Wilson Audio Specialties Chronosonic XVX loudspeaker!! only $300,000.oo

@audition__audio 

Yeah, I suspect you are correct. Entitlement is a challenging thing these days. 

You would have to have your head examined to spend that kind of money on ANY audio component, that is if you even HAD the money. You can buy a pretty nice house for 300k! Freakin’ ridiculous what they are asking for these and other speakers. Whereas as a home will most likely appreciate in value, these will lose 50% once you bring them home...stupid. lastly, they are hideous looking, unless you like your speakers to resemble an arcade video console. You might as well stick on a pac-man or centipede decal. Jeez, for 300k at least make them look good.

audioguy85794 posts05-01-2021 3:29amYou would have to have your head examined to spend that kind of money on ANY audio component, that is if you even HAD the money. You can buy a pretty nice house for 300k! Freakin’ ridiculous what they are asking for these and other speakers. Whereas as a home will most likely appreciate in value, these will lose 50% once you bring them home...stupid. lastly, they are hideous looking, unless you like your speakers to resemble an arcade video console. You might as well stick on a pac-man or centipede decal. Jeez, for 300k at least make them look good.

🤣It's clear from here that you just simply don't understand...lol.

BTW...that's sarcasm. We're in concert😉

rib61,

I just use 18 gauge lamp cord on mine. ;)

JD

Never especially understood the Wilson following - at least the current line.  Fabulous bass on many I get that, but nothing at all special about their silk dome. If you want a silk dome that badly, YG does some genuinely interesting things with their billetdome Wilson doesn't come close to achieving. The best Beryillium & Diamond tweeters need to be regarded as somehow inferior a well. The Ab Sound stated David Wison vastly preferred the Beryllium tweeters but could never make them work. No wonder, as their midrange is not anything like SOA & compared to anything ceramic......
I remember hearing a Watt/puppy 7 with a CJ integrated & then the Sasha 1 at a show with Nordost Odin cabling everywhere (it being a Nordost booth) with the very top Dagostino electronics & so on. The transparency of the 7 was so much better to virtually anyone who's heard both it was literally embarrassing. This was not the better midrange & tweeter they ended the series with either.  The higher-end silk dome tweeter they make is far better than their lower model but simply doesn't compare to the better tweeters out there. Cabinet materials are exemplary but any back-to-back comparison (7 & saha1 or other competitors out there) will show a massive gap in transparency. Which just doesn't matter to those who like the macho visual aesthetic vibe of the speaker visually & value dynamics above all else, with excellent imaging thrown in.  If you're looking for a ballsy Dynaudio alternative, they work, but the reviews do not repeat the "I'm hearing things I never heard before" refrain they kept repeating on the inferior, original chronosonic (compare to the XVX). They are incredibly heavy advertisers & I leave it to you to decide if that made any difference at all in swaying all such reviewer statements.

@john1   Uhmm, The Sasha 1 utilized the same Focal Tweet as the Watt Puppy 7...
How anyone could prefer that tweeter over the new Wilson silk dome is beyond me..
Yes, the YG Billetdome is very good, but IMO so are the new Wilson silk domes..unless you like ringing in the very HF's??

I agree with daveyf. Most of the exotic material tweeters I have heard were less than impressive. When Wilson changed from the awful tweeter they used for years I thought they sounded much better. Not only are few exotics to my taste but what you have to do with the crossover to tame the nasties is often impedes the overall performance. You can add Thiel to the list of unlistenable speakers for this reason. 

Now, these tall speakers, they could NOT be because Jim Winey figured out speakers in the 1970's could it?

NAW!  Who would think such a thing!

If a pair of the latest Magnepan speakers does not satisfy you IN YOUR ROOM, buy a box of something else and suffer.

Otherwise, enter the world of music and purchase Magneplaners and then concentrate on the MUSIC. 

Remember, you heard it here (or hear...!).

Cheers!

Servicing 500 lb speakers seems Herculean. 

Hopefully that includes choice of finish, delivery and setup.
that’s just nuts for a pair of speakers if you can’t get a great speaker for under $75k  then something is seriously wrong with Audio. Sometimes I feel that it’s just way overkill with many of 
These companies. If you can afford it then go for it .
but diminishing returns come into play at a much greater amount .
Maybe 5% better for double the money . 

