLF in a smaller package. New tweeter, midrange and increase in bass enclosure size and the new Xcaps. More efficient? Any thoughts?
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@highend666 The speaker I heard was the Alexx V, in most ways not related to the Wilson Alexandria Series 2...not Alexx Series 2. Admittedly, their naming can be confusing sometimes. Yes, the Alexx V is a way superior sounding speaker to that old model with the horrible Focal tweeter. Anyone who owns that old model would do well to dump it and get the just replaced Alexx, or if funds allow, the new Alexx V. Like you state, big changes- and a big upgrade. |
Big changes compared to the older Alexx Series 2's and just as good as the XVX's now... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOasKdEGvQY |
I think that is correct. My memory of the Alexx is that it is a superb speaker with excellent coherence. The new model is everything that I remember of the old model, plus a bit more extended at the frequency extremes. Unfortunately, the price has moved up considerably, making old stock Alexx a really nice deal at its current price. Not sure how Wilson justifies a price increase over the old model retail of $26K! |
@carey1110 The tonal balance and sound stage was considerably larger and more precise than what i remember hearing from the XLF. I also was impressed with the overall scale produced, but this had to do with the enormous room which I heard the demo in.Electronics were a pair of D’Ag mono’s and the HD preamp, along with a Nagra DAC and streamer. I was very impressed when i heard the old Alexx, but this new model takes it up a notch, although I think for a major price difference...not so sure I would spring for the difference...unless the coin was unimportant. |
Daveyf- how would you say the sound stage and tonal balance is compared to the XLF? Did you like it better than the older Alexx?What electronics did you listen with. Newton- yes Fremer did just that. However I don’t think the Alexx V was available when he made that jump. I’m sure the XVX is incredible as it should be. |
I had the pleasure of hearing the new Alexx V today. It is a speaker that anyone contemplating a speaker in its price range should definitely put on their short list. The Alexx V clearly needs a large room and plenty of space to breath, BUT if you have this room, I can think of few speakers that can compete with it. Far more resolving and impressive sounding than any prior Wilson I have heard, including the XLF. |
I heard the Alexx V at Excel in Newport Beach, it was an impressive demo. Mike spun the IMPEX Patricia Barber 1-step of Cafe Blue, im not a big Barber fan but this particular pressing is exceptional. The Aleex V is def in a similar league to the Wamm Jr system set up on the opposite wall (Chronosonic XVX with double Sub Sonic subs). Even without subs the Alexx V has tight extended bass driven by BAT tube monos (REX 3). Color me impressed.
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Rauliruegas....Well yes that is true to each he’s own. I am a fan of music but I love the hardware too. Since it reproduces the music. It was my passion for music that has lead me to Wilson. Not saying that Wilson is the only one I’d enjoy but it’s is one of my top 5 favorite speakers manufacturers for many reasons. I can also appreciate many others as well but as you might remember this discussion is about the New Wilson Alexx V. So my comments are centered around Wilson. I enjoy many types of music and many types of systems that reproduce it. However just trying to stay on topic which happens to be about a piece of equipment, The Wilson Alexx V . We can’t really comment yet on how it sounds since it hasn’t been released yet. |
Dear @carey1110 : "
Yes I’m a Wilson fan. " My mistake/Iwas wrong because I was thinking that a gentleman looking for the kind of quality level of a speaker as Wilson his main target should be MUSIC and its quality level home reproduction. I'm fan of MUSIC not fan of any kind of hardware that's need it to enjoy MUSIC at the best/high quality levels we can get and you can get that " best " with other hardware options but go a head with what makes you happy. Sorry to disturb you with all my posts that certainly were not for an audiophile as you. Nothing wrong , each one of us has our unique targets, priorities and preferences. R. |
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The new Alexx V looks awesome!, Wilson has released some pics and more info on their Website. The open more ridged Gantry will ,I think, give a cleaner clearer sound. Also the dissimilar midrange drivers will blend better with the bass. I really think this Alexx V will be much improved, we shall soon see. SUCH a better look IMHO. I can’t wait to hear it. Yes I’m a Wilson fan http://https//www.wilsonaudio.com/products/alexx/alexx-v |
Dear @carey1110 : Other great advantage to own/buy that posted last alternative is that you can choose between different mid/high frequency ranges monitors where you can find out in an " easy " way the kind of sound reproduction ( in that frequency range ) you are looking for. You can listen different monitors coming not only from the manufacturers I posted the links but many others very good options out there. Even in the future if you like a new monitor model for any speaker manufacturer you can buy it and you can sold/sale the ones you own a lot more easy that any of those expensive big speakers. Other advantage is that your main amplifier or amplifiers not only will increment its headroom but that will performs way better " looking " only the easy mid/high frequency ranges and not the bass range that even in the amp intrude in the quality sound level and distortion levels of any amplifier. Obviously that everything is up to you. R. |
Dear @carey1110 : Other alternatives can be: Focal where @albertporter can chime because he owns these top speakers and Tidal is other good option as could be Sonus Faber: https://www.focal.com/en/home-audio/high-fidelity-speakers/utopia-iii-evo/floorstanding-speakers/gra... https://www.sonusfaber.com/en/products/aida/ http://www.laassoluta.com/intro.htm So Wilson or Magico are not alone out there and exist other options that not only can compete but even outpermos it. The speakers market offer is truly wide open from the " humble " ones to the " dream " designs. A totally diferent but good " humble " option are a very good small monitors along a pair of good designed self powered subwoofer with an external Xover crossing at around 80hz-90hz. Here one of this alternative: https://www.kerracoustic.com/k300 with this Xover: https://www.fmacoustics.com/products/electronic-crossovers/fm-330-series/ these could be the subs, these are a true subwoofer: https://www.evolutionacoustics.com/loudspeakers/mini-series/minisub/?doing_wp_cron=1615566000.556648... I can tell you that this last option could even or outperfors the V or the Magico, at least has the rigth characteristics and really good overall designs to do it. R. |
