Well, I will be comparing Sophia IIIs to Sasha's, and both of them to Rockport Mira's next week. Soon my ears will answer my question? Thanks for everyone's input! |
Short simple and great advice:
12-11-11: Onhwy61
Your system is well balanced as it is. The recommendations for acoustic treatments are excellent, by far the best sound improvement per dollar investment you can make. As far as changing speaker go, the real question isn't whether you would spend an incremental $15k, but whether you're prepared to spend an incremental $40k plus upgrading source, cables and amplification? If you just can't live without the Sashas and money is not a big concern, then go for it. If you have to save up for the purchase(s), then most likely Wilson will have introduced a new upgraded version or model and moved the performance bar even higher and pricier and would you be happy with the Sashas then? |
Samhar
I see no downside in comparing my speakers to other speakers. Sometimes the only way to appreciate what you have is to compare it to what you think maybe better. Once I'm settled on speakers I will invest in room treatment and upgrading my transport. |
Best of luck in your quest. Please keep posting your experiences. |
Samhar,
I will post a follow-up next week. I went through this before when I had Sophia 2s. I listen to B&W and Magico, but stayed with Wilson and upgraded my electronics. |
Ricred1,
I look forward to reading about your experience as well. Where are you auditioning the Rockport Mira?
BTW, I did not forget about the pictures. I took them and i will email them tonight! Sorry for the delay but father in law had heart attack and things have been hectic. |
Today I listened to Rockport Mira IIs and Wilson Sasha’s. I have Sophia IIIs and wanted to see if it was time to change speakers. I’ll preface my comments by stating, “there isn’t a perfect speaker, everyone hears differently, and audio has no absolutes, only preferences.
I took 7 CDs to listen to (Kem, Dave Koz, Jessy J., David Sanborn, and a few others). I prefer Jazz and a little R&B. I wonÂ’t go into every detail comparing the Mira IIs to Sophia IIIs, let just say, both I and my wife preferred the Sophia IIIs by a wide margin.
Sasha’s were up next. I could have listened to Sasha’s all day. It’s obvious that Sophia IIIs are cut from the same mold, but the Sasha’s do everything a little better. Not just more bass, more separation, height, and just a little smoother. My wife remarked,”Kem sounds like he is in the room”. If money wasn’t an issue, to my ears it’s a no brainer…Sasha’s! I submit Sophia IIIs are very, very, very good speakers and Sasha’s are Great! I will think about my finances for 1 more day. Stay with Sophia IIIs and get 90% of the Sasha’s or spend money that I probably shouldn’t right now. I guess another option is to save for a couple months and then get Sasha’s. Either way it's time to be grateful and thankful for what I have and enjoy the music!
The system consisted of my amp and preamp (Densen B350 and B250), Transparent Reference Cable, and DCS CD player as the source. |
So I'm curious, what happened here; did you get the Sasha's or stay with your Sophia III's and work on upgrading your room?? |
Johngp,
Sorry didn't see your post. I sold the Sophia 3s and decided today to get Sasha's. I hope to have them in a couple months. |
I have heard both in the same system and thought the Sasha was significantly superior. Maybe not my particular taste in speakers, but a very good speaker nonetheless. |
I heard the Sashas for the first time at the NYC Audio Video show this weekend and (as a former Watt/Puppy 6 owner) thought that finally the Wilsons stopped sounding analytical or etched. (I have heard the WP7s and 8s at shows also and still felt that they were a little etched and metallic like the WP6s.) So I think the Sashas are evidence that Wilson finally got it right. I was always vaguely annoyed by Wilson mids/highs/vocals (stridency and hashy) up to this point. |
I also heard the Sashas at the NYC show. I think they were in three systems. I much preferred the room with the VTL electronics. That was an excellent combination. |
Hey Peter, not to hijack the thread, but what else did you like at the show. I liked the vintage Quad 57s and the YGs. |
I don't want to discuss this in this Wilson thread. I think I will start another specifically about the NYC show. |
Hi Peter,
Sorry, forgot about my question. Glad to hear you got the Sasha's, they seem to be a fantastic speaker. Please let us know your thoughts after they arrive. |
John, You must have me confused with someone else. I did not buy a pair of Wilsons. |
I was about to pull the trigger on a used pair of WP8s and my friend sold me his Sasha's. Unfortunately, he is moving overseas, but I couldn't miss this opportunity. I'm very, very satisfied with the change. |
Excellent move Ricred1.. Good to know. Congrats and enjoy 'em! |
Bvdiman,
Thanks...What pleasure they have brought! |
I would buy Sophia due to amplifier flexibility |
Keithr
After having both in the same system and in the same room, I can't disagree with you more. Not because of what someone is telling me, or I'm just saying it to say it, but if the room is adequate, the Sasha's can do things that Sophia 3s can't do. As a matter a fact, with the Sophia 3s, I would listen with the volume @ 160, with the Sasha's I listen with the volume @ 140. I submit that Sasha's aren't as hard to drive as the measurements would suggest. I'm not saying that I wouldn't have better results with a more powereful amplifier, but my 100 watt Densen B-350s provide what I need. Sophia 3s are great at what they do, but I promise you Sasha's are at another level. |
It's been almost 3 weeks now and I listen to more music than ever. Sasha's image and provide more space between instruments than any speakers that I've ever owned. I think I've reached the point where I'm finally done. |
i am thinking about sophia 3s or 2s. i have a cj act 2.2, simaudi w7 amp(150/300/500w) and a sim supernova cd. room is panel treated 19x13x8 which opens up into a hall way and a small room on the other side of the hall. i worry about size/speaker synergy. Also i wonder if some of the problems people have with their speakers is due to poor placement. I had a sumiko guy due their set up to my current vsa speakers and they wound up placed where i would never have placed them and sounded far different than what i had achieved after a lot of movement around the room. i listen to rock blues female vocals and a little jazz. love the sophias for their bass-ability to do a fender bass sound like no ther speaker i have heard. What do you all think about my room is the 8 ft ceiling or 13 ft wide going to be a problem???? |
We listened to Tricon_dave's Sasha last week with my Naim Superline phono stage. That is a great combination ; speed and definition were amazing. |
