Sonus Faber vs Wilson


I currently own a pair of absolutely gorgeous Serafino Tradition speakers. They are about 3 months old and I’ve finally got them positioned nicely in my room. They are being driven by a Gryphon Diablo 300. Great soundstage and imaging even off access. Tremendous detail and I just love the way the speakers look. I must add that it’s really important to me how all this stuff looks in my home. I love the tight fast and nuanced delivery of the Gryphon but not loving the way it looks…alas..that sound made the decision for me and I’ve hidden it away so my wife doesn’t have a coronary.

So….this brings me to my newest quandary. My local dealer has a gorgeous dedicated listening room in the lovely Biltmore hotel just minutes from my home. (Very dangerous…!) There are a pair of Wilson Sasha DAW speakers that sound…well…that sound like the best speakers I’ve heard. I absolutely HATE the way they look…and I would dread getting them up the three front steps of my home…but that sound….

Do I keep the lovely sounding and gorgeous looking Serafino’s or swap them for the ugliest best sounding speakers I’ve ever heard.? 
(There is an $18k price difference so there’s that too…!)
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Showing 1 response by rird

With respects to how long you’ve had your SF speakers, i can for sure say that IF you get those Wilsons, you will sooner or later have next itch, what happens with a separate power amp. No matter how nice you think the Gryphon is, a separate power/ pre will get you to next step. I have been in this situation myself. It just never ends. Also, a system is so room dependant so there is no way you can compare those speakers without swapping them back and forth in same environment. Have you ever visited a true state of the art room acoustic center? I say you will be utterly amazed when you realize what room acoustics do.
What kills most of the overall sound is room nodes (bass peaks and dips).
These are also not solved with the typical room acoustic devices (bass nodes).
If you measure, you’ll have the facts clear. So again, consider listening in your room and also consider if you possibly will ask for a new power/pre amp in a few years.

I personally quit all hifi for years and years because i got OCD. Nothing mattered but the system and it’s updates. 10 years later i still pay for stuff i don’t own (sold it all).
To reroute back to you, who you are will determine how you behave with this hobby. 18K is alot just to change speakers in less than ½ year.