I dont know why people think that speakers are more important than acoustic control....

It is like thinking that  the best boat in the world without rudder is useful....


I know....

It is because acoustic control ask for thinking and some study....

Speakers are affordable with money , no need to work for understanding a room, but beware to the illusion they will sound good in a bad room.... Perhaps.... at this price it is possible that acoustic was less impactful.... But i doubt it..... Anyway i own 50 bucks "relatively good speakers" and i dont need any other one in my small room...

The test is simple..... If the sound fill the room and sometimes if the voices comes from your back it is good.... The timbre must be natural for sure.....




«Acoustic is the sleeping princess and the future Queen of the room, the pieces of gear are only the 7 working dwarves»-Anonymus Smith

Classic Audio T1.5 would be a better investment (Wallet), better musical satisfaction and joy over these Wilson anyway.

OTL with Field Coils Horns will have less distortion, more speed, transparency blah blah blah at much less. These overpriced speakers need to pay for overhyped advertising costs.

What a bargain ...

If ever there was a bigger (unintended) joke in home audio reproduction. That's not to say the Wilson XVX system (+ subs) mayn't sound great, but don't call it a bargain. 

@perkri --

... this is a High End website, and as such, anyone who comes to any website that is a forum to discuss any high end item/activity, should be able to maintain an open mind.

High-end audio discussions to a large extend have many dismiss or even ridicule the equal pedigree of cheaper, alternative takes, not least from different and/or older segments of audio reproduction (i.e.: the pro arena in particular), so I'd question the open mindedness on that side of the discussion as well. Lots of money has a tendency to make people lazy and unwilling to explore, and thus becomes more about gadgetry and buying expensive equipment simply because you can. 

^👍🏻

@phusis ...”Lots of money has a tendency to make people lazy and unwilling to explore, and thus becomes more about gadgetry and buying expensive equipment simply because you can.”

You seriously have no comprehension of people that make lots of money. As a group they are smart, well educated, ambitious, and hard working and only part with there money after diligent investigation of facts and make informed decisions. The kind of people that buy from Wilson..

Your generalization sounds like it was formed by watching the Houswives of Orange County and the escapades of Bernie Madoff... which is by far the excepion not the rule. Otherwise this would be a third world country. Hardworking intelligent people are the backbone of our economy. Silicon Valley and the giants of global commerce, medium and small businesses drive this county. Not stereotypic “rich people”.

Then why is there so much very expensive devalued gear for sale? Smart investment? 

@phusis 

There are a couple of folks here who prescribe to the master/slave mentality. They think the ones at the top, don’t work.

Hot news flash. They work, very hard. And all of the ones I have met, and know, are extremely curious individuals. They are also extraordinarily generous. One recently donated 300m to a university research facility. There are wings in major hospitals here they have also set up. Humble, kind and inclusive people.

I am not, in their economic sphere, not even remotely close, not in the same universe.
My system is very, very modest. I will never be in a position to purchase any high end gear, ever.

I’m more than ok with that. My own lack of means to participate in the ultra, or even high end gear does not in any way close my mind to the possibility of its value or of its quality.

Unless I hear it for myself, I do not judge. There are pieces of gear I would love to hear, and potentially own if I had the means. And if I didn’t like something after having heard it, I would not criticize someone else for buying it, whatever it’s price. It would simply be, not for me.

@edgewound.  
Really, you are asking that? Such a dumb question 

I guess you have never changed or upgraded to something you felt was better or that somehow suited your musical tastes better?

And since when, was a hobby about clever investments?

@perkri
You seriously have no comprehension of people that make lots of money. As a group they are smart, well educated, ambitious, and hard working and only part with there money after diligent investigation of facts and make informed decisions. The kind of people that buy from Wilson..

This statement from you describing the "due diligence". Buying the best? or latest flavor? So much "old" stuff is actually superior. McIntosh comes to mind.

@edgewound   

Nice cut and paste job.

Clumsy attempt to alter the narrative?

