Wilson Audio, Talon, Rockport and B&W

There are huge differences between the speakers you mention, even though some of them are in similar price ranges. If you are looking to make a final purchase, I suggest you consider the history of the respective companies with regards to introducing updates and new models as well as older models being upgradeable. The track record of some of these companies is they introduce a new model with the same name but called (sic) Series 8 and as it turns out Series 6 and Series 7 cannot be upgraded. Some people will shrug off this kind of thing, saying that's sales/business, but it does not show respect for the people who purchased your products in the first place. There are indeed times when an older model cannot be upgraded, but hopefully this sort of thing is not done very often. My point is, the design of such expensive products should be reasonably mature and well thought out such that upgrades are not frequent nor does one always have to purchase the new model in lieu of upgrading. Basically, the designer should get it right the first time! A radical concept, huh?

There are other considerations, such as your room, listening preferences, and associated equipment. Rarely does one start with a clean sheet of paper, so to speak.

I don't sell any of the speakers you mentioned but strongly suggest you try to audition the Rockports. The construction, fit and finish are at least as good as any of the others, and with the right associated equipment they can excel where the others fall short in performance. Contact me offline if you wish.

Brian

Like Brian I don't sell any of these speakers, and like Brian my recommendation would be the Rockports.

Duke

For the last two years I have been trying to put together a dream system to take me into my "Golden Years." All four speakers you list have an excellent reputation. Of those you list I had the opportunity to hear the B & W Signature 800 and the Wilson Audio Watt/Puppy 7. I also auditioned others such as the Vandersteen 5A and the Revel Studio. I stopped looking when I heard the B & W 800. I would have to say the major distinction between the B & W s and the rest was this: the B & W s seduced me into whatever music they were playing. I really expected to most impressed by the Wilsons, but I found them too much "in my face" and the lower octaves of the bass were somewhat weak. They did have one sigificant virtue that I found appealing: they brought out a lot of detail.

I ended up buying the more economical version of the B & W s, the Nautilus 800s. After buying them, I got a rather nasty surprise. The higher frequencies were too forward and somewhat harsh. Then I remembered that the B & W 800's were demonstrated with McIntosh amplification. I was very fortunate. I was allowed to return the original amplification and ended up with McIntosh C46 preamp and a 402 power amp. The magic was back.

This experience has me wondering if I might have liked the Wilsons better if they had been demonstrated with other electronics.

If you already have settled on your amplification equipment, then you need to find the speakers that best work with what you've got. If at all possible, try and hear the speakers you're interested in with your present peripherals.

I wish I could give you more precise information, but not hearing the Rockports and the Talons, it would be dishonest to tell you any more than I already have.

I do not sell any of the speakers you mention, but I have to say the Rockport does not do it for me. The drivers used are rubber and sound that way. They are lush and beuatiful, but slow and thick sounding without pop.

A speaker I do sell which you might want to add to your list is the Von Schweikert VR7SE.

Jtinn, tired of you badmouthng another product to promote a brand you sell.......Merak-Sheritan's are OK as used them in 2004 at the CES.......I prefer my Rockport Syzygys better, but like the Antares better as well........There are some pix of the set of Rockports we used in 2004 on the audiogon show website, AP1302......