@daveyf the thing with the big Wilson’s is they are quite the chameleon. A friend of mine has the Alexandria XLF’s and a Thor’s Hammer in a fairly small space. The setup dominates the room, but in a beautiful way, amazing system. Conversely, they would be right at home in a much larger space as well. |
@rauliruegas Another thing to add to your post, would be to attempt to listen in the room that the speaker is actually going to be placed in. IME the room makes such a huge difference, that anyone who is contemplating buyer a speaker at these price points really does need to listen in their system, and with their ancillary gear. I'm sure we all know fellow listeners who have acquired their dream speaker, only to be disappointed because they cannot make it work in their room, due to size constraints, poor amp/speaker synergy etc., |
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Dear @carey1110 : Other than in this thread in other coming from you you asked for Wilson vs Magico so you are looking for speakers at these quality level performance. I think that no one can really argue against Wilson or Magico quality that’s it’s not only reflected in its prices but in its intrinsecal performance levels. I look and had at my place the " born " of the Watt " small/big " monitor that was just a " new " world for speaker design ( at least for Wilson Audio. ) was a departure from the other extreme where were the very well regarded WAMMs. Then came the Puppies to mate the Watts because something was not there: wider bass range. From those old times I started to learn about good designs of small monitors ( as the Watts. ) mated for a pair of self powered subwoofers and learned that these combination it’s truly hard if not imposible to beats specially in the critical bass frequency range. WEilson never took that speaker design alternative and for very good reasons: they have a wide number of owners of their top big speakers but other speaker manufacturers did it as Evolution Acoustics. @mikelavigne owns its flagship model with that critical design characteristic: integrated self powered bass frequency range. Maybe he can chime here to help you. Here you can see his set up: https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/615#&gid=1&pid=7 and here you can take a look to the diferent models where maybe the M3 could help you: https://www.evolutionacoustics.com/?doing_wp_cron=1615494785.5244429111480712890625#Loudspeakers The key at this speaker quality level performance belongs to the difference in the bass range true quality levels because as better the overtall bass frequency range as better the overall speaker quality level performance because it’s the bass frequency range and its developed harmonics whom modulates all the speaker listen quality performance and does not exist any single passive full range speaker that can outperform an active one and it does notmatters the amps in those passive speakers. Difference is that in the active speakers the frequency bass range is hadled by dedicated amplifiers designed to fulfill the woofers needs characterisitcs. When buying any speakers in that price range listen it before/each one is mandatory. Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS, R. |
@dkarmeli Nice for you to join us here---I wasn’t going to point out who the all seeing, all knowing guru is--but since you have graced us with your presence... Do tell us how your ching cheng power cord garbage is working out for you-- Trust me, I have never sneaked back on that forum, no reason to do so...it’s such a big YAWN these days!! |
@daveyf if you’re going to bad mouth another forum you should let people know the reason you’re not posting on WBF is because you were banned and more than once after sneaking in under other names and not because you chose not to. The last time you wanted in so badly that you snuck in as a girl and still got found out! You should get your facts right if you’re going to accuse someone, the guru only advises specifically against specific overpriced power cords because of their coloration. david |
Who is the guru? The site has moved a few degrees from serious to slapstick, but it still has a descent cast of characters. If you sort through the witch doctors, luddites and sycophants, arcane knowledge can be found. Wilson makes a great speaker. Like anything in the high end returns diminish as you work your way up nut that's the rule thumb for almost every industry. I look forward to hearing the new Alexx, hopefully in crowded convention center elbow to elbow. |
@daveyf, Again I'm not doubting what you've written but rather I haven't come across someone acting as the forum "guru" or know it all. Granted I'm not on WBF that often however when I do drop in I haven't noticed this particular behavior. I have noticed some previously frequent posting WBF members seem absent these days but attribute that to loss of interest or simply inevitable turnover of membership. There are people on this site who've disappeared or are no longer active and I miss their contributions. Perhaps just the ever churning lifecycle of online open forums I imagine. @daveyf I appreciate your comments on this site. Charles |
@charles1dad There are indeed hundreds of threads on the WBF, i used to commit threads with regularity. The place changed a few years ago, at that time one of the founders was pushed out and another member replaced him. Seems like after that everything went downhill quickly. The new owners appear to have an agenda, one that caters to the guru member who will throw ad hominems at anyone and get away with it. Nowadays, if you look at the membership, most of the original members have left, there is no longer any reason to contribute! Perhaps carey1110 could get some advice, but I seriously doubt it, more likely he will get into a run in with the guru...lol. |
@daveyf, Well I'm not familiar with the specific thread or "guru " poster you reference. There are hundreds of threads and dozens of topic sections to choose amongst. I don't question your encounters on WBF (Unfortunately not pleasant for you) and am only relating my more positive experiences there. So not surprisingly we are two individuals with our own perspective and opinions of that forum. Anyway carey1110 had a good experience there and I'm glad my suggestion was helpful to him. Charles |