@ghdprentice --

You seriously have no comprehension of people that make lots of money. As a group they are smart, well educated, ambitious, and hard working and only part with there money after diligent investigation of facts and make informed decisions. The kind of people that buy from Wilson..

Oh, I believe I do. People with LOTS of money have a clear tendency(!) to converge towards what's expensive, precisely because it is expensive and the narrative that follows here. They may make informed choices within that narrative, but price is still a factor, as in: the more it costs, the better it necessarily must be. An earlier, fairly well kept 1970's Porsche 911 not too many years could be had for $10-15k perhaps, whereas now they sell - in the same condition - for at least 10x that amount. Is it a better car because of that? So, Mr. Average Joe (income-wise) who could've bought the 911 years ago is suddenly a dimwit today because now he can't? I'd make the counter argument that people with lots of money at their disposal isn't always as smart as they'd like to think of themselves; when you indulge in shelling out $40k for a single Wilson Audio Subsonic subwoofer with "three 12" dual-spider woofers" in a heavy box, seriously, you have no clue. That is, it may be a great sub at what it does, but that kind of performance can be had multiple times cheaper. The rich guy however doesn't care, he's got the money and bragging rights to boot - and great sound, I hope. Good for him. 

Your generalization sounds like it was formed by watching the Houswives of Orange County and the escapades of Bernie Madoff... which is by far the excepion not the rule. Otherwise this would be a third world country. Hardworking intelligent people are the backbone of our economy. Silicon Valley and the giants of global commerce, medium and small businesses drive this county. Not stereotypic “rich people”.

Obviously other subjects on the menu here, but in this context I'd say they're irrelevant. 

@perkri --

There are a couple of folks here who prescribe to the master/slave mentality. They think the ones at the top, don’t work.

Hot news flash. They work, very hard. And all of the ones I have met, and know, are extremely curious individuals. They are also extraordinarily generous. One recently donated 300m to a university research facility. There are wings in major hospitals here they have also set up. Humble, kind and inclusive people.

I just don’t see the relevance of the above to what’s discussed here.

I am not, in their economic sphere, not even remotely close, not in the same universe.
My system is very, very modest. I will never be in a position to purchase any high end gear, ever.

I’m more than ok with that. My own lack of means to participate in the ultra, or even high end gear does not in any way close my mind to the possibility of its value or of its quality.

I’m with you on the potential quality aspect as it pertains to a single component, but "value" in this context is, diplomatically put, in the eye of the beholder.

Unless I hear it for myself, I do not judge. There are pieces of gear I would love to hear, and potentially own if I had the means. And if I didn’t like something after having heard it, I would not criticize someone else for buying it, whatever it’s price. It would simply be, not for me.

Oh, we agree. I’m not saying the Wilson’s are bad speakers (haven’t heard the XVX’s, so couldn’t say), far from it, but calling them a bargain - even without having heard them - is just an insult, I find. Dumb, even - bluntly put. I’m not calling out people (as people) making lots of money, or conversely those who don’t - I would be an a**hat for doing that. What I mean should be more clear from my previous post.

perkri427 posts05-04-2021 4:02am@edgewound  

Nice cut and paste job.

Clumsy attempt to alter the narrative?

Nope. Just exposing who you really are. 

I’ve got a good, longtime friend from high school and college that has done extremely well.

We had a mini HS reunion a couple years ago and he asked me if I wanted to drive his Tesla Model S. As we spoke while driving this amazing car I asked what was his favorite? He’s had a 911 Turbo that got him into a lot of trouble, Lexus (can’t remember the model, but a competitor to BMW 5 Series), Mercedes S Class. He loves the Tesla, but currently, trips need to be either relatively short or planned around chargers. Keeping that in mind, he really enjoyed the Mercedes S Class.

He said he could buy anything he wanted...and test drove a Bentley GT. Said he felt too pretentious driving it, and his volunteer work would make him feel uncomfortable flaunting his wealth like that.

I really respect that bit of humility. He lives in a pretty modest house, as well, relative to his income. He’s been a Financial Advisor for nearly 40 years and has seen the good, bad, and ugly of wealthy people.

@edgewound

Haha

"Nope. Just exposing who you really are."

By attaching my name to something I didn’t say and that wasn’t directed at me?

