2. speakers
  3. 148775-61591

Speaker upgrade question - Wilson vs Focal

Hey audiogoners!

Thinking of upgrading and need the community/expert input.

Thinking of upgrading from a set of usher mini ones that I've had and loved for a few years.

I listened to a bunch of speakers, Focus Audio, Martin Logan, B&w, higher end ushers, Wilson audio, and Focal.

The ones I liked the most were the Wilson Audio Sasha DAW and the Focal Sopra 3. 

Loved the forward and detailed instrumentation on the Wilson's, especially the Sasha DAW, but liked the vocals slightly better on the sopras, though instrumentation on them was not as crisp as on Wilson's. But the two are very close.

Music is mostly jazz, classical, light rock, electronic and occasionally symphonic metal / European metal (night wish, sonata Arctica, dream theater). Mostly jazz though, vocal and instrumental. 

Trying to decide between getting the Wilson audio yvette, ( Sasha is too expensive and Sabrina's don't deliver enough) and Focal Sopra 3. Though I can wait a few years and get the Sasha then second hand.

I won't be considering other brands since I already did that research run around. These two brands work best for me and synergize well with my inwall home theater speakers (origin d87s).

I will be powering them using a McIntosh mc452 /C2600 for 2 channel, mostly LPs (McIntosh mt10) and tidal streaming and a anthem 1120 for home theater. 

What you guys think? Go for the Yvettes, wait for the Sasha's or go for the focals? 

Thanks.


128x128mepstein10
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,584 posts
 
mpstein there is no issue with Mac powering Wilsons, Mac will power any speaker, the issue is sonic matching.

With Mcintosh the Focals or Ushers would sound more lively.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ
rbstehno
1,399 posts
 
mepstein10 - The BE10's will blow away the focals and YYettes. No need for subs with the BE10's. I bought a pair of the Usher X-Towers a few months back. It has a little bit bigger midrange than the BE10 and they are 2 piece speakers so you can swivel the top part a little. Still 200 lb speaker. the bass module is 150lbs by itself. It was a toss up between these and the BE10's. To better compare the Usher BE10 to the Wilsons, you need to start with the Sasha's nothing lower in their line. The Usher's will give you a fuller bass than the Sasha's.
I drive my Ushers with a Macintosh C47 preamp with a new PS Audio BHK 250 signature amp.
wbhendrix's avatar
wbhendrix
2 posts
 
I just purchased Sopra 2’s a few weeks ago and love them!!
pistha
31 posts
 
@mepstein10 - don’t base your choice on electronics you have today! You can always change - Mac gear sells easily. I used to have a c2300 and it was under classing my Sophia 3.  - sold it in a jiffy. Life is short - get the Yvette- you’ll be happy! 
audiobill1
51 posts
 
I put Focal's in my Airstream Interstate. They rock. In the mornin' you go gunnin' for the man who stole your water....
More to discover