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Sophia 2/Magico V2 versus Sasha/Magico V3

So I'm currently enjoying Wilson Sophia 2s and Magico V2s in my home.

Amplification is Pass XA 100.5, preamps alternate between H20 Fire (solid state) and Audio Valve Eclipse (tube). Sources are Modwright Transporter and Raven One/Tron Seven.

These speakers are very different. The Sophia 2s are more energetic and vibrant, have more robust bass and a lot more forward presence. They can bark at you with certain recordings (upper midrange glare), they are not gentle. Used with a tube preamp, I find the timbre to be very natural sounding, giving a great deal of the 'instruments are in the room' feeling. With solid state preamp, they sound a little cold - a little 'ceramic' if you will.

The Magico V2 is slightly colored in comparison - more of a wood sound, not as much as Avalon, but it's there. The highs are nowhere as crisp, the bass comes up a bit short and they do not have the dynamics of the Wilsons. However, they offer a heck of a lot more detail in the upper midrange and highs. I hear so much more of what is going on than the Sophias. For example, horn sections on the Wilsons almost sound compressed, whereas on the Magicos they open up and come to life; I can't get over the difference.

So here's where I'm going with this: the natural upgrade path for the Magico is the V3 and the Wilson, the Sasha. Can anyone speak to what characteristics are retained versus gained (or lost for that matter) in the two upgrade paths? If it were easy to hear them in my own home, I wouldn't ask, but unfortunately it's going to be work and I may only get to hear one of these.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
madfloyd

Showing 3 responses by elberoth2

elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
Madfloyd - I just upgraded from Sophia II speakers to Sasha. I did not have the time to listen to them at lenght, but the first two traits that cought my attention was much better HF performance (much smoother highs and much more detailed at the same time) and less energy in the upper midrange/lower treble.

If you feel that Sophias had some midrange glare with your system, you should appreciate this change.
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
That is interesting. My room is smaller - 14 x 19 - and I have absolutely no bass issues with Sasha. My room is fully treated though.

You have to give the HF driver at least 300-400h to properly burn in. If you still find that there is still too much treble energy, you may open the 'crossover' compartment at the back of the speaker, and attenuate the tweeter by changing the resistors. You need to ask you dealer for assistance here.

Here are some of the resistors values I got from Jerron at Wilson Audio:

Tweeter

+.5 dB = (2 x 1.0 ohm)
-.5dB = (2 x 2.1 ohm)

Midrange

+.5dB = (2 x 2.75)
-.5dB = (2 x 3.75)

You may opt for 0,5dB boost at midrange freq and -0.5dB cut at high freq.

I was to do it myself, but the tweeter somehow settled now and I do not feel it is necessary any longer.
elberoth2's avatar
elberoth2
1,223 posts
 
Not at all. Sasha crossover is user adjustable. IMO it is just another great feature if this design. You may try different resistors, and then revert back to stock if you like. It is like changing fuses.

See the images I posted in this thread:
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