Thats clever.

Man there are there really stupid generalizations above. Generalizing about the upper economic strata is just a form of social racism. Acceptable and allowed but no more ridiculous than any number of generalizations that I could make about the poor or minorities. Fact is that generalizations arent worth a damn regardless of the target group. None of us know the motivations or aspirations of anyone as a rule. But, aside from the trust funders, higher income can usually be associated with guts, hard work and good ideas.

I love it when people throw out community service as if this were some measure of worth, value or concern for others. By the way, your friend has already shown his hand by stating that he feels ashamed of flaunting his wealth. Most likely you wont get an objective opinion about the wealthy from a person who feels ashamed of what he has earned. The silly 21st century propaganda about class appears to have already done a number on his brain. To not live your life as you want due to appearances could be viewed as a tragic sign of weakness.

Earn your money, spend it as you see fit, pay what you owe in taxes and be charitable as your conscience dictates. 

I love the way the McLaren Speedtail looks. It probably costs 1.5 million, so I won't buy it- no big deal. As for very (VERY) rich people (and wealthy corporations), many do NOT pay their fair share of taxes like they should- this has been well documented.  Society (as in the UNITED states of A.) suffers as a result. As for Wilson speakers, I don't hear anyone arguing how much air you need to move in how great a space. How loud do you listen to (what kind of) music? IF I wanted their brand I would go for Sasha's for my 14X20 room. If there was something better for the same or less money I would get those. The other stuff makes a big difference as well- I like Levinson amps and preamps, or perhaps Rowlands. I would not want to pay extra for a fancier box- just a sturdy one. I ended up paying too much for cables- a foolish mistake. I have way too many reel to reels, which is really dumb (but I like them). I don't yet know what ROON is, but maybe that's a good thing. Everyone has opinions, and that's OK. But I heard Alexandrias once (Ver.I) and they were impressive, but somewhat overwhelming. They cost about $125K at the time which blew everyone away (at the time). The dealer made the statement that they made "everything else sound broken". I went home afterwards, put on my Eggleston Andra's (Ver.II), and just smiled. No, they didn't produce those big images, and they're not perfect, but they still sounded wonderful, natural, easy on my ears, and they were paid for (11K used). So I'm happy and still having fun reading the latest reviews. One further point- If Wilson sells you the Chronosonics, they should help you treat your room 1st so they'll sound as good as they're supposed to. THEN bring them over and set them up. IMHO. Also offer you a trade-up plan when their next miraculous breakthrough product is released, which you can bet they're already working on now. 

"I love it when people throw out community service as if this were some measure of worth, value or concern for others. By the way, your friend has already shown his hand by stating that he feels ashamed of flaunting his wealth. Most likely you wont get an objective opinion about the wealthy from a person who feels ashamed of what he has earned. The silly 21st century propaganda about class appears to have already done a number on his brain. To not live your life as you want due to appearances could be viewed as a tragic sign of weakness."

I see it a sign of good character and self esteem. 

If you wanna relate with the Biff's of the world...that's on you.

Real SHOCKER !.......
 
 https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/review-wilson-audio-chronosonic-xvx-part-1-the-build-r963/

@highend666


Thank you for the link. Loved the part where he writes about the craftsmen who build these make a proper living.
Also love his acknowledgment of what goes into the back end of building - never mind designing - a speaker of this caliber of fit and finish.
I’m sure there are some who think they can just crank one of these out in their garage over a couple of weekends with some tools, wood, glue and some drivers.

So it is a sign of good character and self esteem to worry about the appearances? I see it as fashion. Not all those who are wealthy are trust funders. Of course you see it as positive because you believe in the narrative and you see the accumulation of wealth as an ignoble pursuit.

audition__audio800 posts05-06-2021 3:52amSo it is a sign of good character and self esteem to worry about the appearances? I see it as fashion. Not all those who are wealthy are trust funders. Of course you see it as positive because you believe in the narrative and you see the accumulation of wealth as an ignoble pursuit.

Your greatest talent is making shallow assumptions, which is a great revealer of your lack of character. Everyone knows...right?...that making sure your flaunt your wealth at all times is the right thing to do. Save it for the Yacht Club, Biff.

