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Review 1 of 1
Price Paid:
$10000.00
from Second hand (privat) Summary:
To my experience, taste and opinion the Wilson Audio Sophia is one of the finest speakers available on the market.
The Sophia is unbeatable in it's price range up to +100% (that's were you enter the Wilson Audio Watt Pupy price range).
This review concerns the Sophia 1.
It is a three way open basreflex design. The cabinet is build 100% resonance free. Build quality is of the highest level possible to purchase. See the manufacturers website.
The sound characteristics are: slightly warm, loads of hughe, deep bass, excellent tonal balance, very emotional, lots of soul, wide range of tonal colours, holographic sound, hughe soundstage, thrilling precise, detailled, proper reproduction of the sound of the instruments, very pleasant to listen too. Sound 'full grown' on the lowest volume. Can be driven very loud because of its high quality. Never gives 'fatique' (as longs as the amplification and source is of proper quality). They realy grab you. They give you 'chickenskin', spooky experience, heartbeats. They have a lot of soul and are not analytical, though they do not colour much.
It has a high sensitivity therefore it can be driven by any amplifier. Due to its sensitivity it is very suitable for tube amps that drive little power.
I use it in the following configuration: Power-amp Pass Labs X250.5, Pre-amp Pass Labs X1, SACD Lindemann 820S, the Wilson Audio Sophia 1 speakers, Transparent Reference XL-XLR interlinks, Siltech SPX 30 mkII powercables, Chord Oddysee speaker cables.
In search of 'my best sound' I have listened to and talked about a few good speakers. Here are my experiences: Avalon Ascendant (poor bass, poor soul, other qualities, not my cup of tea), B&W 800D (comes near and can be qulified as tonal compatible but have a bit less soul), B&W 801/802D (come near but less bass, less warmth, les soul), Revel (to blunt, no soul, not tonal acurate), the bigger Sonus Fabers (nice speakers but poor bass, less 'alive'), Totem Wind (sound characteristics come a bit near but they by far don't have the authority, they are much cheeper though).
Absolutely highly recommended. Fits in any system. Purchase 'for life' (I hope).
Since 2006 the Sophia 2 is on the market. Sophia 1 can be upgraded. To qoute my retailer: 'It was hard to beleive that Wilson could improve the Sophia. What could be improved on a speaker like that? ..... But they did it again, Sophia 2 is another step forward'. Strengths:
Sound quality, touches your soul.
One of the finest apeakers on the market.
Characteristics:
Slightly warm, loads of hughe, deep bass, excellent tonal balance, very emotional, lots of soul, wide range of tonal colours, holographic sound, hughe soundstage, thrilling precise, detailled, proper reproduction of the sound of the instruments, very pleasant to listen too. Sound 'full grown' on the lowest volume. They have a lot of soul and are not analytical, though they do not colour much.
Excellent to fit in any system, matches excellent with small tube amplifiers. Weaknesses:
Looks, size and weight. Similar Products Used:
See review.
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