Wilson Maxx 2 vs Sonus Faber Stradivari

I don't know these models but I have "compared" the Wilson Audio Watt/Puppy 7 with the Sonus Faber Stradivari. Well compared is a big word. There is a shop in Leiden who sells both and I had a quick listen to both. I think Sonus Faber makes great speakers, they are never fatiguing and et you hear great many details. But they are rather dull, maybe to polite could be great if you listen to Jazz and some classical (chamber music). If however you would like some more guts, less polite, maybe fewer details but more oomph, the Wilson Audio's were better.
I preferred the Wilson Audio.

Not exactly what you are looking for, however, you may find this Wilson vs. Sonus Faber review inetersting:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1085320068&openmine&zzMgattmch&4&5#Mgattmch

I would expect Alexandria to out-run Stradivari. In fact Maxx 3 is like little Alexandria. It's Maxx 2 that would be in contention.

Hi Spatine,

i own the Strads and compared them against the Maxx 2 in the same system before buying the Strads. I also am very familiar with Grand Slamm III and Alexander X2 (not v2).

I was looking for soulfulness first, with powerful bass, volume and dynamics second...but obviously still looking for a lot of everything at this level!

My own personal impression of the two (audition system was ARC Ref 3, ARC cd 7, ARC 110 Ref):

The Strad on string quartet was very organic, female vocals had that magic. More so than the Maxx 2...Note i have heard the Maxx 3 is in another category and comparable to the Grand Slamm III which i will get to in a second.

Gypsy Kings, Eric Clapton Unplugged, Eva Cassidy, David Brubeck...in all cases, i took the Strad for its ability to convey the sense of emotion, while maintaining comparable ability to show nuance, detailing, dynamic attack. (Attack was excellent on Strad...maybe a hair less than maxx 2, but super-minor and not noticeable on every track.)

Then, i went the other direction...Deep House, Snoop Dogg, Dr Dre, and also full scale orchestral (Jurassic Park soundtrack, Beethoven's 9th) to focus on dynamics, the ability of the speaker to crank at deafening volumes and keep it all together.

Here, i would say the Maxx II has greater ability to keep it together on orchestral where a 100-piece orchestra at varying volumes/dynamics within the different instruments, but played at high volume is a big challenge. All of the big Wilsons can keep their composure at near limitless volume.

The reason i went with the Strad is because it probably got me 85%-90% of the way there compared to the Maxx 2s on this test...a pleasant surprise. I am critical in all of my listening...but much more critical on vocals, jazz, blues, than i am deep house or rap.

Now on my system, using a full Class A Gryphon Antileon Amp and CJ Act 2, I can crank deep house loudly enough in a 30'x20' room that the volume is equivalent to a nite club (but with a sense of effortless in the sound that no one in the room realizes how loud it is until they realize they have to shout to be heard by the person standing next to them) and neighbors 2 levels down can hear it (thru solid concrete floor slabs)...i only played it for 2 minutes just to check the Amp was working when i first took it home...honest!

All in all, the Strad is one of those speakers that due to its makers reputation some people overlook. When in fact, when you actuall do side by sides, it is remarkable how well it takes all the magic of the Guarneri (which i used to own and preferred over Quad 2905 in half-day comparison session), and then manages to give the sound a full-bodied depth and presence i have not experienced in any other speaker in as musical a way...except in one...

The Grand Slamm III and Alexandria come at musicality from the Wilson side...accuracy, limitless dynamics and in my opinion manage to deliver an electrostatic like transient attack with a cones fantastic dynamic range and powerful/impact/slam. Whether you consider them "emotive" or "organic" is probably a matter of opinion...i think they ultimately do get you there but by virtue of such an extremely effortless way of delivering sound. i have not come across a speaker that makes everything seem so effortless. this then creates an ease of sound that gets me very close to real music in a real room. I feel they are exceptional speakers and (i would need to double check in a direct A/B of course) i think if i ever upgrade my Strads, i will very very seriously consider Alexandrias.

Although i respect Maggies, Thiels, Hansens, Martin Logans...none has come close for me in terms of magic as with the Strads. But the A-2s set up right i am pretty sure would convince me to trade up.

this is just one person's opinion...hope it's helpful! The main thing is...enjoy!!!

ohhh...one more thing. REgarding amplification, the Strad sounds very, very good on medium powered tubes...i used to run it with a cJ mv60...but having gone to full Class A SS, i will say that i prefer the bass being WAAY more powerful and tigher, and more delineated. I also find the spaciousness has improved.

Generally, i have not liked the Homage series with harder sounding SS...unlike the Cremona series which seems to respond very well to harder SS (i am defining harder as Krell which honestly is still excellent).

So in your case, I think Pass is a great option. I have a very good friend whose ears i trust. he listened to evo402, pass 350 and Gryphon Antileon with Strads.

he said evo was great for dynamics but he missed what made SF special. The Pass brought all that back with intricate sound, etc...

Hope that helps!