I second Nolitan and Elberoth. I've owned Eidolons for over 10 years now. I dont think that even WP7 is less musical than my Eidolons (not diamond, not vision). |
I agree w/ Elberoth that Wilsons now have a different sound than before.
Its not hard or sterile. Its actually warmer, fuller, quite musical to say the least.
Since I have not heard the avalons, i cannot comment on these speakers but am sure these are also very good speakers no doubt. |
If you want to merge your 2-ch and HT into one, get the Sophia 3. The easiest to drive, high efficiency. The Avalons do not have the dynamic capabilities for HT IMO, Sashas beeing to difficoult to drive for Arcam receiver.
Ragarding previous posts. IMO most of them are based on stereoptypes. Wilson sound have changed almost 180 degree in recent years. W/P Sasha does not sound hard / metallic like the older Wilsons did. With the right choice of electronics, they can have texture to die for ! On top of that, they have better articulation, much better resolution and vastly superior dynamics than any Avalon.
Avalons are only good for chamber music IMO. Play anything louder / more complex and they start falling apart. Cellos sound lovely though (although not more so than on the Sashas).
PS. I have owned Avalon Eidolon Vision for a year, and now I have been using W/P Sasha. Couldn't be happier. An outstanding speaker. I listen mostly to Jazz/Classical music. |
I listened to Avalons new model at RMAF with Roland amplification and loved them. Definitely a more musical speaker than the Wilson in my opinion. |
I've heard the Vandersteen 5a's with electrocompaniet seperates. I want to say I liked them, but when I auditioned with a friend I had a bit of a head cold and my hearing was muffled. My friend really liked them. They seem to sound pretty good. I'll have to arrange another listening session over at one of my local dealers. |
Of the 2, Avalon gets my vote, but I came home with Vandersteens...much more musical to me. |
I've heard both extensively but the Wilson's more often. Avalon would be my choice. Much more musical with great timbre and timing. The Wilson speakers are fast but dry and analytical, what I would want in a hearing aid.
Both seem like great companies so you should listen for yourself. |
I would also agree on the Magicos, they are a bit overrated considering the amount of $ involved in purchasing one of these speakers. |
Well said team212, that was the word I was looking for "uninvolving". Thats pretty much how I would describe the Magico's in one word. |
Hi,
I've owned Avalons and Wilsons--and my vote as well is for the
Avalons
--more Music less Hi Fi!
As for the Magicos-- overpriced overrated and uninvolving.
Good hunting
Des |
Thanks for the response guys. I appreciate your comments very much. I know I have to audition these. I will not spend money on anything until I hear it. Other responses did clear up some other questions I had. I had a feeling the avr600 wouldn't cut it. Thats why I was thinking of going with a dedicated music setup.
I feel I'm willing to go as far as the Avalon eidolon diamond, or the current sasha w/p. I feel the sophia 3 wasn't as fast in response as the w/p.
I have a local Avalon dealer. The only problem is that he works out of his house. So auditions are done by appointment only. He had a set of Avalon Ascendents in the room, but they were not hooked up. I did however listen to the Magico V3's with a Jeff Rowland Preamp, VAC phi 300.1 tube amp, and MSB cd IV transport. It was a pretty good setup I have to admit. The Magico's just didn't do anything for me. For such a large speaker I was unimpressed with the lack luster base. Transparency and sound stage was very good though. Just overall it didn't win my heart or anything. That speaker goes for $27k+
"Avguy" I will have to agree with you about the analytical sound. I noticed that it can sound a bit metalic in some situations. It doesn't necessarily sound bad, but rather a prefered taste. I don't mind a bit of a forward sounding speaker. I noticed the wilsons are like that at times, as well my paradigm's actually. I noticed they can sound just a little bright at times, and I do mean little. It isn't ever to the point of being intolerable though. Just natural characteristic of the speaker. Its hard finding a speaker that is very natural sounding with superb imaging without getting a little bright.
If I were to predict which I would like better, I think I would probably like the Avalons a little more on the music side. If I were to upgrade my 5ch though, the Wilson's might be the way to go. Wilson's also have center channels which is a plus, and the speakers are really efficient so my avr600 will have no troubles. If I go seperates for my dedicated music setup, I'll look into Jeff Rowland, Simaudio, or Ayre. I love Boulder, but its too rich for my blood. As for cables, I'm currently using a bi-amp pair of Analysis-plus oval 12 for my 60's. Another company I've been wanting to try is xlo electric. If xlo is good enough I would use that for a dedicated 2ch setup. I really don't believe in cables that overall tune the way a system sounds. I really do prefer a cable that has no sonic signature at all. The two companies xlo, and analysis are known for that. I do not like nordost, mit, or transparent audio. They have a sonic characteristic that is unatural to the source in my opinion. Thanks guys keep it up!
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My vote goes to the Avalon Eidolon Diamonds. A good friend has had both WP8 and now owns the Avalon Eidolon Diamonds and the difference are close between the two speakers as far as quality of sound and build quality goes. That being said when, I go over to his house I want to keep listening. Just one more song just one more record. That never happened with the WP8s. |
I've owned Ascent IIs, Monitors, and still own Eidolons.
After listening to WP7s, Sophia 2s, and WP8, my vote goes to Wilson. WP7 and Eidolon used prices are roughly the same.
The Eidolon's accuton and possible the crossover makes it borderline grainy and very intolerent of anything that doesnt have a syrupy-smooth high-end. Not so with the WP7s and above. With Avalons you buy woodwork, with Wilson you buy auto body shop craftsmanship.
And I assume Eidolon Diamonds are similar in $$ with Sashas? |
Although at times Wilson can be a fun speaker to me the Avalon makes them sound musically disjointed. The Avalons do an amazing job at blending their drivers and the speaker sounds as coherent as can be. For me this is critical in recreating the illusion of the sound of real music. That being said there are obviously many who find Wilson's sound musically rewarding.
Avalon and Wilson have different objectives in mind when it comes to reproducing sound and you have to decide which of two comes closest to the virtues you desire.
best,
Tom |
IMO, I have to agree with the above poster.Ive listened to Wilson and Avalon alot.I could easily live with the Sasha or Sophia3(both excellent speakers)but if I was dropping cash, Avalon would go home with me. |
I spent quite a bit of time comparing Avalon Eidolon Vision, and Wilson WP8 and Sasha, before settling down on the Avalons. The two brands sound, really, as different as can be. Both are incredible speakers. It all comes down to what sound you prefer more. Sometimes I wish I had more money in my bank account, and more space in my house. I might have purchased both if I could, and enjoyed each one depending on my mood....
Wilsons are incredibly clear, resolving and detailed, with amazingly fast dynamics & bass slam. Negatives for me are that Wilsons sound too analytical and metallic (for example, a traditional violin loses its wooden-case flavor, and sounds more like an electronic violin), and cause a bit of listening fatigue. Avalons sound much more transparent, holgraphic, and tonally accurate (i.e., traditional violin sounds the way it should), and throw off a huge sound stage, although not as clear and detailed as the Wilsons. One analogy I have heard is that Wilsons are great if you want to listen to examine the quality of a CD recording, and that Avalons are great if you just want to listen to music.
One caution though. Both brands demand the very best quality in amplifiers and cables to bring out the best in them. Hate to say it, but I don't think your Arcam will cut it...
In the end, you really need to audition these speakers to decide which brand YOU (and NOT anyone else) like better, and make sure you do the speakers justice by pairing them with high quality amplifiers and cables so you can hear how incredible they can sound! |
