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Wilson Sophia

I have been looking at stepping up from my B&W 704s and heard the 802Ds, the Naut 802s and the Wilson Sophias. I was all set to spend the 4500 on a pair of used 802s but then I heard the Wilsons. All I can say is that the Wilsons absolutely spoke to me. My problem is that this is a huge investment for me and I think that I must be crazy to even be thinking about this purchase. Even more so, because I live in an apartment building and cannot "crank up" my system to massive volume levels.

My question is-am I going to be able to truly appreciate these speakers with my McIntosh MA 6500 integrated and my Lector CD player? There is not going to be any money in my budget to even consider other changes for a long time. Wilson's were set up with mid level Naim gear.

Are there any risks with buying the units off the floor if I can get a deal?

As always thanks for your input.

John
jhorton19

Showing 11 responses by avguygeorge

avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Thanks Junsan. Most will love it where I have to admit ----oops;forgot to take the bam out of the chain. Yes, once removed---getting chilly in here; almost goose bumps. Still have to do final leveling and get a touch closer on the positioning.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Does anybody know if there have been upgrades to the Sophia's? (I see the price has gone up since '02) I see in Feb/03--on page 73-- it says retail is (was at that time 11,000.) might also say; used these go for 90% of retail--ouch!!
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Thanks for the "no-change" info John.That's good news. I did contact the seller of the pair that went at auction 2 days ago. If that had been a local seller I would have helped drive up the price. (They went for 7,7--I would have gone 8 easy) His ship est.was awful high so I'm still watching and waiting. (His est was over 600;then another 225 for paypal) BTW; thanks, because most everything I needed to know,I found here.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Became an owner--Wed.of this week.I wonder if anybody else went from Merln MM's to Sophia??? Sad to say the Merlins are so close--'cept for bass area. Mine ain't broked'in yet. Merlins ain't bad speakers--at 4k used.For a bit over 10k for the Sophias;that is a lota bucks for that few hrts. That's how I call it. I got what they call titianimum/silver (dark silver) Usually I get chills etc with new speakers---not this time.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
I guess this locking on will take a while for me 2. When seated and turning my head a bit the soundstage becomes disjointed. That never happened with the Merlins. This may be a non audiophile description but it's like I'm in a bubble;I turn my head a tiny bit; bubble gone. I also think the Merlins dssapear better.(I guess that's the same thing)--But overall that ends "advantage Merlin". It's like I'm hearing 2x's as much music.---If Bobby could ever fit a woofer in one of his speakers and not loose anything along the way---.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
I have a change of amps for my Sophias. I use a Belles 150a Ref. most of the time. Then when I'm so inclined I switch to my CJ 8xs triode monos.It was a pure simple monetary choice on not getting the 7's.I'm one of those guys whom can watch a ball game with no tv. audio and listen to music at the same time.---My stuff is always on when I'm online,like right now. I've only had these for 2 months so they are still breaking in; but they're the best speaker this poor boy ever owned.About 10 leagues ahead of my "old" Merlin, MM's.(Or, so I think)
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Actually my dealer is going to buy back my speakers--(meaning he will resell them)then I will get a brand new set---due in Dec
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
My series 2's will be here this Sunday.Of course that means breaking them in for a couple of months.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Well the 2's got here. They have damage. It appears(or looks like) a skill saw cut to the crate. Dead straight, vertical, 3 or 4 inches long and 1/4 ,wide.(i.e.,a slot,like a ballot box) This cut left splinters on the inner side. A splinter nicked the finish--down to the white,under the piano black. Although this nick is only an inch long it is enough to depress one. Without the crate one might never figure how this happened.
Sound wise, new speakers always suck;I expected that part;not the other part.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Thanks to having a nice dealer.---They are closed today but Brooks left me a message and I should have no problems. I've dealt with him for years;but---I never had anything like this happen.
A nick like this that is below the surface would look like a patch job,no matter how hard you would try--- Unless you brought the speakers and left them for several weeks, They are just to beautiful for a patch job.>> Druffcorn: The TAS review of the 802's (Issue 117) was a masterpiece. It taught me a lot about speakers and ins and outs of bass. I never heard these speakers but just from the review my mouth was wattering.---So, I find it easy to see someone would prefer this speaker.At 'this' level/price-point;there are many great speakers and we get to pick and choose.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Happy Holidays back at 'cha, David, (and to everyone). Does your son have his system up and running,yet??
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