Thanks everyone for your input thus far! We will make a decision shortly and will keep you posted... |
Thanks for your response, Larryi. I did find it rather amazing that the Wilson's sounded substantially more detailed at the lower volume levels. That is obviously quite important in my current listening environment. |
Thanks for your input, Rcprince. The great thing about this process has been that my wife is totally on board with whatever I decide...She is an interior decorator with great taste and she initially thought the Wilsons looked like Trash Cans and that she would not be able to live with them...After our demo on Sat, now she is a big fan too!
Really appreciate your input on buying the demos too.
John |
Thanks dmurfet...I laughed too when she called them trash cans. It was quite a shock to see the way she changed her POV once she heard them!
Regarding the comments from everyone about stretching my budget...This is just such an addictive hobby. A year ago I was using a surround sound receiver and a dvd player as my source for cds. I would never have even thought about spending 10K+ on a system let alone a pair of speakers!
Clearly I have come along way in a year...Buying the Sophias is not going to break me but it is a choice and something else is going to be cut if this is the route we are going to go. I have listened to just about everything that is out there and really have decided it is the Sophias or nothing. Everything else just seems to be spending a lot of money for not much more in terms of performance over the 704s. So it is either now, or wait and buy the Sophias later.
Again, many thanks to everyone for their input. Will keep everyone up to date with whatever we decide to do.
All the best,
John |
I bought a pair of floor model Sophias tonight...Was able to save a bit of money and they are in pretty good shape.
Tried a bunch of other speakers over the past week and nothing compares to me...
Hopefully they will be delivered in time for the weekend.
Thanks again for everyone's input. I really appreciate it. Will post again after a few days of listening.
John |
Hi Dgad:
I listened to a bunch of different speakers...Main listening focused on the Wilsons and these others
Von Schweikert 4 Jrs and Srs.
Gallo
Dali Helicon
B&W 803 D
B&W 802 Nautilus
B&W 802 D
Maggies
Quads
Sonus Faber
Thiel
To me, none of these speakers were close to the Sophias
John |
HI Avguygeorge
I actually looked into this as I bought an older pair of Sophias. I spoke with Wilson and no changes have been made since the Sophias were introduced a few years back... I believe you should be able to do better than 90% of retail as I paid quite a bit less than that for mine and received the 5 year warranty too.
John |
So the speakers are here, they are hooked up and they sound fantastic...Even though they are hooked up with some lesser wire (my Nordost Blue Heaven have to be re-terminated)and they are not properly voiced yet they sound awesome. Speakers are just so effortless and unlike my B&Ws they sound good at any volume. SRV's Tin Pan Alley has never sounded so good...
While they look big in my room, sitting 8ft from these speakers is not a problem.
Could not be happier with the speakers or my set up.
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. Will update once the dealer comes to voice the speakers and my wire returns from Nordost.
John |
Thanks, Jungsan...They are incredible...Absolute magic with my McIntosh...The search is over-for now. |
Dealer came over to my apartment last night...Tweaked my speakers a few inches here and there...Positioning tightened up the bass nicely and widened the soundstage a bit. There is no question that these speakers are substantially less directional than my old B&Ws.
Also, for those of you who have rather small living quarters, these speakers can work quite well. Obviously I would love to have more room to let these things breath but the dealer was pretty blown away with the sound we were able to achieve.
Room is about 12Wx20LX9H. I have some openings in this room so I am a bit limited with placement. Speakers are on the long wall-about 7 feet apart, 1 1/2ft from the wall and 8 feet or so to my listening position which is a pretty deep couch against the far wall. Speakers are about 7 ft from the side walls and they are toed in a bit.
Can't wait to get my Nordost cables back...Will post an update once I get them hooked up.
John |
Hi Dave:
Frankly, I was hoping to like the 802Ds more than the Sophias but it just was not close.
I listen to a pretty wide variety of Music but list Wilco, Mark Knopfler, The Who, Pearl Jam and John Hiatt amongst my favorites. I tested both the Sophias and the 802Ds with all of the above plus some Jazz and with the following electronics-Mark Levinson, McIntosh, and Naim solid state amps.
Again, just my opinion but the Sophias sound much better to my ear.
Have fun with the search!
John |
Jungsan:
I have listened to the Sophias with McIntosh, Levinson and Naim gear and all sounded great...The only mismatch to my ears was Halcro gear...Sounded bright and tinny to me. I have heard great things about BAT tube gear with the Wilsons and am dying to hear them with McIntosh tube gear as well.
John |
That is correct, Jungsan but that was simply a price increase not a change in the speaker...
Bass performance is outstanding well defined and deep. I had a bit of bloom with mine when they were set up initially but the dealer then came by and we were able to fix this...These speakers are not nearly as directional as the B&Ws but you will need to experiment with placement.
John |
Absolutely, Avguygeorge. These speakers are big and heavy and the crates are ridiculous. I might be able to use one as my coffin if my audio spending continues as my wife will kill me if I even consider any more purchases.
Keep looking...I am sure you will be able to find a good deal on some Sophias. Dealers in your area might be a good resource too. You might pay a bit more but you will get the warranty and some piece of mind...
Either way, the search is worth it as the speakers are just awesome...
John |
Heard the dealers will know more in a month or so...
I personally am so happy with my speakers I don't think I am going to make any changes..
Just because they are making a change does not necessarily make the speaker better to your ears. Also, I would rather work on my amp than use the extra money to get another 2 or 3% out of my speakers.
Personally, I think this is a great buying opportunity for a lot of people who have been on the fence about Sophias...I would be willing to bet there are going to be a lot of floor models out there for sale... |
My dealer is saying another few weeks... |