Who is making assumptions? You assume I have a lack of character because I object to the notion that all wealthy people flaunt their wealth. Is flaunting wealth is some great sin? The richest people I know, granted I live in the Midwest, do not have a tendency to flaunt what they have. My problem is with people that are more concerned with perception and would let the possibility of a negative perception prevent them from doing what they wish. Most people with your attitude have a chip or have had some bad experience with wealthy people from their younger days or previous lives. 

How about that 40th Anniversary LP12 - with an included bottle of 40 year-old Scotch! Now for sale here on Agon - $25K! Talk about value pricing! 

In this case I would agree with you that this doesnt seem like a good value, but who am I to say. I know what I think the LP12 is worth, not so sure I can put a value on the Scotch.

@jasonbourne52   The original price of the 40th Anniversary LP12 was $40K!! I think there are a few poor souls ( well a little poorer now) who actually ponied up for them! Made absolutely no sense to me at the time, just like the $25K price now...as this model doesn't even feature the new Karousel bearing.

audition__audio802 posts05-06-2021 1:02pmWho is making assumptions? You assume I have a lack of character because I object to the notion that all wealthy people flaunt their wealth. Is flaunting wealth is some great sin? The richest people I know, granted I live in the Midwest, do not have a tendency to flaunt what they have. My problem is with people that are more concerned with perception and would let the possibility of a negative perception prevent them from doing what they wish. Most people with your attitude have a chip or have had some bad experience with wealthy people from their younger days or previous lives.

I've known plenty of wealthy people in my lifetime. The one's that live to flaunt their wealth are pretty dreadful, insecure characters.

Carry on, Biff.

It’s relative. If you’re with a million and spend 30k on a set of speakers it’s not unreasonable. If you’re worth 10 mil and spend 300k on speakers it’s not unreasonable. I’d love to hear them. I bet a properly set up system with these speakers would blow my mind. Many people have become very weathy over the last 20 yrs.. Comparison is the thief of joy. Enjoy what you have. Don’t be a hater. The rich have lots of problems like everyone else. Money affords you one thing in my opinion.....Freedom from material issues. 

edgewound,

So how does one flaunt their wealth? Give me the exact dollar amount when flaunting begins with: cars, houses, clothes and stereo systems? Assume that this imaginary rich person is worth 100 million. How, exactly, should they spend the money? What meets with your approval? And is the flaunting in how they act or what they buy? I am sure there is some subjective moral imperative lurking in the shadows somewhere.

I would rather have the Von Schweikert Ultra 11s; however, too big for my room. Ultra 9s max at $200K. Most likely-VR9SE mk11 at $35K to $50K.  Custom listening room cost $160K so I'm covered there.

If you are serious about the 160K room, details would be wonderful. Hell even a 16K room might be interesting. I made most of my treatments.

@audition__audio Here it is again (I've posted at least twice in two years) 

Poured steel reinforced 12” 3000 lb. PSI concrete floor

Walls-

1” MDF

1/8” thick Acoustiblok vinyl sound barrier

¾” MDF

3 x 12 vertical studs, 14.5” on center

Staggered 13” wide 2 x 12 and 4 x 12 per vertical stud channel

13” X 4” X 48” 72lb. 4 chamber activated charcoal absorption filters staggered vertically up/down/up/down

4” Rockwool insulation over vacant stud channel area adjacent to filters

Flexseal all joints

¾” cherry plywood

 

Ceiling

4’ Sound Absorption Blankets

4” Rockwool

2 x 8 horizontal beams

5/8” X drywall paneling

1/8” thick Acoustiblok vinyl sound barrier

¾” cherry plywood

 

Recessed 9 BR40 65 Watt LED floodlights

2 Ton HVAC split system, low speed, high volume

70+ oz. plush cut pile carpeting

To this I added 4' X 2' acoustic foam paneling on side walls and suspended ceiling paneling (All paneling in wood frames)

Electric-Audio sources only Subpanel with 8 breakers for 8 duplexes, 10 gauge wire (lighting and A/C on main subpanel)

Synergistic Research Blue Duplexes for equipment

Thanks!