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Wilson Sophia 2 vs Revel Salon2--fair comparison?

I've narrowed my search to these two speakers. The prices are in the same ballpark for my current situation: I would be buying the Sophias from a local authorized dealer vs buying the Revels new/barely used here at Agon (since I have no local dealer).

I have been able to audition the Sophias and loved them. Since there is no local dealer, the Revels have remained unheard. The praise in the press and various forums have still kept them in the running though.

They will be palced in a 20x27' room. Power will come from an all Bryston front end including the all new 4B SST squared. Music is a mix of classic rock and jazz. I tend to value bass slam and depth as well as the ability to disappear. Coherence is also important.

So what does the forum think? Is this a fair fight? Should I just go for the Revels? Thanks!
e30m3

Showing 2 responses by tigerwoodkhorns

tigerwoodkhorns
130 posts
 
I have posted this before but FWIW, at CES 2008 only four speakers that I heard stood out. The Wilson WP8's and Revel Salon 2's were two of them.

The Wilson's had about $100,000 of VTL equipment in front of them and the room was really dialed in. They sounded great.

The Revels were in the back corner of a room promoting chip amps. Just thrown together with maybe $2000 of front end equipment, if that, and they sounded great.

I will not comment on the nuances of either as I did not spend enough time to do so and it has been a while. But that said, I think that I would have bought the Revel's over the Wilsons.
tigerwoodkhorns
130 posts
 
"I'd be more concerned that the Revels and possibly the Sophias might be to reveling for the Brystons 4B SST's. If your ready to up grade the amps also go for the Revels and buy amps for them."

Why do people pick on Brystons? I think it is the review of them back in the early 90's (several models ago) when Stereophile gave them a "B." The ST's and on are truely first class products. I used to have 7B ST's and they are definately high end amps and up to the task. Some feel that they are an upgrade from other amps such as McIntosh and Classe. I found them more accurate than Classe CAM 350 monoblocks.
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