Wilson Audio Haters

I think the polarizing attitude for Wilson is the pricing.  It never goes down but only up, although I agree they are not the only one.  The latest offering (the WAMM) is just ridiculous, not matter how you cut it.  I suspect the price is just for shock value.  I am sure it is well made and sounds good, but REALLY good speakers (and companies) find ways to make really good sound at a price more people can afford.  Sadly, this is rare.

One thing I notice is that it seems to me that this is the time that affordability should be embraced.  Once the well-to-do boomers push through the upcoming generation will be left with an out of control escalation of prices that few can afford.  Moreover, if the hope is nonexistent, you don't focus on it.  I enjoy the highest end like anyone else, but being an audiophile I can at least have some context to appreciate it.  But to outsiders, or those ambivalent to audio at least, it is just ridiculous.  The latest WAMM is $685K, and when you stop and look at what that can get you, especially not considering luxury goods, it makes it even more outrageous.  You can buy an airplane for that. 

I think as well that although Wilson has done well, in the grand context they really have done nothing new or revolutionary.  True, the WATT/PUPPY combo is the best one sold, but it was also one of the first, and the originals always sell.  But in terms of technology that has really pushed the art and science of speakers forward, Wilson has not been one of them.  The used available drivers. Magico has pushed the boundary of enclosure design with all-aluminum boxes and pushed further with cone and driver design. Focal has brought us EM woofers, TAD brought us concentric beryllium drivers....Wilson just made speakers, albeit good ones.  Were they ever the best?  Maybe.  But it is debatable.   But certainly at the forefront in cost, and the further out of reach something becomes, the more anger it generates.  And it is easy to be the industry "whipping boy" when you have the recognition of Wilson.  I suppose every hobby has its own Wilson.

crazyeddy:   I still have the S8v2's but  sold the Bryston 14bsst a few years ago.  I happened upon a Luxman M 05 amp and the midrange liquidity and treble sweetness was to die for.  I got a second (selling the Bryston for half of what I got for it; got to love depreciation) and got another M 05 and have two running bridged.  Amazing setup.  I never liked the S8's after v2.  They got rid of the fixed pole piece in favour of a dust cap that was shaped like a waveguide which added mass.  Moreover, they made their bass speakers 3db louder by corrugating the surrounds for more travel; despite the fact the speakers are clearly designed to be used with subs, of which I have two.  Small point but the speakers are awesome.

And yes, the new Persona line looks really good, and it has gone up in price, but not to the extremes of the top end Wilsons, Magico et al....expensive but still within reach  (at least the 5F and 3F).  Add in subs (which most likely one has) and the combo would be killer.

But personally, I find Wilson offering a WAMM at $685k to be everything that is wrong.  If Dave Wilson were to make a REAL Magnum Opus, it would be the same speaker at a price less than the Alexandria, or XLF.  And don't be shocked by this one:  I bet Wilson will sell every one of the WAMMs they make.  Count on it.

Ivan:  I agree;  you see the same thing with high end cars.  People with financial means can gain entry, but whether there is any ability to extract the best or appreciate it is another matter entirely.  I can think repeatedly of seeing fine high end sports cars being driven as family sedans, with no expectation of extracting an inkling of its potential.  The item is itself a status, nothing more.  I suspect audio is no different, and for those whom have been in audio for a while can appreciate, but not afford, the items others can afford but not appreciate.  I think part of it is that the "earning of the right" to own expensive gear is often not due to years of audio experience but financial prudence (however that is attained).  I think deep down a part of it is envy, but a lot of high end companies make gear explicitly for the well heeded, not necessarily the audiophile, and after a while, one develops a sense (to them) whom these companies are.  

Audio is one of those hobbies where simply throwing money at the hobby will get you results, whereas with fly fishing, for example, if you cannot cast a fly with practice and effort, you get nowhere, despite any amount of money.  Money can get you any car, but not the experience and skill to drive them.  I think (and I freely admit this) that Wilson is one of the companies out there that targets the well-heeled directly.  The newest WAMM, for example, has 5 years of R+D....no new drivers, no new enclosure material, no new tweeter diaphragm material, no new crossover.....simply derivative not ground breaking.   At least Magico came out with aluminum cabinets, full CNC machined parts, Beryllium tweeter, Graphene woofer cones etc.....pushing the limit, at least showing some progress.  Wilson for the longest time used off the shelf Focal drivers...not original.   So I can see the "hate" thing, but it will be a while before I can actually afford any of the highest gear.

In fact, to me, in audio, finding the "diamonds in the rough" in terms of gear and speakers is the real thrill; the gear that is passed over or older etc that no one gives any time to or no longer has "relevance" that is superlative in sound quality and accessible, financially.  That takes talent and skill that no amount of money can buy.